The Thessalonians

[Mr. M]

11 hours ago, Mr. M said:

The Holy Spirit used the testimony of the Thessalonians to lift up the believers

in Macedonia and Achaia, to teach them that they are all part of one body.

1 Thessalonians 2:

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 

2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know,

we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 

It was at Philippi in Macedonia that Paul uses his status as a Roman citizen

to challenge the authority and actions of his persecutors there.

Acts 16:

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go.

Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison.

And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 

39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 

This reminded me of Christ's teaching here to His apostles.

Luke 16:

8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly.

For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

Continuing in 1 Thes 2:

3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, 

not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Here we find the litmus test that the Lord has laid down for those who serve Him.

He tests the motives of the heart. We must check are hearts for every word and

action In Christ, am I pleasing man, or the Lord?

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?

For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bond servant of Christ.

This is how Paul defines "the spiritual Jew".

Romans 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit,

not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Christ teaches us that we cannot serve Him,

and be concerned with the opinions of men.

John 5:

41 I do not receive honor from men. 

42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 

43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me;

if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 

44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another,

and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 

 

[kwikphilly]

13 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Something new to share. I was in Acts 16, where we are told

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him,

saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 

10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia,

concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Paul and companions take this journey to Macedonia, arriving in its foremost city

Philippi, where he and Silas are promptly thrown in jail. So I am left wondering, 

what about the vision of the guy from Macedonia? We find the answer in 1 Thes 1:

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much

affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia

and Achaia who believe. 8 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.

The Holy Spirit used the testimony of the Thessalonians to lift up the believers

in Macedonia and Achaia, to teach them that they are all part of one body.

Whoa-I never put 2 & 2 together there!!!How cool is this?- I wonder,did they share Paul's letters back then,as we have them now...?

I'm not asking about Canon,Constantine,or King James,lol.   I'm being a bit facetious

Seriously,they must have shared what Paul wrote besides what he taught audibly,don't you think so?

[Mr. M]

3 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

Seriously,they must have shared what Paul wrote besides what he taught audibly,don't you think so?

They were encouraged to do so whenever possible.

Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you,

see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and

that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 

Paul was letting the Thessalonian church know that their enduring faith had set an

example for others in their struggles, including Macedonia. The Bereans earned

their own witness of commendation that continues to serve as a lesson for us.

I pay particular attention to every word the Lord spoke to the seven churches in

Revelation, as they exhort to overcome, and add promises of blessings for those who do.

[kwikphilly]

16 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

They were encouraged to do so whenever possible.

Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you,

see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and

that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 

Paul was letting the Thessalonian church know that their enduring faith had set an

example for others in their struggles, including Macedonia. The Bereans earned

their own witness of commendation that continues to serve as a lesson for us.

I pay particular attention to every word the Lord spoke to the seven churches in

Revelation, as they exhort to overcome, and add promises of blessings for those who do.

Uh duh,do you think I'm sleep depraved?,lol How did I forget that?

[Mr. M]

On 2/14/2023 at 8:09 AM, kwikphilly said:

So we see a mixture of people's in the city,don't we,

1 Thessalonians 1:9 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.

The Holy Spirit sent me back to chapter 1 to pick up this little gem.

In my limited experiences many, if not most tend to think in terms of primitive, paganistic

ideas when the subject of idols comes up. But this is a Greek Cultured, Roman Ruled

cosmopolitan setting. What type of idols to you think Paul and the other apostles dealt with?

I would suggest that the competing schools of Philosophy would be a constant temptation to

entertain ideas originating outside of Christ.

[farouk]

3 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

1 Thessalonians 1:9 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.

The Holy Spirit sent me back to chapter 1 to pick up this little gem.

In my limited experiences many, if not most tend to think in terms of primitive, paganistic

ideas when the subject of idols comes up. But this is a Greek Cultured, Roman Ruled

cosmopolitan setting. What type of idols to you think Paul and the other apostles dealt with?

I would suggest that the competing schools of Philosophy would be a constant temptation to

entertain ideas originating outside of Christ.

@Mr. M I was thinking of Colossians also; and then I scrolled up and saw you already quoted from Colossians......

[Mr. M]

On 2/14/2023 at 8:46 AM, Mr. M said:

The Joy of the Holy Spirit!!!

The Comforter comes in power and brings great Joy to the hearts of believers.

This brings the edification that overcomes in the face of trials.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, 

even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

So we see as Paul closes out the first chapter, that the initial and eternal status of a believer

is to "to wait for His Son from heaven". 

These means two things. First, the anticipation of His return directs our hearts to live daily

in His Spirit of Righteousness until that day. We have also heard how the apostles were told

to wait until they be endued with Power from on High. The Lord who gives His servants their

vision, also gives them their portion in Christ, by the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.

Both now and ever after, wait on the Lord.

[Mr. M]

7 minutes ago, farouk said:

@Mr. M I was thinking of Colossians also; and then I scrolled up and saw you already quoted from Colossians......

What about Paul at Athens in Acts 17? That would be a fun one to comment on.

[kwikphilly]

3 hours ago, Mr. M said:

1 Thessalonians 1:9 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.

The Holy Spirit sent me back to chapter 1 to pick up this little gem.

In my limited experiences many, if not most tend to think in terms of primitive, paganistic

ideas when the subject of idols comes up. But this is a Greek Cultured, Roman Ruled

cosmopolitan setting. What type of idols to you think Paul and the other apostles dealt with?

I would suggest that the competing schools of Philosophy would be a constant temptation to

entertain ideas originating outside of Christ.

Hi Brother--- getting ready for a big meeting but I've been wanting to reply,so for now my very short answer to your question is that it is highly likely it was an Imperical cult that they had to deal with- eg: Caesar god!

We don't have much in the way of archeological findings but we do have the infamous " Caesar" coin,with his head engraved on it ....

That's all I have time for right now but I'll be back

In His Love, Kwik👍❤️

[Mr. M]

On 2/15/2023 at 2:44 PM, kwikphilly said:

Hi Brother--- getting ready for a big meeting but I've been wanting to reply,so for now my very short answer to your question is that it is highly likely it was an Imperical cult that they had to deal with- eg: Caesar god!

We don't have much in the way of archeological findings but we do have the infamous " Caesar" coin,with his head engraved on it ....

That's all I have time for right now but I'll be back

In His Love, Kwik👍❤️

While the pressure to avoid Caesar worship would have been a big concern

with regards to persecution, avoiding idols pertains to purity of heart. This

concern regarding idols not only comes up again and again in the Old Testament,

but is also a major topic in the New, so where is the emphasis in today's church?

Ezekiel 14:

1 Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 

2 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 

3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts,

and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. 

Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?

4 Therefore speak to them, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God:

Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and

puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then

comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes,

according to the multitude of his idols, 

5 that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart,

because they are all estranged from Me by their idols.

Revelation 9:

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, 

did not repent of the works of their hands,

that they should not worship demons, 

and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood,

which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 

21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorcery

or their sexual immorality or their thefts.