|
|
|
- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
|
|
PAUL’S FINAL APPEALS & SALUTATIONS 1Th 5:25-28 (9/11/11) Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. PAUL’S NEED FOR PRAYER (25) A. Paul’s Situation for Prayer 1. Paul visited Thessalonica in aprox. A.D.
50 and wrote this epistle a year or two later. Paul himself was in Corinth
(Act 18:1-18) and experiencing resistance to the preaching of the Gospel (Act
18:6, 12) as well as persecution (Act 18:17). This prompted Paul to request
for prayer from the young church at Thessalonica. 2. At one time they were Paul’s converts,
but now he affectionately and emphatically calls them “brothers” (adelphoi,, and
first in the construction, also 3 times in last 4 verses). B. Paul’s Ministry and Prayer 1. Prayer for ministry a) When he asks them to pray, he has in mind
continuous spiritual support. Literally it is, “keep on praying.” Earlier, he
admonished the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” in a general sense.
Now he is asking for prayer also for himself and his workers. b) Paul understood the importance of prayer
in ministry (Eph 6:19; Col 4:3; 2Th 3:1 cp. 2Co 1:11). Though he was a
spiritual giant in ministry, he depended on prayer. One could say that he was
a spiritual giant in ministry because he depended on prayer. 2. Prayer for those ministered to a) Paul also did not rely on his own efforts
to see growth in the lives of those to whom he ministered. b) He fervently prayed for those to whom he
ministered (Phi 1:4; Eph 1:16; Col 1:9; 1Th 1:2; 3:10; 2Th 1:11). II. PAUL’S HOLY CHRISTIAN GREETING (26) A. The affections of Paul are revealed when
he instructs the Thessalonians to greet all the brethren for him in his
absence. B. In doing so, he described the common
Christian greeting as a “holy" kiss” (being a hagios philêma, “holy”
kiss it was not meant in a romantic sense, but brotherly love). 1. In eastern lands the kiss (Heb. nashaq and Grk. philema) was a special greeting on the cheek,
forehead, beard, hands, and feet, but probably not the lips. 2. Typically, it was exercised between men
with men and women with women. It was exercised among relatives (Gen
27:26-27), close friends (1Sa 20:41), dignitaries (Gen 41:40), worship (Psa
2:12; Luk 7:45), and the common Christian greeting (Rom 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co
13:12; 1Th 5:26). C. It is marvelous to see that the
relationship of those in Christ’s (family of God) are to have a close and
affectionate relationship that is expressed with such an intimate symbol (cf.
“kiss of love” 1Pe 5:14). It is akin to the handshake or embrace of our day. III. PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EPISTLE (27) A. Paul solemnly charges (enorkizō -
place under oath or swear in) the Thessalonians to read this epistle to
be read to the entire church. An “epistle” (epistolê,) was a
letter which included both didactic and personal information. B. The word “read” (anaginō,skō) carries the idea of being read aloud in public since it came
from apostolic authority and therefore was divinely inspired. C. The early church did not have Bible like
we do today but partial copies and parchments to be shared and read with all
the churches. IV. PAUL’S MENTION OF THE GRACE OF GOD (28) A. Paul gives final and familiar salutation,
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you” (Rom 16:24; 1Th 5:28; 2Th 3:18, cf. Gal
6:18; cp. 1Co 16:23; 2Co 13:14; Eph 6:24; Phi 4:23; Col 4:18; 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti
4:22; Tit 3:15; Phm 1:25; Heb 13:25; Rev 22:21). B. It is a closing benediction with an
implied “be” with you (ei,ê, present active optative of eimi, cp. 1Ki 1:37 LXX). C. If Paul could have a prayer or wish come
to fruition, it would be that God’s grace would be received and relied upon
unto complete sanctification. D. It is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
that is needed for salvation (Eph 2:8-9), sanctification (2Pe 3:18), and
service (1Pe 4:10). V. CONCLUDING REMARKS ON FIRST THESSALONIANS A. What have we gained from the expository
study of Thessalonians? 1. It was an Exemplary Church a) What the Bereans excelled over the
Thessalonians in their initial response to the Gospel (“more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica,” Acts 17:11), the Thessalonians more than made up for it
in their exemplary Christian testimony. b) The church today would do well to emulate
this young church in the Lord. (1) They exhibited evidence of salvation and
labor of love (1Th 1:3). (2) The gospel was efficacious in their lives
(1Th 1:5). (3) They became imitators of the Lord (1Th
1:6). (4) They became examples to other believers
(1Th 1:7). (5) They turned to God from idols (1Th 1:9). (6) They were waiting for the return of the
Lord (1Th 1:10). (7) They accepted the Scriptures as God’s Word
(1Th 2:13). (8) Their faith was not unsettled by
persecution (1Th 3:3). 2. It was an Evangelistic Church a) The Thessalonians boldly “sounded forth”
the gospel (1Th 1:8). “Sounded forth” (exêche,ō) comes from two Greek words, ek -
out of, and êcheō - to make a loud noise, Eng. “echo.” b) The gospel echoed not only Macedonia and
Achaia but all over the world due to the Thessalonians. Thessalonica was an
international city that drew people from all over the world. Many of those
people came in contact with the gospel through these believers. c) The Thessalonian’s evangelism was so
effective that the apostle Paul did not even need to encourage them to
evangelism more. It appears that today’s church must always be prodded to
share its faith boldly and openly, especially in face of light persecution. 3. It was an Eschatological Church a) Paul had taught the young converts at
Thessalonica many things, but he especially deemed it necessary to teach them
about the return of the Christ (Rapture 1Th 4:16-17) before (1Th 1:10; 5:2)
and in this letter (1Th 2:19; 1Th 3:13; 1Th 5:23). b) Many in today’s church either do not
believe that the Rapture will occur at any moment or they chide the very idea
of a Rapture in spite of Paul’s unambiguous and unarguable teaching (1Th
4:16-17). c) The 2011 GBC Theme, “Laboring in Love while Looking for the
Blessed Hope” (1Th 1:3, 10) not only
summarizes 1Thessalonians but strongly admonishes today’s church to give
evidence of faith, to toil prompted by love for the
Lord, and to persevere by continuing to look for Christ’s imminent
return. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
