BLAMELESS?

I Thessalonians 5:23-28

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.

Is it possible to be thoroughly sanctified, set apart for God? Is a blameless life attainable for students of Jesus?

Paul says it is!

But how?

Here is the precise point many students of Jesus go wrong. They mistakenly think holiness depends only on their efforts. They attempt it on their own.

They fail of course. Sin often, get discouraged with themselves and sometimes give up! The exact opposite result Paul hopes for the new believers in Thessalonica!

Students of Jesus can grow in the likeness of Jesus, sin less and less, and do many good things, but they can never live completely blameless/sinless lives.

Being blameless can only come through trust in Jesus's work, not personal effort. It is not something believers can do for themselves! Note carefully what Paul wrote about this:

May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is praying for someone to keep them blameless! But who?

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

It is God, through Jesus’ life, forgiving every sin and declaring us to be blameless. Keeping us blameless in spite of our many failings!

Students of Jesus cooperate with the leading of the Spirit. Often overcome sin and do the right thing. Fulfill their destiny, become more like the Teacher! But...

The very best student of Jesus can never be blameless in their thoughts and actions. Yet, by the grace of God the worst students are kept blameless! What an encouraging thought to close this Letter!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

BE HAPPY

I Thessalonians 5:16-22

Be joyful always…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Always?

Is it possible to be happy all the time? Happy when you lose a job? Happy when the doctor gives you a bad report? Happy when a loved one dies?

Sorrow and pain are a part of every life. So how can one be joyful in such circumstances?

Paul is not talking about living without some negative feelings when bad things happen. He is saying that students of Jesus can maintain a joyful spirit even in the worst times.

Jesus said - In the world you will have trouble. Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!

Our deep and lasting joy is belonging to Jesus. This joy transcends circumstances. Our most valuable possession – our relationship to Him – cannot be destroyed by any of the bad things that happen in life.

Paul continues by giving advice for being joyful always – Pray continually. By communicating our problems to God, we gain a measure of peace because we trust Him to work everything out for our ultimate good.

Paul also counsels – Give thanks in all circumstances. In every situation – good and bad – students of Jesus learn to find something for which to be thankful. They learn to look up and see beyond the temporary setback to the ultimate victory Jesus has already won for them.

You will never meet a thankful person who is not also a happy person. When we focus on what we don’t have or what is wrong with what we do have, we are caught up in ourselves. But when we thank God, our thoughts are on Him.

We can be joyful always because we know God wants us to be happy. And God is powerful to make us so. Joy…is God’s will for us!

PEACEMAKERS

I Thessalonians 5:12-15

Live in peace with each other.

Peace with God, peace within and peace between people! What is more important than peace? Every good thing is possible only in peace.

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, because He alone can create peace in all of these areas of life.

He is our peace with God. He makes this peace by His death on the cross in our place. Paying for our sins!

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God forgives all who trust in Him. Forgiven by God we enjoy a clean conscience before Him. Inner peace!

At peace with God and peaceful in our souls, we make peace with others. If we receive the peace of Jesus, we freely give what we have been given. We do everything to live in peace with everyone else.

Paul gives some very practical advice about how to keep the peace in all our relationships.

First, he counsels respect for our spiritual leaders. If everyone is doing their own thing without regard for those God has appointed as leaders, chaos – not peace – is the result.

Paul encourages a strong work ethic. Staying busy occupies the mind and body productively and effectively removes many temptations and troubles between people.

Paul advises help and encouragement toward the weak. And patience with everyone! He also warns against the tendency to get even when someone wrongs us.

In these ways, a student of Jesus becomes more like the Teacher - a peacemaker! Making peace is how Jesus lives. Only following Him makes this kind of life possible for us!

Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

PREPARED

I Thessalonians 5:1-11

About times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Here Paul echoes the words of Jesus. The Lord’s return will be unexpected. Like a thief in the night!

But Paul says students of Jesus who are paying attention to the Teacher will not be surprised - But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

We may not know the time of Jesus’ second coming, but we know He is coming! The logical response is to be prepared all the time. In this way, students of Jesus will be prepared whenever it happens.

They prepare by staying alert and self-controlled. Watchful and expectant! Restraining behavior contrary to the desires of the Teacher!

In fact, Paul here repeats the caution to be self-controlled, because giving in to temptations leads to an unprepared heart and life. Surprised by the Lord’s sudden arrival!

Paul also encourages them to live in faith, love and hope. These three work together to create a prepared heart and life.

Faith in Jesus leads to choices pleasing to Him. Love proves and sustains our relationship with Him. And hope produces constancy and endurance.

Those who do not trust Jesus, love Him, and hope for His return will not be prepared when it happens. Paul says such people are in the darkness.

On the other hand, students of Jesus are in the light. They understand. And together, they support one another in staying prepared.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

FOREVER

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

Apparently some in Thessalonica think only those who are alive when Jesus returns will be saved. They mistakenly believe they will be forever separated from their loved ones who happen to die before Jesus comes.

Not so! Paul tells them the dead will actually the first to be with Jesus!

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive...will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep…For the Lord himself will come down from heaven…and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Here is the order: Jesus returns. The dead rise to meet the Lord. The living join them.

This is what the resurrection of Jesus means to His students. Death is not the end of the relationships they hold so dear in this life. There is no final Goodbye at the grave.

This is the great hope of the resurrection of Jesus. It means Jesus is alive and those who follow Him will be with Him. And it also means they will also be re-united with all other students of Jesus, even those who are in the grave!

We do not want our closest relationships to end. We want them to continue forever! The resurrection of Jesus answers this great desire of our hearts.

When Jesus returns what a reunion it will be! How long will it last? Paul says – forever!

And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

ANY TIME NOW

I Thessalonians 4:11,12

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you…

God supernaturally intervened in human history. God came down to earth…Jesus came! His birth, death and resurrection! Amazing things!

Jesus also ascended into heaven, promising an even more spectacular return to claim those who believe in Him.

Those who lived at the time of these incredible events naturally expected Jesus to return any day. Imagine the temptation to interrupt the daily routine of work and all the essential chores of life. Why bother if it will all end soon?

Simply stop and wait expectantly for Jesus to come back and rescue from all of life’s struggles. Run around excitedly, talking of nothing else!

It is this temptation Paul addresses here. Since nobody knows when Jesus will return, he reminds the Thessalonians of his prior instructions about this. Settle down, mind your own business and keep your job!

As students of Jesus, they have an obligation to be good employees and good citizens. They should be concerned about their influence with those who do not yet share their enthusiasm for Jesus.

…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

If they become idle, shiftless and dependent on others, it won’t be long before students of Jesus will be the object of scorn by hard-working, conscientious people. The very people they should be influencing to become students of Jesus also!

Today, with nearly 2,000 years between us and the mind-boggling events of Jesus’ life on earth, students of Jesus better understand this truth. Life goes on, and so must we…even if we expect Him to return any time now.

MORE AND MORE

I Thessalonians 4:1-10

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.

Paul reveals an amazing truth here. It is possible to live in such a way that God is pleased!

Paul doesn’t say the believers could live perfect lives. If such were possible then Jesus’ death on the cross would make no sense, since He died for the sins of the world!

But Paul does say our lives can be pleasing to God. Not sinless, but sinning less by becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit within.

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

With the help of the Holy Spirit within, becoming more like the Teacher is a growing, developing life-process - Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

As students of Jesus learn to think and act more like Him, God is more and more pleased!

This is an awesome thought! What we think about, what we say and what we do is of interest to our Creator. And we have it within our power to please Him!

Pleasing God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is on the mind of these students of the Teacher. Though Paul reminds them who they are following - For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Twice Paul uses the phrase, more and more, to describe his expectation for the believers in Thessalonica. Becoming more and more like Jesus is the destiny of every student of the Teacher!

COMMUNICATING?

I Thessalonians 3:1-13

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again...

Why does Paul write? He is in relationship with these new Christians and desires to communicate with them any way he can! If he can’t be with them in person, he writes a letter!

Communication is the essence of relationship. Proof of love, care and concern! Without it, there is no living connection.

Sometimes people speak of a personal relationship with Jesus, but few can explain what this these words actually mean.

Some think they have a relationship with Jesus because they pray to Him for forgiveness. Others may think they have a personal relationship with Jesus because they go to church.

Going to church and believing Jesus is the Savior does not necessarily lead to a close personal relationship with Him.

Praying on Sunday at church is fine, but what about all the other days in the week? See you next Sunday, Jesus!

Is it possible to have a personal relationship with Jesus only one day in the week?

Students of Jesus are in close contact with the Teacher. They are developing the discipline of awareness of His presence! They seek to be in personal moment-by-moment dialogue with Him.

Each moment of every day the relationship renews as every experience is shared with the Teacher. In real-time communication! Not only in church, at meals or before sleep at night!

The more a student pays attention to the Teacher, the closer the relationship becomes as positive changes create greater desire for more communication. In this dynamic personal relationship, students are changed to become more like the Teacher.

Communicating?

RELATIONSHIPS

I Thessalonians 2:17-20

But, brothers, when we were torn away from you…out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.

We strongly desire to be with those we love. Something is missing when we are separated from them. That’s how Paul feels about the students of Jesus in Thessalonica.

When he was forced to leave the city under extreme duress, he missed them. He wanted to return to be with them, because he grew to love them.

Paul had another relationship. A personal connection with the Teacher, Jesus Christ! It changed his life!

Being a student of Jesus filled his heart with such love and joy. He wanted to share this relationship with those who didn’t have it. That’s what led him from his home in Tarsus to the city of Thessalonica in the first place.

There, he found men and women who – through his life and teaching – entered into a relationship with Jesus also.

The relationship Paul enjoyed with his new brothers and sisters was the creation of Jesus. A bond second in intensity only to his relationship with the Teacher!

It is Jesus who creates relationships. He came to earth to bring people into a relationship with God, through Him. And everyone who comes into relationship with Jesus enjoys a connection with every other believer.

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

This is the unique and amazing thing about a relationship with Jesus and those who follow Him – There is no final parting, no end!

LIKE JESUS

I Thessalonians 2:6-16

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children...

Paul reminds the believers in Thessalonica how he treated them when he was with them. He behaved like Jesus. That’s what good students of the Teacher try to do.

Jesus not only taught His followers about love, compassion and mercy, He lived His message. He practiced what He preached. His students experienced a personal demonstration of the truths gave.

The life of Jesus reveals a Teacher who was patient with His students. They often failed to understand His teaching at first. And they were slow to change their way of thinking and living.

Time and again, Jesus gently repeated the principles of the kingdom of God, using examples from everyday life, parables and illustrations. Above all, Jesus kept living the principles in His own life.

Understanding the Teacher’s way, Paul also exhibited patience with those he hoped would become students of Jesus - we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

Jesus was a living example of the kind of life He called everyone to live. By following Jesus, Paul also served as a model of good behavior before his hearers - You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

Paul was a good student of the Teacher. He reminds the believers in Thessalonica how he treated them. - Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Paul personally experienced the love of Jesus and it changed his life - We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…

Students of Jesus become like the Teacher!

MOTIVES

I Thessalonians 2:1-6

We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Why do students of Jesus do what they do? Of course, it is important to try to do the right thing, but perhaps more crucial – from God’s point of view - are the motives for our actions.

Paul knows what he is talking about from personal experience. Both as a persecutor of Christians in his early life and now as an apostle in later life!

In both instances, Paul seeks to please God. He persecutes Christians when he mistakenly thinks it pleases God. Then he meets Jesus and begins to teach the Good News for the same reason!

Paul sums it up with these words - We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

Here Paul informs the believers in Thessalonica about what motivates him to teach about Jesus. To become successful students of Jesus they too must learn to have a higher motive for following Him than seeking the approval of people.

With the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.

Knowing this is a tremendous encouragement to the new Christians because they too face opposition. Like Paul, they must learn to seek to please God even if it means the disapproval of others.

Pleasing the Teacher is the motivation for every successful student of Jesus. For to become more like Him will sometimes bring persecution from others! Why?

Sometimes because of jealousy or prejudice! Often because doing the right thing makes those who are unwilling to change their lives feel condemnation by comparison. If anyone can change for the better, then everyone could! People do what they do, but God is testing their hearts, the motives.

A MODEL

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Paul is extremely complimentary to the Christians in Thessalonica. In spite of persecution, they are not side-tracked from the purpose of every student of Jesus. To become more like the Teacher!

These new Christians find a living model of Christ-likeness in Paul and his missionary partners. They not only believe the message about Jesus Paul preaches, they want to become like Paul in their way of living.

This happens because Paul is an example for them of what it means to be a good student of Jesus - You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Every student of Jesus has an influence on every other student of Jesus. Here we see a living example in the lives of Paul and the Thessalonians how powerful a model of Christ-like living can be to change lives!

Paul mentions the joy given by the Holy Spirit. It is through the work of the Spirit in our lives that becoming more like Jesus is possible.

Jesus is the perfect model for Paul. Through Paul’s example, the Thessalonians look to Jesus as a model for their lives. Then something else happens.

The Thessalonians became a model for others also - And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

Apparently their faith is so strong it motivates them to spread the message of Jesus beyond the city of Thessalonica. Others, who never met Paul, begin to speak of the Thessalonians as a model of changed lives.

They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven …Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

THANKFUL

I Thessalonians 1:1-3

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

Paul’s predominate emotion is gratitude. Thankfulness to God and gratefulness for the faith of the believers in Thessalonica!

When persecution forces Paul to flee the city after only three weeks, he could not be surprised if the believers give up their new-found faith. Instead, Paul is relieved and happy to hear they stand firm in the face of fear!

They do more than hang on to their faith, they grow spiritually. Paul mentions three things about their spiritual condition for which he is thankful:
1. Faith produces works

2. Love prompts labor
3. Hope in Jesus inspires endurance

Real faith changes behavior. Trusting in Jesus leads students of the Teacher to change their guiding principles for life.

The world says - Live for today as if there will be no tomorrow! Jesus says – Live for today as if there will be no end to the tomorrows!

Faith changes the way the Christians in Thessalonica live their lives. Their behavior reflects a mind-set of faith – not only in tomorrow – but in an eternity of tomorrows!

Faith empowers them to say no to the sinful pleasures of their past way of life and to say yes to the new life of seeking to please Jesus.

Real love produces changes also. Love for Jesus seeks to please Him. And when the love of Jesus fills one’s heart, it spills over into loving actions toward others, behaviors inexplicable to those without such love.

And real hope of a future resurrection and life eternal leads to a lifestyle that seems extravagantly wasteful to those who cannot see beyond today.

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST THESSALONIANS

This letter is one of the most enjoyable to read in all of the New Testament. It is filled with so much hope and gratitude.

No wonder! Paul is in high spirits! Good news has just arrived about the faithfulness of the fledgling church in Thessalonica.

From the book of Acts we learn Paul only preaches in the city of Thessalonica for three weeks, then flees for safety. Traveling on, Paul didn't know what was happening to those he left behind.

Did they succumb to the pressures of persecution and give up?

In Corinth, Paul finally receives a positive report from Timothy. His short time in Thessalonica produces surprising results! The church had not only survives but thrives.

Paul immediately sits down and pens this letter in a relieved and grateful state of mind. One can feel Paul's joy as he writes this happy letter.

This letter is very personal. We look inside Paul’s heart. Why does he do what he does, going from place to place teaching about Jesus?

Paul is a premier student of Jesus. His obsession? Making new students for Jesus.

Why? Because Jesus not only died for the sins of the world, Jesus rose from the dead. Paul serves a living Teacher!

And as he explains in this letter, Jesus will return to earth. There will be an end to things as they are now. Those who believe in Jesus and are faithful to Him will be with Him forever.

Paul can almost see the final resurrection day, when he will happily stand before Jesus with these Christians from Thessalonica! His time in Thessalonica is not lost. His work is not in vain.

We can see the smile on Paul's face as he writes, because he can see the smile of approval on the face of the Teacher he seeks to please!