1 Thessalonians 4- The Rapture Part 1

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But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

The early Church always had the expectation that Christ was going to return soon, and we as Christians should have the same mentality today, as Jesus said “Nobody knows the day or hour” (Matthew 24:36) However the Church of Thessalonica started becoming concerned, when their loved ones were passing away, and there was still no resurrection of the dead.

Paul begins his teaching with “I would not have you be ignorant or uniformed, brethren” (v13) This statement indicates Paul is going to explain an already known doctrine into greater detail. Some will say this is a new doctrine that Paul was introducing, I disagree. The return of Christ, the Rapture of the Church, ect, these were all well known by the 1rst Century Church, Paul is now going to explain all this into greater detail because the Church needs to understand God’s plan

“Concerning them who are asleep (dead) that you sorrow not” Paul is telling the Church, when your saved loved ones pass away , you don’t have to mourn their deaths like the rest of the world, because they are going to be resurrected just like Christ. Now sometimes this brings up the argument for “soul sleep”, Paul has said “To be absent from the body, is to be present with The Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8) I don’t think Paul was every teaching or supporting the idea of “soul sleep”, how would it be encouraging if your loved ones didn’t exist until the resurrection?  For me, I don’t believe the idea of “soul sleep” is compatible with the overall theology of The Bible

Paul then says “Even as others, which have no hope” Paul is talking about non-believers, unsaved people. Outside of Christ there is no hope for anyone, this is why the resurrection of Christ is the central doctrine of Christianity. As Paul said “If Christ is not risen then our faith is worthless or useless” (1 Cor. 15:17) All of our hope is in Jesus Christ, and Christ is the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23) meaning we who are saved, will all be risen just like Christ into a perfect and immortal body

Then Paul goes on to explain the order of the resurrection, those who are dead and already “sleep in Jesus” will be resurrected first, and then who are still alive at the return of Christ, will be resurrected second. Paul reaffirms this with his teaching to the Church of Corinth “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Cor. 15:52)

The Apostle Paul is reminding the Church, that we have a living hope in Jesus Christ our Lord, who has already defeated sin and death, Amen!

1 Thessalonians 4- Brotherly Love

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But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12

What a great message for the Church “Brotherly Love”. The Apostle Paul commended the Church for their display of love towards one another, however Paul beseeches or urges the Church to love each other even more! There is so much division and coldness in the body of Christ today, this is a message that should be preached from every pulpit

I find it ironic that Paul teaches this lesson right before he gives his teaching on the Rapture. I don’t know if that teaching caused as much division back in the 1rst century as it has today, but I can’t believe the division I see with brothers and sisters over the timing of the Rapture. It’s heartbreaking to watch and read the comments exchanged by Christians over their disagreement over a non-salvational issue.

Notice the Apostle Paul said “You yourselves are taught by God to love one another” This isn’t a suggestion or teaching by Paul, this is a commandment by Christ. Jesus said “ A new command I give to you, love one another as I loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34) To hate your brother or sister in Christ is a sin against God, we need to reconcile our differences, we need to repent and submit to Christ Jesus our Lord

So how should the Christian live their life? Paul teaches us “you should aspire or study to be quiet, to do your own business, to work with your own hands” We should strive to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18) We shouldn’t be trying to stir up trouble, we should mind our own business, and we should be willing to take care of yourself. I know this is easier said than done, however this is why our Christian walk is a daily walk of carry our crosses and following Christ (Matthew 16:24)

Paul says “That you may walk honestly toward them that are without” Christians should be noticeably different or separate from non-believers. People should be able to identify you as a Christian by the way your behave and live your life. We need to be good examples for non-believers and our neighbors. 

As the Apostle Paul said “Let brotherly love continue or keep loving one another as brothers and sisters “ (Hebrews 13:1) in Jesus name Amen!

1 Thessalonians 4- Sanctification Part 2

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That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8

The Apostle Paul says “God has not called us to uncleanness or impurity but to holiness” Now when you say this to other Christians or people, they label you a “legalist” or they say “who do you think you are” this is probably the same responses Paul got back in the first century because then he goes on to say “Therefore anyone who despises or rejects this command, rejects not man but God”

We know alot of “Christians” who reject the thought of sanctification or holiness, for example there’s a famous YouTube Pastor Steven Anderson, I’m sure you have all heard or seen his tangents online, but he insists nobody needs to repent to be saved. And many “Churches” today are embracing the LGBTQ lifestyle and declaring it acceptable. These are examples of total rejection of Gods calling us to holiness 

Now the question is “How can we become holy”? We all acknowledge we are sinners (Romans 3:23) even Paul acknowledge he was a wretched sinner (Romans 7:24) and Paul called himself “Chief of all sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) So we acknowledge our sinner nature and our desperate need for Jesus Christ. So how do we get to where go wants us?

The Apostle Paul says “Who has given us his Holy Spirit” (v8) This is why Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you can’t see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3) It’s only by the Holy Spirit we can become transformed, it’s only by the Holy Spirit we can strive to be holy, its only by the Holy Spirit we can follow the path of sanctification

The Apostle Peter said “Be Holy because I (God) am Holy” (1 Peter 1:16) We as Christians are called to strive to be Holy, to be filled with the Holy Spirit,  to be sanctified with our Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul said , “Walk worthy of our calling in The Lord”(Ephesians 4:1) Repent of your sins, be baptized by the water and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name Amen!

1 Thessalonians 4- Sanctification Part 1

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Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5

Sanctification is a topic that is not preached by most Pastors these days, even though it’s a Biblical commandment, as the Apostle Paul said “given to you by the Lord Jesus Christ”. Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) What did Jesus mean by this? Well he was talking about the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in our lives, a process called Sanctification

An old theologian named JC Ryle wrote alot on this topic, including probably his most popular book “Holiness”, I believe this is a book that should be in every Christians library. So why are Christians in general so offended by the mention of sanctification? Well because if your going to claim to be a Christian, then there needs to be “fruits” or evidence of your conversion (Matthew 7) You can’t claim to be a Christian and still be dead in your sins (Ephesian 2) You are either a slave to Christ or you are a slave to Sin (Romans 6)

The Apostle Paul says “Walk or Live to please God” Often when we talk about sanctification, people claim we are talking about a “works based salvation”, this is generally their argument to remain in their sin. However we know from the Bible, that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and any of our good deeds are like filthy rags compared to God (Isaiah 64:6) Jesus even said “Nobody is good (morally excellent) than God alone” (Mark 10:18)

So why do we care about sanctification or holiness? Well because the greatest commandment, according to Jesus is “To love the Lord God is all your heart, your soul, and your mind” (Matthew 22:37) So the question isn’t “Does God love me”? We know God loves us , because he demonstrated that on the cross (Romans 5:8) The real question is “Do you really love God”? Many will say Yes, however their actions don’t reflect that true love. 

The Apostle Paul says “Everyone should know how to possess his vessel (body) in sanctification and honor”If your a true Born Again Christian, then your body is the temple of God filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20) We shouldn’t pollute our bodies with sin. Think about a Church building, many of us act differently at Church than at our own homes. We respect the building, we wouldn’t start drinking alcohol at Church, or watch pornography, so then why is it appropriate to do these acts in the Temple of God, your own body?

Sanctification is a process of the Holy Spirit working in us to make us more like Christ. It doesn’t happen overnight, but we should strive to live to please God and honor him with our bodies, Amen!

1 Thessalonians 3- Return of Christ

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For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-11

The Apostle Paul asks a good question here “For what thanks can we render to God again”? How can we possibly thank God adequately or properly for everything God has done for us? The honest answer is we can’t , and that’s why Gods grace is so amazing, it’s a gift we can never repay or earn, its a gift that is many times beyond our comprehension, however when we understand the immense love God demonstrated to us on the cross, our relationship with God grows stronger and deeper

Night and day the Church prayed exceedingly for Timothy and the other Christians, are we following that same pattern? Are we praying night and day for our brothers and sisters in Christ? If you want to see a powerful Church, there needs to be alot of praying! We don’t do anything on our own, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13) we need to abide in Christ, and Christ will abide in us

How do we know what to do or how to respond? Paul says “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way” Are we doing the will of God or are we doing our own will? We need to be in unceasing prayer, we need to strengthen our relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Paul speaks a blessing over the Church, this should be an important part of the Pastor. First Paul wishes the Church would abound in love towards one another, wouldn’t this be a good message for all Christians? As Christians continue to divide and argue with one another over man-made doctrines, the true Christian should be more concerned with actually loving his brothers and sisters, a simple concept that doesn’t seem to be practiced anymore

Secondly Paul wishes the Church establishes their hearts and unblameable in holiness before God, Paul is praying for true Born Again believers of the Church and not false converts Only God truly knows our hearts, whether they have been transformed or not, however we can pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of our fellow believers

Lastly, notice Paul talks about the Second coming of Christ, “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” We as the Church need to get ready for the return of Christ, we need to make sure were Born Again and have our lamps full of the Holy Spirit , Amen