The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1916-07-07
LESSON FOR JULY 9
THE rnEssALoN,AN cHRtsriANs

Jesus oie0 ana rose again, even % Snem
also that are fallen asleep in Jesus vii
This epistle IL probably one OF ths
earliest OF Paul's letters "a. D. 6o-6SD
1t links itself closely with the seven
teenth chapter Of the Book of Acts
Driven from Berea. Paul goes to Ath
ems and later to Corinth. while Tim
othy returns to Thessalonica and car
ries . report to Paul 1t Corinth.
Whereupon. perhaps within si1
months. Paul writes his epistle. A
study Of the two letters addressed to
this church teaches US how Paul I'd.
vised and instructed his Gentle con.
verts. The first is particularly cheer
full. positive and helpful exhortation.
!. Thanksgiving and Testimony Il:
100: 2:17-2O). u) saIutation d:O
The phrase. tho church Of the Thes
salonians which Is in God" 10 nowhere
else used. Some think 1t to be unique
because Paul had SO little to condemn
or to criticize. The deity of Jesus
Christ and that grace and peace pro-
coed from God is clearly set forth.
(2) Thanksgiving wv. and - (D
For works of faith; (b) for their
Tabor of love-" and (c) their Pa
tience" (endurance). That these
works were "in the sight OF God" 10
evidence Of their genuineness. and
such spiritual fruitage awakened
(3) knowledge in Paul's mind ". ~.
They were elected" to salvation. holi.
ness and likeness to Jesus wv. 50;
I Pet L.: Eph. Ia. s; Rom. S:29).
a. Testimony wv. 6-10). Paul could
appeal to the known conduct of him.
self and his friends to substantiate, to
prove, the standing OF those candi-
dates for holiness who had been "elect.
ed" His words had not come to them
In mere exhortation and eloquence but
"also in power" which governed their
conduct. This was not to win Ap-
plause, but in his own case ho labored
for their sakes ". 81 and in their
case they had received the word with
Joy" in the midst of afliction to the
end that they became examples (pat-
terms or types; literally. like the far
echoing notes of trumpet) ". y to
all that dwelt in the regions there
about. Their obedience, consistency
and missionary spirit wv. S-10) sound
ed forth everywhere and all that
needed to be done was to say, Behold
the church Of fThessalonica!" (6) Paul'e
glory and Joy (2:17-20). Paul sets
forth his character as q Christian
worker (2:1-16). (a) His physical
boldness wv. ~; (b) his faithful. Inn
nm r+iol 700 ob{rO (vv 9-SN ofFarf{onat0-
ly kind T,8), unselfish, working for
his own support ". 81. holy and con-
sistent (13-16). No one had anything
on him." and such a life dares to be
bold, though 1t is not free from per-
secution ". 15). (6) Paui's desire
(2:17-2O). He here sets forth why this
letter was written. Separated from
them by persecution, he desires to
return and supply the things they were
yet lacking and to see face to face
those whom he loved. Satan pre-
vented ". 18) doubtless using the bit
ter persecution stirred up against him.
He had therefore sent Timothy from
Berea to comfort them (3:15), who
had made such q good report (3:1-1O
that 1t urged Paul to greater prayer
wv. 11-13) on their behalf.
II. Ignorance lilumined (4:13-1s).
Paul rebukes certain sins t4:1-12), ex.
horting them to godliness and to love
one another. He then touches upon q
doctrine which was one OF his
strongest reasons for writing to these
Thessalonians. The imminent return
Of Christ had been strongly empha-
sized, but in the months OF Pauls alb
sence some of their number had died.
died without seeing Christ's promised
glory. Would those who remained
have any advantage over the dead
saints when Christ should come? 1t is
to set their thinking Alright that Paul
writes. This he does by outlining the
great and blessed hope Of the church
in its rapture" at Christ's coming.
This is more clearly set forth here
than anywhere else in the New Testa-
ment. Those who mourned over de-
parted loved ones are not to sorrow
As those who had no hope" Jesus
the risen, everlasting Savior and king,
is certainly coming again in his king
dom Of glory, with a shout, with the
VOlC6 u tu0 AICuAuA0A AucA 0OH'
row Is not that of the world, for those
departed are but sleeping" and will
come back with Jesus when he comes.
Together they who sleep and We who
are alive shall be caught up ito meet
the Lord in the air." all to dwell to-
gather forevermore with tho Lord.
Paul's description Of the events of
this second coming, this rapture Of
the church. has not yet been fulfilled,
but he and the disciples were not mis-
taken as to its nearness. its immi-
nence.
~. The Hope Of Church and State
(6:14-24). The letter closes with
moral exhortations with reference to
aniriAaal loadara cara Of 0nA AnnfhAr