1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Well, good morning, friends and faith listeners, and welcome to 2 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,520 Speaker 1: the Bible Explain podcast. And today we're going to be 3 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:08,720 Speaker 1: discussing First Thessalonians and the lead up to Paul answering 4 00:00:08,760 --> 00:00:12,879 Speaker 1: the questions that the Thessalonian Church actually had, which mainly 5 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: was about Jesus's second coming. So we're going to talk 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: about the lead up to that today, and also persecution 7 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: for Christians and how we deal with all of that. 8 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: Stay tuned for today's episode. It's going to be a 9 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: good one. So let's go ahead and jump right in 10 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: and talk about First Thessalonians chapter three. Again, I will 11 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,840 Speaker 1: be discussing the entire chapter. I usually try to break 12 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: the chapters up into smaller sections, but I've noticed recently 13 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 1: in Thessalonians that there's not a really good breakup point, 14 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: I suppose in the chapters because they're all talking about 15 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: one main theme so far. So again today we will 16 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: be discussing the entire chapter of First Thessalonians three. So 17 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 1: grab your Bible out of the version that you prefer, 18 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: but I, of course will be reading from the web 19 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: as I always do. Feel free to grab You are 20 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: a cup of coffee, or you a cup of tea 21 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 1: this morning as well, and today I'm drinking a delicious 22 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 1: cup of seven Weeks Coffee. Seven Weeks Coffee is the 23 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:16,040 Speaker 1: best coffee brand that I have come across personally, both 24 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: in quality, taste and mission, so you should check them out. 25 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:22,400 Speaker 1: They are linked in the description of this episode. But again, 26 00:01:22,560 --> 00:01:28,440 Speaker 1: let's go ahead and read for Thessalonians three, the entire chapter. Therefore, 27 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:30,680 Speaker 1: when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it 28 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:33,680 Speaker 1: good to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, 29 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 1: our brother and God's servant in the good News of Christ, 30 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, 31 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,039 Speaker 1: that no one would be moved by these afflictions, for 32 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: you know that we are appointed to this task for 33 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 1: most certainly, when we were with you, we told you 34 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened. 35 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: And you know for this cause, I also, when I 36 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know 37 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter 38 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain. 39 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: But Timothy has just now come to us from you 40 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 1: and brought us glad news of your faith and love, 41 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 1: that you have good memories of us, always longing to 42 00:02:09,160 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: see us, even as we also long to see you. 43 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: For this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in 44 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,640 Speaker 1: all of our distress and affliction through your faith. For 45 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: now we live. If you stand fast in the Lord 46 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:23,080 Speaker 1: for what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, 47 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,639 Speaker 1: for all the joy with which we rejoice for your 48 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,920 Speaker 1: sakes before our God night and day, praying exceedingly that 49 00:02:28,960 --> 00:02:31,359 Speaker 1: we may see your face and may perfect that which 50 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 1: is lacking in your faith. Now, May our God and 51 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: Father himself and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way 52 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:39,240 Speaker 1: to you. May the Lord make you to increase and 53 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: abound in love toward one another and toward all men, 54 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: even as we also do toward you, to the end 55 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: that He may establish our hearts blameless in holiness before 56 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 1: our God and Father at the coming of our Lord 57 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 1: Jesus with all his saints. So at this point in 58 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:57,119 Speaker 1: the letter, Paul is beginning to ramp up his main 59 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 1: point for writing the letter, but in the last few 60 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: chapters Paul is prefacing everything by talking about some of 61 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: the issues that the Thessalonian Church might be having. For example, 62 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 1: Paul knew that there were some rumors going on about him, 63 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 1: like how he is just a charlatan and trying to 64 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 1: get people's money and not telling the truth, just making 65 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: things up. And so Paul addresses some of those rumors 66 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: because it is for sure that the Thessalonians have heard 67 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: these rumors and also might start to believe them, because 68 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,919 Speaker 1: you know, Paul was only with them for three weeks 69 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: before he had to leave due to persecution, and in 70 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: those three weeks he did not get a lot of 71 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 1: time to really get to know the Thessalonians before they 72 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 1: really built up their church. And now this church is 73 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 1: thriving without Paul. But the new converts wouldn't have known 74 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: Paul at all, they probably wouldn't have met him. And 75 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: with these rumors swirling around, Paul, I'm sure was concerned 76 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: that the new converts might believe that Paul's message was 77 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: a fake one. And so of course Paul has to 78 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: once again defend his character, and so that happened in 79 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: the last chapter. And so now in this chapter, Paul 80 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:13,240 Speaker 1: begins to explain why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church. 81 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 1: He says in verse one, Therefore, when we couldn't stand 82 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 1: it any longer. We thought it good to be left 83 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and 84 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: God's servant in the good News of Christ, to establish 85 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: you and to comfort you concerning your faith. When Paul 86 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: says he couldn't stand it any longer, I am sure 87 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 1: that that means that he couldn't stand the fact that 88 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: he was unable to be with the Thessalonians. So he 89 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 1: felt that it was better to stay in Athens alone 90 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: and send Timothy back to see the Thessalonians than it 91 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: was to have friends and companions with him. He was 92 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: far more concerned with the spiritual health of the Thessalonian 93 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: Church than he was of his own well being. And 94 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 1: you know, it was kind of dangerous for Paul to 95 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: be alone in Athens. I mean, I don't know if 96 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 1: he was fully alone. I'm sure there were some people 97 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,839 Speaker 1: there with him, but it was certainly far more dangerous 98 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 1: to be with fewer men in a huge city like Athens, 99 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: with hostile people there than it was to have a 100 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 1: big team of people around you. But Paul knew that 101 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: the Thessalonians needed Timothy more than he did, and that 102 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: is why he sent Timothy on his way. Now, we 103 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: also know that Silas stayed behind in Macedonia as well, 104 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: because that is talked about in I believe Acts chapter 105 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 1: eighteen that Silas also was not with Paul when he 106 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: was in Athens. So I don't know who was with 107 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 1: Paul in Athens, but he did not have his two 108 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: main guys with him. They were back in Macedonia making 109 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:50,039 Speaker 1: sure that areas like Thessalonika were being taken care of. 110 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,919 Speaker 1: So he says he sent Timothy to establish you and 111 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: to comfort you concerning your faith, that no one would 112 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 1: be moved by these afflictions, for you know that we 113 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:05,000 Speaker 1: are appointed to this task. When reading that, you might 114 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 1: be like, did Paul just say that Christians are appointed 115 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 1: for afflictions and persecutions? Yeah? He did, Yes, he did 116 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 1: in fact say that. He said he hopes that the 117 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: Thessalonians were not moved by the afflictions, meaning they're faith 118 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:29,159 Speaker 1: shaken from the afflictions, because we are all appointed to 119 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: this task. In other words, every single Christian is going 120 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: to suffer some form of persecution. And I mean this 121 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: is factual because Christianity is the most persecuted religion in 122 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: the world. People do not like Christians, and they are very, 123 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: very persecuted, even so far as some Christians being martyred 124 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 1: or killed because of their faith. Now Here in America 125 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: we are seeing a revival of some sort taking place. 126 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: And it is much safer to live here in America 127 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: as a Christian than it is to live in China 128 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 1: or the Middle East as a Christian. It's much safer 129 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 1: to live here. But still, even here in America, we 130 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 1: are going to suffer afflictions and persecutions. And that's kind 131 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: of the theme actually of this chapter is that Christians 132 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: are going to go through persecution and we have to 133 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 1: learn how to stand strong in spite of those persecutions. 134 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 1: In fact, in Two Timothy, chapter three ten through seventeen, 135 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: Paul talks about persecution a little bit more, starting in 136 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: verse ten. But you followed my teaching conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 137 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 1: persecutions and sufferings. Those things that happened to me at Antioch, 138 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 1: Econium and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered 139 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: me out of them. All. Yes, and all who desire 140 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But 141 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,120 Speaker 1: evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving 142 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 1: and being deceived. But you remain in the things which 143 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from 144 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 1: whom you have learned them. From infancy, you have known 145 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 1: the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise 146 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 1: for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every 147 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 1: scripture is God breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, 148 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: for correction, and for instruction and righteousness, that each person 149 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for 150 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 1: every good work. That little paragraph right there says that 151 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:42,200 Speaker 1: persecution is going to get worse. Evil people are going 152 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: to infiltrate the church. They are going to deceive a 153 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 1: lot of people. They are going to cause a lot 154 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: of destruction, a lot of damage, and persecution in general, 155 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: not even within the church, but outside the church is 156 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 1: going to get worse as well. And every single Christian, 157 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: every person who desires to live godly in Christ Jesus 158 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 1: is what it says, will suffer persecution. That is a promise, 159 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 1: and Jesus himself actually made the same promise to his disciples. 160 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 1: He said, anybody who wants to follow me is going 161 00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: to experience persecution. You all will, individually, every single one 162 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 1: of us, if we are an overt Christian, we are 163 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: going to suffer some form of persecution, even here in America. 164 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: We may not lose our lives over our faith, but 165 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:33,479 Speaker 1: we might lose our livelihood, we might lose our followers, 166 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: we might get made fun of at school. That is 167 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 1: going to happen if you are a Christian. And quite honestly, 168 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: I do think that things are going to get worse 169 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: and worse the closer Jesus gets to his second coming, 170 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 1: because that's kind of prophesied about in Revelation chapter thirteen, 171 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: five through ten. It talks about the Antichrist and how 172 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 1: he's going to be given this power. And we don't 173 00:09:56,640 --> 00:10:00,320 Speaker 1: know who the Antichrist is, we have no clue, but 174 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: whoever he is, he is going to really target and 175 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:08,959 Speaker 1: persecute Christians. Here's what this says Revelation thirteen, starting in 176 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: verse five, A mouth speaking great things in blasphemy was 177 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: given to him. Authority to make war for forty two 178 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 1: months was given to him. He opened his mouth for 179 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:22,200 Speaker 1: blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his dwelling, and 180 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 1: those who dwell in heaven it was given to him 181 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 1: to make war with the Saints and to overcome them. 182 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given 183 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 1: to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him. 184 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 1: Everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation 185 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:38,680 Speaker 1: of the world in the book of Life of the Lamb, 186 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 1: who has been killed. If anyone has an ear, let 187 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 1: him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, he 188 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 1: will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed 189 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 1: with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the 190 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: endurance and the faith of the Saints. So yes, sir, 191 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: the Antichrist is going to cause a lot of trouble 192 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 1: obviously for us Christians. So unfortunately, you know, things aren't 193 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:04,079 Speaker 1: going to get better for Christians. Things will get worse, 194 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: even if there are revivals that take place. And at 195 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: this point in the episode you might be like, I 196 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: want to shut this off and not listen anymore, because 197 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:15,520 Speaker 1: this is the most depressing thing I've ever heard. I'm 198 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 1: really good at PEP talks, honestly, Like I'm fantastic at that. 199 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:23,200 Speaker 1: But it isn't all doom and gloom. It really isn't. Because, 200 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 1: like we talked about on Tuesday, in first Thessalonians too. 201 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:30,199 Speaker 1: We're gonna be persecuted, but God just gives us this 202 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 1: supernatural strength to endure it. In fact, I've talked about 203 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: this story a few times on the podcast before, but 204 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: I absolutely love it, and so I'm gonna share it 205 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: with you guys again. It's a true story. There were 206 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: these missionaries and I cannot remember when or where they were. 207 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: I think it was somewhere in Southeast Asia. They were 208 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: Christian missionaries in a country in Asia. They were severely persecuted, 209 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 1: severely persecuted, thrown into prison, not given food, food, beaten 210 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:04,920 Speaker 1: all the time, and they endured this suffering and this 211 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: persecution for many many months. Finally they were released from 212 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: prison and allowed to go home and they finally got 213 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,839 Speaker 1: some normalcy back in their life. A few years passed 214 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: and they decided that they were going to meet up 215 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: and have some coffee and just reconnect with one another. 216 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,559 Speaker 1: So they do this and they're talking and after a 217 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: little while, one of them says, Hey, this might sound crazy, 218 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 1: but do any of you guys actually miss those days 219 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 1: when we were being persecuted? And every one of them 220 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: were like, yeah, actually we do, we do miss those days. 221 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: And when they talked about it and thought about why 222 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: they missed those days of persecution. It was because they 223 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:52,319 Speaker 1: felt closer to God at that time than they ever 224 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,160 Speaker 1: had before once in their lives. And at the end 225 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 1: of the discussion that they had, they were all like, yeah, 226 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 1: we want to go back, we want to go back. 227 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 1: And I find that story just so encouraging, because that 228 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:10,079 Speaker 1: really is what God does when we have to face persecution. 229 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: That's not to say it's not terrible or that we 230 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: hate it when it's happening, but God gives us a 231 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 1: supernatural strength, and that's what Paul talks about moving forward 232 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 1: in for Thessalonians three verse four, he says, most certainly 233 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 1: when we are with you, we told you beforehand that 234 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened. And 235 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: you know for this cause, I also, when I couldn't 236 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:37,959 Speaker 1: stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, 237 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 1: for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, 238 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: and our labor would have been in vain. So Paul 239 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 1: talked to the Thessalonians ahead of time. He said, we 240 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,560 Speaker 1: are all going to suffer persecution, and then lo and 241 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 1: behold two weeks later or whatever it was. Paul suffers 242 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: extreme persecution, to the point where he had to leave 243 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 1: everything behind, and even the brand new church only three 244 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:04,400 Speaker 1: weeks old. People were ripped out of their homes, sent 245 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 1: before the magistrates, fined and taxed all of this crazy 246 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: amount of money just for peaceably existing as Christians. The 247 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: Thessalonians got a good taste as to what persecution was 248 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: very early on in that church's life. They understood it, 249 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: and Paul says, I was concerned. I was so concerned 250 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 1: leaving knowing that you guys are being persecuted, that Satan 251 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 1: had come and made you fearful about these persecutions, that 252 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: it caused your faith to no longer grow. So that 253 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: is why he sent Timothy. But then in verse six, 254 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: here's what Paul says, But Timothy has just now come 255 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 1: to us from you and brought us glad news of 256 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: your faith in love, and that you have good memories 257 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 1: of us longing to see us, even as we long 258 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 1: to see you. And that is the reason why Paul 259 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: wrote this letter. Timothy had just come back from thessalon 260 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 1: and met Paul in Corinth, because that's where this letter 261 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: was written. He comes back, he tells Paul of all 262 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,840 Speaker 1: of the good things that are happening in the Thessalonian Church. 263 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 1: He says, actually, their faith is quite strong. They are 264 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 1: not being deterred by these persecutions, and they have questions 265 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: for you about when Jesus's second coming is. They are 266 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: so excited over that and are just wondering when it's 267 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: going to be. And so immediately I feel like Paul 268 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: takes out his pen and paper and starts writing to 269 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: the Thessalonians because of how excited he was over the 270 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: fact that their faith was continuing to flourish even without 271 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: him there. In fact, there's some evidence based upon Acts 272 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: chapter eighteen, that Paul was revitalized when he heard about 273 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: the Thessalonian Church. It actually made him even more bold 274 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 1: in the faith in spite of the persecutions. Here's what 275 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 1: Acts chapter eighteen, verses one through six says, Hold on 276 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 1: a second, I forgot to turn to it. Here we go. 277 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: After these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. 278 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 1: He found a certain Jew named Aquilla, a man of 279 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,320 Speaker 1: Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy with 280 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: his wife Priscilla. Because Claudius had commanded all Jews to 281 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: depart from Rome. He came to them, and because he 282 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 1: practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked 283 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: for by trade. They were tent makers. He reasoned in 284 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks. When 285 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled 286 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: by the spirit testifying to the Jews that Jesus was 287 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: the Christ. When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook 288 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: out his clothes them, and he said to them, your 289 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: blood be on your own heads. I am clean. From 290 00:16:41,560 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 1: now on, I will go to the Gentiles. So that 291 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: all was talking about the period of time where Paul 292 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 1: left Athens, you know, when he had been pretty much 293 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: by himself in that city. He leaves Athens and he 294 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: goes to Corinth. And while he is at Corinth, he 295 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: meets this guy named Aquilla, who you guys all know, 296 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: Aquila and Priscilla, the famous husband and wife Christian duo 297 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: who had a church in their home. After a while, 298 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:09,199 Speaker 1: he meets Aquilla and Priscilla in Corinth. And after he 299 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:11,639 Speaker 1: spends a little bit of time in Corinth, you know, 300 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 1: going to the synagogues, teaching the Jews and everything like that. 301 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 1: That's when both Timothy and Silas meet him in Corinth. 302 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: And directly after this it says that Paul was compelled 303 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: by the spirit to testify to the Jews that Jesus 304 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: was the Christ. And then right after that he gets opposition, 305 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: he gets persecution. And what does Paul do. He prays 306 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: an imprecatory prayer. Sorry, I have to keep bringing that 307 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: up because you know how when you see something, you 308 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: take notice of it and then all of a sudden 309 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: you see it everywhere. Well, that's happening to me recently 310 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: with imprecatory prayers. So yeah, right here, Paul says an 311 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:55,840 Speaker 1: imprecatory statement to the Jews in Corinth who refused to 312 00:17:55,920 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: believe in Jesus. Interestingly enough, but anyway, the whole point 313 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,920 Speaker 1: was that after Silace and Timothy gave Paul good news 314 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:08,120 Speaker 1: as to what was happening in Macedonia, this caused Paul 315 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: to be even more emboldened to preach Jesus to everybody 316 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:18,360 Speaker 1: in Corinth in spite of the persecution. So going back 317 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:22,879 Speaker 1: to First Thessalonians, chapter three, it says in verse seven, 318 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 1: for this cause brothers, we are comforted over you in 319 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 1: all our distress and affliction through your faith. For now 320 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 1: we live if you stand fast in the Lord. That 321 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 1: right there is Paul saying, I am so encouraged. I 322 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:40,600 Speaker 1: am so deeply encouraged when I heard about your faith 323 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:45,119 Speaker 1: that I can now deal even better with these persecutions 324 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 1: and afflictions. In fact, he says in verse eight, then 325 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 1: now I feel alive. That's what he says. I feel 326 00:18:50,800 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: alive now because you stand fast in the Lord. Verse nine, 327 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: for what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, 328 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: for all the joy with which we rejoice for your 329 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,199 Speaker 1: sakes before our God night and day, praying exceedingly that 330 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,440 Speaker 1: we may see your face and may perfect that which 331 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: is lacking in your faith. He's like, look, I am joyful, 332 00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:12,280 Speaker 1: I am praying for you all the time, and my 333 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:15,840 Speaker 1: prayers are answered. I feel alive again. I can handle 334 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 1: anything that comes my way because the Holy Spirit is 335 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: working in your guys's life. Then, in verses eleven through thirteen, 336 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 1: Paul concludes this chapter by praying a prayer for the Thessalonians. 337 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: He says, now, may our God and Father himself and 338 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:35,719 Speaker 1: our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you. So 339 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:38,040 Speaker 1: it sounds to me like Paul does still want to 340 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:42,120 Speaker 1: go and visit the Thessalonians once again, even though Timothy 341 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 1: was just there. Paul still has this urgent desire to 342 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: go and see them, and I think he's praying right 343 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 1: here that God actually gives him the opportunity to go 344 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,719 Speaker 1: see them. May the Lord make you to increase and 345 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 1: abound in love toward one another and toward all men, 346 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:03,359 Speaker 1: even and as we also do toward you, to the 347 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:06,560 Speaker 1: end that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness 348 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: before our God and Father at the coming of our 349 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 1: Lord Jesus with all his saints. Paul prays that the Thessalonians 350 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 1: learn how to love, not just each other. That's important. 351 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: They need to learn how to love their fellow brothers 352 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: and sisters in Christ. Because if you can't love you're 353 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:27,719 Speaker 1: annoying brothers and sisters in Christ. How are you going 354 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: to love anybody else that is outside the Church. So 355 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:34,080 Speaker 1: Paul prays for them to have love toward one another, 356 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:40,360 Speaker 1: but also that they have love toward all men. That 357 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: means that Paul is encouraging them and praying for them 358 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 1: that they learn to love those outside the church and 359 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 1: also their persecutors. Christians are to show love to everybody. Now, 360 00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 1: as we've been talking about recently on the podcast, that 361 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,919 Speaker 1: does not mean that you just sit back and allow 362 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: yourself to be stepped all over and to be a 363 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:07,400 Speaker 1: doormat and to let people hurt you or your family. 364 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:11,119 Speaker 1: That is not what love is. Love is showing Jesus 365 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: to people. Love is telling people that they are wrong 366 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: and that they are sinning and that their sin is 367 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: separating them from God. It is proclaiming Jesus to people. 368 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: It is showing who Jesus is, and that's what we're 369 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:27,199 Speaker 1: supposed to do. And Paul ends this chapter by praying 370 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:32,119 Speaker 1: that God will establish the Thessalonian's hearts as blameless in 371 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 1: the holiness before God, our Father at the coming of 372 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:39,120 Speaker 1: our Lord Jesus with all his saints. In other words, 373 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:42,640 Speaker 1: things are going to be difficult before Jesus comes again, 374 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: and I personally think that things will ramp up before 375 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 1: Jesus comes again. But in spite of all of that, 376 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: us Christians need to stand firm, We need to show love. 377 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: But lastly and most importantly, we just need to walk 378 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: in the spirit. The spirit is guiding us. He is 379 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 1: telling us what to do, he is counseling us, and 380 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:07,360 Speaker 1: he is teaching us how to love. He's giving us 381 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: the fruits of the spirit. So every single thing that 382 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 1: we do as Christians, we are supposed to walk in 383 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 1: the spirit, just letting the Spirit guide our lives. And 384 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:19,960 Speaker 1: how do we do that, Like, how do we know 385 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 1: if the spirit is really guiding us well? First and foremost, 386 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: we need to pray all the time that we are 387 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 1: walking in the spirit. That's the first way. And also 388 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 1: just making sure that what we believe is lining up 389 00:22:34,680 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 1: with what scripture says. That is certainly another way that 390 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:40,400 Speaker 1: we can know if we are walking in the spirit. 391 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:44,919 Speaker 1: In fact, in two Timothy chapter three, the scripture is 392 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 1: God breathed in verse sixteen, and profitable for teaching, for 393 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:52,879 Speaker 1: a proof for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that 394 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 1: each person who belongs to God may become complete, thoroughly 395 00:22:57,040 --> 00:22:59,959 Speaker 1: equipped for every good work. So that is how we 396 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 1: walk in the spirit. We read the scriptures, we make 397 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 1: sure that our beliefs line up with what the Bible says, 398 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: because that's ultimately what a Christian actually is. A Christian 399 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:15,320 Speaker 1: is somebody who follows the Bible, not man made teachings 400 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 1: about the Bible, not our own beliefs about Jesus or 401 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:22,240 Speaker 1: about the Bible, but actually the Word of God itself. 402 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:25,280 Speaker 1: And that is how we live in the spirit, even 403 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:29,119 Speaker 1: when things are difficult and we are struggling through persecution. 404 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:33,400 Speaker 1: In fact, in First Thessalonians four, the next chapter, verse 405 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:37,160 Speaker 1: one says this, Finally, then, brothers, we beg and exhort 406 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 1: you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from 407 00:23:40,119 --> 00:23:42,639 Speaker 1: us how you ought to walk, and please God, that 408 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 1: you will bound more and more. So. Basically, the Holy 409 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: Spirit is who is going to help us through all 410 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:52,800 Speaker 1: of those persecutions, through all of those troubles, and he's 411 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 1: going to give us his knowledge of how to deal 412 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 1: with them. He's going to give us his strength and 413 00:23:58,400 --> 00:24:02,160 Speaker 1: also his boldness so that we can deal with anything 414 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:10,159 Speaker 1: that comes our way. All right, faithor listeners, Well, I 415 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: hope that you guys enjoyed today's episode, and I will 416 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:15,680 Speaker 1: see you guys next time on the podcast Monday morning, 417 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:17,800 Speaker 1: six am or whenever you choose to wake up and listen, 418 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,199 Speaker 1: unless you become a member and choose to tune in 419 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: tomorrow morning for the Bible explained on Fridays. If you 420 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:25,639 Speaker 1: would like to do that, click the link in the 421 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 1: description that says Kofie and it will take you over 422 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:29,680 Speaker 1: to where you need to go in order to become 423 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 1: a member and listen to the Friday podcast. Faithful listeners, 424 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:45,439 Speaker 1: have a lovely weekend, happy listening, and God bless