I THESSALONIANS 5:1-28 Lesson # 5
WHAT GOOD LEADERS TEACH: PART TWO
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Note: Today’s lesson is about holiness and the Second Coming. We can hear many points of view about the Second Coming but today we want to concentrate on how Paul brings us the subject. We will notice before we are through that Paul’s agenda here in I Thessalonians carefully represents many of Jesus’ themes about the Second Coming.
Q In your estimation what are the most important things to know about the Second Coming?
An = Jot down key points.
Let us see how Paul deals with this subject. He does not cover all aspects in this chapter but it is instructive to see what he decides to bring up in this short section about the Second Coming. Since this is the Word of God, it will be instructive to see what God’s Holy Spirit deems so important on this important subject….
III. Instructions on the Second Coming: I Thessalonians 5:1-11.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:1.
Q Why does Paul mention that he does not have to write anything on this subject?
An = This is Paul’s method again of complimenting and not demeaning those he teaches or instructs. They have already been taught, and Paul knows this. He acknowledges that they are aware of much of what he is going to say. It helps Paul avoid being “condescending”. He does this here, in chapter four (4:1,2,9,10) and will again do it in this chapter (5:2,4,11).
Q Is there a way we can imitate Paul’s technique here when we deal with our children, employees, or friends? How would it look? What would it be like?
An = Think of examples.
Note: Another technique of Paul’s not “talking down to them” is the familiar use of the word: brethren. It will be used seven times in this chapter alone (1,4,12,14,25,26,27). Now that he has introduced the subject of “times” he begins his teaching.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:2-3.
Q What two metaphors does Paul use in these verses?
An = 1) “like a thief in the night” and 2) “like birth pangs upon a woman with child”.
Q “How” will the Day of the Lord’s Coming be? What do these metaphors mean?
An = Unexpectedly, like a thief in the night and it will come in as unexpected, painful, and inescapable judgment.
Q Where do you think Paul got his ideas about the Second Coming?
An = Turn to >>> Matthew 24:43 and have someone read this verse.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:4-5.
Q How is the nature or character of the Thessalonians described in these two verses?
An = They are sons of the light and not of darkness. They are like Paul and his companions (see 5b).
Q Do we need to be complimented sometimes by religious leaders or parents? Why?
An = We need to hear “who we are” and despite the faults we all have we also do have good qualities and we need to hear about them from our leaders or parents. We will hear enough bad stuff from others and Satan (Satan means “accuser” in Hebrew.) This is another familiar pattern in Paul and in Jesus.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:6-8.
Q In a nutshell what does Paul want them to do in regard to the Second Coming?
An = To be ready. To be sober and alert. Paul does not want us to fall asleep at the controls. We have to be prepared.
Q Where do you think Paul got this idea?
An = >>> Jesus, have someone read Matthew 24:42.
Q How is one ready or sober and alert according to I Thessalonians 5:8?
An = Faith, love and hope. Such qualities “arm us”, they protect us. When we have hope of our salvation, and love God and have faith in Him, then we are prepared for the “Second Coming of the Lord.
Note: Some people who go to church have no hope in their salvation, but only in this life. That is why they fear death and are so devoid of hope. If we live only for this life and not in the awareness of the life to come then we are not ready!
Q How do we need to remind ourselves of our hope of salvation?
An = Share with one another and maybe something someone will ignite a spark in ourselves, or we in someone else.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:9-11.
Q In Whose actions is the hope of our salvation found?
An = In the actions of Jesus! Jesus does not want us to experience judgment, but rather has obtained for us our salvation. He purchased it with His death and resurrection. And because He rose from the dead, so will we! It is His resurrection that forms the basis of our hope of resurrection and life after death. This is theology in its most practical and real form.
Q According to 5:11 what does Paul want us to do for one another with this information?
An = Encourage one another and build up one another. Notice Paul compliments them again and mentions that he knows they are already doing this.
IV. Exhortation to Holiness: I Thessalonians 5:12-22.
Note: Paul deeply loves these people and so now he hands on to them teaching that he knows will bless their lives. Those of you who did your homework, get out the key issues that struck you in your own reading and make sure our discussion covers your questions.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:12-13.
Q What is the focus of these two verses?
An = Respecting and appreciating authority.
RQ Ever notice what a child is like who cannot appreciate the good their parents do for them or shows no respect for the parents who serve them?
Q Do those type of children succeed in life?
An = No they do not. We lose our peace, our spiritual peace, when we do not learn how to appreciate our spiritual leaders. Overly, critical people are not at peace with their leaders, or with other people, let alone themselves.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:14-15.
Note: What all these six commands have in common is how to deal properly with one another in different frames of mind: whether we are unruly, faint hearted, weak, or we have been offended. Different approaches for different needs: tough in some cases, patient and gentle in others. This is exactly how Jesus acted. Paul is again quoting and using Jesus….
>>>> Have someone read Luke 6:32-35.
Q How do we refocus our emotions when someone has offended or hurt us?
An = We get aggressive and seek their good. This diverts our efforts from trying to get even and trying to get revenge. It elevates us above such petty action. Remember, we are sons and daughters of the day and the light and not the darkness and night.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Q What three things could we apply to our prayer life here?
An = 1) We can often take our spiritual temperature by seeing if we rejoice in God’s presence. If we love God, we would rejoice in His presence, just as we rejoice in the presence of those we love here on earth. Besides, it is the natural response when we sense Him, if we are on good terms with Him. 2) Do we try to pray without ceasing, all through the day or to use Jesus’ words: “abide in Me”. >>> Have someone read John 15:4-5. Some people are much more advanced than others in this, but it is something we can all work on. 3) Have you ever noticed how you can change your whole mood by just deciding to tell God thank you! We so often over look this, and it is God’s will that we praise Him.
Back to the praying without ceasing….
Q What are some things you know that can help you to pray more often and to keep ourselves “abiding in Him”?
An = What are your actual views here? If we think hard on this issue it might help us or another to “open their heart to God in a new way”. Often, it is the comment of another, not us, that begins that “opening”. Pray for this.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:19-22.
Q How do we quench the Spirit?
An = Obviously, it would be wise to look around in the immediate context for that answer. Look at the verse before, about being thankful (5:18). This is clearly stated to be what God wants for us. We could quench the Spirit by never being thankful. God’s will being communicated in other matters is what is being spoken of in 5:20. God would speak through others in the church in a divine way to communicate His will (prophecy means to give a divine message, more than a divine prediction). If we are not open to His speaking, then we could be quenching the Spirit. This refers to a “divine gift” and such gifts, such messages, are not to be despised. However, not all who claim to be speaking on behalf of God truly are and so Paul wisely gives us the next word in 5:21.
Finally, in 5:22, Paul, says one cannot be pleasing to the Spirit when one continues to participate in known sin. We have to abstain from evil. To continue in evil is to mock God and that is dangerous.
Note: The only other reference to the Spirit in I Thessalonians is in 4:8. >>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 4:8. If you remember, Paul is speaking about sexual immorality in these verses, and he is warning that if we do not take sexual morality seriously we are directly rejecting God “who gives His Holy Spirit” to us.
V. Conclusion to the Letter: I Thessalonians 5:23-28.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:23-24.
Note: This is called a “Benediction”. It is a concluding blessing. The Bible has several examples of these. (If time allows let them look up Jude 24-25 and Numbers 6:23-26.
What all these have in common is that God is active and actively wants to bless and sanctify us. He wants us fit to enter His presence with joy! Our hope is in His “good intentions” and “character”.
>>>> Have someone read I Thessalonians 5:25-28.
Q What three requests or commands does this spiritual leader make of these people? Does he ask for money, or recognition?
An = No, he wants prayer, he wants them to pass on his greetings to others, and to pass on this letter, this teaching. This is what good leaders want. Paul knows if we pray for our leaders, greet others warmly, and pass on good teaching it will bless not only others, but ourselves.
Q Do congregations pray for their pastors enough?
An = Think on this one. Paul’s final word is one of blessing, one of wishing them the “grace of God”, the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” to be with them. This is a leader who truly loves his flock.
Homework:
1) Read II Thessalonians 1
2) Who has been suffering according to this chapter?
3) What does Paul wish for them in connection with this suffering?