8/27/12

Aug. 27 Psalms 7-10


Aug. 27
Psalms 7-10
Psa 7:1 Yahweh, my God, I take refuge in you. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,
Psa 7:2 lest they tear apart my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
Psa 7:3 Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands,
Psa 7:4 if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
Psa 7:5 let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.
Psa 7:6 Arise, Yahweh, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries. Awake for me. You have commanded judgment.
Psa 7:7 Let the congregation of the peoples surround you. Rule over them on high.
Psa 7:8 Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.
Psa 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
Psa 7:10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
Psa 7:11 God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day.
Psa 7:12 If a man doesn't relent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow.
Psa 7:13 He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death. He makes ready his flaming arrows.
Psa 7:14 Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
Psa 7:15 He has dug a hole, and has fallen into the pit which he made.
Psa 7:16 The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head.
Psa 7:17 I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.
Psa 8:1 Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!
Psa 8:2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
Psa 8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
Psa 8:4 what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
Psa 8:5 For you have made him a little lower than God, and crowned him with glory and honor.
Psa 8:6 You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
Psa 8:7 All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
Psa 8:8 The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
Psa 8:9 Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psa 9:1 I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works.
Psa 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psa 9:3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence.
Psa 9:4 For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.
Psa 9:5 You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
Psa 9:6 The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.
Psa 9:7 But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.
Psa 9:8 He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
Psa 9:9 Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble.
Psa 9:10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psa 9:11 Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.
Psa 9:12 For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn't forget the cry of the afflicted.
Psa 9:13 Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death;
Psa 9:14 that I may show forth all your praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in your salvation.
Psa 9:15 The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.
Psa 9:16 Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.
Psa 9:17 The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.
Psa 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
Psa 9:19 Arise, Yahweh! Don't let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.
Psa 9:20 Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.
Psa 10:1 Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Psa 10:2 In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise.
Psa 10:3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh.
Psa 10:4 The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God.
Psa 10:5 His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them.
Psa 10:6 He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble."
Psa 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
Psa 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.
Psa 10:9 He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.
Psa 10:10 The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength.
Psa 10:11 He says in his heart, "God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it."
Psa 10:12 Arise, Yahweh! God, lift up your hand! Don't forget the helpless.
Psa 10:13 Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, "God won't call me into account?"
Psa 10:14 But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless.
Psa 10:15 Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.
Psa 10:16 Yahweh is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land.
Psa 10:17 Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,
Psa 10:18 to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.

Aug. 27 Romans 8


Aug. 27
Romans 8

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;
Rom 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
Rom 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.
Rom 8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.
Rom 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.
Rom 8:10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Rom 8:12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
Rom 8:15 For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
Rom 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;
Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
Rom 8:19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.
Rom 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.
Rom 8:27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
Rom 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies.
Rom 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Chapter One by Mark Copeland 

                "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand how the virtues of faith, hope, and love should 
   express themselves

2) To notice the potential a new congregation has for spreading the 
   good news of the gospel of Christ, and being a positive example to 
   all believers

SUMMARY

Joined by Silvanus and Timothy who had been with him when the gospel
was first preached in Thessalonica, Paul offers his salutation along
with a petition for grace and peace.  He follows with an expression of
thanksgiving for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of
hope, knowing their election by God (1-4).

His assurance of their election is bolstered by the manner in which
they received the gospel.  It had come to them not only in word, but in
power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance.  Having imitated Paul
and the Lord by receiving the word in much affliction and joy, they in
turn had become examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
From them the word had sounded forth in every place, and the news of
their own faith toward God had so spread that Paul did not need to tell
others about them.  Indeed, others were telling Paul of the
Thessalonians' conversion from idols to serve the true God, and how
they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return from heaven who
would deliver them from the wrath to come (5-10).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-4)

   A. SALUTATION (1)
      1. From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (1a)
      2. To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the
         Lord Jesus Christ (1b)
      3. Grace and peace from God and Jesus (1c)

   B. THANKSGIVING (2-4)
      1. Offered to God in their behalf, making mention of them in his
         prayers (2)
      2. Mindful always of their:
         a. Work of faith 
         b. Labor of love 
         c. Patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
         ...in the sight of our God and Father (3)
      4. Knowing their election by God (4)

II. REFLECTIONS REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10)
   
   A. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL (5-7)
      1. The gospel came to them not only in word, but...
         a. In power
         b. In the Holy Spirit
         c. In much assurance
         ...for they knew what kind of men Paul and his companions had
            been for their sakes while with them (5)
      2. They had become followers of Paul and of the Lord, having 
         received the word...
         a. In much affliction (6a)
         b. With joy of the Holy Spirit (6b)
      3. They had became examples to the believers in Macedonia and 
         Achaia (7)

   B. THEIR REPUTATION IN EVERY PLACE (8-10)
      1. From them the word of the Lord had sounded forth in Macedonia,
         Achaia, and beyond (8a)
      2. Their faith toward God had gone out, so Paul did not need to
         say anything (8b)
      3. Others were telling Paul...
         a. What manner of entry Paul had to them (9a)
         b. How they had turned from idols to serve the living and true
            God (9b)
         c. How they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return
            from heaven, who delivers from the wrath to come (10)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-4)
   - Reflections regarding their condition (5-10)

2) Who joined Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (1)
   - Silvanus and Timothy

3) How did Paul address the church? (1)
   - The church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord 
     Jesus Christ

4) What three things was Paul especially thankful for regarding the 
   Thessalonians? (3)
   - Their work of faith
   - Their labor of love
   - The patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

5) What did Paul know concerning the Thessalonians? (4)
   - Their election by God

6) How had the gospel come to the Thessalonians? (5)
   - In Word, in power, in the Holy Spirit, in much assurance

7) How had they become followers of Paul and the Lord? (6)
   - By receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy
     Spirit

8) For whom had they became examples? (7)
   - All the believers in Macedonia and Achaia

9) What two things had sounded forth, or gone out, from the
   Thessalonians? (8)
   - The word of the Lord
   - Their faith toward God

10) What two things describe the manner in which they received Paul?
    (9-10)
   - Their turning from idols to serve the living and true God
   - Their waiting for Jesus from heaven

8/26/12

Modern LOVE...



Our society has become computer-happy!!! Even the very young among us have computer skills!!!  While this picture is probably NOT REALITY, yet it is also not far from the mark.  I know many people over the age of 65 who know NOTHING AT ALL ABOUT COMPUTERS AND HOW THEY WORK, so, although unlikely, this COULD HAPPEN!!!  But, are computer skills NECESSARY to please God?  And for that matter, what is really necessary?  Jesus was asked by the Scribes, this same question (although in a slightly different form) and here is HIS response...

Mark, Chapter 12
  28 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”

  29 Jesus answered, "“The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one:  30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.  31 The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”"

Imagine the impact of this statement!  To summarize all the law that was given to the Jews into just two of them.  For me, I can envision summarizing all of Christian responsibility into just one: LOVE God and do what you like!!!!  How can I say this?  Because if you really LOVE God, you will want to please him and be like him in EVERY way.  This includes loving everyone as God does!!!  Notice, I didn't say like everyone:hate the sin, but love the sinner.  Do right by everyone as God does and if they return it, fine, if not, then YOU have done the correct thing by your actions and are guiltless.  One last thing... remember the picture...?  Although this youngster may be frustrated with Grandma, he still cares enough to help!!! Nuff said!!!!

Aug. 26 Psalms 1-6


Aug. 26
Psalms 1-6

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
Psa 1:2 but his delight is in Yahweh's law. On his law he meditates day and night.
Psa 1:3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Psa 1:4 The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Psa 1:5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Psa 1:6 For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
 
Psa 2:1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us."
Psa 2:4 He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:
Psa 2:6 "Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion."
Psa 2:7 I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father.
Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
Psa 2:9 You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Psa 2:10 Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Psa 2:11 Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12 Give sincere homage, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
 
Psa 3:1 Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.
Psa 3:2 Many there are who say of my soul, "There is no help for him in God." Selah.
Psa 3:3 But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
Psa 3:4 I cry to Yahweh with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah.
Psa 3:5 I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me.
Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side.
Psa 3:7 Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
Psa 3:8 Salvation belongs to Yahweh. Your blessing be on your people. Selah.
 
Psa 4:1 Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
Psa 4:2 You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.
Psa 4:3 But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and don't sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh.
Psa 4:6 Many say, "Who will show us any good?" Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
Psa 4:7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.
Psa 4:8 In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.
 
Psa 5:1 Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation.
Psa 5:2 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God; for to you do I pray.
Psa 5:3 Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
Psa 5:4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can't live with you.
Psa 5:5 The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.
Psa 5:6 You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Psa 5:7 But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.
Psa 5:8 Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.
Psa 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.
Psa 5:10 Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.
Psa 5:11 But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.
Psa 5:12 For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.
 
Psa 6:1 Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.
Psa 6:2 Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
Psa 6:3 My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh--how long?
Psa 6:4 Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness' sake.
Psa 6:5 For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?
Psa 6:6 I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.
Psa 6:7 My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries.
Psa 6:8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping.
Psa 6:9 Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
Psa 6:10 May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.

Aug. 26 Romans 7


Aug. 26
Romans 7

Rom 7:1 Or don't you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives?
Rom 7:2 For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.
Rom 7:3 So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.
Rom 7:4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.
Rom 7:6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn't have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn't have known coveting, unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."
Rom 7:8 But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
Rom 7:9 I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death;
Rom 7:11 for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.
Rom 7:12 Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
Rom 7:13 Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For I don't know what I am doing. For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.
Rom 7:16 But if what I don't desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.
Rom 7:19 For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice.
Rom 7:20 But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in God's law after the inward man,
Rom 7:23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God's law, but with the flesh, the sin's law.

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Introduction by Mark Copeland 

                "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and
Timothy (1:1), and with specific mention of his name again later in the
epistle (2:18).  Early sources in church history that attribute this
letter to Paul include:  Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian
(200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.).

THE CITY OF THESSALONICA:  It was the capital and largest city of the
Roman province of Macedonia.  Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road
from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade 
and commerce.  Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica.

THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA:  The establishment of the church is
recorded in Ac 17:1-9.  On his second missionary journey, Paul and his
companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed 
through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica.  As was his
custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the 
Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ.  While some of them 
were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading 
women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the
city.  Therefore it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away
secretly by night to Berea.

Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in
Thessalonica (cf. 1:2-10).  Mostly Gentile (cf. 1:9), its members 
included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Ac 20:4).

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:  First Thessalonians is considered one of
Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first.  From the letter itself
(3:1-6), and the record of Paul's travels in Acts (Ac 17:10-18:11), it
appears that Paul wrote this letter soon after arriving in Corinth on 
his second journey.  This would put it somewhere around 52 A.D.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:  The abrupt departure from Thessalonica so soon
after the beginning of the church naturally left Paul anxious about the
condition of the brethren.  When Timothy joined Paul at Athens (cf. Ac
17:14-16), his concern prompted Paul to send Timothy at once back to
Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new disciples in the faith,
and to learn how they were enduring persecution (cf. 3:1-5).

When Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (cf. Ac 18:5), the news was 
mostly encouraging (cf. 3:6-7).  Despite persecution they had remained
strong (2:13-16), and even proved themselves to be an example to others
(1:6-8).  Yet, as with any young church, they needed further 
instruction concerning holy living (cf. 4:1-12).  They also needed to
be reassured that their loved ones who died in Christ would not miss 
out on the blessings involving the coming of our Lord (cf. 4:13-18).  
Therefore we can summarize by saying that Paul's purpose in writing 
was:

   * To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution

   * To instruct them concerning holy living

   * To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second
     coming of Christ

THEME OF THE EPISTLE:  This book is unique in that every chapter ends
with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13;
4:13-18; 5:23).  With his emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an
appropriate theme might be:

                "HOLINESS IN VIEW OF THE COMING OF CHRIST"

KEY VERSES:  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

   "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one
   another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish
   your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the
   coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION (1:1-4)
   1. Salutation (1)
   2. Thanksgiving for their faith, hope, and love (2-4)

I. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS (1:5-3:13)

   A. REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10)
      1. Their reception of the gospel (1:5-7)
      2. Their reputation in every place (1:8-10)

   B. REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (2:1-12)
      1. The manner of his preaching (2:1-8)
      2. The manner of his life (2:9-12)

   C. REGARDING HIS CONCERN (2:13-3:13)
      1. For their faithfulness (2:13-3:10)
      2. For their continued growth (3:11-13)

II. APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTIONS (4:1-5:28)

   A. WALK IN HOLINESS (4:1-8)
      1. To please God (4:1-2)
      2. To abstain from sexual immorality (4:3-8)

   B. WALK IN LOVE (4:9-10)
      1. As they are taught by God to love one another (4:9)
      2. To increase more and more (4:10)

   C. WALK IN DILIGENCE (4:11-12)
      1. To work with their hands (4:11)
      2. To walk properly toward those who are outside (4:12)

   D. WALK IN HOPE (4:13-18)
      1. With no sorrow concerning those who have died (4:13-14)
      2. For we will be rejoined with them when Christ returns (4:
         15-18)

   E. WALK IN LIGHT (5:1-11)
      1. For the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (5:
         1-4)
      2. For we are sons of light and sons of the day (5:5-8)
      3. For God has appointed us to salvation through our Lord Jesus
         Christ (5:9-11)

   F. WALK IN OBEDIENCE (5:12-22)
      1. With respect toward those over us (5:12-13)
      2. With concern for one another (5:14-15)
      3. With joy, prayer and thanksgiving (5:16-18)
      4. Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but don't be
         gullible either (5:19-22)

CONCLUDING REMARKS (5:23-28)
   1. A prayer for their sanctification and preservation (5:23-24)
   2. A request for prayer in his behalf (5:25)
   3. A charge to greet one another with a holy kiss, and to read the
      epistle to others (5:26-27)
   4. A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (5:28)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) On which missionary journey was the church at Thessalonica
   established?
   - Paul's second missionary journey

2) Where can we read about the establishment of the church at
   Thessalonica?
   - Ac 17:1-9

3) How long did Paul preach in the Jewish synagogue before trouble
   arose? (Ac 17:2)
   - Three Sabbaths

4) Where did Paul go after leaving Thessalonica? (Ac 17:10)
   - Berea

5) Why did Paul have to leave so soon again and go on to Athens? (Ac 
   17:13-15)
   - The Jews from Thessalonica followed him there and stirred up more
     trouble

6) While at Athens, whom did Paul send back to Thessalonica? (1Th 3:
   1-2)
   - Timothy

7) When Paul left Athens, where did he go?  Who arrived later? (Ac 18:
   1,5)
   - Corinth
   - Silas and Timothy

8) From where and when did Paul write 1st Thessalonians?
   - From Corinth, sometime around 52 A.D.

9) Why did Paul write this letter (see Purpose Of The Epistle)?
   - To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution
   - To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second 
     coming of Christ

10) What has been suggested as the theme of this epistle?
   - Holiness in view of the coming of Christ

11) What are the key verses of this epistle?
   - 1Th 3:12-13

12) According to the outline above, what are the two main sections of
    this epistle?
   - Personal reflections
   - Apostolic instructions
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