Mexico Missouri message., 1916-07-06
LESSON FOR JULY 9
THE THEssALoNIAN CHRISTIANS.

GOLDEN TEXT-If we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will
God bring with him.-I Thess. Ala r. v.
This epistle is probably one Of the
earliest of Pauls letters "a. d. 50-53O.
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 a report to Paul at Corinth.
Whereupon, perhaps within six
months, Paul writes his epistle. A
study of the two letters addressed to
this church teaches US how Paul ad-
vised aud instructed his Gentle con-
verts The first is particularly cheer
full, positive and helpful exhortation.
I. Thanksgiving and Testimony q:
100; 2:17-20). (D SaIutation Q:D
The phrase, "the church Of the Thes-
salonians which is in God" is nowhere
else used. Some think it 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. 2 and 81 (a)
| For works of faith; (b) for their
labor of love-" and (c) their pa
| thence" (endurance). That these
works were Gin the sight of God" is
evidence of their genuineness, and
such spiritual fTuitage awakened
| 90 Knowledge in Paul's mind ". A..
! They were elected" to salvation, holt
ness and likeness to Jesus wv. SO;
1 Pet 1:2; Eph. IA, s; Rom. 1920.
ca 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-
| for their sakes ". 81 and in their
case they had received the word with
| Joy" in the midst of affection to the
| end that they became examples (pat-
terms or types; literally, like the far
echoing notes of trumpe) ". y to
all that dwelt in the regions there
about. Their obedience, consistency
and missionary spirit wv. 500 sound
ed forth everywhere and all that
needed to be done was to say, Behold
the church ofThessalonica! 90 PauIs
glory and Joy (2:17-20). Paul sets
forth his character as Christian
worker (2:1-16). (a) His physical
holiness wv. 1,2); (b) his faithful, i'm
partial teaching wv. $50, affectionate-
ly kind (7,S), unselfish, working for
his own support ". 81, holy and con-
sistent C3-16). No one had anything
on him." and such life dares to be
bold, though 1t is not free from per-
secution ". 15). co. Paul's desire
(2:17-20). 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 ". 1S) doubtless using the Bit
ter persecution stirred up against him.
He had therefore sent Timothy from
Berea to comfort them (S:15), who
had made such a good report (S;1-10)
that it urged Paul to greater prayer
wv. 11-13) on their behalf.
n. Ignorance IlIumined (4:13-1S).
Paul rebukes certain sins (4:1-12), ex-
horting them to godliness and to love
one another. He then touches upon a
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 abb
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 it's rapture" at Christs coming,
This is more clearly set forth here
than anywhere else in the New Tesla
meat. 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 shout with the
voice of the archangel." Their sor
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." ell to dwell to
gather forevermore with the Lord.
Pauls 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 it's nearness, it's immi
nence.
~. The Hope Of Church and State
| (5:1+24). The letter closes with
moral exhortations with reference &c
spiritual leaders. care OF one another
the spirit of prayer; and he exhorts
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