Class 2 Issues of Life and Death © John Stevenson, 2008

Course Outline Week One Week Two Week Three Week Four Week Five Intro to Paul; Epistles as a genre Paul’s Epistles & Theology The General Epistles Life & Death Doctrinal Epistles Pastoral Epistles

Session Objectives Use basic hermeneutical principles for interpreting and applying epistles. See the Big Idea of Philippians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Assess aspects of current worldview, ethical practice, and church life in light of theological principles taught in these epistles.

Thessalonica Philippi Athens Corinth

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians An Encouraging Expectancy

What are your basic impressions of the Two Epistles to the Thessalonians?

Purposes for the Epistle The Problem of Persecution: For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews (2:14). Encouragement in Holy Living: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God (3:3-5).

Purposes for the Epistle Establishing a Christian work ethic: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need (4:11-12). Comfort for the Death of Loved Ones: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope (4:13).

God’s choice of you (1:2-5). Your imitation of Christ (1:6-8) Your turning to God (1:9-10) A shared salvation history Chapter 1

A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters Thessalonians 2:9. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters Thessalonians 3:1-2. Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

The principle stated (4:1) Sexual purity (4:3-8) Responsible work (4:9- 12). A Promise of Comfort in the face of Death (4:13- 18). A shared salvation history Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters 2-3 Exhortation to walk in a worthy manner Chapter 4

A shared salvation history Living in light of the Day of the Lord (5:1-11). Attitudes toward Christians workers (5:12-13). Closing instructions (5:14-28). Chapter 1 Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica Chapters 2-3 Exhortation to walk in a worthy manner Chapter 4 Living in light of Christ’s return Chapter 5 What God has done in our lives How we are to live as a result of what God has done

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians Facing the Flame

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution The persevering faith and love of the Thessalonian church (1:2-4). A promise of affliction to those who are afflicting (1:5-10) Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians (1:11-12) Chapter 1

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution A Dangerous Deception (2:1-2). The Man of Sin (2:3-12) Chapter 1 A Warning of troubles that must precede the day of the Lord Chapter 2

First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Day of the Lord

First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Day of the Lord

8 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 Day of the Lord

11 And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. First… The apostasy The Man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 Day of the Lord

Identity of the “Man of Sin” Roman Emperor Caligula –Ordered a statue of himself placed in the temple in Jerusalem Roman General Titus –Destroyed the temple in Jerusalem Roman Emperor Trajan –Built a pagan temple on the site of the temple Roman Catholic Church –Pope is said to be the Vicar of Christ Future fulfillment?

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution A Dangerous Deception (2:1-2). The Man of Sin (2:3-12) Chapter 1 A Warning of troubles that must precede the day of the Lord Chapter 2 Thanksgiving for God’s gracious choice (2:13-17)

A Promise of Relief to those under present Persecution A Call to Prayer (3:1-5). A Call to Separation from Unruliness (3:6-15) Closing Benedictions (3:16-18) Chapter 1 A Warning of troubles that must precede the day of the Lord Chapter 2 A Call to Staying Steadfast in Christ Chapter 3 What we are to believe regarding the future How we are to live in the present

1 Corinthians Practical Lessons on Unity

Corinth

Corinth A smelting pot of many peoples. Pagan cults. Immorality. Church plagued by division. Divorce Trend to glorify the scientific and philosophical and to ridicule the spiritual. The role of men and women in the church. Questions of the uses and misuses of the spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 1: Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.

Chapters 1-6 DivisionsDivisions Need for UnityNeed for Unity Necessary DivisionsNecessary Divisions Chapters 7-10Chapters Unity

5:1-13 Sexual misconduct that calls for church discipline Unity broken by sin 6:1-11 Legal lawsuits that call for church oversight Unity threatened by disagreement 6:12-20 Lustful temptations that call for a connective reminder Unity shared in Christ

Chapters 1-6 DivisionsDivisions Need for UnityNeed for Unity Necessary DivisionsNecessary Divisions Chapters 7-10 Single & MarriedSingle & Married Meat & IdolsMeat & Idols Chapters UnityQuestions

Christians in Corinth Those who felt it was wrong to eat Those who felt it was okay to eat They did not eat, but were troubled by those who did They ate in spite of thinking it was wrong and their conscience was troubled They ate without regard to the feelings of others They limited their liberty from concern for other brothers

8:1 A call to limit liberty for the sake of the weaker brother 9:19:15 An example of this type of limited liberty seen in Paul’s limitation of his liberty to be paid in the ministry Paul has the right to be paid in ministry Paul has limited his liberty for the sake of the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 9: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1 Corinthians 9: Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were… (10:1) All under the cloud All passed through the sea All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea All ate the same spiritual food All drank the same spiritual drink Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness (10:5).

1 Corinthians 10: Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

Chapters 1-6 DivisionsDivisions Need for UnityNeed for Unity Necessary DivisionsNecessary Divisions Chapters 7-10 Single & MarriedSingle & Married Meat & IdolsMeat & Idols Chapters Women & WorshipWomen & Worship Lord’s SupperLord’s Supper GiftsGifts ResurrectionResurrection UnityQuestionsErrors

Universal versus Local Application What sort of applications should be made to the teachings found in 1 Corinthians 11:4-6?

Chapter 12 There are many different gifts, but each are no less a part of the body Chapter 13Chapter 14 Having and exhibiting various gifts is not nearly so important as having love The use of tongues in the church; it is better to do that which edifies others

1 Corinthians 15 Christ rose from the deadChrist rose from the dead We will also rise from the deadWe will also rise from the dead 15:3515:3615:4515:50 Two Questions Three answers: The resurrection body is…  How raised? What body? Illustrated in nature Necessary from Old Testament Experienced at the Second Coming

You have just taken on the role of youth pastor in your church… The group tends to be divided into several cliques. Worse still, some kids in the group are not included in any clique. These “misfits” are treated as insignificant and are viewed as offering little to the “important” people in the group. Form an action plan to deal with this problem

First Corinthians Striving for Unity John Stevenson