The Green Forest tribune., 1916-07-07
INTERNATIONAL SlND6YSQlO0L
 LESSON
 o SELLERS. Acting Director or 1PS s S,ndaV School Course in the Moody Bible Institute of ChicagoJ fCopyright by Western Newspaper oiiioh'
LESSON FOR JULY 9
THE THEssALoNIAN CHRISTIANS.

God bring with him. lhess' f'if ~.
 This epistle is probably one of the earliest of Paul's letters GA. U. oo-oo )' It 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 llm- othy returns to Thessalonica and car ries a report to Paul at Corlnth. Whereupon, perhaps within SIX months, Paul writes his epistle. A study of the two letters addressed to this church teaches us how Paul au- vised and instructed his Gentle con- verts. The first is a particularly cheer full. positive and helpful eXhortatlon.
 |. Thanksgiving and Testimony q: 1-90; 2:17-20). CD Sautation d: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- ceed from God is clearly set forth. (2) Thanksgiving (vv. and 5 ta) For works of faith; (b) for their Tabor of love-" and Co their pa tience' (endurance). That these works were fin the sight of God" is evidence of their genuineness. and such spiritual fruitage awakened (3) Knowledge in Paul's mind (v. Al. They were elected" to salvation, holi- ness and likeness to Jesus (vv. 5-9; I Pet 1:2; Eph. IA, 5; Rom. S:29). (41 Testimony (vv. 6-10). Paul could appeal to the known conduct of him. self and his friends to substantiate, to prove, the standing of those candl- 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 he labored for their sakes (v. 5 and in their case they had received the word with joy" in the midst of affliction to the end that they became examples (pat- terms or types; literally, like the far echoing notes of a trumpet) (v. ? to
 
 about Their obedience, consistency and missionary spirit (vv. 8-10) sound ed forth everywhere and all that needed to be done was to say, Behold the church of ofThessalonica!" (5) Paul's glory and joy f2:17-2ol. Paul sets boldness w. I. 2. ~t5 tpr--a G1rlstlan partial teaching (vv. 3-6), affeetionate- ly kind (7,8), unselfish, working for 1 hi own support (v. 9, holy and con- sistent (13-16). No one "had anything f on him." and such a life dares to be i bold, though it is not free from per secution (v. 15). (6) Paul'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 vet lacking and to see face to face those whom he loved. Satan pre- vented (v. 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 a good report (9:1-10) sthat it urged Paul to greater prayer SSv. 11-13) on their behalf.
 II. Ignorance lllumined (4:13-18) Paul rebukes certain sins (4:1-12), ex horting them to godlincss and to love one another. He then touches upon z 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 Paul's ab sence some of their number had died died without seeing Christ's promised glory. Would those who remainet have any advantage over the deat saints when Christ should come? It i
 to set their thinking alright that Pau
 writes This he does by outlining tn
 great and blessed hope of the churcl in it's rapture" at Christ's coming This is more clearly set forth her , than anywhere else in the New Testa ment Those who mourned over de parted loved ones are not to "sorro,
 as those who had no hope" Jesu
 the risen, everlasting Savior and kins J is certainly coming again in his kint
 dom of glory, with shout, with tn f voice of the archangel." Their SO
 row is not that of the world, for thos
 departed are but sleeping" and wi
 come back with Jesus when he come J. Together they who sleep and we wh t are alive shall be caught up "to met @ the Lord in the air." all to dwell t. S gether forevermore with the Lord, 1 n enc glorious company when his kin r dom is fully come and his will is cor l. pletely done on earth as well as IS heaven. Their bodies, risen from tf
 grave and reunited to their souls in a glorified condition, and we who r n main, the whole church or body y Christ caught up like Enoch of O Ie (Heb. ID or Elijah-a glorious hop, le This is not alone PauIs word upt W this question, but this he says "by ( d in) the Word of God" (v. 15) \ r. wonder, then, that we should comic
 one another with these words"
 18).
 The Lord, who is now in heav ut (Acts 1:9; Eph. 1:20), shall himst 10 descend from heaven; not his spir or not a great revival, army of angels,
 social reconstruction of society, b
 descend himself, personally, visit
 and bodily tActs i'll; Jno. 14:3; H, i'll 9:2S; Phil. 3:20, 2D.
 " Pauls description of the events
 this second coming. this rapture
 the church, has not yet been fulfil,
 but he and the disciples were not m Icf faLa, f0 ftc poarpoZ5