This week we are back in the NT and going through Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. Paul’s central theme in 1 Thess is looking forward to the Day of the Lord and in 2 Thess dealing with the rise of evil and the Man of Sin. Be blessed as you read and pray.
1 Thessalonians 1: Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
The Thessalonians' Faith and Example
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 2: Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed---God is witness.
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labour and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,
12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind
16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved---so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last!
Paul's Longing to See Them Again
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavoured the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,
18 because we wanted to come to you---I, Paul, again and again---but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
Things to think about…
1. Paul is joined by Silvanus (Silus) and Timothy in writing to the Thessalonians. He always begins with thanks to God for those he is writing to, 1 Thess 1:2 after blessing them with a greeting of grace, vs 1. I know this how we greet each other at CBC. In all his letters Paul greets the church, gives thanks to the Lord and then gives thanks for the church he is writing to.
2. Have a look at 1Thess 1:5,6. The Holy Spirit joins the Word of God with power and joy. Do we see this being on display in our meetings? I believe we do see the Lord’s power on display, but we must not keep this to ourselves. Paul says this power is attributed to the gospel, 1Thess 1:5 and that our calling is to share it with a lost and dying world.
3. Paul mentions how he was treated at Philippi for the sake of the gospel. Read Acts 16 for a reminder. He says he suffered for the purpose of giving truth and that he never came with the desire to flatter or come with a pretext of greed. Integrity and honesty in our message and relationships should define us. This is the gospel on display.
4. In 1Thess 2:6-12 Paul speaks about his witness when he was with the Thessalonians. I wish I could be as confident as he is as he writes about being holy, gentle, affectionate, hard-working, righteous and blameless. The purpose for all of this is because they were called to His kingdom and glory, vs 12. Let’s hold each other accountable to strive to be the same as we share the gospel of Christ to a lost world.
5. Have a look at 1 Thess 2:13. Paul says that the Thessalonians “received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God”. Paul is declaring that what he said, as he did with the Corinthians in 1Cor 14:37, were in fact the commandments of the Lord. Sometimes I think we can separate the red letters of Jesus as being only the true words of God, but here we are told to put Paul’s words on the same plain. The issue of course is that the Apostle Paul says some controversial things to our modern ears…but what are we to do, they are the Word of God.
6. The Thessalonians knew what suffering was like, 1Thess 2:14-16. This made them special to Paul. He wanted to see them “face to face” but “Satan hindered us” Paul says, vs 18. God is sovereign but Satan still tries to divide and keep Christians away from having true fellowship with each other. Paul used to boast to others about the Thessalonian church, vs 19. I must confess I do the same. Our church is a pretty friendly place. As a result, I totally agree with Paul in 1Thess 2:20. I love serving at CBC for this reason. Look at the context here. What made the Thessalonians a ‘joy and crown’ was contrasted by the suffering they had previously gone through. Are you prepared to endure the same for the sake of the gospel?
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell Groups on break over the Easter holidays.
Prayer Points
1. Recharge and Kids@Church ministries as term 2 starts this week.
2. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
3. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
4. Getting drawings into council.
5. Sunday’s message “I’m in Raptures” – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Zac and Bec’s wedding followed by 7 baptisms was an amazing testament to God’s grace.
2. More visitors to church on Sunday.
3. We praise God for the rain but pray for those travelling over the Easter break.
4. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison Willey.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Gel blaster morning – 8-12pm Sat 24th April – Wacol reserve. Contact Tim Freeman for more details 0403 682 909.
2. Recharge on this week all high schoolers – 6:30pm-8:30pm Friday at church. $2 coin donation. Melinda Fourie heading this ministry.
3. Kids Church for all primary schoolers. Maddison Willey is the ministry contact. Parents please check your rosters. Remember to sign your kids in and out.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
