THANKFUL THOUGHTS FROM THESSALONIANS

THANKFUL THOUGHTS FROM THESSALONIANS:
INTRODUCTION:

1. The major theme of 1 and 2 Thessalonians is THANKSGIVING.

As I think about the books of 1 and 2nd Thessalonians, my mind is immediately drawn to one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I think that as I read both books in light of this verse, it is easy to see 1 Thessalonians 5:18 as a major theme of the book. I certainly would not say that is the only theme, or what other writers might consider to be its theme is somehow less significant than my thoughts. All I ask is, As you read through these books and study along with me, is that you would at least consider this as a powerful theme? Think of this verse when it comes to each devotion we take up, and before you know it, you will have learned the art of thanksgiving, and it will, with the Spirit’s help become second nature, which is part of your new nature in Christ, to be thankful in all things.

When is the last time you made a list of all the things you are thankful for? It really doesn’t take long to compile a pretty long list, once you get started. That is exactly what I want to do as I read through these books, written by Paul to encourage struggling and somewhat confused Christ followers.

First, let us take a look at the verse, and ask the Lord to help us to learn to be more thankful, and ask Him to open our hearts wide to a “spirit of thanksgiving.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We must understand that no matter what difficulties life brings, and no matter what Satan may try to do to disrupt our lives, nothing can happen to us that God has not in some way willed for “our good” and His glory. I think that is clearly what Paul taught elsewhere as well.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I am not trying to suggest that everything that happens to us is a good thing, but what I am saying is that “all things work together for good.” (Rom 8:28). Joseph recognized this about his life concerning the evil things his brothers had done to him, as he testifies to them in Gen 50:20.

Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

This is the attitude that Paul reflected in each of his prison epistles when he encouraged Christians to “rejoice always in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4). This art of thanksgiving was taught to him by God and was something that became a practice of his life of godliness. This is why he says, “I learned in whatsoever state I am in, to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

As we study this book together, let us ask the Lord, to help us to cultivate this kind of spirit as the everyday practice of our lives.

Dear Lord, I ask that you will help me to be permeated with a life of thanksgiving. I know the Devil hates the praise of God, so I want to always live my life for this purpose, in everything I do. I know this is your will for me, as Peter says in (1 Peter 2:9) and as Paul says here in this key verse of (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
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I. In chapter 1:1-10; 5:23-24; 2 Thess 2:13-14 we see how to be THANKFUL FOR SALVATION.

2. If you are a Christian, the most important thing to be thankful for is your SALVATION (1 Thess 1:1-10; 5:23-24).

If you were asked the question, “What is the most important thing in your life that you are thankful for, what would your answer be?

When I have asked this question before of people that I think are Christian’s it amazes me that this is not at the top of their list. In fact, some people do not even list it at all. For me, nothing else could possibly top this list. I remember when I was nineteen years old, and engaged to be married, and a question similar to this came up in a church discussion. My wife to be got a little upset with me, when I was asked which of the two events I wanted to happen first, getting married to my wife to be, or the rapture of the church. I don’t know if I was completely honest at the time, or just trying to be spiritual, but for her I chose the wrong answer. It turns out that she got her way, I wasn’t disappointed either that the Lord did not come before our wedding day.
I still do believe that salvation “in Christ” is the greatest thing to be thankful for, and one day going to be with him is our GREATEST OVERALL EXPECTATION.

Having said that, I would like to begin our thanksgiving with our SALVATION in mind. Notice how this address to these believer’s begins.

1 Thess 1:1 (NLT) This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who BELONG TO GOD the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.

Though there is much about this verse we could get excited about, the word that stands out most to me, is the word BELONG. Does this word resonate with you? The fact that I can say I belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and that they belong to me too, really fills any emptiness I might have in my life. My life is not without purpose, empty or vain because of my salvation. I have significance and value, and a reason to live life to the fullest because of who I am “in Christ.”

Lot’s of people get excited about a variety of things they may belong to on this earth. It is important to them because of the benefits of belonging. Of course, this often comes with a degree of responsibility too, but the benefits usually far outweigh what is required to belong. Maybe we should all take the time to reflect on that one word “BELONG” and think about what that means to each of us who know Christ as our Savior. I think it is a good way to begin our journey of this great book of God, because this is sure to bring a smile to the face of everyone who knows Christ, even in the midst of their greatest sorrow.

Dear Lord, I want to thank you for selecting me, saving me, and sealing me, unto the day of redemption. Of all the things I have belonged to in this world, nothing has ever given me the peace and joy of knowing that I belong to you. There is such security in this identity. Help me, and all believers’ everywhere to get a sense of the greatness of this relationship we have with you and your Son. In Jesus name, Amen.

Romans 14:8-9 (NLT) If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, WE BELONG TO THE LORD. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose-to be Lord both of the living and of the dead
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Things Paul was thankful for and I am too

As a grateful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ I should be thankful for the individual and corporate election of God (2 Thess 1:1-10).

1 Thess 1:4 (NKJV) knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

2 Thess 2:13-14 (NLT) As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation-a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If there ever was a model church, this one certainly had some of the best qualities. They were not perfect, because churches are made up of imperfect people. Sometimes I run into Christians that hop from one church to another and can never settle down anywhere for any length of time. If they were being led by God to move on, that is one thing, but after listening to them, it often becomes quite obvious that they are looking for a perfect church. I always tell such individuals that when they find the perfect church, please don’t join it, because they will ruin it. I say that because the truth is there are no perfect churches.

Having said that, God’s people are the church. The first century believer’s never referred to the building they gathered in as the church. In fact, in James refers to the building where Christians meet as a synagogue (James 2). It was probably considered a church synagogue, as a carry over from the Jewish synagogue. In chapter two of James, he is addressing how God’s people were to behave in the house of worship, yet in chapter five of the same book, He urges the sick to call for the elder’s of the “church” to come and pray for them. It is clear that the church is people, and the meeting house is to be called something else.
The church is God’s elect people that have been called out of this world system, and called to live as a people that gathers together as unto the Lord. This could never be possible if God didn’t do a great work. Those who built the Tower of Babel, were building a structure of man made materials, but God’s church is built on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and each believer is a stone in that building. Bricks all look alike and you cannot tell one from the other, but each stone, has a uniqueness to it, yet a commonness as well. We resemble “one another” because of our “like faith,” yet we can be distinguished from one another because each stone in God’s building has a specific function within the body.
Attending the meeting house of God should never be for the purpose of just attending out of duty. We should gather together with a real purpose in mind. The Thessalonian believer’s had their issues, but they got a few things right that made it a great gathering to be part of.
Let us make a list of a few things regarding our individual and corporate election that we should be thankful for.

(1) We should be thankful when anyone responds in a favorable way toward the gospel of Christ. This is the one thing all of heaven rejoices in, and we should celebrate this as well (Luke 15:7,10).

After three weeks of ministering Paul was blessed with a harvest of believers!
“Paul’s success in Thessalonica was not the usual experience of missionaries among the heathen. Carey in India, Judson in Burma, Morrison in China, and Moffat in Africa all waited seven years for their first convert, but here the Holy Spirit allowed Paul to reap a sudden harvest.” (Henrietta Mears)

(2) We should be thankful when we see in other believer’s visible manifestation of their faith, as was the case in these believers. Paul calls their faith, a “work of faith.” This is where Paul and James agree clearly. Paul clearly taught that sinners are justified by faith alone, but a faith that justifies will never be alone, because it will always be accompanied by works. We are saved by faith without works, but true saving faith will always lead to works, or acts of that demonstrate the reality on ones faith (1 Thess 1:3; James 2:14-26).

(3) We should be thankful for the “labor of love” that is manifested in believer’s (1 Thess 1:3).

Often Christians get criticized for being unloving, and while some of it may be justified, often it is not. When a major crises takes place in the world, it is always Christian organizations that will be the first to show up to offer help, and often they will be the last to leave, as well. This is that built in “labor of love” that is one of those identification birth marks of the children of God. If Christian’s are to be known for anything, it should be their love for God, each other and the lost, and in that order too. I am always thankful to see God’s people demonstrating this kind of love. When this is lost the “church” will harm their testimony and the cause of Christ, throughout the world. When God’s people turn on each other, you can be certain that some are listening far more to the Devil than to God. God is “not the author of confusion,” but unfortunately that is exactly what we see in many of our churches today.

(4) We should be thankful for the “patience of hope” found in the people of God.
God’s people are called to be faithful to the end. Many begin well, like the churches of Galatia, but get derailed for one reason or another. We need the “patience of hope” to accompany our “work of faith” and “labor of love” otherwise we will eventually fizzle out and die. Paul encouraged the Hebrews by telliing them that it is through “faith and patience” that they will inherit the promises of God. I am always encouraged when I haven’t heard from certain believer’s for many years and then when I do, many years later, they are still “keeping the faith.” This is precious, and is God’s exhortation throughout the Bible. When Jude wrote his letter he exhorted believer’s about the apostasy that would be prevalent in the last days, so he said, “building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:20b-21). It is so refreshing to see God’s people persevering in the faith in this way.
(5) We should always be thankful when any believer, or church is an example worth following after (1:7)
This church was an example that Paul thought other churches should pattern after in the ways described in this chapter.
(6) We should be thankful when believer’s are enthusiastic about “sounding the gospel trumpet” rather than “tooting their own horn.” There is nothing worse than a person bragging about how much they are doing for God etc. On the other hand it is wonderful when a person or group of believer’s has the reputation from the community around them that speaks well of them. This church had this kind of testimony (1:8). It was obviously not merely a “life-style without evangelism” as if we can ever win anyone to Christ, by only living a good life before them. We must be “salt” and “light” by the way we live, but we must also get around to sharing the gospel with people if they are ever going to be saved (Mark 16:15).
“The word “sounded out” is very picturesque. The Greek letters simply changed into English characters spell our word ECHO. Thus the picture is of the message of the gospel so stirring the strings of the Thessalonians’ hearts that it reverberated in strong and clear tones to all Greece and everywhere.
Thus, while awaiting the trumpet of Christ to sound, these Thessalonians were sounding out the trumpet for Christ.” (G. H. Wilmington)
(7) We should be thankful whenever believer’s live their lives in light of the soon return of Jesus Christ (1:9-10).
If first century Christians lived as if Christ could return at any moment, then twenty first century Christians have that much more reason to do so. I know there are many arguments about when Christ may come back. Lot’s of good arguments can be made by all the different viewpoints, but I think we should never be so dogmatic that we assume that Christ’s coming could not be any moment. Even if we get our end time view down perfectly, that still does not mean you will not die and face God at any moment. In that sense, our meeting before God could always be imminent.
The faith of the believer’s at Thessalonica affected their past, present and future. When the Bible says, “you turned to God from idols” that is a decision they already made, now in the past. When it says, “to serve the living and true God” this reflects where they were in their walk at the time of Paul’s writing this chapter. Finally, the text tells us they were “waiting for the Son” which takes them into the future where their hope ultimately lies.

Dear Lord, I thank you for believer’s that live their lives in the way these believer’s did in this chapter. Help me to live this kind of exemplary life in this world, before those who are lost and without Christ, and among believer’s as well. I want my life to honor you in such a way by the things I do and say that others will be encouraged to trust in you, and for those who already have, that they will be encouraged all the more to “keep on keeping on” for Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.
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4. We should be thankful that whatever God begins in believer’s He promises to complete in the day of Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5:23-24).
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (AMP)
[23] And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
[24] Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].
In the first chapter we began to thank God for the SALVATION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD. We enumerated several things from the first chapter that we can be thankful for regarding God’s people. As we continue on with a more topical and thematic approach to the study of the books written to the Thessalonians, I thought it appropriate to go the end of book one and see why things will turn out okay for God’s people in the end. All is well for God’s people because their salvation began with God’s choosing (1:4) and it will be completed by God continuing the work that He began until the day He calls us home. That is what these two verses in chapter five tell us.
It is true that we are to work toward our own sanctification in that we are to “set the Lord apart” in our hearts everyday (1 Peter 3:15), and we must read and meditate on God’s Word daily too, in order to be sanctified (John 17:17). I think fellowship with God’s people plays an important role in our sanctification as well (Hebrews 10: 22-25). These are all important means that God uses to complete His work of “conforming us into the image of Christ” (Romans 8:28-30).
The bottom line when it comes to our salvation is that is God’s work from beginning to end. This is why we are secure forever “in Christ.” Our being kept by God and for God places God’s reputation at stake even more than it does ours, because God promises in his Word, that everyone that has been truly saved, will be kept until the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, I want to thank you for all the wonderful things your Word teaches me about this great and glorious salvation that is found in Jesus Christ. I thank you that my salvation is not a temporary salvation that is conditioned upon what I do or don’t do, but that it is secure “in Christ.” I thank you that the same God who “justified” me when I believed promises to continue the sanctification process in me until I am safe at home with Jesus. You make this clear in so many places in your Word, and none can be clearer than this on in 1 Thess 5:23-24 and again in Romans, where Paul addresses this great work in Romans 8:30.
Romans 8:30 (NETP) And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
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II. In chapter 2:1-4:12; 5:12-13; 2 Thess 2:15-17; 3:1-16) we see how we can be THANKFUL FOR GOD’S SERVANTS.
5. We should all be thankful for true servants of Jesus Christ.
There are a lot of religious teachers in the world today, just as there was in the day’s of Jesus Christ and the apostles. There were true servants of God, and then there were those that are clearly “false apostles” and “false prophets” that must be identified and avoided. Many of the epistles warn us of such times when “false teaching” will be on the increase and many will be deceived. Paul talked about “grievous wolves entering in” and settling alongside the flock that will seek out the ignorant and uninformed so they can prey on them and lead them away from being a true Christ follower. Even Jude tells us in his letter that he really wanted to just write on the common theme of salvation “in Christ” but felt compelled to exhort believer’s to “earnestly contend for the faith that was (once and for all) delivered unto the saints.
In light of the many false teachers that are in the world it is refreshing to know that there are also many who are staying true to God’s Word and are proclaiming plainly the “unsearchable riches of Christ” without fear or fanfare. It is for this reason that I would like to take a look at what a true servant of God looks like, as presented in 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
(1) A true servant of God will do and say the right thing even if they know they will face much opposition for doing so.
1 Thess 1:1-2 (NLT) You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure. You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition.
(2) A true servant of God will live out the Christian life with pure motives, keeping their conscience clear before God and man.
1 Thess 2:3-6 (NLT) So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery. 4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
(3) A true servant of God will work hard on behalf of the people they are caring for, and are always on the clock when needed.
Paul describes himself in the way he cared for the believer’s as being like a mother, whose work is never done. Even today many mothers work to help support their family and yet have a full time job awaiting them when they are home as well.
1 Thess 2:710 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses-and so is God-that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers.
(4) A true servant of God will also be like a Father, always urging and encouraging new converts in their walk with God.
Father’s often find themselves in the role of encourager. Many a child has gone wayward in life because they never received from their father the affirmation and encouragement they so desperately needed. Paul was a gentle corrector and treated new believer’s with tenderness as He and his traveling companions coached believer’s on in their journey of faith.
Here Paul was so grateful for the way the believer’s were receptive to the Word of God. Nothing breaks the heart of a spiritual leader more than when others rebel at the plain teaching and instruction from God’s Word.
1 Thess 2:11-13 (NLT) And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God-which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
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(5) A true servant of God will encourage believer’s that are being persecuted in light of judgment that is to come.
1 Thess 2:14-16 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews. 15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity 16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.
One day God will right all wrongs and there will be a payday someday, for those who have mistreated those who love Christ.
(6) A true servant of God will let the people under his care know they are his “pride and joy” as they walk in a manner that pleases God.
1 Thess 2:20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.
(7) A true servant of God will seek to encourage those under his care, but will not sugarcoat the difficult times that may lie ahead. A true servant of God will remind those under his care that part of the Christian life is going through crises (1 Thess 3:1-5).
1 Thess 3:4 (NLT) Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come-and they did, as you well know.
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(8) True servants of God pray for and work toward the spiritual growth of those that have been placed in their care (1 Thess 3:6-10).
1 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV) Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
“As to frequency, Paul prayed night and day just as he worked night and day (2:9). As to fervency, Paul prayed superabundantly (cf. Eph 3:20).
Paul was not criticizing the church but rather acknowledging that they had not yet reached their full potential, for which he prayed and labored (v. 10). The themes of chaps. 4,5 deal with areas of this lack.” (John MaCarthur Commentary)
(9) True servants of God want the followers of Christ to grow in love and holiness along with faith, with the coming of Christ always at the forefront of their mind (1 Thess 3:11- 4:12).
(10) True servants of God will encourage the followers of Christ to show appreciation for those who labor among them to help them in their spiritual journey (1 Thess 5:12-13).
(11) True servants of God will always encourage people to be followers of God as He instructs them through His inspired Word (2 Thess 2:15-17).
2 Thess 2:15 (NLT) With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
The important thing to notice here is that the only traditions which are reliable and authoritative are the inspired utterances of the apostles. Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for nullifying the commandments of God by their traditions (Mat 15:6). And Paul warned the Colossians against the traditions of men (Col 2:8). The traditions we should hold are the great truths which have been handed over to us in the sacred Scriptures. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)
Note: Whatever Paul said in person, under inspiration, that eventually became part of the sacred canon of scripture is our standard for our faith and practice. Some have suggested we follow other writings that are comments on the scriptures, or explanations of the scriptures that carry equal weight with scripture. I think this is a dangerous path to follow. God’s Word is God’s final and complete revelation to lead and guide us into all truth, and no additional revelations are needed.
(12) We demonstrate thanks to true servants of God when we pray for them to have success among the lost of this world, and when we pray that God will protect them from evil doers. (2 Thess 3:1-2)
(13) True servants of God will remind the followers of Christ of God’s ability to keep them until His return (2 Thess 3:3-5).
(14) True servants of God will teach people that it is a sin to be lazy and refuse to work to provide for their family (2 Thess 3:6-14).
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The third section of Thessalonians teaches us to be thankful for the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST (1 Thess 1:9-10; 2:17-20; 3:11-13; 4:13-5:11; 5:23-24; 2 Thess 1:7-10; 2:1-12).
Every chapter in 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the return of Jesus Christ, and that truth is applied to daily living.
6. We should all be so thankful for the hope of Christ’s return.
(1) Those who are thankful for the hope of Christ’s return are giving evidence of their salvation in Christ (1 Thess 1:9-10).
1 Thess 1:9-10 (AMP) For they themselves volunteer testimony concerning us, telling what an entrance we had among you, and how you turned to God from [your] idols to serve a God Who is alive and true and genuine, And [how you] look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead — Jesus, Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] and draws us to Himself [investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah].
There is much debate among many good and godly people as to the specifics concerning the return of Christ. I confess, at one time I thought I had this totally figured out. Now, I seem to find some issues with all the views concerning Christ’s return concerning the when aspect of it all. I just find it difficult to reconcile all the passages on the subject together to satisfy all the questions that need to be answered in order to make sense of it all.
I think the real issue is that every believer in Christ, knows not exactly when He will come back, but we all do know with certainty that He is coming back, to deliver all who have truly trusted in Him for eternal salvation. The delight of every true believer is to be delivered one day, not only from the penalty of sin, which we have already experienced, but also the very presence of sin too. In the days of Lot and the days of Noah, God’s people were delivered the same time others were destroyed. God sometimes chooses to deliver us from, as He did with Lot, but other times God deliver’s His people through, as He did the three Hebrews in Daniel 3. In either case God deliver’s and He will get the glory for it all, which is the way it should be. This is why Jesus came to earth to begin with (Matthew 1:21). Jesus will come again and complete what He began in His first coming. At the Cross, the words “it is finished” were uttered as redemption for all believing sinners of all times was ACCOMPLISHED by Christ. One day, when our “redemption is complete” (Eph 4:30; Romans 8:22-23; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3) Christ will utter the words, “It is done!” (Rev 21:6)
Revelation 21:6 (NIV) He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
The ushering in of the Eternal State marks the conclusion of God’s purposes for the earth on which we live. As Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, so He is the Beginning and the End, the Creator and the Object of creation, the One who began and the One who finishes, the Eternal One. It is He who gives the water of life (salvation) freely to whoever thirsts for it. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)
“This final invitation is really for God’s elect, who will live in the eternal state of bliss with their God. The “thirsty” and “hungry” ones are true believer’s which will feast forever on that Manna of heaven, which is Christ Himself, who is the Eternal Word of God. Those who are “hungry” and “thirsty” now for God’s truth, and love to feast of it, and live off of it, will find uninterrupted joy, as they feast forever in glory. This has to be ultimate bliss!!
On the other hand, if God were to allow one person into heaven with their heart not yet converted to Christ, heaven would be like hell for such a person who has no appetite for the things of Christ.” (Dan McKenney)
Heaven belongs to those who, knowing their souls are parched by sin, have earnestly sought the satisfaction of salvation and eternal life (cf. Ps 42:1; Ps 42:2; Is 55:1; Is 55:2; Jn 7:37; Jn 7:38). The “water of life” Cf. 7:17; 22:1,17. The lasting spiritual water of which Jesus spoke (Jn 4:13; Jn 4:14; Jn 7:37; Jn 7:38; cf. Is 55:1; Is 55:2). (John MaCarthur)
Believers in their new bodies will thirst after God and the things of God, and they will be satisfied: “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” In Mat 5:6 the Lord Jesus said: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (J Vernon McGee)
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(2) Those who are thankful for the hope of Christ’s return are motivated to reach others for Christ (1 Thess 2:17-20).
1 Thess 2:19 (NIV) 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.
I cannot think of any greater joy to my soul, other than seeing my Savior, that would bless me more than seeing many of the people that I know in heaven with me. What a delight this will be. We have good reason to want to win many soul’s to Christ now, will there is time to do it. There will be no lost soul’s in heaven to win to Christ, so let us all be about the Master’s business while the “day of salvation” is at hand (1 Cor 6:1-2; Hebrews 3:7,10).
It is not as if God is expecting us to personally save anyone! Our job is only to “share the life changing Good News of Jesus Christ.” It is His job to save. Many say that God has already done everything there is to do, and after we share the gospel, the rest is up to the sinner, but that is not quite right. The Holy Spirit is very active today, convicting of sin, and drawing sinners to Christ through the gospel. All I must do, is share the Good News as He opens the door for me to do so.
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(3) Those who are thankful for the promise of Christ’s return will be inspired to live a holy life before God and others (1 Thess 3:11-13; 1 John 3:1-3).
1 Thess 3:11-13 (AMP) So that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!
I love the way Paul connects love and holiness in these verses. Some would have you think the two are contradictory character traits. The fact is, if we do not have both qualities, we will be lead down a very corrupt path. Many claim to love everybody, and preach toleration of things that God clearly calls sin in His Word. Then, there are those who will emphasize holiness, but have no love for others or the lost. God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ is full of both, and neither are contradictory.
In the most important event in all of history we see God’s holiness and His love being manifested in a powerful way. God’s holiness was manifested when He gave His only Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for sinners, like you and I. It was necessary that God punish sin, otherwise His justice would not have been upheld, and we could not call God a perfectly Just God. Even in our courts of law, justice must prevail. I remember a few years back when a woman named Carla Faye Tucker, was to put to death for her crimes many years prior, and many Christian’s came to her defense to try to get the courts to have her pardoned. The reason, they said was that she became a Christian while in prison, and proved to be a model inmate for others. The authorities that had the power to prevent her sentence from being carried out chose not to do so, and they cannot be faulted for that either. Even though this woman’s crimes were forgiven by God, and maybe many of the victims families as well, she still was guilty of crimes that was satisfied according to the law by death. This is true also of our Most High God.
Isaiah 53:10-11 (KJV) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
When we are told that God the Father was “pleased” it does mean He was happy, but it does mean that He was satisfied that Son carried out the perfect plan of the Father to redeem all those who would ever place their faith in Christ. Justice was satisfied, so that many souls would be “justified” from their sins.
The same is true about Christ in Isaiah 53:11, where we are told that He would be satisfied, in what He accomplished by justifying many souls throughout history. Christ, on that day atoned for all those who trusted in God prior to His death, though many of them already died, and all those who have lived since then, and those yet to be born, who will believe in Him. This is why He is referred to as, “the Lamb Slain from before the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8). This is why Peter’s words are so powerful in Acts 2:23.
Acts 2:23 (KJV) Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.
Though man was fully responsible for this reprehensible crime against Christ, and the Most High God, it was still God ‘s pre-ordained plan, from before the foundation of the world. This is His Amazing Plan at work and His Amazing Grace on display.
So, both the love of God and the Holiness of God are clearly seen at Calvary, in the experience of it, and in the many scriptures that testify to it as well (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).
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(4) Those who are thankful for the promise of Christ’s return will find great comfort in times of sorrow ( 1 Thess 4:13-18; 2 Thess 1:7-10).
It is true that we will face many “sorrows” in this life, and we are not exempt from trials just because we believe in God. All people face death, and most go through some measure of physical pain prior to it. The difference is not in the experience of death, but how a Christian respond’s to it. There may be fears, from the process of death, and the experience of death, but a true believer’s sorrow is never to the extent that it is with those who have “no hope.” The basic difference is that for the lost, there is no hope beyond the grave. In fact, for the lost, things are only going to go from bad to worse, because after death comes the hell, and ultimately what the Bible calls “everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of His power.”
The Bible uses metaphor’s to describe hell for us, so that even though we have not experienced how horrible it is, we can at least imagine what it will be like to be certain, that we don’t go there. It is described as a place of “everlasting destruction,” a place where, “the worm dieth not,” and a place where the “fire is never quenched.” That is enough for me to know, I want no part of it. The “Good News” is that we don’t have to go there! There is a remedy.
All who are lost now, if they “repent of their sins” and turn to Christ, and trust in His atoning sacrifice will experience forgiveness of sins, and then what will be a terrible day for the lost when Christ returns, will be a great day for the child of God. This is why Paul says, “to those of you who are troubled, rest with us…” (2 Thess 1:7-10), and “comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess 4:18 see context 4:13-18).
If you are lost today, my prayer is that you will turn to Christ and then encourage others to do so too. This way you will not ever have to “sorrow as others which have no hope.”
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(5) Those who are thankful for the promised of Christ’s return will be have greater confidence in the sanctification process, until that ultimate day of the redemption of our body arrives (5:23-24; Philippians 1:6; 3:20-21).
In so many places in the bible, in the same context where we are exhorted to “continue” in the faith, as if it were all depended on us to keep ourselves saved, we are also encouraged by verses that emphasize God’s keeping power. I think we all have a responsibility to take care of our body the best we can, and feed our “soul” and “spirit” on the things of God, but we are also promised, “faithful is He who calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thess 5:24). The same is true in Philippians 2:12-13. While one verse tells us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” the other tells us, “for it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.” While one verse says, “we are His workmanship…unto good works,” the other says, “for by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves” (Eph 2:8-10). While one verse tells us, “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 1:21), a verse verses later we are told, “Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless…” (Jude 24).
I am cautioned not to be lazy about my walk with God, from these books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, but I am mostly encouraged, and thankful that I have such wonderful victory in and through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To God be the glory! Amen.
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IV. The fourth section of 1 & 2nd Thessalonians teaches us to be thankful for the SAINTS who help hold us accountable to Christ and His Word (1 Thess 5:14-22,25-26).
1 Thess 5:14-22,25,26 (NLT) Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love.
Here we are taught to get to know one another in such a way that we understand each other’s temperament and spiritual condition, so that we will know the best approach to take to care for them and to help correct them and direct them in their walk with God. Though we need to be “patient” with everyone, we are to be “tender” toward the “weak.” We are to never pay back evil with evil, and always strive to go good to all people, saved and lost. If we do not conduct ourselves in this way we will “stifle the Holy Spirit’s work in us and through us and among the lost. We should have the proper respect toward the Word of God, but be careful to separate the message from the messenger. All messenger’s are subject to unintentional error, but the Word of God, correctly presented should be received with a meek spirit, and no resistance on our part. We should cleave to what we learn to be good conduct, and flee from what we know does not please God. We should pray for one another, and greet one another with Christian love.
I think if churches would take these final remarks of Paul seriously we would have less splits, more unity, and greater growth of God’s kingdom. May God help us all to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).