Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Henry T. Blackaby is the author of Experiencing God, which has sold more than 7 million copies and has been translated into 50 languages. He is president of Blackaby Ministries International, an organization he founded to help people experience God in a more intimate way.

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Encounters with God The First and Second Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS

Thomas Nelson

Contents

An Introduction to the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians..............................7An Overview of Our Study of the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians.....................11Lesson #1: Faithful and Exemplary Believers........................................................15Lesson #2: Fruitful and Truthful Ministers.........................................................25Lesson #3: Overcoming Satan's Hindrances...........................................................37Lesson #4: Abounding More and More.................................................................47Lesson #5: Ready for Christ's Coming...............................................................57Lesson #6: Resistance to Apostasy..................................................................67Lesson #7: Admonitions and Blessings...............................................................77Notes to Leaders of Small Groups...................................................................89

Chapter One

FAITHFUL AND EXEMPLARY BELIEVERS

Exemplary: something so good or admirable that others would do well to copy it

B Bible Focus

You became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come ... For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans (1 Thess. 1:6-10, 2:13-14).

The Thessalonian church was a fairly new church, hardly a few years old when Paul wrote them. Paul established the church during a fairly brief visit that he, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy made to the city of Thessalonica. It doesn't appear that Paul was in Thessalonica for more than a few weeks. We know from Acts that Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the Jewish synagogue for three weeks, presented Jesus as the Christ, persuading some of the Jews, a large number of devout Greeks, and some of the leading women of the city. Then the Jews who felt threatened by his message instigated a riot against Paul, and he was smuggled out of the city and sent to Berea before going on to Athens. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for a short period and then followed Paul to Athens.

Perhaps the most telling attribute of this young church was that, though born in controversy and affliction, its believers received the gospel message with "joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:5-6). They heard the message of Christ preached powerfully and confidently, with accompanying signs and wonders (1 Thess. 1:5). They responded enthusiastically and joyfully to this message. Paul readily recognized in writing to them that it was the Holy Spirit's work in their midst that had allowed them to become such an exemplary church to all in the surrounding regions of Macedonia and Achaia.

In many ways the Holy Spirit became the teacher and guide for this new church. Although Silas and Timothy continued to teach the new believers for a short while after Paul left, the church was eventually left on its own to study the Scriptures and rely upon the Holy Spirit for ongoing direction and counsel. The Thessalonian believers, Paul said, were quick to recognize the "truth, the word of God" and to apply it to their lives. They had not only become the followers of Paul, but followers of the Lord (1 Thess. 1:6, 2:13).

Paul told this church that he loved them as a nursing mother loves her infant-tenderly and completely (1 Thess. 2:7). But he recognized that it was God, their loving heavenly Father, who was strengthening and guiding them. It was the Holy Spirit's work in the church that had allowed its members to

turn definitively to Christ, leaving behind all idols and sin, serve the living God and stand firm, even in times of suffering and affliction, and remain strong in faith, patiently waiting for Jesus to return to earth.

Some people argue that a church must have strong, mature leadership in order for new converts and immature Christians to grow strong in the faith. That certainly appears to be true when it comes to establishing a church. And, it certainly is the ideal for ongoing leadership. Even so, an ideal model isn't always possible, and it certainly isn't a requirement. Countless "baby" believers have grown strong and mature in the wake of powerful evangelistic campaigns in remote regions of the world. These new converts, and also "baby" churches which grow strong, seem to bear two great characteristics: First, the new converts to Christ heard a biblically sound and convincing presentation of the Gospel, with verifying "power" and "much assurance" (1 Thess. 1:5). Second, the new converts continued to rely upon the Holy Spirit to illuminate Bible truth to them and to shape their lives according to God's divine will.

What an encouraging message these opening statements of Paul should be to those today who proclaim the message of Christ as evangelists. Preach with power, and in much assurance. Those who respond to your message with joy can grow in Christ and carry on the banner of the Gospel in an effective and lasting way. They can become effective, exemplary, and faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

A Application for Today

Consider this scenario: You and two of your friends are dropped off on a small island with the understanding that the ship will be back in a few weeks to pick you up, should you want to leave the island at that time. In the future, the transporting ship might come by the island every three or four months. You have been told that the people on the island have never heard the name of Jesus.

What would be your strategy for presenting the gospel to this unreached people?

What items would you plan to take with you to this island? Which of these items would you plan to leave behind? (Be conservative-limit the items you would take to one large suitcase or duffel bag per person.)

How long would you plan to stay? Why?...