Sermon #52 Through The Bible Series
Title: 1 Thessalonians
“How Ye Ought to
Walk and to Please God”
Text: 1
Thessalonians 4:1
Date: Tuesday Evening—May 4, 2004
Tape # Y-19a
Readings: Larry
Brown & Bob Duff
Introduction:
As believers, our lives are a constant disappointment to us. Aren’t they? We want to walk in this world in a way that honors our God. We want to please him in all things. How miserably we fail!
Tonight, I want to give you
some plain, clear instruction from 1 Thessalonians about “how ye ought to
walk and to please God.”
Paul wrote his first letter
to the church at Thessalonica specifically to communicate to them his love for
them and his desire to return to them, that he might again preach the gospel to
them. How he rejoiced when he thought about God’s goodness and grace in his
people! He told the Thessalonians that he prayed for them night and day,
exceedingly desiring to see them, that he “might perfect that which is
lacking in your faith” (3:10), that is, that he might be an instrument
through which the Lord God would graciously cause them, through the preaching
of the gospel, to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ into the full
maturity of faith.
(1
Th 3:11-13) “Now God himself and our
Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. (12) And the
Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all
men, even as we do toward you: (13) 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
Th 4:1) “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.”
In this Epistle, the Holy Spirit gives us clear instructions about how we ought to walk and please God in this world.
Background
Thessalonica was the capital
city of the Roman province of Macedonia. When Paul and Silas came there
preaching the gospel of Christ, telling them “all that Christ must needs
have suffered and risen and again from the dead,” and asserting that Jesus
of Nazareth whom we preach is the Christ, after three weeks of gospel preaching
a riot broke out, and Paul and Silas were run out of town (Acts 17:1-10). But
the Word of God is never preached in vain. Though many opposed Christ and his
gospel, and were enraged by it, a great multitude believed (Acts 17:4). In
time, a gospel church was established in Thessalonica. It is to this church
that Paul wrote 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians was written
specifically to teach God’s saints, “how ye ought to walk and to please God.”
Paul’s
salutation (1:1) is very similar to his salutations in other epistles, with one
notable exception. ― Here Paul makes no mention of his apostolic office.
There was no need for him to do so, because there were none in that church who
were even slightly suspicious of him.
Election
Known
In chapter 1 Paul tells the
saints of God at Thessalonica how very thankful he was to God for them and for
the manifest grace of God in them (vv. 2-3).
(1
Th 1:2-3) “We give thanks to God always
for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (3) Remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
Then, he makes a statement
that might appear to many to be a strange statement. He says in verse 4 ―
“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” He tells these saints
at Thessalonica that they were numbered among that vast multitude of sinners
chosen to salvation in Christ before the world began. How could he have known
that? Is it possible to know who the elect are? Indeed, it is. If you believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, your faith in him is the result of “your election of God.”
Blessed
Doctrine
Election is a blessed
doctrine of Holy Scripture. It is taught in every Book of the Bible, on almost
every page of Inspiration. Hundreds of texts could be quoted to show this. Look
up the words, “choose,” “chosen,” “elect,” and “election,”
in a concordance. You will be astounded at the prominence of this doctrine in
the Word of God.
·
It cannot be denied that election is a Bible doctrine
(John 15:16; Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1:9; Psa. 65:4).
And it is a blessed doctrine, full of consolation.
·
Election was an act of God's eternal sovereignty (Rom.
9:11-23), an act of free, unconditional grace (Matt. 11:25-26), unalterable,
immutable, and irreversible (Mal. 3:6; Rom. 11:29), infallibly
effectual, securing the salvation of all whom God has chosen (Rom.
8:28-30), and the fountain of all other grace (Eph. 1:3-4).
·
Our election by God was personal and distinguishing. It was in Christ. And the
only cause for our election was the everlasting love of God for us (Jer. 31:3;
Eph. 1:4).
Often
Misrepresented
But election is a doctrine
that is often misrepresented and, therefore, misunderstood by many. Some people
oppose the doctrine of election, simply because they have never heard it taught
as the Bible teaches it.
·
Election is not, in anyway, contrary to, or inconsistent with, the
promises of God in the gospel (Matt. 11:28; John 3:36; Rom. 10:9-13; Acts 16:31;
Mk. 16:16). We do not limit the invitations of the gospel. We call upon all
people everywhere to trust Christ, and assure all who trust Christ of salvation
by the grace of God.
·
And election does not diminish man's responsibility before God. God commands you to repent
of your sins and trust his Son. And you are responsible to do so (Isa. 45:22;
John 6:29; 1 John 3:23; 5:10-13).
May
Be Known
And the Holy Spirit here
tells us that our election of God is something that may be known (1:3-10).
Repentance, faith, conversion, and good works are the fruit and the evidence of
election. If you are born of God, if you trust Christ, you are one of God's elect.
No mere man can open and
read the Lamb's Book of life. No mortal can ever know who the elect are until
they are regenerated and called by God the Holy Spirit. However, each of us can
prove our own selves. We can make our calling and election sure.
In 1 Thessalonians, the
Apostle Paul, writing by divine inspiration, tells us that he knew these men
and women in the Church at Thessalonica were elect, chosen of God, and precious
by five distinct marks of grace upon them. If you are one of God's elect, these
five marks are upon you. If I am one of the elect, these marks are upon me. Who
are God's elect? Look into the Word of God, and you will see. There is no need
for guess work about this matter. The Holy Spirit shows us five evidences of
God's election in 1 Thessalonians chapter one.
1. God's elect are people who
hear the gospel preached and receive the gospel as it is preached in the power
of God the Holy Spirit (v.5).
(1
Th 1:5) “For our gospel came not unto
you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much
assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
The elect are those who are
called by the effectual, irresistible power and grace of God the Holy Spirit.
They are called by the Spirit through the preaching of the gospel (Rom.
1:15-17; 10:13-17; 1 Cor. 1:21-23; 15:1-3; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; 1 Pet.
1:23-25). God does not save sinners by the sound of chirping birds, or by the
babbling heresies of Arminian, free-will, works religion. God saves his chosen
through the preaching of the gospel of his free and sovereign grace in Christ.
2. God's elect are those who
follow Christ (vv. 3, 6).
(1
Th 1:3) “Remembering without ceasing
your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”
(1
Th 1:6) “And ye became followers of us,
and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the
Holy Ghost.”
Chosen sinners, when saved
by the grace of God, are made disciples, followers of Christ, voluntary
servants of King Jesus. Believers are not perfect, and never pretend to be.
They know something of the corruption of their own hearts. Yet, in the tenor of
their lives, those who are born of God follow Christ.
3. God's elect are a people who
are committed to Christ and the gospel of his grace (v.8).
(1
Th 1:8) “For from you sounded out the
word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your
faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”
As the saints at
Thessalonica sounded out the gospel to perishing sinners in their generation,
so God's saints today make it their business to make the gospel known for the
glory of God.
4. God's elect experience
repentance and conversion by the power of his grace. They turn from their idols
to serve the living God (v.9).
(1
Th 1:9) “For they themselves show of us
what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God.”
Believers forsake their
idols and the idolatrous religious practices of their former manner of life.
They will not be found worshipping a false god. You will not find a child of
God kneeling before a pagan deity, kissing a crucifix, or professing faith in a
helpless, frustrated god whose purpose, will, and work are prevented by man's
imaginary free-will.
5. God's elect are waiting for
Christ
(v.10).
(1
Th 1:10) “And to wait for his Son from
heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us
from the wrath to come.”
Believers live upon the
tiptoe of faith, looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the
great God, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Believing his Word, we live in
hope and expectation of the resurrection, being confident that he who died for
us and rose again has by his blood atonement effectually “delivered us from
the wrath to come.”
Here the Holy Spirit holds
up these saints at Thessalonica as examples to all who believe of what God’s
electing grace does for sinners (1:7).
An
Overwhelming Trust
In the 2nd
chapter Paul tells us that he looked upon the ministry God had given him, the
blessed work of preaching the gospel, as great trust committed to him by God.
He was simply overwhelmed by the fact that he was “allowed of God to be put
in trust with the gospel” (v. 4).
Paul’s attitude toward the
work of the ministry stands before us throughout his writings as a constant
challenge to all those men in every age to whom the Lord God has granted this
great trust (Eph. 3:8). He came to Thessalonica with the deep conviction that
the Lord God himself had sent him there to preach the gospel (vv. 2 and 7; Acts
16:6-10). His goal in doing so was the honor of God and the good of their
immortal souls (v. 4). Therefore he did not use flattering, deceitful words to
please his hearers. He was not motivated by covetousness and self-interests,
and did not seek the honor that men might give him (vv. 3-6). As a faithful
servant of God, he dealt with their souls in all the tenderness and affection
of a nursing mother caring for her children, laboring night and day for them
(vv. 7-12).
(1
Th 2:7-12) “But we were gentle
among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: (8) So being affectionately
desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not
the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
(9) For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night
and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto
you the gospel of God. (10) Ye are witnesses, and God also,
how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that
believe: (11) As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every
one of you, as a father doth his children, (12) That ye would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”
The saints at Thessalonica
received Paul as God’s messenger to their souls and treated him with the
love and honor that reflected their gratitude to God for sending his gospel and
his servant to them (vv. 13-14; Isa. 52:7).
(1
Th 2:13-14) “For this cause also thank
we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye
heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is
in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
(14) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in
Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own
countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.”
(Isa
52:7) “How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that
bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion,
Thy God reigneth!”
It should not be surprising
to see Paul saying to them, “Ye are our glory and joy” (v. 20). Paul was
absent from them physically, but very much present with them in heart and
longed to be with them again physically (vv. 17-19).
“These Afflictions”
In the 3rd
chapter the apostle gives us very tender and wise instruction concerning the
things that all believers suffer in this world for Christ’s sake. He would have
come again to them already, had Satan not hindered him (2:18). When he could
not come himself, he sent Timothy to establish them and comfort them in the
midst of their trials and temptations, and was greatly encouraged by the grace
manifest in them in the face of those things (3:1-9).
(1
Th 3:1-9) “Wherefore when we could no
longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; (2) And sent
Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in
the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning
your faith: (3) That no man should be moved by these
afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
(4) For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we
should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. (5)
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith,
lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
(6) But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us
always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
(7) Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our
affliction and distress by your faith: (8) For now we
live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (9) For what thanks
can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your
sakes before our God.”
Did you catch Paul’s words
in verse 3?
― “That
no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are
appointed thereunto.” He
told the Thessalonians that these things would come. They should not have been
surprised by them. Neither should we. Our Lord said, “In the world ye shall
have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” “These
afflictions” are things appointed by our God and things to which we
are appointed by him.
·
They are for an appointed time.
·
They are for an appointed purpose.
·
They have an appointed end.
How
We Ought to Walk
In chapter 4 Paul follows
his instruction about our afflictions with a word of instruction about how we
ought to walk and to please God in the midst of all “these afflictions.”
Let it be our goal in all things and at all times to walk in this world in a
manner that is pleasing to our great God and Savior, by whom we have been
saved.
It must be stated that the
only way we can please God is by faith in Christ (Heb. 11:5-6; Col. 2:6).
(Heb
11:5-6) “By faith Enoch was translated
that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated
him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him.”
(Col
2:6) “As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”
Yet, we must never imagine that our personal behavior in this world is a matter of indifference. We must never forget who we are and whose we are. Everything we say and do reflects either positively or negatively upon the honor of our God and the gospel we believe. Therefore Paul urges us to live for the glory of God, ruled by the Word of God, possessing our vessels in sanctification and honor (4:1-4).
(1
Th 4:1-4) “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. (2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by
the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (4) That every
one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.”
He specifically urges us to abstain
from fornication, sexual perversity (v. 3) and to live in moral
uprightness (vv. 5-8).
(1
Th 4:5-8) “Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: (6) 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. (7) For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto
holiness. (8) He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God,
who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
Then he tells us to love one another (vv. 9-10).
(1
Th 4:9-10) “But as touching brotherly
love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to
love one another. (10) 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;”
In verses 11 and 12, he tells us to pursue a quiet, industrious life, not prying into other people’s affairs.
(1
Th 4:11-12) “And that ye study to be
quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you; (12) That ye may walk honestly toward them that are
without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
“Them Which Are Asleep”
In the last part of chapter
4 (vv. 13-18), turns our minds to eternity, and tells us to live in the sweet
comfort of resurrection glory, particularly encouraging us to honor God in
times of bereavement. Let us ever remember, the Holy Spirit does not here tell
us that we must not sorrow when loved ones are taken from us, but urges us not
to sorrow as others, “who have no hope.”
(1
Th 4:13-18) “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. (14) For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
him. (15) 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. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore
comfort one another with these words.”
“The Day of The Lord”
In the 5th
chapter Paul continues with his instructions concerning Christ’s glorious
second advent. He urges us to live in the constant, immediate anticipation of
Christ’s second coming, with watchfulness and sobriety, as children of God
walking in the light, “putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for
an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but
to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (vv. 8-9).
(1
Th 5:6-11) “Therefore let us not sleep,
as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that
sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
(8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of
faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (9) For God
hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
(10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do.”
High
Esteem
The saints at Thessalonica
highly esteemed Paul as God’s servant and messenger to them. In chapter 5 (vv.
12-13) he urges them and the saints of God in every age to give that same honor
to all those men who faithfully preach the gospel, laboring in the Word of God
and laboring for their souls.
(1
Th 5:12-13) “And we beseech you,
brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord,
and admonish you; (13) And to esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”
God’s saints are to highly esteem and give honor to those men who faithfully labor in the Word and preach the gospel to them (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15; 1 Tim. 5:17). Only those preachers who faithfully preach the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ are worthy of this high esteem. All heretical work-mongers and promoters of will-worship are to be held in utter contempt (Gal. 1:6-8). But God’s servants are to be honored. This honor is to be extended, beyond the local church and beyond one’s own pastor, to all who faithfully preach the gospel: pastors, elders, missionaries, evangelists, etc. Here the Holy Spirit shows us three things about God’s servants and the honor they are to be given.
The pastor’s work is
set before us as involving three things. Faithful pastors are men who “labor
among you.” The work of the ministry involves labor. I readily
grant that many self-serving men use the pastoral office only to please
themselves; and therefore may lazily go about their pastoral duties, doing only
what is required of them. God’s servants labor in the Word and in doctrine.
They study diligently, pray earnestly, and preach with urgency, using every
gift and opportunity God bestows upon them for the furtherance of the gospel,
the glory of Christ, and the benefit of his people (1 Tim. 4:12-16).
They are “over you in the Lord.” Pastors
are not bullish tyrants; but they are the spiritual rulers of God’s house, in
exactly the same sense that a man is the ruler of his house in the Lord (1 Tim.
3:4-5; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7, 17). As such they must take the oversight of the
flock, ruling in the name of God, by the Word of God (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
As overseers in the family of God, God’s servants
faithfully “admonish you,” teaching you the Word of God, the will
of God, and the ways of God. They teach you what to believe and how to live for
the glory of God.
The believer’s responsibility to his pastor is also set
before us as a threefold thing. “Know them which labor among you.” Make
yourself acquainted with God’s servants. Seek to understand their labors and burdens.
Find out what they need. And learn how best to assist them in their work.
“Esteem them very highly.” This high esteem is not
esteem given to the man because he is intelligent, an unusually gifted
preacher, or a well-liked man, but for his “work’s sake,” because
he is God’s faithful servant. As such, he is a man worthy of your honor, worthy
of your financial support, and worthy of respectful, honorable terms when you
talk about him.
This high esteem is to be given “in love.” Let
every child of God see that he loves and promotes love for his pastor.
The result of this high esteem and honor of
believers for God’s servants is peace. In
the churches of Christ, you will “be
at peace among yourselves” exactly in proportion to your love for
and high esteem of God’s servants.
“That
Which is Good”
In verses 14 and 15 Paul urges us to take care to exercise patience toward all me, rendering to none evil for evil. Then, he urges us to follow that which is good, both among ourselves and with regard to all men (vv. 15-22).
(1
Th 5:16-22) “Rejoice evermore. (17) Pray
without ceasing. (18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (19) Quench not the Spirit.
(20) Despise not prophesyings. (21) Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good. (22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
In verse 23 he tells them of
his prayer for them. What a prayer this is! ― “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In verse 24 he gives them
and to all believers a great inspired word of assurance regarding our salvation. ― “Faithful is he that
calleth you, who also will do it.”
Then, he closes this great
epistle with these final, tender, affectionate words.
(1
Th 5:25-28) “Brethren, pray for us.
(26) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. (27) I charge you by
the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. (28) The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”