This week we went through the books of Thessalonians with Dan Brown. And it was really neat to walk through it in-depthly to understand the importance of context. To understand the that the book wasn't written for us, but to the people of that time, but that we can still apply it to our lives today as believers. And I have written a paper on it, and would like to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it and can grow in it as I have. Enjoy!
Lisa Friesen
Lisa Friesen
Dan Brown
October 11. 2014
1st and 2nd Thessalonians
These books are written in the hand of the apostle Paul. Formerly known as Saul who despised and murdered Christians for their faith in Christ. But God had big plans for Paul and thus changed his heart and also changed his name to Paul. Since then, there hasn't been a more godly man found in the New Testament. Paul was now on the run with the Christians and not on the hunt for them.
To understand the language that Paul uses in his letter to the Thessalonians, we need to go back to Acts 17:1-9, and this is where we find the context of that time. And as we begin to see the picture put together, we see that it was one of the worst times to be a christian. In fact, it was the second most dangerous place on earth to be a christian! In verse two we see that Paul and Silas were there for three weeks and not too much longer, proclaiming the gospel of Christ, and as we read onward, we see that many of the Gentiles and the Jews and "leading women" were coming to know that Lord. (Leading women, if we look at it in-depth, we come to the understanding that leading women here translates as women that were married to very powerful men.) This displeased the Jews greatly. They couldn't have people in the position of power, coming to know the Lord. So they plotted to kill Paul and Silas. But because the Jews weren't in authority to do so, and we discover as we look deeper that the judge wasn't in at that time, they forced Jason and the brothers to "post bond"-promising to hand them over for trial. But that night Jason and the brothers sent Paul and Silas away, and therefore they weren't able to come back for quite sometime, because of the pending future trial. While Paul and Silas were gone, the Christians back in Thessalonica were severely persecuted for their new faith. And when Paul finally found out that his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ were still alive, he wrote to them these letters, imploring them to continue and hold steadfast. To persevere and "fight the good fight," as they suffered and suffered, for Christ IS coming back...
What can I take from this? How do I imitate Christ? To live out the image of Christ-clearly. To live in such a way that is not of this world, but opposite from it. To be set apart and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. To turn from my idols. To turn from that which keeps me from Christ. To leave them at the cross as often as my sinful nature wants to pick them up again.
Persecution was a part of normal life for the Thessalonians...am I will ti suffer for the sake of Christ? To take comfort in the coming of THE Judge and to stand firm through trials and persecutions? Will I be on the welcoming committee of Christ when He returns? This is my hope as I continually grow in Christ and to be wholly open for the work of Christ and His work through me. As I'm being equipped to preach the gospel and not be afraid to bear his name for the fear of mere persecution, which is "nothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed..." Romans 8:18. I mustn't "quench the spirit!" 1 Thessalonians 5:19. The Spirit wants to talk about Christ-always. His job in me is to proclaim His name. So I need to open my mouth. I mustn't fear man. For they can do nothing to me with God on my side!
"Faithful is He who calls you and He also will bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians 5:24. We NEVER have to question God's faithfulness to His children.
