Foundations: 1 and 2
Thessalonians
9 Day Devotional
Amidst
highly practical teaching about how to live and work, Paul includes deep
teachings about what happens when we die, what will happen at the second coming
of Christ, and why suffering is actually a blessing from the Lord. Although
these books are quite short, they are packed with teaching, encouragement, and
challenge.
1 Thessalonians 4:1
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in
the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to
please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.”
If
your Bible has introduction to the book of 1 Thessalonians, please read it.
INTRODUCTION
Paul
is the primary author of both 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The letters indicate
Silvanus and Timothy were with him, and that this message also contained
greetings from them. The relationship Paul had with the church at Thessalonica
started much earlier when he stayed in their city for a while. We don’t know
how long Paul had been there, but it seems to have been long enough to
establish some kind of income, and to have guests come from far away to visit
him. While he was there, he spread the gospel and started a church. Yet, even
though he was there long enough to build some relationships and get things
started, he left before the new believers had reached full maturity. It appears
the church sent questions to Paul regarding things they didn’t understand, or
to confirm whether or not the teaching was true or false.
The
believers at in Thessalonica were most likely
Gentile converts. If there were Jewish believers in the church, there it would
have been only a small number. In these letters Paul warns them about
behaviours that are typical of Gentile living and
not Jewish living (sexual immorality, for example). Jews typically came from a
lifestyle of obeying the law, not loose living. So the warnings indicate to us
they were likely Gentiles.
These
letters seem to serve a few purposes. It seems Paul was writing to answer
questions they had sent him. They needed some theology cleared up and so he
wrote back with answers. It also seems that Paul had learned of behavior that
both concerned him and encouraged him. Paul wrote to teach, correct, warn and
encourage.
The
Christians in Thessalonica were also being persecuted. It was not an easy time
to be a believer, and death permeated the thoughts of those left behind. Two of
the big questions Paul deals with in these books are the question of death
(what happens when we die) and the question of the second coming of Jesus (what
happens if we don’t die). The believers were mourning and suffering. It seems
they wanted to have their minds and hearts firmly planted on the truth of
eternity and the promise of Christ’s return. It is to their credit that they
searched for the answers to keep their minds and hearts focused on what is to
come rather than be discouraged and weakened without the truth.
These
letters answer those questions for us today as well. We can have our hope fixed
on what is true. We can also be challenged by the same teaching these early
church members needed. Many of us are Gentiles
and come to our relationship with Christ with similar cultural (sinful) baggage
that we need to be warned about and challenged to put aside. What a blessing
God has given the church today through this letter written so long ago.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Ask the Lord
to reveal to you how He wants to use this book in your life. Is it to warn?
Teach? Correct? Encourage? Submit yourself to His plan and purpose as you go
through this book. Ask Him to make you an eager and willing student of His
ways.
2. What is a
difficulty, or struggle or loss you are
dealing with right now? Ask the Lord to use the words of these letters to bring
you renewed hope and endurance to keep up the good fight.
3. Spend some
time thanking God for the spiritual teachers and leaders in your life that help
you understand difficult theological ideas, answer your questions, and keep you
accountable. Pray a prayer of blessing for your leaders.
