THE SECOND COMING: AN ENCOURAGING HOPE--I THESSALONIANS--LESSON 3

THE SECOND COMING: AN ENCOURAGING HOPE
I THESSALONIANS--LESSON 3

By E. L. Bynum

Lesson: I Thessalonians 2:1-20

Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 2:4

Introduction:

In I Thessalonians there is a progressive and purposeful treatment of the Second Coming in relationship to the Christian life.

Ch. 1 - Conversion and the Second Coming.

Ch. 2 - Service and the Second Coming.

Ch. 3 - Purity of heart and life and the Second Coming.

Ch. 4 - Bereavement and the Second Coming.

Ch. 5 - Alertness and the Second Coming.

I. PAUL'S MODEL MINISTERIAL CONDUCT. vs. 1-4

A. Boldness And Suffering. vs. 1-2

1. His boldness did not result in a vain or ineffectual effort.

2. His boldness not stifled by persecution. v. 2

3. His boldness was well founded "in our God." v. 2

4. His boldness in declaring a message the gospel. v.2

5. His boldness enabled him to face contention or warfare. v. 2

B. Faithfulness And Responsibility. vs. 3-4

1. The motive for the message. v. 3

a. Neither the message nor the messenger was deceitful.

b. The doctrine and motives were clean, not unclean.

c. There was no guile or evil motive in his preaching. Philippians 1:14-19

2. His responsibility based on a God ordained trust. v. 4

a. The gospel a trust from God. Galatians 1:11-12, But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

b. This trust calls for responsibility in speaking. We are stewards and will be required to given an account of our stewardship. Luke 16:1-2, And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. I Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

c. His aim, to please God not men. Galatians 1:10, For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

d. God tries and tests the hearts.

II. PAUL'S UNSELFISH MINISTRY IN LOVE. vs. 5-8

A. The Proof Of His Selfless Love. vs. 5-7

1. He never used flattering words. v. 5

2. He did not covet their possessions. v. 5, II Peter 2:3

3. He did not seek glory of men. v. 6

4. He did not use apostolic authority or fame for financial gain. v. 6

5. He treated them gently as babes. v. 7. As newborn Christians they were fed with the milk of the word. I Peter 2:1-3, Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

B. The Expression Of His Selfless Love. v. 8

1. His love for them resulted in his giving them the gospel.

2. His love for them made him willing to impart his life unto them.

III. PAUL'S DEVOTED MINISTRY FOR OTHERS. vs. 9-12

A. His Devoted Ministry Described. vs. 9-12

1. His unceasing labor. v. 9

a. He labored to carry the gospel to them.

b. He labored to make his own living, although the Church at Philippi sent some support to him. Philippians 4:15-16, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

(1) Paul was a tent maker by trade. Acts 18:3, And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

(2) Paul did not burden them. v. 9.

(3) Paul knew he had the right for financial care. 1 Corinthians 9:6-12

(4) On some occasions he used this right. II Corinthians 11:8, I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

c. His message - the gospel of God. v. 9. Paul's message was divine, it came from God and was God's.

2. His unblameable behaviour. v. 10. Philippians 2:15, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

3. His unfailing paternal care of them. v. 11

4. His unchanging desire for their walk. v. 12, II John 4, I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. Colossians 1:10, That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

B. The Results Of His Devoted Ministry. vs. 13-18

1. His unceasing thanks. v. 13

a. They received the Word of God as the Word of God. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Job 23:12, Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Psalm 19:7-9, The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

b. They effectual work of the Word of God.

2. Their unceasing walk, even in persecution. vs. 14-15

3. Their unholy opponents. v. 16

4. His unfailing desire. vs. 17-18

C. The Reward Of His Devoted Ministry. vs. 19-20

1. Christ's coming will be the time of the reward. v. 19. This is when the Judgment Seat of Christ will take place. II Corinthians 5:9-10, Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2. The Thessalonians souls would be his reward. v. 19. At His 2nd Coming (soon thereafter), the believer, the servant, will receive his reward for service. I Corinthians I 3:8-15

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Write or recite the memory verse from memory.

2. How was the gospel spoken to the Thessalonians? v. 2

3. Whom was Paul trying to please? v. 4

4. Show the extent of Paul's concern for them. v. 8

5. How were they to walk? v. 12

6. Who hindered Paul from coming?

7. How does this chapter relate the 2nd Coming to service?

8. What is flattery, and why did Paul not use it?