Lesson 6 for August 11, 2012

1.Receiving the Word (2:13) 2.Persecuted by Jews and Gentiles (2:14-16) 3.Problems visiting the Thessalonians (2:17-18) 4.Paul’s glory (2:19-20) 5.Timothy’s mission (3:1-5) 6.Timothy’s report (3:6-10) 7.Call to holiness (3:11-13)

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God has a transforming power to change the lives of those who unconditionally accept it.

“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18) Paul had already showed that he loved the Thessalonians like parents love their children. Now, he shows his desire to see them again, and he tells them two things : a)Even when they are far from him, he still remembers them in his heart. b)He couldn’t visit them because Satan’s opposition. We are immersed in a battle between good and evil. Satan enjoys obstructing the Savior’s plans whenever he can.

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) Paul announces the final victory of Christ in this word. The conflict will end with Jesus’ Second Coming. A crown will be placed on those who will resurrect or will be transformed in that moment. Besides meeting Jesus face to face, our glory and joy will be those who we helped to accept the Gospel. Is there a greater joy in this world than contributing to the salvation of those who we influence?

“Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5) Paul couldn’t visit the Thessalonians. He knew they had problems and that their faith was still young. Could Satan have obstructed their faith as he had obstructed Paul’s attempts to visit them? As Paul “could no longer endure it”, he sent Timothy to find out about them and to strengthen the faith of the rising church.

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10) Timothy’s report filled Paul with joy, just like parents enjoy receiving news from their children when they live far away from them, desiring to be with them. The Thessalonians remembered Paul with affection. They desired to meet him again. Paul immediately wrote them, telling them that “we rejoice for your sake before our God”, and repeating his desire to meet them again.

“Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13) Those words could be the final doxology of this letter or the final calling of a moving preaching. Paul’s prayer includes several requests for the Thessalonians.  May God direct everything so they could visit Thessalonica again.  May God help them increase and abound in love.  May they hold on to faith.  May they live in holiness.  May they stay strong until the Second Coming of Jesus with all of His angels.

“Paul’s heart overflows with permissible elation at the thought of his converts’ excellences. Paul naturally desires to give thanks for their exemplary witness, and to give such thanks, not to man, but to God, who made possible their victorious lives. His joy is spiritual. It arises from contemplating the spiritual worth of the believers. Such joy contains no selfishness. It is akin to the happiness felt by the angels at the conversion of a sinner (Luke 15:10). For the third time Paul expresses thanks to God for His keeping power in behalf of his converts (see 1 Thess. 1:2; 2:13). What could be greater cause for thanksgiving? The joy that a true servant of Christ experiences as he learns of the faithfulness of those whom he has brought to the Lord is the greatest remuneration for service (see 3 John 4)” SDA Bible Commentary, on 1 Thessalonians 3:9