Tag Archives: culture wars

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 with Study Questions for two week’s.

1 Thessalonians, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, Small Group Study Questions, , , , , , ,

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT) I Thessalonians 5:12-28

v. 12 We ask you also, brothers and sisters, to get to know and look after those who are working hard among you who are devoted to leading you in the Lord and teaching you. v. 13 Appreciate them with high esteem and with love because of their work. Live in peace among yourselves.v. 14 We call on you, brothers and sisters, to caution those who don’t show up or cause discontent; comfort those who are discouraged in their spirit; support those who want to give up; show patience toward everyone. vv. 15-18 Make sure nobody has repaid one hurt or offense with another. Instead run after what’s  good and run toward each other in every kind of rejoicing. Don’t stop praying. Give thanks in every circumstance. For this is what  God in Christ Jesus desires for you all. vv. 19-22 Concerning the Spirit, stop smothering the fire. Concerning words of prophecy, don’t look down on or turn your nose up. Instead, test the soundness of everything; then stick with what proved trustworthy and run from all that is hurtful and wicked. v. 23 And may God, the God is that is fully of peace, set  you apart spirit, soul, and body, wholly and thoroughly without blame and kept safe at the returning presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. v. 24 The Faithful One who calls you will make this happen. v. 25-26 Brothers and sisters, pray also for us; greet everyone in the faith with a holy kiss. v. 27-28 Give me your promise: read this letter wherever the brothers and sisters meet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go with you.

Study Notes:

v. 12 We ask you also, brothers and sisters, to get to know and look after those who are working hard among you who are devoted to leading you in the Lord and teaching you.

“Get to know” is an interesting turn here – the same word NIV uses “acknowledge”. Know your flock is the demand of the pastor; but know your pastor is essential, too. Get to know your pastor, worship pastor, small group leader, team leader. This seems like it hints at the beginnings of a laity/clergy class system; but in reality, this is the church recognizing the ministry and the time involved in that ministry and making sure he or she can continue. Honor those and lift them up if they are devoted to leading and teaching. Make sure they thrive in life and in continuing to lead and teach. Those who lead are those “who stand before you” to teach, to lead, to pray before the throne for you.

Those who are working beyond tired is the meaning of this older word to work hard.

The three-fold ministry here is: work hard, lead diligently, and teach with encouragement.

v. 13 Appreciate them with high esteem and with love because of their work. Live in peace among yourselves.

Hold them up with high regard and with love because of all that they pour into the work of God among them.  Esteem can be done from a distance; esteem with love is up close and personal. Get to know so you can esteem them. The meaning here is that people of God follow their leaders and serve alongside them. Eph4  – to lead as leaders in order to “equip the church to do the work of the ministry” – the “Everybody Gets to Play” model works.

v. 14 We call on you, brothers and sisters, to caution those who don’t show up or cause discontent; comfort those who are discouraged in their spirit; support those who want to give up; show patience toward everyone.

Live at peace with each other? Here’s how that will happen. Show up for each other. Don’t sow or give into discontent. Instead of feeding the discouragement, comfort and strengthen; when there are those with low willpower, support them instead of running them out. And patience? Yes, patience with all.

Caution is the word for admonish or redirect from a bad action. It has a military meaning – some hint of leaders dressing down a private.

Comfort, or encourage the fainthearted – discouraged in spirit.

4:11 says that some were making others’ business theirs. How does that cause discontent or discouragement?

And how does this first part of the verse cause the second part to happen? Don’t give into unruly and slack behavior. But continue to hold your cool, be patient with all. It is easier to speak truth and wisdom to someone who is weak in the spirit when we are patient and calm.

vv. 15-18 Make sure nobody has repaid one hurt or offense with another. Instead run after what’s  good and run toward each other in every kind of rejoicing. Don’t stop praying. Give thanks in every circumstance. For this is what  God in Christ Jesus desires for you all.

In a culture battle, don’t pay back, don’t wish it, don’t pray for it. Love you enemies, pray for God provision. This is our greatest weapon. Find joy in the journey. Love unconditionally. Pray without ceasing. Thank God for the outcome. Why? Because we love Jesus with all we are, then we love others with all we have to give.

What is God’s desire and design? No matter the conflict, the opposition, love unconditionally… etc. because out of that, you’ll not grow bitter, you’ll not give up, you’ll find good.

vv. 19-22 Concerning the Spirit, stop smothering the fire. Concerning words of prophecy, don’t look down on or turn your nose up. Instead, test the soundness of everything; then stick with what proved trustworthy and run from all that is hurtful and wicked.

Those things that are from God, but unexplainable, are important to our maturing. Not the unbridled spiritual weirdness that ignores the senses, but the attuned hearing of words from God’s Spirit that keep the flame alive and guides lives.

(we can smother or quench, we can grieve or hinder, and we can resist the Holy Spirit – all of these can shut down the activity of God’s Spirit in our hearts.)

Don’t diss prophecy – this word has both forth-telling and fore-telling potential. Both are essential. Sound Biblical grounding with relevant application and openness to God’s present guidance.

Illustration: Wilmore and Southwestern – the revival shut down. How can you smother the fire? By inattention or by over-attention. One the fire goes out completely; the other the fire becomes the reason for gathering. Jesus is our reason for gathering; but we want to give room for the fire.

Test or prove what is right and good; discard what is not. Illustration: bad pear, good pear.

This passage has such a wide interpretation: what is good, what is bad? If read in context, those things of the Spirit, those words shared in the Spirit, test and cling to what is helpful, brush off to the side what is not. “Every kind of evil” then, would be everything harmful that doesn’t pass the test of soundness. 1) Christian, respect the gifts and inspect the fruit of what is said and done. Even those who deliver a word or demonstrate a work of the Spirit, test our hearts to make sure we don’t, in our zeal to win someone over to our point of view, manipulate others to align with our word. Illustration: Naturally supernatural – when we give a word, we step back and let the Holy Spirit affirm it. We don’t have to talk louder or in KJV; we don’t have to work up emotion. God can confirm a word or a work in the heart of the one who needs it.

Paul balances the work of the Spirit in Parousia activity with truth taught and applied.

v. 23 And may God, the God is that is fully of peace, set  you apart spirit, soul, and body, wholly and thoroughly without blame and kept safe at the returning presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a little word that means “that is” of peace. This defines God as the God that peace is the defining element.  Not the gods who bring destruction, guilt, conflict, turmoil inside; the God that is filled with, and the source of peace.

There’s Parousia again. It’s his presence, not completely but soon to be completely.

This is the hinge verse: because you are set apart, do these things. This is what it looks like for a Jesus-follower to demonstrate faith. You are spirit, soul, body, but you are one wholly kept safe.

The God of peace contrasts with the turmoil of a culture gone awry as well as other Christians who might use the things of the Spirit to get their way.

v. 24 The Faithful One who calls you will make this happen.

Literally, “faithful one calling will also do it”

Ephesians 2:13 indicates that being sanctified is being brought near to the things of the Kingdom. We who were far and set apart and brought near. Philippians 1:6 agrees that He keeps us and finishes the work.

Note: set apart and safe are the two results of our willing embrace of God’s work and word. They go together.

v. 25-26 Brothers and sisters, pray also for us; greet everyone in the faith with a holy kiss.

Now that I’ve prayed for you, pray for us also. The kiss of brotherly love is a holy greeting.

v. 27-28 Give me your promise: read this letter wherever the brothers and sisters meet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go with you.

“Grace with you” no matter where  you go.

The command here is “I adjure you, I charge  you to read this to all who are in the church.” Give me your word… let each home group get this out there.

Small Group Questions:

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28. Focus on vv. 23-28.

  1. How have you had to rely on God’s peace in your life this week?
  2. Paul reminds us that we belong to the God of peace. What ways do you make this identity of followers, or children of the God of peace, real and present in your life?
  3. What does it mean that God has sanctified you, or set you apart as His child and for His purpose, spirit, soul and body?
  4. When have you ever been called or felt blameless?
  5. How does v. 24 help us see this is a part of the “already and not yet” of being in the Kingdom (where we are, in His eyes fully complete, yet in our daily lives, we are still working on our faith walk)?
  6. What is your family practice to greet when you see each other? What do you imagine the greeting of the “holy kiss” meant in Thessalonica?
  7. How can we pray for you this week? Who do you need peace with or make things right with because of something you’ve said or done?

Small Group Questions:

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28.

  1. Have you ever had a mentor or apprenticed with someone? What were the keys to the success of this relationship?
  2. How important is it to be an encourager to those who “stand before you” and lead, teach, and pray for you? What ideas come to mind that will help  you “get to know and look after” those who work hard in the church?
  3. Discouragement is a real factor in the life of Christians. How does our passage tell us to deal with discouragement and people especially who are discouraged?
  4. How does Holy Spirit fire and the gifts of the Spirit help the church? How does it battle against discouragement? How does it help us run after Jesus together?
  5. Where in your life today do  you need Holy Spirit fire?

When Faith Collides with Culture Part 1 & 2

1 Thessalonians, Pastor Rick's Study Notes, , , , , ,

A Study in 1 Thessalonians

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Background: Thessalonica formerly known as Therme in Macedonia found at the top point of the gulf that juts into Greece and Macedonia on the Aegean Sea. Still there. Capital of Macedonia region and declared a “free city” a century before the church was founded. The half-way point on the great highway from Rome to Constantinople. This is a city for the nations.

It’s an international city, a free city with its own constitution and laws, a wealthy and diverse city, and a beach town.

This would be the key city from which to take the Good News throughout Macedonia.

Paul and Silas along with Timothy visited and planted the church in Thessalonica in Act 17:1ff. This is where Aristarchus was from and probably became a believer during the 2nd missionary journey. He was with Paul all the way to Rome through several cities as his companion.

The likelihood is that Paul and his team would be in Thessalonica for several months – at least six – perhaps as a home base from which to travel.

When the Jewish jealousy led to a mob riot, Paul and much of his team left for Berea a small near-by town. They were productive in planting churches there as well as in Thessalonica, but the Jewish authorities from Thessalonica traveled to Berea to stir up riots there, too.

The church in Thessalonica is more one from all the nations than Jewish (hence the “turn from idols” reference) even though he started at the Synagogue (Acts 17).

These two letters to the believers in Thessalonica are Paul’s earliest and, though he couldn’t attend to their growth because of the danger of harm to their leaders because of his presence, he wrote, prayed, and sent Timothy. Paul was able to return there at least three times; probably more often since it was on the main highway from West to East.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (PRT)

v. 1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the gathering of Christians of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.

They would know Timothy and Silas from previous visits. This is a letter from friends to friends. Silas, or Silvanus, means wood. So Timmy and Woody traveled with Paul. Silas was one of those firm links between Paul and Peter as he shows up in both apostles’ writings. The leadership in this church planting movement represents the Jewish, Greek, and international mix of the culture. This is especially important to Thessalonica since it is a free state and an international commerce center.

This “gathering” or assembly is qualified as those called together by God.

The “authorized” text includes …from God… But the oldest leave this off this epistle even though it was common in most of Paul’s letters.

Col 1:20 Peace through his blood.

v. 2 We are always grateful to God because of you, remembering each of you purposely in our prayers.

Paul begins with words of thanks and words of encouragement. He prays for each with intentionality because of his love and relationship with them. Gratitude and supplication were a part of the Apostle’s regular discipline according to 5:17-18.

v. 3 We continually recall before our God and Father your faith’s work, your love’s labor, and your hope’s tenacity in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Faith’s work” is that lifestyle, that intentionality of moments dedicated to God’s glory because we believe the promises and action of God through Jesus. “Love’s labor” is the willingness toward inconvenience, suffering, and even martyrdom because of the work of faith.  Faith’s work is the evidence of what they have already done through their belief in Jesus; it’s the work completed thus far, while love’s labor is the willing troubles faces because of the work.

Milton says the hope’s patience or tenacity is that which “bears up and steers straight onward.” Hope’s tenacity doesn’t flip-flop or veer from the mission because of what life throws at us.

This verse finds context in how the church in Thessalonica was planted; in the midst of persecution in its earliest days.

vv. 4-5 And we know, fellow believers who are beloved by God, that He chose you because our Good News came to you not only in word but even more in miraculous power and in the Holy Spirit in thorough and abundant assurance; even as you saw how we chose to your advantage to live among you.

Paul is not making a gender statement with “brothers;” he is establishing that they are family, in it together – not just the guys, but the fellowship, the family whom God has loved as he, Paul, has been, too.

Beloved is the state of relationship they are in, not for past works or what God can get out of them; but they are beloved, simply and unabashedly, loved.

Chosen, elected, means God’s will to choose precedes my will to say yes; but it does not prevent my will and force me to say yes. This is an important distinction, and one we can only philosophize on; that God will “take over” my will to make me His would violate faith’s purpose. His grace and truth paves the way for my “yes” as his chosen. This is the evangelical’s position or else we no longer need to evangelize if God “takes over” and saves whom He must because of election. I will be gladly corrected in eternity in order to keep the zeal to reach the nations intact.

When Paul and Silas and Timothy preached, taught, answered questions, and discipled, the Spirit came in power accompanying the words of the Good News of the Kingdom. This was Jesus’ experience; it is the early church’s, too.

“our Good News” comes out of John 20:21. Jesus came to accomplish the mission; he then delivers the mission to take the Good News as the go. It’s our Good News. We have become an investor in the Gospel story.

Assurance means there is a fulness to confidence because of the inner understanding and the outward expression to support it. Fully assured.

vv. 6-7 And you became imitators, both of us and of the Lord, as you have embraced the word of God with many trials and with the Holy Spirit’s joy. Because of this, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

This first generation of Jesus-followers outside of Judah and Galilee were modeling their lives after Paul and the rest. They in turn model their lives after Jesus. We are not followers of Paul or a preacher here or there; we are followers of the Lord Jesus.

So, not only followers, but imitators. Follow the truth; imitate the life. We do both.

The word of God, the Good News of the Kingdom.

No less power from the Holy Spirit is needed to do miracles and signs and wonders as is for standing under the pressures of life and trials with joy and a life pointing to Jesus’ grace.

They became the “type,” the imprint of the Lord that others read and followed. Once again, God writes on our lives the message of redemption for others to read and be  drawn to; and we get to share what changed us, that is, Jesus redeems us by His sacrifice and death-conquering life.

v. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has resonated not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place. Your faith toward God has spread to the degree that we don’t need to say a thing to anyone.

The truth is heard, it is broadcast from where God’s truth first came alive in Thessalonica. And now people all around hear about Jesus. Paul is writing this letter from Corinth from the center of Achaia. And he heard the impact the people of Thessalonica had on the provinces.

The word for resonated takes the image of the heavens being a “sounding board” that echoes out to all what happened in Thessalonica.

vv. 9-10 In fact, those around us report what kind of reception we got from you and how you turned to God and away from idols and false deities to serve the living and true God, and how you wait with expectation for His Son Jesus out of the heavens whom he raised up from the dead to rescue us from the approaching wrath.

The evidence? No more false gods or worthless hunks of metal or stone. Now they live for the living God. And they look toward the day when Jesus makes all things right again. Their lives and their values showed their faith.

The word for idol is “appearance” as if the rock depicting has superimposed over it an ancestor or a god from old. Empty and vaporous. Instead of being chained to empty gods, they were willingly servants (in bond-servant status) to the living and true God.

They lived and served to the person and purposes of Jesus. And they looked for the “Parousia” the return of the Kingdom and the King.

Rescue here is the timely deliverance of God’s people from the evil around them.

Small Group Questions – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

  1. Read this chapter in two different versions. What is the big picture in this chapter? What is Paul saying to the church in Thessalonica?
  2. Words of encouragement are important. What different words does Paul give to the church? How would that encourage you in difficult times?
  3. How do the followers of Jesus show Him to their culture? What is the culture’s response?
  4. Where, in your own community/culture, do you feel you should make an impact? What might change in your own life based on this chapter and study?
  5. How can we pray for you as you seek to imitate Jesus?