I THESSALONIANS 4 Lesson # 4
FOUR THINGS GOOD LEADERS TEACH ABOUT
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Note: Our lesson today is about issues important to Paul. He teaches on four points. If the Apostle thought these were important, so should we. Perhaps these concerns are ones that should pertain to our walk with God and are concerns that we should teach those we love. The Bible is our guide for faith and practice. It now wishes to guide us in what should be important to know and teach.
III. An Exhortation to Excel Even More: I Thessalonians 4:1-12.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:1-2.
Q What does the Apostle Paul call them in verse 1?
An = Brethren or brothers. This is an important term used throughout I Thessalonians. Paul calls the Thessalonians, brothers or the title “brethren” fourteen times in this short book (1:4, 2:1,9,14,17, 3:7, 4:1,10,13, 5:1,4,12,14,25). In addition, Paul five times refers to other Christians as brother or brothers (3:2,4:6,9,10, 5:26,27).
Q Why does Paul use this term, what does it imply to you?
An = Paul is quite aware that he is their spiritual leader, but they are first and foremost his brothers. Brothers care for one another, value each other, see each other as equals and sons of One Father.
Paul is taking Jesus seriously. Jesus wants us not to demand that we have “proper titles” or titles that show we are in some way better than another. Jesus wants us to show respect to leaders, elders, fathers, etc. but to always understand that there is only one real leader, one real Heavenly Father, one true Teacher, i.e. God. >>> Have someone read Matthew 23:8.
Note: Beware of the leader that demands titles, or does not see all other Christians as their brothers. All serious and true Christians have understood that even the youngest and lowest believer is a “brother” and to be valued, treasured, and cared for as need arises. Paul is a true leader.
Q What is Paul doing by telling them they are already doing it? Why does he tell them “as in fact you are” doing what he commands?
An = Paul is a wise and skillful leader. He knows what he is going to tell them in verses 1-12. Paul told them that they are following his teaching already, at least to some degree. People do not like to be spoken down to. Paul is both complimenting them (which has the affect of encouraging them to keep at it) and respecting them by acknowledging that they have been so instructed and had been trying. Nothing is more demeaning than for a boss to tell a good worker to work hard, or do the job right when they were intent on doing that anyway. Nothing is more demeaning than an older woman telling a younger woman that she should keep a clean house, or take good care of their children or husband. Of course, they want to do such things, and we all need reminders to do the basic things but how such advice is given is tremendously important!! Paul compliments and respects his “BROTHERS”. Paul will do this again and again in the next chapter (chapter 5) as well. It is an important pattern in Paul.
He knows he has to focus them on the important things, but he does not want to demean them: that is poor leadership. So he brings us important issues with the wise approach of acknowledging that they are already doing them AND adding: “do this even more”.
This is a wise approach, one we would be wise to follow in our instructions to others.
Note: Paul goes one step further in verse 2. He adds that these subjects are not optional or just from Paul but from the Lord Jesus Himself. Now let us see what is so important to Jesus….
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:3-8
Q What is the agenda raised here in these verses?
An = Sexual morality. In Paul’s day at Thessalonica sexual immorality was wide spread, much like in America today. You have to work at keeping sexually pure. It does not happen automatically.
Note: In verse four Paul sees being sexually pure as not being a “prude”, but as an act of “honor”. He thinks sexually moral people “have honor”.
Q Is this a good way to approach young people today with sexual morality?
An = Notice Paul does not demean sex, but appeals to their honor. It still is the best way to approach the issue today. It is best to talk to teenagers about their status. If they are true Christians, like the young christian Thessalonians, they are sons and daughters of God. God is the ultimate King of all the earth. To be a son or daughter of a King makes one a “prince” or “princess”. True princes, or princesses conduct themselves with honor and so should we.
Q How does Paul view those who act out of passionate lust in verse 5?
An = Like heathen. Paul says when you are immoral you act like those “who do not know God”.
Q If we reject the demands of sexual purity who are we really rejecting?
An = We are rejecting God who gives us His Holy Spirit. The danger is that when we are sexually immoral we run the risk of “grieving the Holy Spirit” and dulling our ears to truly hearing His voice. This verse is sort of a repetition of verse 2. The true teaching comes from God.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:9-10.
Q What is the agenda here in these two verses?
An = Loving the brothers. We cannot be Christians and love God alone. We have to love one another. Again Paul is merely teaching one of the key concerns of Jesus Himself. >>> Have someone read Matthew 22:37-40.
Note: Note how Paul says, everyone knows this (4:9), and this is another repetition of 4:8 and 4:2. In addition, Paul does his complimenting (4:10) and call to do so even more.
Q Is it hard to “love the brethren” and therefore love all the people who go to our church?
An = Paul knows this is difficult, and so that is why he is repeating it! It is soooooooo important!
Q Could you identify someone in church (to yourself privately) that you have a hard time loving and make a mental note of that person.
Q Now would you be willing to pray for that person every day for seven days in a row?
Note: Be encouraged to keep praying repeatedly for someone we dislike. The reason is that God will hear and He will create a tremendous affect on our attitude. It will open us spiritually in ways we will only recognize days, months or years later. >>> Have someone read Luke 6:28.
Remember we are not obeying the leader right now, but following the very commands of Jesus Christ Himself! They are pleasing the King of Kings!
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:11-12.
Q What is the issue here in verses 11-12? What does Paul want?
An = This is the antidote to pride. It is in three stages: live a quiet life, mind our own business, work with our hands.
1) As to the first, we often want to call all attention to ourselves in church and Paul knows that is spiritually dangerous. We are to be good, not call attention to ourselves. We are to lead a quiet life. >>> Have someone read Matthew 6:1.
Q Can you name someone who does not call attention to themselves in our church?
An = Think of some positive examples.
2) As to the second, how often do folks who go to church become busy-bodies. We should attend to ourselves and not talk and discuss other’s faults. >>> Have someone read Matthew 7:3-5.
3) As to the third, it is easy to see the true Christian when it comes to “clean up time”. Some people think they are above hard work, working with their hands. Some will teach Bible studies, but not clean the dishes or clean the floors. Some will talk a lot about spiritual things but not be willing to work with their hands to provide their living.
Q Who are some people who you know that are really spiritual but not ones who talk about others, or are not afraid to help out with the “less glamorous work”?
An = It is good to remind ourselves of those among us who work with their hands, who mind their own business. Remember even the Apostle Paul did not think it beneath him, to make tents!!
IV. Instruction About Death and the Second Coming: I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:13.
Q This is Paul’s final concern in this chapter, what is the topic of verse 13?
An = How we view and understand death. We are not to be ignorant about those who have fallen “asleep”. Sleep is an Old Testament metaphor for death. Jews and Christians were not in dread of death. They lived in hope. Death was sleep, a sleep that they would awaken from! Paul is now going to remind them of “theology”, i.e. of teachings about God. For Paul theology is a very practical thing. Paul is going to remind them of their beliefs.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:14.
Q According to this verse God has done two things and will do a third what are they?
An = Jesus died, Jesus rose again and God will bring with Jesus those who have already died. Paul reminds them Jesus’ death saved them from sin, His resurrection is the breaking of death, and He plans to bring from the dead those who have already died. Jesus’ death, resurrection and coming again mean for us the hope of eternal life for us.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:15-17.
Q Why does Paul emphasize the point that those already dead will “rise first”?
An = It is obvious that both those alive when Jesus comes back to earth again and those already dead will wind up in the same place. See the end of verse 17. However, I believe Paul is trying to say that those who have already died are not forgotten, not left out!! We, as believers, have hope in the face of death. We believe in Jesus and that belief alters us in a very practical way: how we view death. We live in a hope and a freedom non-believers just do not have.
Q What will Jesus’ Second Coming be like according to verse 16?
An = Paul says Jesus will “come down from heaven” and uses three phrases to describe it: a loud command, a voice of an archangel, and a trumpet call of God.
Q What do all three phrases have in common?
An = They all have the idea of “noise”, “loud noise” in common. Jesus’ Second
Coming will not be in a quiet way. All will know it, all will take notice.
RQ Can you imagine how loud an archangel voice is?
RQ Do you think one will ignore the “trumpet call of God”?
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:18.
Q What does Paul want them to do in this verse?
An = To comfort one another with these words, these truths. Remember these are not Paul’s ideas or words. See the first phrase of 4:15. These are the very teachings of God, of our Lord Jesus Christ. He says He will come and He will come for us and for those already passed on, those already asleep.
>>> Have someone read Matthew 24:30-31.
Paul was just teaching the Thessalonians what Jesus taught.
Homework:
In the next chapter Paul is going to teach on two major things: The Lord’s Coming and Practical Instructions.
1) Make a list of the major truths about the Second Coming you found in 5:1-11.
2) Make a list of the top two things that struck you when you read 5:12-22.
3) What questions do you have about Paul’s list in 5:12-22?