Author: missionspaul

This morning I pray for a Christian man who barring a miracle in his body will be with the Lord soon. I pray for his wife and family. His loss will be great. I am sure you know these prayers and you probably also know what it is to experience this awful situation. Being separated is the hardest thing. The early Thessalonian churches were anxious about what happened to their loved ones. So Paul tells them to encourage one another with what he teaches them (v18).

¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4 v 15-18)

In what was most probably either a prophetic word or a passed on saying of Jesus comes clear teaching on what happens to the Christian dead.

A Christian who dies:-

1. Falls asleep but not in some forever limbo state. From earth’s point of view it is not an end of all ends. But similar when we go to sleep at night, it is only an end of that day, we rise again the next day. This is what the phrase means ‘fallen asleep’ v15.
2. Meets Jesus Christ before anyone who is still alive on earth, v15. Imagine what that has been like!
3. Takes part in the return of Christ, they come with Christ back to earth, v16.
4. Will rise in the return of Christ, v16. This is not necessarily that they are some disembodied spirit right now, or as I say in limbo, they are definitely alive and active with Christ (Paul says that elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 5:8). The resurrected Christ (recognisable to us) will be accompanied by His resurrected people (recognisable to us also). You will see them again and they will be recognisable!
5. Will experience the presence of God with those who are alive. They will be with those who are still alive on earth, in the clouds, v17. The clouds have always been seen as symbolic of the presence of God whether on Mount Sinai or the mountain of Transfiguration and everything in between. So we can safely say that we who are alive will join those who died together in the presence of God.
6. Will experience the victory of God with those who are alive. They will be with those who are still alive on earth, in the air, v17. The air has always been seen as symbolic of the place for the devil and his kingdom (see Ephesians 2:2). So we can safely say that we who are alive will join those who died together in the final victory over Satan.
7. Will along with us be with the Lord forever, v17.

So be encouraged today, v18.

We all know bereavement eventually. When it comes it is traumatic, shocking, physically altering our very compass of life. It leaves us with questions maybe even years later like the ones in the title.

Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ” (1 Thessalonians 4 v 13-14)

The Thessalonians seem to have had teaching from Paul regarding the Second Coming of Christ and they have questions. One being what about those who have passed away?

1. Grieve but not without hope. If Jesus wept at the graveside of Lazarus then it is expected that we too will weep at the loss of our loved one. But we do so in the place that Christ’s resurrection has over death. It is not hopeless grief..
2. Death is temporary. They did not enter a place of unconscious state, or some limbo, far from it. Paul describes death as sleep to show that it is temporary, it is like the body is resting, but then comes the waking, the resurrection.
3. The Christian dead will come again. They will come with Jesus. Can you now begin to imagine the glorious scene of not only the return of Jesus Christ but the return of your Christian loved one?

So in answer to the 2 questions:

• They are getting ready to return with Christ. You will see them again!
• Very much so!!

We all have met one. The busybody. The meddler.

“What has this got to do with you” are the words of Christ to His closest friend when John tried to interfere with what will happen to Peter. We are all grateful for a friend who sticks by us and even for us. But we know there are times when some people just want to interfere. Paul says don’t and gives reasons for why.

“and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬)

1. You have your own life to lead. In a world where the goal is to be noticed and where loud is better, Paul says strive to live quietly, peacefully, with calm and hidden even. You can’t do that when you’re meddling.
2. You should be too busy working. God wants us all to work and to get tired because of work that we need to take rest. Nothing comes easy. Success and the growth we seek doesn’t happen through laziness. 
3. Your way of life should be in such a way that you are respected. Those outside the church are watching you. When you’re not there how do they speak about you? How will they ever come to know Christ if they are not influenced by the way you contribute to their world?
4. Your aim is to lack nothing and so having to rely on others. This does not mean independence. It does mean spiritual maturity and growth as a follower of Christ. 

“We don’t have to write you about the need to love each other. God has taught you to do this, and you already have shown your love for all his people in Macedonia. But, my dear friends, we ask you to do even more.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭

Love.

We know He does.

We know we should.

And we do. 

We don’t need telling.

Love.

God has taught us in a variety of ways through His Word and Spirit.

We had to be taught for it doesn’t come naturally. 

But we know now.

We don’t need telling. 

Yet we all need to do it more.

There’s always more.

More Love is the Christian’s motto.

We don’t need telling.

Perhaps we do?

What world are you living in? It maybe a strange question to ask. We share some things eg greed, immorality, anger, hurt etc.  But the ‘world’ we live in with all its temptations and trials varies so much. What you have to face and what I face can be quite different. 

I’m not sure how comparable the nation and culture that you live in and that of the Thessalonians is. But for these Christians they had to live in a highly sexualised Roman world where commitment to one man one woman was difficult to see. 

So as he does in his other letters Paul writes speaking into their world. What he says to them can certainly be applied to our world.

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no-one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭8‬)

Paul’s lists are set within important truths. If the truths are not brought to the forefront as to the reason why we do or don’t do certain things then all that will happen is we become legalists. We keep rules but we don’t have the correct reason for doing so.

This is why. These are the reasons. This is the higher purpose. This is the kingdom.

1. God wants us to be different, v3. Holy and honourable, v4. Jesus took the form of a Jew, so He looked Jewish and yet the image of God the Father was seen in Him. That’s the same for us. Jesus lowered His position so that He came to serve not be served. If we think less of ourselves as Jesus did going to the cross then we move into holiness and cross is seen in us.
2. God will punish us if we do not live holy lives, v6. Jesus created a way through His shed blood for us never to be in a place of punishment. Ignore that way and the promise is punishment. We live in times when this is clearly being seen. It’s a strange title for point 2. Some will disagree. But God is not punitive. He is patient with us. However what does He do with sin that is not brought under the blood of Jesus (the above point in 1) nor prevented by being in alignment with the Spirit (in the point below)? There is a way of life (not the Christian sanctified life) that will not remain unpunished by a Holy God.
3. God gives you his Holy Spirit, v8. Our kingdom lifestyle, our sanctified life, it isn’t for man. We don’t get a medal. This is for God who pours out His Holy Spirit on our lives and who enables us to live a holy and honourable life.

. 

Paul is bringing this letter to a close. Some translations have the word ‘finally’ and we know that for any preacher that may not actually mean anything!

Here in the NIV we have ‘as for other matters’ and it is giving us an understanding that Paul is wondering what else needs to be said, he knows of course. 

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”

‭‭(1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬)

1. He speaks to a family, ‘brothers and sisters’, v1. The church is family. Over my lifetime I have seen the breakdown of the family. When I was in school there were only a few children who had sadly experienced family breakdown. Now the few are those who haven’t seen a breakdown. I have witnessed it first hand, to special friends, even to my Pastors, no one is exempt from such an attack. What has happened in the community of people’s homes has happened in the community of the church. I have been in the church all my life and I have never witnessed so much division as is what is happening all across the world. The family, God’s family are at war with each other, brothers and sisters are divided. The call must be that the family makes a comeback. That brothers and sisters act and speak like brothers and sisters.
2. He highlights the good, v1. His focus is not on what is not happening but what is. The church that you attend is not perfect. The network or denomination you belong to is not perfect. Anyone can point out what is wrong but the church needs encouragement of the good that is happening.
   1. He has shown them how to live. All disciples need instructing. All disciples need accountability for those instructions.
   2. He congratulates them for he has heard from Timothy that they are continuing to live the life of a disciple he set out for them.
   3. He encourages them to continue more and more. Oh that we all would be the encouragers of the church that it will continue! To thank people who willingly and sacrificially volunteer their lives for the church, including those who are called to lead and care for the church.
3. He reminds them of who leads the church, v2. This is not anyone’s church but Jesus’ church. There is no authority in the church except that of Jesus. That authority was given by His own blood not anyone else’s. Authority is seen through the cross. Any other display of authority is man’s not of God. 

It is the one thing that the world sees or doesn’t see within the church: love. It is the one thing that either unites or divides the church: love. It is the one thing that is the evidence of God’s presence: love.

“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬)

1. He clears the way for relationships to flourish, v11. What is in the way? What is blocking your route? The problems of you connecting with someone can be many. That may be circumstantial as here for Paul or it could be the hardness of heart. Whatever the reason God can remove it. God can make a way for love no matter what is obstructing it.
2. He increases love in our hearts for each other, v12.  I find loving people difficult at times don’t you? In fact I can think of some people who I love less today than yesterday. But the love I have is only what I have been given. In fact everything that God wants me to share is what He has first given me. So today our prayer is: give me more of your love to love people; help me to love how you love; let love pour out of my life. 
3. He strengthens so that our faults and sins are dealt with in his presence, v13. Love is the only path that takes you to holiness. For holiness is the expressed overflow of love. If we don’t love people then we cannot love God. If we love God then it is seen. Loving God causes us to turn away from ourselves and it then leads to being able to love people. When our lives are turned away from us then God sees us as blameless and holy.

Satan had blocked Paul’s path to go to the Thessalonians who he loved. However, he sent Timothy and he has now returned with good news for Paul. Read these verses slowly and think in terms of the relationship between Paul and the churches. 

“But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭10‬)

What Paul had been anxious about was unfounded because Timothy’s report was of a strong community of believers who spoke well of Paul and who wanted to see him. This was of huge encouragement to Paul. We see the keys of kingdom friendship in these verses.

1. The gospel/ ‘good news’ of the kingdom is not only a glorious message but it is a lived out message within the Christian community, v6.
2. All kingdom community is a shared faith (our walk with God) and a shared love (our walk with each other) and you cannot have one without the other, v6.
3. The kingdom relationships are those of family; ‘brothers and sisters’ who have a great history together filled with memories and who desire to make many more, v6-7.
4. The reason why we keep going in the faith are the stories of what God is doing in His people’s lives, when we live our lives not for the promotion of what God is doing in us but what He is doing in others then we have understood the kingdom, v 8-9.
5. Thankfulness and regular praying are the results of kingdom relationships, v9-10. 

Paul has already made it known he was desperate to be with the church in Thessalonica. He now uses an interesting phrase and twice, ‘when we could stand it no longer.’ 

Paul wanted to be there but he couldn’t (and we don’t know why, whether it be opposition or something else) so what did he do? 

There are times when we just have to make a decision because we cannot wait any longer; we cannot stand back; we have to step forward. But wisdom is needed. We can see from these verses principles that can be applied to most situations we want to step in to help.

“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no-one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭

When he couldn’t stand it any longer:

1. He thought through what was the best thing to do. Importantly ‘we’ were involved in that thinking. He checked out his thoughts with the others. Key thought: what have others said about this decision?
2. He gave their best; so he sent Timothy. Timothy was valuable. A decision sometimes needs your investment of your best and what is of value for it to be a good decision. Key thought: what can I give that will bring the most impact?
3. His decision was to strengthen and encourage what was there. The decision was to make sure the people were heading in the right direction otherwise what’s the point of encouraging something that is going wrong. Paul was concerned for them as they went through the trials. Key thought: how do I strengthen what is already there?
4. He decided not to remain in a place of worry. Though Paul was not surprised by the persecution he was anxious the churches may have fallen because of it and the work would unravel. Instead of remaining anxious he did something about it, he decided to find out. Key thought: I need to make more decisions that alleviate worry not create it.
5. He was not so preoccupied with moving forward into new places that he took his eye off the work already established. Key thought: Ever place we come to needs to be consolidated so that we move forward into the future from a place of strength, resulting in min-decisions needed before the bigger ones.

The Holy Spirit can close doors of opportunity. Everyone knows the closed door experiences and the hurt it causes, particularly when you have given time and effort to something. You know what it is like to be sitting with a friend wanting more than anything for them to live but they don’t. You know what it is like to go for that dream interview and you do really well but you don’t get the job. The illustrations are endless and you understand what I am saying.

Paul knew the closed door experience of the Spirit’s guidance but he now speaks of something else.

There are times when Satan blocks our way.

“But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 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? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 1 v 17-20)

If the Apostle Paul could find Satan blocking his way then so can we.

So what did he do?

1. He firstly had discernment that this was Satan and not the Spirit.

2. He kept battling at least twice (again and again).

3. He writes this letter. He may not be there in person but he finds a way to be there.

4. He is not despondent. He sees the Thessalonians not only his hope and joy but will be part of his eternal reward when Christ comes again! If Satan wanted to discourage Paul it didn’t work!

5. He waits until God opens the way as He did in Acts 20.

Look at those emboldened words again and apply to where you are at because Satan may indeed be hindering you today.