The Book of 1 Thessalonians – Part 9
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH — SOTB
THE BOOKS OF 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS
AUTUMN TERM 2016 — PART 9
Page 1 – Page 2 – Page 3 – Page 4 – Page 5 – Page 6
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1 Thessalonians 3:10-13
Introduction:
In this Part 9 study we will be finalizing chapter 3
of the book of 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thess 3:10: And might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.
A significant statement by Paul
— Although we saw previously that Paul was encouraged and strengthened by the good reports Timothy brought to him from the church of the Thessalonians he still knew as they were young in the faith that they could benefit from further ministry from him to PERFECT
(i.e. — To bring to completion and maturity
in their knowledge and stand for Christ).
No Christian in reality can ever say they have now come to a point where they know it all and do not need further instruction.
Growth in the area of FAITH in the Christian’s life as also in this early church is an ongoing process and will not end until we see Jesus.
In many places in scripture we find growth constantly taught and encouraged.
(2 Thess 1:3) (2 Cor 10:15) (Luke 7:9) (Matt 15:28) (1 Tim 4:12) (Acts 6:5)
(Acts 11:24) (Col 2:5-7) (Mark 9:24) (Acts 14:22) (1 Cor 3:1-2)
(1 Peter 2:2) (2 Peter 3:18) (Col 1:10) (Eph 4:15) (Phil 3:8)
(1 Peter 5:10-11) (Proverbs 4:18) (Psalm 84:7) (Phil 3:12-15)
The last phrase in verse 10 of 1 Thess 3:10 is very important
— LACKING IN YOUR FAITH.
It reminds us of the great importance of faith for the believer
and Paul was very much concerned with this subject and teaching.
FAITH is a PRIORITY DOCTRINE in scripture and there are many aspects.
1) The Believer’s FAITH comes through the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
2 The Believer’s FAITH pleases God
— Without faith God cannot be pleased. (Heb 11:6)
3) The Believer’s FAITH centres around a Person
— The Son of God. (John 9:35-38) (Mark 11:22) (Hebrews 12:2)
4) The Believer’s FAITH in Christ enables access to God. (Eph 3:12)
5) The Believer’s FAITH should be progressing to achieve GREAT faith.
(Matt 8:10) (2 Cor 8:7)
6) The Believer’s FAITH has many benefits
including the hope of a glorious Resurrection. (John 11:25)
7) The Believer’s FAITH if Deficient will be a Hindrance. (Matt 17:20)
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8) The Believer’s FAITH can result in Great Exploits for God.
(Dan 11:32) (Mark 9:23) (Hebrews 11:32-34)
9) The Believer’s FAITH is evidenced by their Good Works In Christ.
(James 2:17)
10) The Believer’s FAITH causes the Believer to be Justified by God
and then to be able to walk justly before God. (Romans 5:1)
(Habakkuk 2:4) (Romans 3:28) (Gen 15:6) (Acts 16:31) (Galatians 2:16)
11) The Believer’s FAITH will always be subject to Testing.
(1 Peter 1:6-7) (James 1:3)
12) The Believer’s FAITH is NOT Passive
but is a faith of battle and spiritual warfare. (1 Tim 6:12)
13) The Believer’s FAITH is a way of life
— i.e. — The Believer walks by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7)
14) The Believer’s FAITH is often questioned by others
and the Believer should always be able to give a reason
why they have the faith they have. (1 Peter 3:15)
15) The Believer’s FAITH is the only true faith
there is no other outside of Christ. (Ephesians 4:5)
16) The Believer’s FAITH is a Great Shield for them. (Eph 6:16)
17) The Believer’s FAITH is to be a SOUND Faith. (Titus 1:13)
18) The Believer’s FAITH causes them to STAND (Rom 11:20) (2 Cor 1:24)
19) The Believer’s FAITH gives assurance and reassurance
concerning Salvation. (2 Tim 1:12) (Hebrews 10:22)
20) The Believer’s FAITH is nothing to do with man’s wisdom
but all to do with God’s Power. (1 Cor 2:5)
21) The Believer’s FAITH is expected to be SINCERE.
(1 Tim 1:5) (2 Tim 1:5)
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22) The Believer’s FAITH should continue until the day they go to Heaven.
(Acts 14:22) (Col 1:23)
23) The Believer’s FAITH is a vital ingredient of their Prayer Life.
(Matt 21:22)
24) The Believer’s FAITH results in Joy. (1 Peter 1:8) (Acts 16:34)
25) The Believer’s FAITH produces spiritual light.
(John 12:46) (John 12:36)
26) The Believer’s FAITH causes the Believer to carry on
even when there apparently appears to be
no immediate evidence that God is working.
(Hebrews 11:7) (Romans 4:20-24)
27) The Believer’s FAITH enables them to overcome Satan.
(Ephesians 6:16)
28) The Believer’s FAITH enables them to overcome the World.
(1 John 5:4-5)
29) The Believer’s FAITH produces Peace in their hearts. (Rom 15:13)
30) The Believer’s FAITH is a Precious Faith. (2 Peter 1:1)
1 Thess 3:11 Now God himself
An extremely important teaching of scripture
— i.e. that God is spoken of as being male.
In this day when many groups speak about “Mother God”
it is required that bible believing Christians understand this teaching.
Verses which are helpful here are as follows:
1) God is called HUSBAND.
(Isaiah 54:5) (Jeremiah 31:32)
2) God is spoken of as God HIMSELF.
(2 Chron 13:12) (Isaiah 45:18) (Rev 21:3)
3) God is sometimes just spoken of as HIMSELF.
(Num 16:9) (Deut 7:6) (Deut 28:9) (1 Sam 10:19) (Amos 6:8)
(John 16:27) (2 Cor 5:19) (Eph 1:9)
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4) God is spoken of as FATHER.
(Mal 2:10) (Eph 4:6) (Rom 1:7) (1 Cor 1:3) (Eph 1:2) (Phil 1:2)
(Phil 4:20) (Col 1:2) (2 Thess 1:1) (Philemon 1:3) (Matt 6:9) (Matt 5:16)
(Luke 6:36) (Matt 6:14) (2 Cor 6:18) (Rom 8:15) (John 8:42)
1 Thess 3:11 Direct our way unto you.
“Scripture is clear that God directs His children”
(Proverbs 3:6) (Isaiah 45:13) (Isaiah 61:8) (2 Thess 3:5)
1 Thess 3:12a And the Lord make you to increase and abound
in love in love one toward another.
NOTE ONE: Love for other believers is to both increase and abound
— There should be a growing appreciation
of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This love is a divine love and supernaturally bestowed upon Christians
so we are without excuse if we refuse to love the brethren.
NOTE TWO: The phrase Paul uses at the end of 1 Thess 3:12a is worthy of note.
“One toward another”. This ONE ANOTHER interaction between believers
is found many times in scripture and covers every area of mutual fellowship.
1) There is the ONE ANOTHER of being a Servant. (John 13:14) (Gal 5:13)
2) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Christian Love.
(John 13:34) (John 15:12) (John 15:17) (1 Peter 1:22) (1 John 3:11)
3) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Being Kind. (Romans 12:10)
4) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Honouring and Preferring
others above ourselves. (Rom 12:10)
5) There is the ONE ANOTHER of not being humanly Judgemental.
(Romans 14:13)
6) There is the ONE ANOTHER of receiving one another
as Christ received us. (Romans 15:7)
7) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Greeting fellow believers
in a Godly Fashion. (1 Cor 16:20)
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8) There is the ONE ANOTHER of bearing each others Burdens. (Gal 6:2)
9) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Forbearance. (Eph 4:2)
10) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Forgiving. (Eph 4:32) (Col 3:13)
11) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Encouragement.
(1 Thess 5:11) (Heb 3:13) (Heb 10:25)
12) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Comfort. (1 Thess 4:18)
13) There is the ONE ANOTHER of Consideration. (Heb 10:24)
1 Thess 3:12 And toward all men
This little term reflects a number of great truths:
1) Christians are to love ALL men just as God loves ALL men.
2) Christians are to share the gospel to ALL men
just as God desires the gospel to be shared with all men.
3) Christians are to make no distinction between men
whatever their colour; creed; or social status.
We may not necessarily agree with all men
but we are to love all men just as God does.
4) Christians are to have no favourites or be a respecter of persons
— Just as God has no favourites and he certainly does not
respect people’s social standing.
1 Thess 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts
Note here that God desires to establish the believer’s heart
— He is not much interested in establishing our job; our career;
our bank balance; our position on the social ladder
— His main concern is he wants the believers HEARTS
to be settled and grounded in Him. (James 5:8) (Job 36:7)
(Psalm 7:9) (1 Thess 3:2) (Psalm 40:2) (Proverbs 4:36)
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1 Thess 3:13 Unblameable in holiness before God.
The concept of being unblameable before God is awesome.
Believers are made unblameable before God
by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross alone.
The moment we receive Christ as Saviour
Christ covers us in His Righteousness.
(2 Cor 5:21) (Matt 6:33) (Rom 4:5) (Rom 4:13) (Rom 5:17) (Phil 3:9)
(Isaiah 61:10) (Jer 23:6) (Psalm 132:9) (1 Thess 5:23) (Col 1:22)
(Col 3:4) (Jude 1:24) (1 Cor 1:8)
1 Thess 3:13 At the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(This verse NOT talking about the rapture
— But rather Christ’s Glorious Second Coming to Earth)
(Rev 1:7) (Luke 21:25) (Matt 26:64) (Matt 25:31) (Matt 24:30)
1 Thess 3:13 With all His saints
(Col 3:4) (Rev 19:14) (Jude 1:14)
