1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

For this is the will of God: your sanctification – to keep yourself from sexual immorality, each of you to have known to possess his vessel in dedication and honor – not in the passion of desires just as even the Gentiles who have not known God …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul gives a bold statement in this opening verse.  The will of God is our sanctification.  God wants us to be righteous.  He wants us to be holy.  He wants the best for us.  This is the same God against whom we constantly rebel and choose our own way.  This same God’s desire is our salvation.  This is why He is holy.  We deserve punishment and judgment, but He longs for nothing less than our sanctification.

How does this represent the true character of God?  In what way is this inspirational into your life?

Second Thought:

It is no accident that when Paul wants to talk about sanctification that Paul starts with sexuality.  Human beings are sexual creatures.  The passion for sex is not usually logical, it is an internal desire.  We don’t often choose it to be there, it simply is present.  Therefore, Paul calls us to keep ourselves from sexual immorality.  We cannot prevent lust from being within us, but we can keep ourselves from acting upon it.  We may not be able to control our desires, but we can control whether or not we act upon our desires.

What area in your life do you wrestle against lust?  How do you keep those desires in check in your life?

Third Thought:

Then Paul gives us a challenge.  We are to keep our bodies as vessels of dedication and honor.  We aren’t to lead ourselves and others into sinful behavior.  We are vessels dedicated to God for His service.

Does your sexuality bring honor to God?  Does your sexuality show your dedication to God?  How is this even possible?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

Therefore, finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you all in the Lord Jesus in order that just as you all received from us the thing about how it is necessary to live and to please God – just as you all are also behaving, in order that you all should surpass the expectation even more.  For you all have known what instructions we gave to you all through the Lord Jesus.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Twice in this section Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they were instructed in the Lord Jesus.  In this instruction, Paul encourages them.  Jesus Christ should be the core.  Jesus Christ should be the central goal and model to which we ascribe ourselves.  When we teach, it is out of His authority.  When we exhort others, He is the one that we lift up for imitation.  Jesus Christ is the primary figure.

Is Jesus the center of your life?  When you teach, are you teaching out of Jesus’ authority?

Second Thought:

As Paul speaks of instruction, we should note the language that he uses.  Paul does not speak in terms of suggestions and possibility.  Paul speaks in terms of necessity.  We are not advised to live a certain way, we ought to live a certain way.  It is necessary for us to live a certain way.  That doesn’t mean that we can’t experience forgiveness when we make a mistake.  But we should certainly realize that there is a standard to which God expects us to live.  When we meet it, we celebrate with God.  When we fall should, we come to God repentantly and ask for forgiveness.

Do you acknowledge that God has expectations?  If you were to list those things that are necessary, what would that list look like?

Third Thought:

Why does Paul teach in the authority of the Lord Jesus?  Why does Paul remind the Thessalonians about the expectations of God?  Why does Paul encourage and exhort the Thessalonians?  The answer is surprisingly simple.  Paul wants them to exceed the standard.  Paul wants them to surpass the necessary things and live into the full potential of God.

Do you live in the full potential of God?  When are you able to surpass the expectation and live in the fullness of the Lord?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

And may God Himself – also our Father – and our Lord Jesus direct our ways to you all.  And may the Lord cause you all to grow and abound by love into each other and into everything – just as we are into you all – in order to strengthen your blameless hearts in holiness in the presence of our God and Father in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His holy ones, amen.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

So far in this chapter, Paul has confessed his desire to return to Thessalonica.  He has also confessed an inability to overcome the obstacles that have been placed in his way.  As Paul completes this thought, he gives to us a great conclusion to our troubles.  Paul turns to God.  Paul turns to God and places the issue into the hands of the Lord.  After all, what better place do we have to place our troubles and concerns?

Do you give your troubles to the Lord?  How good are you at genuinely allowing the Lord to worry about the things that are out of your control and focusing upon that which is in your control?

Second Thought:

As Paul returns to the Thessalonians, he gives a great benediction.  He prays for their growth.  He prays for their unified love.  He prays for them to be strengthened and upheld as blameless.  Paul prays for the best of the Thessalonians.

Do you genuinely want the best for the people around you?  When you desire the best for people, of whom do you think?  Why is it important to consider this perspective?

Third Thought:

At the end of this chapter Paul puts life into perspective.  What matters is the coming of the Lord.  What matters is when the Lord returns and we shall stand before God.  What matters is that when the Lord should return, we would be found in Him and be found strong and healthy and mature.  What matters is that we are counted among the holy ones.

Do you share this eternal perspective with Paul?  When is it hard for you to have this perspective?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

But now after Timothy came to us from you all and after bringing good news about you all regarding your faithfulness and love and that you all always have a kind remembrance of us – while desiring to see us as we to you all – because of this we were being comforted, brothers and sisters, by you all, upon all distress and our affliction through your faithfulness.  Because now we live if you all stand firm in the Lord.  For what thanksgiving are we powerful enough to repay back to God concerning you all – upon all joy in which we rejoice because of you all in the presence of God?  Night and day we ask in abundant urgency in order to see you all face to face and to bring about that which is lacking in your faith!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

What is it that brings comfort to Paul and His associates?  It isn’t money collected for his support.  What brings comfort to Paul is to know the love and faithfulness of the Thessalonians.  True joy comes from knowing that a person or a group of people remain in God’s love.  That’s a truly divine focus in life.

What honestly brings you joy?  What genuinely brings you comfort?

Second Thought:

Look deeply at how Paul categorizes life in 1 Thessalonians 3:8.  Paul and his associates live when the Thessalonians stand firm with the Lord.  In other words, because the faithfulness of God has been passed from God through Paul and his associates into the Thessalonians, Paul and his associates know life.  It is the successful transmission of faith that brings about life.

Where are you transmitting faith?  Where are you displaying the faith that has been transmitted to you?

Third Thought:

What is the response that is evoked in Paul regarding this peace and comfort?  The answer is simple.  Paul wants to return to Thessalonica to increase their spirit.  He wants to finish their mentoring.  He wants to bring them into full maturity in the faith so that they can go out and make more disciples of Jesus Christ!  How can we ever repay God except for hearing His call and being obedience to His call and making disciples when He gives us opportunity?  The response to God’s peace and joy is to be a part of completing the work that God is doing in other people.

How do you respond to God’s peace and comfort?  Where are you attempting to fulfill the growth that God is doing in others?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Therefore, while enduring no longer we determined it better to be left alone in Athens.  We send Timothy, our brother and fellow worker of God in the Gospel of Christ, in order to strengthen and encourage you all for the sake of your faithfulness in order that no one would be shaken in these afflictions.  For you all yourselves have known that we all were established in this.  For when we were also with you all we were saying to you all in advance that we were about to be afflicted – just as it happened and you all have known.  Because of this, while enduring no longer I also sent in order to know your faithfulness lest the one who tempts tempted you all and our labor should become into a lack of results.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we progress in this chapter we hear Paul begin to explain more about his circumstances.  When he and his associates could stand it no longer, they determined to send Timothy to Thessalonica.  Paul wanted to go himself.  He wanted to bring his ministry team.  But Satan was hindering him.  Therefore, Paul works around the efforts of Satan.  Paul doesn’t give up, he goes to plan B.  That’s a great mentality to have in ministry.  So often our plans don’t go off as we really desire them.  However, just because things don’t go exactly as planned doesn’t mean that ministry can’t be done.  Paul is flexible, refusing to let Satan win.

Are you willing to let the enemy win?  Do you give up easily or do you continue to strive towards the ultimate goal?

Second Thought:

Notice the mission upon which Timothy was sent.  Yes, he was sent to collect information for Paul and be his representative.  But more importantly, Timothy was sent to encourage the Thessalonians and exhort them.  Timothy was sent to lift them up in the face of their persecution.  Paul was concerned about the Thessalonians and their well-being.  Here we again see compassion from Paul.

When have you ever been concerned for someone else?  What circumstances in life brings about feelings of empathy, compassion, and concern?

Third Thought:

 Again we hear Paul talk about persecution.  We know that everywhere that Paul went persecution was sure to follow him.  People were threatened by his message.  People were challenged by his message.  Leaders didn’t like that Paul taught people to think for themselves and to depend upon God.  But if Paul and his associates were persecuted, it makes sense that those who live as Paul lived would find the same kind of persecution.  It just makes sense.  Jesus was persecuted and killed.  Jesus’ disciples were persecuted and killed.  Paul was persecuted and perhaps killed for his faith.  Why wouldn’t those who follow in those footsteps know persecution as well?  Paul is concerned that these fledgling believers would crumble under persecution that he knew would come.

Has persecution come to your door because of your faith?  How do you respond in these situations?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

And we, brothers and sisters, after being separated from you all for an hour of time, in face and not in heart, we greatly endeavored to see your face in much desire because we desired to come to you all – I, Paul, once and again – and Satan prevented us.  For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting – if not you all – in the presence of our Lord Jesus in His coming?  For you all are our glory and joy.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks a little about the reality of life.  Sometimes we are separated from those who are spiritually meaningful to us.  Sometimes we are called elsewhere and our heart still has meaning in a different place.  That doesn’t mean that something is wrong with what we are doing.  It means that we are human beings and form attachments that cannot always be sustained.  If we give our life to God, we must be flexible enough to allow our spiritual relationships to revolve in and out of His plan.  Paul also gives us perspective in these situations.  He literally says, “For an hour of time.”  Figuratively, Paul is saying that it is for a small period of time.  What is an hour compared to a lifetime?  What is an hour compared to the eternity of God?

Where is your heart spiritually?  How many places would you want to be?  How is God using you now where you are?

Second Thought:

Paul then confesses a deep spiritual truth.  Satan prevented Paul’s return.  We don’t know the details of how this happened, but Paul clearly points the figure of blame to Satan.  There are two things that I would like to bring out regarding this point.  First of all, Paul takes Satan very seriously.  Second, Paul recognizes that Satan does have power in this world.  Granted, Satan’s power cannot supersede God’s power.  But Satan’s does certainly have power in this world to oppose our efforts.  Anyone who has read the book of Job should understand this point as well.

Have you ever been thwarted by Satan and his power?  How do you understand and teach about how Satan can have power in spite of God’s omnipotence?  Why do you think that God allows Satan to exert his power upon those who are His servants?

Third Thought:

Because he has been thwarted, Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that they are his pride and joy.  When dealing with human beings, we have to be careful about relationships.  It is easy for people to think that they aren’t loved because they don’t get your time.  In some situations that might be true, but as we all know in most situations it isn’t the truth.  Distance may separate people, but it does not mean that they care any less.  That is Paul’s point.  So long as they remain in the Lord, Paul will love them as much as he loves any other person who is walking in relationship with the Lord.

Have you ever felt distant spiritually because of a physical distance?  What does this say about how our humanity influences our spirituality? 

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

For you all became imitators, brothers and sisters, of the assemblies of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea because you all also suffered the same things by your own countrymen just as they also suffered by the Jews – who also killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who drove us out, who did not please God and all opposed to mankind, who prevented us from speaking into the Gentiles in order that they should be saved – in order to always fill up their sins.  But in the end wrath came upon them!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Yesterday we spoke about how the Word of God changes lives.  One of the ways that this happens is by being able to match up what we are hearing with the example of how it is changing the lives of others.  In other words, when we have the opportunity to hear information from God’s Word and then imitate the example in others we are best able to put it to work in our life.  This is exactly what Paul says the Thessalonians did well.  They heard and they imitated.  This is how the Word of God was alive and active within the ones who believe.

Do you follow this pattern in your life?  How do you see this at work in you?

Second Thought:

Once more in Paul’s writing we hear about persecution.  Once more we hear about suffering going hand-in-hand with the pursuit of a faith in Jesus Christ.  It is natural for this to happen.  The world persecuted Jesus.  The world persecuted His disciples after Him.  The world persecuted the prophets who came before Him.  If the world persecutes all those who came before and after Jesus, why would we think to escape it?

Where have you had persecution?  How have you dealt with it?  In what way has your dealing with persecution allowed you to imitate other people of faith?

Third Thought:

The last few words of this section are ominous.  Wrath has come upon them.  This is the unfortunate consequence of opposing God and God’s people.  God may allow the people of this world to win in the short term as they exert their free will.  But God will always have the last say.

Why is this an important perspective to remember? Why is this a perspective of both triumph and sorrow?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20