Getting from God Our Cues for Interacting with One Another (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 5:23–28)

What sort of blessing do you give a man who has everything? 1Thessalonians 5:23–28 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when God is your blessedness, the blessing that you give and seek is eternal and divine in its definition and power.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.06.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28

Questions from the Scripture text: To Whom does 1 Thessalonians 5:23 appeal? What, specifically, does the apostle call Him? What does he appeal to Him to do? What two aspects belong to their whole spirit? In what condition does the apostle hope they will be on what day? What attribute of God assures us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, that He will do it? And what do assured people still do (1 Thessalonians 5:25)? How do the relate to one another, who are so valued already by the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:26)? And what other encouragement and blessing do they extend to one another (1 Thessalonians 5:27)? What sustains all of this (1 Thessalonians 5:28)? 

What sort of blessing do you give a man who has everything?  1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that when God is your blessedness, the blessing that you give and seek is eternal and divine in its definition and power. 

The Thessalonian believers already have Christ—and all things in Him. But, the path to coming into possession and experience of it goes through sanctification. That’s what the apostle has urged them onto in loving one another (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15) and the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:16–22).

The thing about sanctification is that we can’t do it for ourselves even a little bit. But God sanctify our spirit completely (1 Thessalonians 5:23a)! Soul and body (verse 23b) here is a two-parted description of man. The same God Who makes us perfectly holy will flawlessly preserve both our body and soul at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our faithfulness is non-existent, but His faithfulness is perfectly reliable (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Therefore, believers ought to follow their Lord in this and faithfully help and love one another. There are three examples of this here:

1. Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25). The apostle affectionately addresses them as “brethren” and asks for them to pray for him and his ministry team. Indeed, this is something that Christ Himself does for us (cf. Hebrews 7:25). And since the God of peace Himself is the One Who sanctifies us, there is nothing that we can do that is ultimately more helpful.

2. Affection (1 Thessalonians 5:26). 21st century America isn’t a friendship-kissing culture, but even the kiss in verse 26 was not the same as in their culture more broadly. It was a holy kiss. Touch gives us a method of communicating Christian love in a very direct way. But the touch by itself is not uniquely Christian affection. When our interactions are joyously, warmly, fervently aimed at mutual sanctification, then we have not just handshakes but holy handshakes, not just hugs but holy hugs. 

3. Scriptural edification (1 Thessalonians 5:27). The brethren are set apart as holy and in the process of being made holy by God. And what God uses for that is His Word (cf. John 17:17). Therefore, this letter was to be read to all the holy brethren. We must not underestimate the power of just reading the Scripture. Here, the Spirit even strengthens the charge by emphasizing that it is “by the Lord.”

Of course, none of these things just work mechanically. As the old saying goes, “the best of means are means at best.” We use the means of grace, because we are entirely dependent upon the grace. And 1 Thessalonians 5:28 concludes the letter by reminding us that the grace is not mechanical but personal. It is the grace of a person, “our Lord Jesus Christ,” that we must have “with” us.

Who is making you holy? How well will He do it? How surely? If He is doing this for other believers, how should you treat them? Of the three ways to do so here, which do you most need to work on?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You that You Yourself are the One Who is sanctifying us completely in our spirits and will have preserved us flawlessly, body-and-soul, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are faithful, but we are not yet faithful. Forgive us for being forgetful of prayer. Forgive us for lacking in holiness of affection and expression of affection. Forgive us for how little Scripture fills our conversations. But help us by the grace of Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Living as if God Actually Exists and the Gospel Is Actually True (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 5:16–22)

Having given final instructions about loving one another (v12–15), what are the apostolic team’s final instructions about loving the Lord? 1Thessalonians 5:16–22 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that loving the Lord in everyday life should be continually joyous, obedient, and holy.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.06.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22

Questions from the Scripture text: What ought believers to do always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)? What without stopping (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? In how many things do what (1 Thessalonians 5:18)? Why? What does 1 Thessalonians 5:19 say not to do? What does 1 Thessalonians 5:20 say not to do? What are believers to do with all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21a)? So they can do what with which things (verse 21b)? And what with which other things (1 Thessalonians 5:22)? 

Having given final instructions about loving one another (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15), what are the apostolic team’s final instructions about loving the Lord?  1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that loving the Lord in everyday life should be continually joyous, obedient, and holy. 

As the apostolic letter to the Thessalonian church comes to its conclusion, the Spirit gives us a flurry of commands, with even more rapidity than what we saw in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15. Those instructions dealt with loving interaction with our fellow members. Now these deal with loving interaction with the Lord. It’s a sort of reverse-order treatment of the two great commandments. In the verses before us now, we have some rapid instructions to shape a life in which we love the Lord our God with all our heart. 

What is “God’s will for my life” (1 Thessalonians 5:18b)? To obey His instructions. And what happy instructions they are!

Literally happy. “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). This sounds a lot like Philippians 4:4’s “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Abbreviating it to “rejoice always” doesn’t change the meaning much. The only cause for joy that cannot be interrupted is the Lord Himself. Joy is the second-listed aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. The perpetually joyless “Christian” isn’t just spiritually unwell. He’s disobedient. The source of his joy is in the wrong place. 

Pray unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Christians are to be slow to speak with one another. But we are never to stop speaking to God. A believer who is continually mindful of his God and Savior will not only have continual cause for joy, but also continual recourse to God in prayer. His God is always near to hear his cries, praises, confession, intercession, etc. Whatever the results of praying seem to have been, he never gives up, because God is still there, and God is still his Savior.

Give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Is God working all things according to the counsel of His will (cf. Ephesians 1:11)? Is the counsel of that will to work all things together for good to those who love God [because they have been] called according to His purpose (cf. Romans 8:28)? Then there is no situation in the believer’s life in which he is not able to give thanks. But this is a command. There is no situation in the believer’s life in which he is not commanded to give thanks. To be unthankful would be to be unmindful of God. It’s a violation of the first commandment and the kind of willful ignoring of God against which the wrath of God is revealed (cf. Romans 1:18, Romans 1:21). 

What else are we to obey? Whatever God says. Every Word of Scripture must be taken seriously (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Treating something that the Spirit says as unimportant is to quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Instead, we should get to know our Bibles so well, and take the preaching of the Word so seriously, that by Holy Spirit prophecy we are literally able to test everything in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:21a). God defines what is good and evil, and we must learn how to “test” things by His Word. We are to do this not only so that we can understand correctly, but so that we can live correctly. The point of being able to identify what is good is so that we can hold fast to it. The point of being able to identify what is evil is so that we can abstain from it. 

Yes, the Christian life is largely a life of joyously, thankfully interacting with God Himself. But it is also a life of obeying God in our interactions with everything else.

What sort of experience is it to live constantly before God? How should such a life be lived? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us when our joylessness and thanklessness expose that we are thoughtless of you. Fill our lives with that joy and gratitude that comes from remembering You. And make us measure and respond to all things in accordance with Your Word, for we ask it through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Wisdom and Patience in Admonishing for the Peace and Health of the Church (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 5:12–15)

Why should we acknowledge, esteem, and love those whom the Lord has set over us? Pastor leads his family in today's Hopewell @Home passage. 1Thessalonians 5:12–15 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord expects us to customize wisely our interactions with each type of person in His church.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.05.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15

Questions from the Scripture text: In what three ways are elders (and maybe deacons) described in 1 Thessalonians 5:12? What does the apostolic term call the Thessalonians? But what are they to do with their elders? And what else in 1 Thessalonians 5:13? How much? In what manner? For what? What command does this enable them to keep with the elders and the brethren? Now concerning whom does the apostolic team instruct them (1 Thessalonians 5:14)? What are they to do with these unruly (idle) people? Concerning what three other types of people are they instructed? Which specific command applies to which specific people? What will this keep them from doing—which they mustn’t do (1 Thessalonians 5:15a)? what must they do instead (verse 15b)? For whom will this be good?

Why should we acknowledge, esteem, and love those whom the Lord has set over us?  1 Thessalonians 5:12–15 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord expects us to customize wisely our interactions with each type of person in His church. 

“Be at peace among yourselves”
Thus closes 1 Thessalonians 5:13’s instruction about how to interact with those who are over us and admonish us. Then, in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, the Spirit describes various types of admonishment with which to respond to various types of believers in the congregation. The connection seems clear: if we learn to receive admonition well from our elders, and if we learn from our elders how to give good admonition to others, then the whole body will be better equipped to be built up in a way that “is good both for yourselves and for all” (end of 1 Thessalonians 5:15). So, what types of people in the congregation require what type of response from us?

“Recognize those who labor among you”
The type of labor is spelled our in the next couple phrases: oversight and admonishment. For those who are called to this labor, they should recognize it as “work” (1 Thessalonians 5:13a) for the “peace” (verse 13b) and “good” (1 Thessalonians 5:15) of the church. This will keep them from lording it over those whom they are called to serve by authority. If they do not “labor” and “work” in this way, those who are in authority will have themselves to thank when they are not recognized, esteemed, or loved.

And for those who are under the authority, recognizing the nature (labor/work) and purpose (peace/good) of the authority that is over them is needful. If we do not “recognize them” and “esteem them very highly” and “love” them, we will find ourselves resisting their authority and failing to get our benefit from them.

“Warn those who are unruly”
The word is a military term that literally means “untactical.” Anyone who is idle, lazy, unprepared, undisciplined, or disorderly falls under this term. It may be tempting just to work around such folks, but they are a danger to themselves and others. They need to be warned. A congregational culture of healthy giving/receiving admonishment enables us all to be helpful not only to the unruly one, but to the entire congregation, within the various relationships and closeness that God gives us in the church.

“Comfort the fainthearted”
Sometimes church members know what they ought to do, and have some skill and ability in doing it, but they grow weary in well-doing. Perhaps a perceived lack of fruit has discouraged them, or perhaps it has gotten more difficult, or perhaps plugging away in the same role for a long time has just “gotten old.” The overseer-admonishers whom the Lord has set over us should lead the way in consoling and encouraging such weary members. And the more we have been receptively on the receiving end of such encouragement and consolation, the more we will be equipped to be brother-consolers and brother-encouragers. 

“Uphold the weak”
Sometimes, church members simply aren’t that far along yet in knowledge or maturity. Sometimes their ability is just small—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. They need more than encouragement. They need someone with more strength to pull them along. And the instruction here is literally to “keep holding on to” them. If someone in the church needs you to pull them through, don’t let go when your own strength seems to sag! Those in leadership must set their faces like flint, and doggedly depend upon the Lord, in order to keep pressing on. And it will be in those moments when they most feel like they themselves can’t go on that it will be most necessary for them not to let go of those with less strength. This culture of being devoted to helping the weak, rather than despising the weak, is one that starts at the top—both in heavenly terms (almighty God never letting go of us powerless men) and in earthly terms (elders/husbands/fathers not despising the weak but rather bearing even more of the load for them).

“Be patient with all”
In all things in this life, we fail much. Following the instructions in this passage will not be a one-time or one-off. It’s something that we will have to do. And keeping doing. And do again. When the Lord has to command us to be patient, we should admit that it will be our natural (fleshly) inclination to be impatient. To say, “I think I’ve done enough of that for them.” But we mustn’t. We must be patient with all. Every single other member will test our patience at some point. AND WE will test the patience, at some point, of every single other member.

“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone”
We can see by the “no one” and “anyone” that this instruction is the twin of “be patient with all.” At some point, we are going to feel the urge to do worse than just give up on someone. Something they do will positively harm us (or appear to us to do so) or offend us. And we will be tempted to render evil for evil.

In fact, we’ll likely think that this is the one time that this is permissible. The special case in which they have just gone too far. Not so fast, my brother! The Spirit anticipates such reasoning and says, “See that no one” does this: you are not a special one who gets to do this. The Spirit anticipates such reasoning and says not to do this “to anyone”: they are not the specially bad one against whom this would be excusable. No, we must always pursue what is good. As the apostle says elsewhere, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Keep doing good not until you’ve exhausted your inclination to do so, but until you’ve done all, and the peace just wasn’t possible!

Truly, it’s a profoundly loving and forgiving congregational life (cf. Ephesians 4:25–5:7) that is meant to be produced by submission to proper doctrinal oversight and admonition (cf. Ephesians 4:1–24). A biblically faithful ministry of oversight and admonition is a great gift from Christ! We should highly value it, and seek to avail ourselves under it until we all thrive by it.

With whom have you especially needed to exercise patience? In what types of interaction with them? What helpers has the Lord given you for establishing and building this patience?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for encouraging us, for warning us, for helping us in our weakness—and for persisting with us in everything that we need from You. Forgive us! For, we are not like You in these things, but are often impatient with one another and find our remaining fleshliness quite ready to repay evil for evil. But Christ has repaid our sin by dying for us, so that we might be both forgiven and cleansed, which we ask through Him, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Don't Predict the Timing of the Day of the Lord; Always Live Prepared for It (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 5:1–11)

What enables us to be ready for the last day? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 5:1–11 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what prepares us for Christ’s return is not knowing its timing but knowing Him Himself: trusting in Him, loving Him, and being sure that everything He does succeeds.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.05.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Questions from the Scripture text: What have they asked about (1 Thessalonians 5:1a)? What does he say about their need for further instruction (verse 1b)? How does he summarize his teaching about this (1 Thessalonians 5:2)? What will people be saying at the day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:3)? But what comes upon them on that day? What difference in condition makes this experience of the day different for believers (1 Thessalonians 5:4)? How should we live, if we don’t want the surprise to be of the sort in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (1 Thessalonians 5:5)? How do 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8a describe the sort of life that is not guided by light? What three things keep someone living for Christ and eternity instead of self and pleasure (verse 8b)? To what have those who are unwatchful and self-indulgent been appointed (1 Thessalonians 5:9a)? To what have those who live watchful, self-controlled lives been appointed (verse 9b)? What has Christ done for us (1 Thessalonians 5:10a)? To secure what for us (verse 10b, cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:17)? What do we do for one another, when we remind each other of life in fellowship with Christ now and forever (1 Thessalonians 5:11)?

Some information is available to us. The apostle did not want the Thessalonians to be ignorant (1 Thessalonians 4:13) about what happens to believers at death and about the order of events on the last day (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). So sometimes, comforting one another is by reminding each other of what we know truly from the Bible.

But some information is not available to us. The timing of the last day is a secret and will arrive as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:2). So, sometimes comforting one another is by reminding one another that we already have fellowship with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:10), so that we build one another up into walking with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Those who focus on “timing” when it comes to “last things” distract from the main issue: that we are always to live as those who belong to the world of light, not to this world of night (1 Thessalonians 5:5). We are not to try to figure out the timing, but to live as those who are always ready. It’s those who live in darkness that are overtaken by the day to their harm (1 Thessalonians 5:4). 

There are people who think that they are peaceful and safe, living uncarefully and self-indulgently, as if there will never be any consequences (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Spiritual sleep-walkers and drunks, they are not watchful or sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Even in the church, they use the language of grace to make it sound like sin is no big deal. They are not urgent about the coming of the day and the need to be prepared for it.

The Spirit here teaches us that living without desire for the last day, and urgency about being prepared for it, does not come from the gospel. It is faith, love, and hope (1 Thessalonians 5:8) that actually makes a man live soberly—self-controlled, intentionally for the returning Savior. 

Trusting Him, knowing His love to us, living from love for Him… these are a breastplate. They guard the heart from the deadly arrows of complacency and self-indulgence. The hope of salvation—rejoicing already in the completion of our redemption that occurs in the last day—is a helmet that guards us from the mind-destroying temptation to live for the pleasures of the moment. 

Hearts and minds protected by the gospel produce not careless living, but zealous and diligent living for Christ. A gospel life is opposed to vain speculations about when the return will come, because it is too busy living constantly as one who belongs to the next world, as one who is ready at any moment for that world to break into this one. It considers fellowship with Jesus the great thing in eternity, and so it is obsessed with fellowship with Him as it lives in time (1 Thessalonians 5:10). This is what He died to secure (verse 10a)!

How should thinking about the last day make you live? What part of eternal happiness can you have now?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for reminding us, like You did for the Thessalonians, that Your return is unpredictable. Forgive us for being more concerned with figuring it out than we are with being ready for Your return and with living like those who belong to You. Give us that faith and hope and love that enable a watchful, sober life. And make us to enjoy fellowship with Jesus both now and forever, which we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”

God Doesn't Want You to Be Ignorant: the Hope and Comfort of Good and Sound Theology (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 4:13–18)

Why shouldn’t we be ignorant of theology? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 4:13–18 looks forward to the morning sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord does not want us to be ignorant, because good theology glorifies Him and assures and comforts us.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.05.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the apostle not want them to be (1 Thessalonians 4:13)? Concerning whom? Lest they do what? What do all Christians believe (1 Thessalonians 4:14a)? What will God therefore do (verse 14b)? By what is the apostolic team speaking (1 Thessalonians 4:15a)? Until when will some believers remain alive (verse 15b)? But what won’t these remaining believers do? Who will descend from where (1 Thessalonians 4:16)? Attended by what three phenomena? Then who will rise first? Then who shall be caught up together with whom (1 Thessalonians 4:17a)? Whom will this combined group meet (verse 17b)? When will this reunion be broken? What are believers to do with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18)? 

There are many who think theology is uncomfortable, so they’d like to keep Christianity simple. But if we’re going to have true comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:18), then we can’t afford to be ignorant (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Theology is the mechanism by which God communicates to us the comfort of Christ. Other words, idle words, ignorant words won’t do. It has to be His words (1 Thessalonians 4:15a). “These words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Without His words, then we’d just be people who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13), who don’t have the assurance of a risen (1 Thessalonians 4:14) and returning (1 Thessalonians 4:15) Savior.

God raised Christ from the dead, and Christ will physically return. Those whose bodies are sleeping in Jesus have souls that are very much awake and alive, and God Who raised Christ from the dead will bring their souls back with Him when He returns bodily (1 Thessalonians 4:14b).

Those whose bodies and souls are still together won’t go first (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Instead, the dead in Christ will rise first (end of 1 Thessalonians 4:16); their souls will be reunited with their bodies. That way, all who are in Christ can be caught up together (1 Thessalonians 4:17a) to meet the Lord in the air (verse 17b). There’s no scurrying back to heaven at this point. The Lord returns to judge, and His people will judge with Him. The point is not merely being reunited with one another. Being reunited with one another is just a safeguard so that when we are reunited with Him, we will all be reunited with Him together. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

That’s the great comfort. Those who have “fallen asleep” are already with the Lord. Their bodies are still united to Christ and rest in the grave until the resurrection. But their souls are present with Christ, and will return with Him for the resurrection. 

He Whom heaven lauds with shouts and archangel voices and divine trumpets (1 Thessalonians 4:15) has so joined us to Himself that death cannot separate our souls from Him, and resurrection will restore our bodies to His presence permanently. The more we know about who He is and what He has done, and the more accurately we know it, the more confidence and comfort we will get from it. Theology supports and strengthens our laying hold of Christ.

What is your attitude toward theology? How are you pursuing increased/improved theological knowledge? What use do you make of your theology for laying hold of Christ? How does this comfort and strengthen you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, how merciful You are to want us not to be ignorant and to give us Your own Word! Forgive us for being content to be ignorant and even resisting the effort required to improve our doctrine and the discomfort of disagreeing with those whose theology is poor. Forgive the wickedness of our treating more knowledge of Christ as of little value. Grant that we would have hope and comfort from being sure about Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH492 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”

An Advanced Lesson in Three Ways to Abound in Love unto the Brethren (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 4:9–12)

What does increased love for the brethren look like, when believers are already doing it well? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 4:9–12 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that love means being ambitious to be quiet (not dramatic), engaged in our own business (not nosing into others’), and laboring with our own hands (and not expecting others to do it for us.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.05.05 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

Questions from the Scripture text: About what had the Thessalonians needed him to write (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)? About what had they not needed (1 Thessalonians 4:9a)? How had they come to love one another well (verse 9b)? Whom else did they love well (1 Thessalonians 4:10a)? Now what were they to do (verse 10b)? What three commands (1 Thessalonians 4:11) does he now add to the instruction about marriage from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 and brotherly love from 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10? What will obedience to these three things result in toward others (1 Thessalonians 4:12a)? Toward themselves (verse 12b)?

The apostle has previously asserted that the will of God was their sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and then spent the next five verses emphasizing holiness in the manner by which one obtains a wife. In that discussion, the most important thing was to express properly the knowledge of God (1 Thessalonians 4:5) and avoid provoking the vengeance of God (1 Thessalonians 4:6b). But it was not unimportant that they be careful not to defraud their brother (verse 6a).

Now, the love of the brethren takes center stage (1 Thessalonians 4:9a), even though they have already made much progress in grace in this area (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10a). So when the apostle tells those who have already attained significantly to love one another that they are now to “increase more and more,” all true believers will wish to pay attention. This is the great new commandment of the church: that we love one another as Christ has loved us (cf. John 13:34). And now the apostle is about to give a course in “advanced loving one another.” So, we should all perk up our ears.

Now that we’re paying attention, what does this “increase more and more” in loving one another look like? He gives us three brief commands using almost poetic language to urge us against hysteria, nosiness, and laziness.

Against hysteria: “aspire to lead a quiet life.” Literally, “be ambitious to be quiet.” There’s the type of person who is always up in arms about something. Always aiming at some new thing. Always rallying the troops for something. It’s not loving to continually rile people up. It’s contrary to the steadiness that belongs to walking by faith in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is patience, gentleness, self-control. The “riler-upper” thinks himself ambitious. Others might think he is too. So the apostle gives him something to aspire to, something to always be going after: quietness. Be ambitious to be quiet.

Against nosiness: “mind your own business.” This needs almost no explanation. The second part of 1 Thessalonians 4:11’s course in advanced brotherly love is to stop sticking your nose into other people’s business. The verb is an activity, engagement verb. It goes well with the “be ambitious” … something like “be active” or “be engaged.” This is another stroke of vocabulary genius, because we tend to excuse our nosiness as just being engaged. So the apostle says, “be engaged in that which is your own.” There’s no word in the original corresponding to “business” in our translation, leaving the word that means “that which is your own” alone for emphasis.

Against laziness: “work with your own hands.” There’s nothing free in this life. If your own hands aren’t providing for you, then someone else’s are. The apostle will return to this subject in 2 Thessalonians 3:6–12. It seems that those who were hysterical and were busybodies were so caught up in it that they didn’t bother to work. Perhaps they figured it was relatively little to ask from others to just share what they had. But love sacrifices itself, rather than expecting others to sacrifice for itself. We must be diligent to provide for ourselves, if we can, especially since this may gain for us the opportunity to provide for others who can’t (cf. Ephesians 4:28).

Avoiding these things will keep us from becoming an unnecessary stumbling block to unbelievers (1 Thessalonians 4:12a). But it’s also the way that we come to “lack nothing” (verse 12b)—both materially and spiritually. Materially, the Lord has so ordered His world that a quiet, diligent person who minds his own business ordinarily is able to provide for all his needs that way. More importantly, however, it is very important that we not lack love for one another. If we want to “lack nothing,” let us heed this lesson in “advanced love of the brethren”!

In which of the areas above do you most need to grow in loving others? In dependence upon the Lord, and using His means, what is your specific plan for growing in it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for loving us and for producing love in us. Forgive us for our emotional instability, and give us the levelheaded quietness that benefits our brethren. Forgive us for our nosiness, and give us the contentment and focus to be engaged in our own lives and roles to which you have called us. Forgive us for our laziness, and give us the diligence to labor with our own hands and generosity to share with those who can’t. For, we ask it through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside?” or TPH409 “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”

Sanctification in the Lord, by the Spirit, at the Heart of Marriage (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 4:1–8)

What is God’s will for me? What is God’s will for my marriage? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 4:1–8 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God’s will for every part of a believer’s life is sanctification. This means that just as important as the question of whom to marry is the question of how to approach marriage. In this, sanctification is to be prioritized, passions of the heart and flesh resisted, parents consulted, Christ to be pleased, and the Holy Spirit to be depended upon.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.04.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the apostle call them in 1 Thessalonians 4:1? What two things does he do to them? In Whom? That they should do what? How much? What things had they received, in which he was now urging and exhorting them to abound? In what form (1 Thessalonians 4:2a) had he delivered this prescribed walking and pleasing God? Through Whom were these commandments given (verse 2b)? What is God’s will for them (and for you!, 1 Thessalonians 4:3a)? Upon what part of this sanctification does he zero in (verse 3b)? What is the first verb in 1 Thessalonians 4:4? What is it that they should know—how to obtain his own wife (vessel, cf. 1 Peter 3:7, commonly used term for wife) in what two ways? What manner of obtaining a wife is opposed to sanctification and honor (1 Thessalonians 4:5a)? Who take wives in this way (verse 5b)? Why do they do it that way? What is being done to a father or husband when a daughter or wife are romanced (or worse) without their knowledge (1 Thessalonians 4:6a)? Who will avenge such defrauding (verse 6b)? In how many cases? When/how have the Thessalonians heard this before (verse 6c, cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:2)? What is at stake in obtaining a wife the right way (1 Thessalonians 4:7b)? Who has called us to this holiness (verse 7a)? What does the apostle anticipate will be the response of some (many) to such teaching (1 Thessalonians 4:8a)? But Whom are they really rejecting? Whom has God given us (verse 8b, as an indication both of His desire for us and power toward us to accomplish that desire)?

When the apostle begins “finally then,” he may or may not be concluding an initial plan to finish his letter with this section. But what he is surely doing is underscoring the importance of what follows in these eight verses. 

Increase more and more in walking to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a).
In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, he had reminded them that the evidence of the authenticity of the apostolic team’s ministry included that they speak “not as pleasing men but God.” And when he commended them in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 for receiving the Word as the Word of God, and for persevering under persecution in 1 Thessalonians 2:14, he reminded them that persecutors “do not please God” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) and would therefore suffer the complete wrath of God. 

Now, he tells them to “increase more and more” in walking to please God. They were urging and exhorting them to this in the Lord Jesus now (1 Thessalonians 4:1a). They had delivered this to them before (verse 1b). The method of delivery had been commandments upon the authority of the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:2). And this is “the will of God for” them: sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). Do you want to know God’s will for your life? Sanctification. Walking to please God more and more.

Especially in the area of sexual purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6).
There are so many areas of walking in holiness that the apostle might treat, but here, he emphasizes especially taking “one’s own vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:4b). It was common in rabbinic usage to refer to the wife as a “vessel,” and the former Pharisee is almost certainly doing the same here. Another apostle certainly does so in 1 Peter 3:7. And this form of the verb translated “possess” means “take possession,” but not so crassly as that sounds in English. We might say “obtain his own wife.”

The concern here is for forming marriages in an upright and pure way. There are many ways that one might “defraud” the father of the bride, or a woman’s future (or current!) husband, as 1 Thessalonians 4:5b warns against. And if you think such a dad or husband is furious and dangerous, you’re not even beginning to glimpse the fury and danger with which you should really be concerned (verse 5c)! But the worst way is sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3b) and passion of lust (1 Thessalonians 4:5a). Giving in to sexual lust is the fruit of not knowing God (verse 5b). Not knowing that He created us. Not knowing that He created them from the beginning, one man and one woman for the purpose of marriage (cf. Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:6–9). Not knowing that marriage exists not only so that we may image God well, but also as a picture of and help unto the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. If we stir up romantic affection for someone other than our spouse, or harbor a fleshly desire for someone who is not our spouse, we despise God Himself. That’s what 1 Thessalonians 4:5 is saying. 

To give in to lust is to set one’s desires upon (or even mix one’s flesh with) someone who is not your own vessel. God forbid! A father or a church (or in this case an apostle) must urge and exhort and deliver to and command the young (and old) people that they restrict their romantic desires to one spouse, ever, until death parts the two. Those who do not are literally exposing those entrusted to their care to the vengeance of God!

And how many of us, even now, wish that those over us in church and home had held before us the knowledge of God as the author of marriage and the avenger of marriage?!

By the call and authority and power of God Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8).
One obstacle to this command is how difficult it is to overcome the willfulness of the flesh that refuses to be commanded. But the God Who called us unto Himself in our salvation “did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (verse 7). We must remember that it is impossible for an unbeliever to grow in holiness. But let us also remember that it is impossible that a genuine believer will not grow in holiness. This is what God has called us to in our salvation!

“Therefore, he who rejects this does not reject man, but God” (1 Thessalonians 4:8a). Just like the Word of the gospel was not the word of man but God, so also the command of sanctification is not the word of man but God!

A second obstacle to this command is how powerful romantic and sexual desires can be, and how pleasant the payoff seems to feel in the moment. But God has not left us without resources for this battle. He “has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:8b). If one of the great reasons for the gift of the Spirit is sexual purity, then we should not expect to maintain it without using all of God’s means (including Word, sacrament, prayer, secret worship, family worship, public worship, the Lord’s Day, parental accountability, elder accountability, spouse accountability, etc.). Yet, the use of the means of grace must not be in the vain hope that this is a fool-proof “technique” for sexual purity. Rather, the means must be used in conscientious awareness of the Holy Spirit Who gave those means and the hope that He is using them to work out in us the fellowship and life of our resurrected Lord Jesus!

Indeed, this is the only path for any sanctification. And especially in this most important area of sanctification which the apostle here so urgently underscores to us.

What is “the will of God” for you? Why must this happen? How can this happen? How are you pursuing it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise and thank You for calling us to Yourself. We praise and thank You for preparing for us beforehand good works that we might walk in them. We praise and thank You for telling us so plainly what Your will for our life is—that we be sanctified. O forgive us, for we are ashamed of how easily our hearts give in to stubborn willfulness or passionate affection and desire. In this way, we have powerful, passionate moments of atheism. Forgive us! And deliver us! For, You have given us Your Holy Spirit for this reason—that He might apply Christ to us, in Whose Name we also ask this, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH45A “My Heart Is Greatly Stirred”

2022.04.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom does the apostle appeal in 1 Thessalonians 3:11? And to whom else? To do what? And what does he ask the Lord to do to them (1 Thessalonians 3:12)? And make them abound in? Toward whom? And whom else? Who abounds in love to them? What will the Lord establish by this abounding (1 Thessalonians 3:13)? In what two things will He use this love to establish their hearts? Before Whom? At what event? With whom will the Lord Jesus come? 

The apostle has just finished saying (1 Thessalonians 3:10) that they pray night and day to see their face and perfect what is lacking in their faith. Now, he gives us a window into the content of that prayer by pronouncing a benediction to the same ends as he closes off this portion of the letter. In the benediction, we see the particulars, principles, and purposes of his requests.

Particulars: that they would see one another soon, 1 Thessalonians 3:11. The verb “direct” is a singular verb so that the subject “our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ” is treated as one joint Actor. Paul, Silas, and Timothy hope to come. But they are under no illusion that they determine their own futures. God alone does that. And this God is not only the Father but the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him, we may make particular requests, “direct my way to them.”

In requesting such particulars, you don’t have to explicitly say, “if it be Thy will.” But if you pray to God as God over all. And as the good Father of yourself, His child. And the Lord, upon Whose Name you have called for salvation. And Jesus, Who saves you from your sin. And Christ, Who is the Son of David and sits upon the throne of heaven… If you pray to God, acknowledging Him to be all of these things, you ask for particulars with the implicit acknowledgment that however He is pleased to answer is right and good.

Principles: that the Lord would increase their love, 1 Thessalonians 3:12. Loving God and neighbor is the sum of the law. The completing of what is “lacking in their faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:10) occurs by their increasing and abounding in love. But even if Paul was able to get there, it wouldn’t really be he who perfected their lack, but the Lord Himself. Since it is the Lord who will accomplish this, the apostle recognizes in prayer and benediction that it can happen even if he never gets back to Thessalonica. The Lord will do it. Using part of the description of the Son, Paul reduces the extended title of the two persons in 1 Thessalonians 3:11 simply to “the Lord” in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, but it is the same God. Jesus is Lord. And the Lord is the One who gives them more love toward one another, more love toward all, and even the apostle’s love toward them. 

Purpose: perfection in the last day, 1 Thessalonians 3:13. This increase of love has an end (both a purpose and a termination point). One day, there will be no more increasing to do, because their hearts will already be established blameless in holiness. Not just before men, but before God. How holy will believers be in the last day? Even God will not find anything in them to fault or blame, even in their hearts! This is the endgame: the Lord Jesus Christ, come again, and every one of His saints being actually saintly! Won’t that just be heaven? Yes, that’s exactly what it will be! And it is the ultimate purpose unto which we are to do all of our praying.

What are some details for which you’ve been asking the Lord? What would those details accomplish, and how else might God accomplish them? What ultimate purpose do they serve? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for reminding us that You are One God in three Persons, and that the Father and the Son are One. Forgive us for when we think that we direct our own ways, or when we pray for things that do not serve the ultimate purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ, come again, with all His perfected saints. Continue to make our love increase and abound, we ask, in Jesus’s Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH469 “Who Are These Like Stars Appearing”

Comfort, Life, and Joy in the Lord in Our Interactions with One Another (2022.04.14 Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 3:6–10)

How should we respond to hearing good news about others’ faith? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 3:6–10 prepares us for the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that that we should respond primarily to the Lord Himself, when we hear good news about others’ faith—receiving comfort and life in the Lord, rejoicing before the face of the Lord, and redoubled pleading with the Lord for more opportunity to participate in His work in them.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.04.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10

Questions from the Scripture text: Who has come to Paul and Silas (1 Thessalonians 3:6)? From whom? What has he brought? What two things is this news especially about? Also, how do the Thessalonians remember them? And what do the Thessalonians desire? How much? Who else desires this? What does he call them in 1 Thessalonians 3:7? What has he and Silas had? How were they comforted? How does 1 Thessalonians 3:8a describe their relief? How does verse 8b summarize the news? Whom do they credit for this (1 Thessalonians 3:9a)? What emotion does verse 9b doubly describe? Before Whom is this joy? What does this joy produce (1 Thessalonians 3:10)? How often? With what intensity? Praying for what to happen? In order to participate in what for the Thessalonians? 

If we read too quickly or carelessly, we will miss just how much this interaction between the apostle and the Thessalonians is really an interaction with the Lord.

Life in the Lord
The data of the good news that Timothy brought back was that the Thessalonians continued to believe and love, and that the great desire to see each other was mutual (1 Thessalonians 3:6). But the essence of the news was that since the Thessalonians were standing fast, the apostle knew that their standing was in fact “in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:8b). Remember, there had been that horrible thought that his labor had been in vain (end of 1 Thessalonians 3:5), meaning that there had not been a genuine spiritual work wrought in them. So this was wonderful news that they did stand fast, they were in the Lord, and the apostle’s labor had not been in vain!

In fact, despite all that he and Silas were suffering, this news of the Thessalonians’ genuine faith made them not only comfortable (1 Thessalonians 3:7), but to feel fully “alive”—that their purpose for living was being fulfilled (1 Thessalonians 3:8a). Indeed, so alive and so grateful did this news make the apostolic band that it issued in the thanksgiving and rejoicing that occupied the bulk of the first chapter of this letter.

Thanks and Rejoicing unto the Lord
There is, in fact, something that seems almost to trouble the apostle. God has been so good to him that he’s unable to pay God back (1 Thessalonians 3:9). But this is normal for believers. If they properly understand what is going on in their lives, they will rejoice with great joy before the Lord. If our thankfulness is just for people, and our rejoicing is just before people, then it will not be so very great. But if we see the Lord at work, and carry our hearts in His presence, the thankfulness and joy will be exceedingly great.

Asking Him for More
So, what does one do when he cannot possibly pay God back for what He has already done? Ask for more blessing, of course! The more God did, the more for which they asked Him, so that this praying is described as “night and day” and “exceedingly.” They asked not only that both of their desire to see one another would be satisfied (1 Thessalonians 3:6) but that this interaction might have the honor of being used by God to bring the Thessalonians’ faith to its assuredly perfect end (1 Thessalonians 3:10b). 

How does “good news” about others’ spiritual lives affect you? What might help you be more thankful and joyful about it? When has your thanksgiving resulted in even more eager and earnest praying? What are you praying for?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank you and praise You that the fruit that You give shows that it is You Who have given us and others faith and are making us to stand. Forgive us for when how little we think about You or credit You is exposed by the smallness of our thanksgiving and joy. And forgive us for when we are not hungry for more of that grace that does us such good and brings You such glory. Make us to love Your glory and seek to be used to magnify it we ask, through Jesus Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP100 “All Earth, With Joy” or TPH100A “Shout to the LORD, All Earth”

 

2022.04.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 3:2–5

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:2–5

Questions from the Scripture text: What two things did they send Timothy to do (1 Thessalonians 3:2)? In what, specifically, was he to encourage them? What did the apostle not want to happen to a single Thessalonian (1 Thessalonians 3:3)? To what are believers appointed? Who should know this? How had the Thessalonians come to know this (1 Thessalonians 3:4a)? How was this verified (verse 4b)? What couldn’t the apostle stand not knowing (1 Thessalonians 3:5a)? By what means could the Thessalonians have been shaken (verse 5b)? What would this mean about the apostle’s ministry to them (verse 5c)?

Unbelief is encouraged by being told how pleasant things will be. But faith is encouraged by being told more accurately—namely that it is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God. On the one hand, we will have those tribulations. On the other hand, since our entry has been secured by Christ, then our passage through the tribulations must also have been secured by Him.

So it was that at the end of the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches that they had planted, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). That’s how they strengthened their souls!

Now, he has sent Timothy “to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith” (1 Thessalonians 3:2). How? By reminding the Thessalonians that they were “appointed to this” (1 Thessalonians 3:3b). Appointed to what? Afflictions (verse 3a)!

Those who suggest the possibility of a painless Christianity would put you on ground where you will easily be shaken. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 isn’t Paul saying “I told you so” in a gloating fashion but rather “this is exactly why I told you”—and am telling you again: so that you would NOT be shaken.

In fact, this “I told you so” comes with a great amount of love. So much love that just not knowing if the Thessalonians had held up under affliction was itself a great affliction to Paul. He could not endure (1 Thessalonians 3:5) not knowing if their faith had endured! 

Why was it such a big deal to him? Because if their “faith” had not held up, then his labor would have been “in vain” (end of 1 Thessalonians 3:5). It’s a word that means “empty” and the same word translated “foolish” in James 2:20. In both places, Scripture speaks of what appeared to have been faith but was not. Here are these dear ones, whose glory at Christ's return the apostle anticipates, and the agony of waiting to hear that their faith was genuine was greater to him than just about any earthly affliction (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:28–29). 

So, let us be strengthened by being told about the afflictions through which we must go. And, when they come, let us rejoice that things are just as the Lord has faithfully told us. And, let us be honest with other believers about what they too must go through. Finally, let us care enough about other believers that we would rather go through great earthly pain than learn that their faith did not turn out to be genuine.

What afflictions are you going through? What afflictions are other believers that you know of going through? What are your expectations for the circumstances of your earthly life? What are your expectations for how you will get through them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You both for telling us plainly that we must go through affliction, and that You will bring us safely through it, into Your kingdom. Forgive us for when we fail to find Your faithful Word encouraging, or even desire that things would be other than You have said. And grant unto us to be unshakeable by affliction, we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH231 “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right”

 

Loving and Delighting in the Glorified Christ and His Glorified People (Family Worship lesson in 1Thessalonians 2:17–3:2)

Why was the apostle so urgent to send Timothy back to Thessalonica? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. 1Thessalonians 2:17–3:2 prepares us for the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that as believers increase in love for Christ and one another, the prospect of seeing one another glorified in Him at His return stirs us up to fervent affection and diligent action.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.03.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:2

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:2

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Paul call the Thessalonians  in 1 Thessalonians 2:17? What has happened to apostolic ministry team? In what way had they not been taken away? What did this absence make them endeavor to do? How much? With what desire? What did they want to do (1 Thessalonians 2:18)? Who especially? But who hindered them? What three things does he call the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:19? In Whose presence, especially, are they these things? At what time? What two things does he say they are now (1 Thessalonians 2:20)? What couldn’t they do (1 Thessalonians 3:1)? Who stayed where? Who was the third that they sent (1 Thessalonians 3:2)? What three things do they call him? What two things did they send Timothy to do? In what, specifically, was he to encourage them?

Proper Christian ministers have a strong, emotional attachment to those whom they serve. The apostolic team were as nursing mothers (1 Thessalonians 2:7) and devoted fathers (1 Thessalonians 2:10-11) to the Thessalonians. But they were providentially restrained from ministering to them for a time (1 Thessalonians 2:17). 

The apostle has no problem personally identifying Satan as hindering them from coming back to Thessalonica. Still, the Lord sovereignly overrules—even over Satan. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 cuts two ways: explanation for why Satan would hinder, but also explanation for why the apostolic team would persist to overcome this hindrance. Satan was against their ministry because it was so good. And it was worth overcoming him to persist in the ministry, because it was so good.

Christian action and ministry is much strengthened by seeing and seizing the glory and joy of the last day. The apostle sees in his mind’s eye the Lord Jesus Christ returned, and the Thessalonians perfected and glorified. He tastes the anticipation of seeing both and knowing that he was blessed and honored to have a part in that blessed reunion (1 Thessalonians 2:19b). This is his “hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing” (verse 19a).

Whatever the hindrance had been, it could stop three from coming, but not just one. And they gladly sent Timothy. He served God (1 Thessalonians 3:2). He labored in the gospel. It wasn’t the same as the three of them being there, but the main thing was God’s work, God’s gospel. And whatever part they could have in it, they would take or facilitate.

From all of this, let us learn to rejoice over the prospect of the last day. And let us learn to rejoice especially over what opportunity we have to participate in the sanctification of others and the glory that Christ will have in them. We are finite and cannot participate in all ministry. But, we much increase our privilege by fostering others’ ministry as well.

To whom do you minister? To whom else would you like to? Whom else can you support in ministry?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we bless You for Your work in applying Christ’s salvation to those whom You are redeeming, and we thank You for involving us in parts of it. Forgive us for giving in easily to Satan’s opposition of that work. And grant unto us zeal and diligence that takes whatever opportunity you afford to see others grown in faith, in Jesus’s Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP78B “O Come, My People” or TPH438 “I Love to Tell the Story”