The
Five T's
1
& 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
First Thessalonians was taught by Dr. James Modlish
First
Thessalonians Three
(THE
MODEL BROTHER)
Introduction:
Paul
was alone in Athens (Acts 17:15) and very concerned for
the Christians at Thessalonica. He feared news of his
personal troubles might hinder their faith. The key
thought in this chapter is "establish"
(vs. 2,3,8,13). New Christians go through times of
testing and affliction (vs. 3) and unless they are
established in the Lord, they will be moved by the devil
(vs. 5). Paul was not satisfied to have these people
saved (ch. 1), and nurtured (ch. 2); he wanted to see
them established in the faith (ch. 3), and able to walk
(ch. 4). What means did Paul use to establish these
believers in the faith?
I.
He sent a man to help - (vs. 2-5)
(vs.
2) -
Timothy had proved himself for several years in his own
local church before Paul enlisted him to be a helper
(Acts. 16:1-3). Timothy did not start by teaching and
preaching but he simply traveled with Paul assisting him
in anyway he could. Paul's estimate of Timothy is seen in
Phil. 2:19-24.
(vs.
3,4) - Timothy was sent to encourage them, lest they stumble
because of Paul's persecution. Paul knew fear and doubt
could easily gain control of their lives. God uses men to
strengthen the church (Eph. 4, Acts 14:21-23; 15:32-41).
. Every Christian has a responsibility to help other
believers - especially new believers. If every church
member would "adopt" a new Christian, encourage him,
teach him, and fellowship with him, there would be fewer
spiritual casualties. Remember.... you don't feed an
infant garbage, but wholesome food!.
(vs.
5) -
They needed a man because of the hindrances of Satan. The
devil has convinced many people that a man is only in the
will of God if he is surrounded by material blessings.
That may or may not be the case. Paul died alone, without
a home, car, swimming pool, boat, insurance policy,
stocks, bonds. He had experienced ship wreck, beatings,
stonings, hunger, and several other forms of privation.
But, he died in the will of God (2 Tim. 2:12).
II.
Paul prayed for them - (vs. 6-10)
(vs.
6-7)
- Paul received word that his prayer (vs. 10) and labour
(vs. 5) was not in vain. The twofold ministry of the Word
of God and prayer is what establishes a church. If there
is all teaching and preaching, and no prayer, then people
will have light but no power. If there is all prayer but
no teaching of the Word, emotional fanaticism will
follow. Jesus ministry was a proper mixture as was
Samuel's, the apostles (Acts 6:4), and Paul's (Acts
20:32).
(vs.
8-10)
- Notice Paul s concern was not for their safety or
happiness, but their faith. Satan in the enemy of your
faith, for if he can get you to doubt Gods Word
(particularly what it says about suffering) he will rob
you of every blessing we have in Christ. The real living
mentioned in (vs. 8) produces the joy of (vs. 9). It is
important to remember that joy can be in the midst of
adverse circumstances (Phil. 4). Paul found his joy in
others (vs. 9, 2:19).
III.
He reminded them of Christ's soon return - (vs.
11-13)
As we
have noticed before, the theme of this epistle is the
second coming of Christ. No truth establishes the
believer faster or better than this one. In the midst of
testing and tribulation, they could assure themselves and
encourage themselves with the promise of His coming. When
temptations came their way, as they did daily in those
heathen cities, they could keep themselves clean by
remembering that Christ might come that very day. If
weary of laboring and witnessing, they could take on new
strength and courage by looking for His return. No truth
in the Bible has a greater effect on the believer's
heart, mind, and will than the truth of the second coming
of Christ.
Read (Lk.
12:42-48) to see what happens to the servant who forgets
the coming' of Christ. This man did not say anything
openly; he merely said in his heart, "My Lord delayeth
His coming!" He did not love Christ's appearing. Is it
any wonder this servant backslid and could not get along
with other workers?
REPEATED
PROMISES OF COMING
Both
the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of
the Second Coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references
to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen Old
Testament books give it prominence.
Of the 216
chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318
references to the Second Coming, or one out of 30
verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer
to this great event. The four missing books include three
which are single-chapter letters written to individual
persons on a particular subject, and the fourth is
Galatians which does imply Christ's coming
again.
For every
prophecy on the First Coming of Christ, there are 8 on
Christ's Second Coming.
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