April 13, 2025

Today we had a meeting of praise to our Heavenly Father.  We shared our testimonies of how the Lord has been evident in our lives.

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April 9, 2025

2 Thessalonians 2 ESV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1)  What was the current situation of the Thessalonian brethren when Paul wrote his second letter?

2)  How was Paul encouraging the brethren this time?

Discussion Summary:

There are various views as to who wrote 2 Thessalonians and when it was written.  We are assuming it was written by the Apostle Paul while he was in the city of Corinth, possibly within a year of writing 1 Thessalonians.  He wrote the second time to further encourage the brethren in Thessalonica and to correct their misunderstandings from the first letter.

The second letter shows that the brethren in Thessalonica were growing in faith and continuing to show their love for one another.  They were under increasing persecutions within their city from their neighbours.  Paul desires them to remain steadfast in their faith and to persevere under severe trials.

Paul’s tone has changed from the first letter he wrote.  In the first letter he was full of gentle sympathy and referred to them as his children.  Now in a firm, fatherly tone he is explaining the reason for their persecution and how they need to approach these trials because at the moment they are in a “frenzy,” “distraught,” “shaken in mind” (2 Thessalonians 2:2).

In verse 5, Paul explains that God’s judgement is righteous.  God’s method of dealing with the brethren in Thessalonica is developing fruitage. It is having its intended effect.  Even though other Christians such as Paul himself in Corinth are not being dealt with in this same manner, they see the example of their suffering brethren and it is giving them courage.  Paul wants them to look at their suffering as something positive as we should too (Hebrews 12:7).

The Thessalonians are also to realize that God’s judgement will also be ultimately brought to bear on those who are persecuting them.  This justice may seem long in coming (Romans 9:20-23). Meanwhile they are to have the example of Stephen, the first martyr, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60).  This judgement process against the wicked is long and complicated taking the entire 1,000-year kingdom.  It begins when Christ is “revealed” (Greek: apokalypsei).

We also note the secondary theme of prayer throughout 2 Thessalonians.  Chapter 1 begins with a “prayer” in verse 3 and closes with a “prayer” in verse 11.

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(April 6, 2025)

We want to see the Passover picture and its concepts throughout the scriptures not only during the Memorial season, but all of the year because we live the reality every day.

Verses: 22-25

We would like to focus on the phrase “love one another whole-heartedly with all your strength.”

Jesus’s unblemished body and his life poured out in sufferings have been applied to (sprinkled on) our hearts.  This now allows us to be called into God’s family and we are to develop love for the brethren.

“Now that by obedience to the truth you have purified your souls until you feel sincere affection towards your brother Christians, love one another whole-heartedly with all your strength.  You have been born anew…” (NEB)

1 Peter 1:22–25 ESV

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Discussion Questions:

Our love for each other is shown in various aspects of the last supper:

• “You also ought to wash one another’s feet.”  (John 13:14)
• “Because there is one loaf, we, many as we are, are one body, for it is one loaf of which we partake.”  (1 Cor. 10:17)

What are we to learn from the inclusion of these two pictures in the Last Supper?

Discussion Summary:

To love other Christians “whole-heartedly” means to love each deeply from the heart.  Other translations use the word “unfeigned” which means to love sincerely.  While our efforts often fall short of this ideal, we are to love each other in an increasing amount “more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:10).  The Greek word eis translated “for” in verse 22 has the thought of “unto.”  In other words, Christians are purifying themselves towards this goal of whole-hearted love.  Traversing this spiritual geography is the Christian’s journey.

During the evening of the last supper, Jesus gave an example of this love by washing the disciples’ feet.  It was the act of a servant.  It is thought provoking to consider that none of the apostles preformed this customary service for each other and left this to the Master.  We note that Jesus did not pass by Judas who he knew would betray him that very night.  We also note that Mary (the sister of Lazarus) anointed his feet with oil as a beautiful demonstration of her love for the Master (John 12:-8).  This action can be taken by all Christians in everyday life (Romans 12:10, 1 Timothy 5:10).

During the last supper Jesus gave his disciples of the one loaf.  This was a symbol of their oneness.  Christians in a collective sense are members of Jesus’ one body and are interdependent upon each other (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).  This oneness is also shown in the family relationships between Christians and their Lord; mothers, brothers, sisters in Matthew 12:50; husband and wife in Ephesians 5:25-27.

Jesus’ sacrifice has given us forgiveness of sins and a new life and a new relationship with each other.  This is our calling:

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”  Colossians 3:12-15

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At this season of the year, we want to turn our attention to our Lord’s death and sacrifice. 

We want to see the Passover picture and its concepts throughout the scriptures not only during the Memorial season, but all of the year because we live the reality every day.

1 Peter 1:13–21 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,  15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,  18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,  19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you  21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

We would like to focus on the phrase, “without mark or blemish”.

“Well you know that it was no perishable stuff, like gold or silver, that brought your freedom from the empty folly of your traditional ways [enabling you to be called].  The price was paid in precious blood, as it were of a lamb without mark or blemish – the blood of Christ.”  (NEB)

Question:

Discuss Jesus’s perfect human sacrifice.

• Why did his human sacrifice have to be perfect?
• How was his human perfection demonstrated?
• How precious does the value of his sacrifice make our calling?

Discussion Summary:

Verses 13-21 describe the Christian’s call to holiness by God the Father (verse 15).  This call can only happen once a sinner has been reconciled to God.  This reconciliation is possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus.  He paid the price for us.  “Through him (Jesus)…your faith and hope are in God (the Father).  Verse 21

Jesus’ sacrifice was “without mark or blemish.”  This is referring to the requirement of all the animal sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple.  The Israelites were not allowed to bring their old, sick or injured animals to be given to God. (As an example, see Exodus 12:5). These sacrifices were pictures of Jesus’ own sacrificial death.  (Hebrews 9:12)

The price of Jesus’ sacrifice was applied against perfect Father Adam’s sin.  This price “redeemed” or “ransomed” or “bought back” Adam and all of his children.  (Romans 5:19)  All people are in this sinful condition because of Adam and now all can be reconciled to God because of Jesus.  (Romans 3:24-26, Philippians 2:8)

We are told that Jesus committed no sin. (1 Peter 2:22)  Consider the following quote:

“Even a scholar as hostile to Christianity as David Strauss, after long meditations on the Gospel, recognized that the harmony of Jesus’ spirit was not the result of an inner crisis, but of the natural unfolding of the powers inherent in him. “All characters,” wrote Strauss, “purified by struggle and strong upheavals, such as Paul, Augustine, Luther, have preserved indelible traces of such struggle, their image breathes something harsh and gloomy. Jesus has nothing of the kind. He appears to us at once as a perfect nature, obeying only his own law, recognizing and establishing himself in his own consciousness, having no need to turn and begin a new life.”

The value of Jesus’ sacrifice is shown by John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son.”  The knowledge of the cost should engender in us a life of reverence toward God, “stand in awe of him (God the Father) while you live out your time on earth.” (1 Peter 1:17 NEB).

We are now called and able to reshape our lives, our characters, our beings (verse 14).  “For you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

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1 Thessalonians 5 ESV

1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.  6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.  7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.  8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.  9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.  11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,  13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.  14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.  15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  16 Rejoice always,  17 pray without ceasing,  18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  19 Do not quench the Spirit.  20 Do not despise prophecies,  21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.  22 Abstain from every form of evil.  23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.  25 Brothers, pray for us.  26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.  27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.  28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Discussion Questions

1)  In verses 1-11 Paul gives three metaphors to encourage the brethren, whether or not they die before the Lord returns:

• Birth pangs (verse 3)
• Night vs day (verses 4-7)
• Spiritual armour (verses 8,9)

What are the lessons of these metaphors?

2)  In verses 12 to 28, Paul gives a list of admonitions in order to be “sanctified completely” (verse 23).  How would these particular admonitions achieve that?

Discussion Summary

Question 1:

The metaphor of birth pangs spoke to the brethren in Thessalonica of the intensity of the trouble associated with the Day of the Lord as foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24:21,22.  The trouble would be a worsening, unstoppable process that would test all people.  The brethren were not to be surprised or dismayed by these events.

The metaphor of night versus day spoke to the brethren in Thessalonica of the attitude of heart they were to have prior to the Day of the Lord.  They were already to be children of that day.  They were not to be unprepared because of an attitude of sleep (discouragement) or of drunkenness (indifference).  These same attitudes were warned against by Jesus when he spoke of the Day of the Lord.  (Sleep – Matthew 24, 38,39, 49; Drunkenness – Matthew 25:5)

The metaphor of spiritual armour spoke to the brethren in Thessalonica that they would need and receive spiritual protection in order to endure to the end and receive their reward.  Faith and love would guard their hearts against discouragement and indifference.  The hope of their salvation would give them peace to withstand the troubles coming upon the world.

Question 2:

In verses 12-28, Paul is counseling the brethren in Thessalonica.  He knows that their persecutions would increase.  He knows that he will not always be able to reach out to them and help them.  He is building them up so that they can stand on their own without fear and question.  He points to the teachings, disciplining and shaping that all Christians receive when they meet together.

Verses 19-22 can refer to the gift of prophesying which was given to the early church.  As an apostle, Paul counsels the brethren to not deny utterances by the Holy Spirit given in such prophecies but to try to discern which are indeed given by the Holy Spirit and which come from human desires and thinking.  Earlier in verse 3, Paul had cautioned against those who were predicting “peace and security” because the Parousia (the coming of the Lord) was far in the future.  It is interesting to ponder which was the correct view.  Throughout the gospel age the attitude of expectation and readiness as given in the Holy Scriptures is the proper counsel.

Verses 17,18 give all Christians a practical way in which to be “of the day” neither asleep nor in a state of drunkenness.  Pray without ceasing.  If we give thanks for every small and large gift of God that takes place in our lives daily, we will develop the heart attitude that God is looking for in his children.

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At this season of the year we want to turn our attention to our Lord’s death and sacrifice. 

We want to see the Passover picture and its concepts throughout the scriptures not only during the Memorial season, but all of the year because we live the reality every day.

1 Peter 1:3–12 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,  9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,  11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.  12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

We would like to focus on the phrase “predicted the sufferings of Christ” (verse 11).

Question:

Discuss the sufferings of Christ as foretold in the Old Testament.

• What are the prophecies?
• Why did Jesus have to suffer in addition to giving his life?
• Why is an understanding of Jesus’ sufferings necessary for Christians?

Discussion Summary:

Verse 11 has been translated in two different ways:

• Predicted the sufferings “for” [on behalf] of Christ (See Rotherham translation).  This would refer to the sufferings of Christians as Christians.  An Old Testament prophecy that would have pointed to this suffering is Daniel 7:25.

• Predicted the sufferings “of” Christ.  This would refer to the sufferings of Jesus.  This reading is mirrored in 1 Peter 2:21-25 which speaks of the specific sufferings of Jesus.

Some of the Old Testament prophecies that foretold  Jesus’ sufferings are:

• Psalm 22:1,18
• Psalm 69:20,21
• Isaiah 50:6,7
• Isaiah 53  (We notice in this chapter that the emphasis is not on the details of the crucifixion, but on the opposition that Jesus endured during his ministry.  Jesus’ attitude of acceptance and non-retaliation is the primary focus of his suffering.)

Jesus’ sufferings produced three things in him:

• Perfection (Hebrews 2:10)
• Obedience (Hebrews 4:8)
• Sympathy for sinners (Hebrews 4:14-16)

An understanding of Jesus’ suffering produces in us the desire and ability to suffer “like him.”  He is our example.  (John 15:20, 2 Corinthians 1:5, Hebrews 12:4-11)

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1 Thessalonians 4 ESV

1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.  2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.  3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;  4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,  5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;  6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.  7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.  8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.  9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,  10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,  11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,  12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.  13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.  15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming [Parousia] of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Discussion Questions

What lifestyle behaviors was the Apostle Paul expecting the Thessalonian brethren to have?

What was the Apostle Paul’s end-time scenario that he shared with the Thessalonian brethren?

Discussion Summary

Question 1:

Paul is emphasizing the importance of a proper lifestyle to the believers in Thessalonica.  He calls this their “sanctification.”  Sanctification means to be set apart for holy service.”  Jewish priests could not serve in the tabernacle or in the temple if they were in a ritually impure condition.

Paul is not just commanding the believers to abstain from sexual immorality but to develop holy behaviour.  This even goes so far as to “live quietly” meaning that they should not aspire to greatness, but they should aspire to humility and to be content in the background.  Believers are answerable to God and he sees us at all times.

Other translations of verses 4 and 5 indicate Paul gave counsel to these believers on how they can live in holiness.  “…that each of you shall know how to procure himself a wife in purity and honour.”  (Weymouth translation)

Question 2:

Paul is emphasizing the Lord’s return.  This doctrine is mentioned in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians. 

Paul is adding to this understanding that was first spoken of by Jesus.  An example is Matthew 24:1-31, “And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”  These verses should be carefully read to note the timing of each event.

Jesus ‘s own death and resurrection led to not only greater understanding of this doctrine but it also led to greater faith in its fulfillment.  See 1 Corinthians 15.  “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”  (1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

The brethren in Thessalonica seem to have been shaken by recent deaths of Christians.  They had been expecting the Lord’s return to happen first.  They were trying to fit these deaths into the scenario of the Lord’s return.  Would those who die prior to his return receive their reward at Christ’s return or would they just be resurrected at the general resurrection?  Paul by revelation (verse 15) assures the brethren that those who died would be rewarded with Christ at his return.  They would be “forever with the Lord.”

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At this season of the year we want to turn our attention to our Lord’s death and sacrifice. 

We want to see the Passover picture and its concepts throughout the scriptures not only during the Memorial season, but all of the year because we live the reality every day.

1 Peter 1:1–2 ESV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

We would like to focus on the phrase “the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus”.

The calling of a Christian is “through the sanctifying action of the spirit, because of the obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.” (NEB)

In the Old Testament, once a sacrifice was slain the blood was then applied to different objects.  For example, it was sprinkled on the people during the inauguration of the covenant (Exodus 24:8), and it was sprinkled on the altars on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14, 18, 19). During Passover the blood was struck/brushed/smeared/wiped on the doorposts and lintels of the house (Exodus 12:22). 

Question:

Using this Passover picture, discuss how and why the blood was applied to us.

• When does this picture take place?
• What happens when the blood is applied to a person?
• Why do we say we apply it to the doorposts of our heart?
• In the antitype what is the difference between the lamb being slain and the blood being brushed onto the house?

Discussion Summary:

The Passover lamb’s blood was placed on the door frame of each family’s home.  Jesus’ death opened up an opportunity for all those willing to hear the word of salvation.  1 Timothy 1:10. 

The sprinkling of the blood refers to justification, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, a cleansing of our hearts from sin and the legal relationship we now have as God’s children.

Jesus’ blood is applied to us when we “believe in him” (Ephesians 1:13) and as we continue to “hold fast our confidence [in him]” (Hebrews 3:6).  We can then “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22).  Other implications of this application of the blood, such as the Mediator, the Law Covenant, the New Covenant, and the Holy Spirit’s work in us are found in a close reading of Hebrews 8-10.

The Passover blood was not “sprinkled.”  The word is translated in different ways – many times as simply as “put on.”  Other times as “strike,” “daub,” or “smear.”  In its basic sense it is pointing to the fact that it is not enough that Jesus died for our sins.  Through belief we have to accept that full forgiveness.  The translation of the word “strike” in Exodus 12:22 reminds some of the heavy cost of that blood – Jesus’ crucifixion.  To others the word “strike” conveys the powerful act of faith that is needed to truly believe in Jesus as our Saviour.

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1 Thessalonians 3 ESV

1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Discussion Questions

For what purposes did Paul send Timothy to Thessalonica?

In verse 10 Paul says that he wants to supply what is lacking in the brethren at Thessalonica.  Some have called verses 11 to 13 a prayer by Paul for the Thessalonian brethren.  What did this prayer reveal about what the brethren were lacking?

Personal Application:  How should we apply this prayer to ourselves?

Discussion Summary

Paul was concerned about the state of the Thessalonian brethren.  Unable to visit them, he sent Timothy (2 Timothy 2-5) to find out how they were doing and report back to him.  Paul was in considerable suspense and worry until at length he heard back from Timothy.  To Paul these brethren were his babes, a relationship that is often used between teachers and congregation (1 Peter 2:2).

Being a believer is much more than just joining a church.  Paul wanted to see if these new believers were still standing firm and were not agitated by their troubles.  He wanted to see if they were increasing in love.  He wanted to see if their change of heart condition was being maintained.  He wanted to see if his ministry continued to bear fruit.

Once Paul was assured by Timothy that they were doing well spiritually, he praised them and gave thanks to God for their condition.  He then pointed out areas that they needed to continue to hold fast in:  Love for each other, prophetic understanding and holy living.  Their love (4:9) and their prophetic understanding (5:1) were being maintained and could be added to which he will do in chapter 4.  Paul will also give them counsel as to their lifestyle which needs to be holy and blameless.  They had begun to change their lives but needed to be “sanctified completely” (5:23).

The question for us is:  Are we building and maintaining our faith every day?

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Luke 12:35–40 ESV

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Discussion Question

We have three distinct but related pictures in these verses.  The first is of servants waiting for their master to return.  The second is a master who turns himself into a servant and the third is of a homeowner whose house is broken into.  What do these three pictures teach us about the Lord’s return?

Discussion Summary

Verses 35, 36:  It is difficult for modern people to relate to the role and responsibilities of servants/slaves in the classical world.  This level of watchfulness and attention seems to be centered on the unique celebration the master was returning home from – a wedding, perhaps even his own. 

The servants were to remain awake throughout the night which reminds us of the call to action that the Christian is to respond to.  Ephesians 5:14.

The servants were to have their clothes gathered and belted so that they would be ready to work.  This reminds us of how we wear the spiritual “belt of truth” enabling us to be engaged in God’s work.  Ephesians 6:4.  Just like soldiers are always dressed in uniform, with their clothes properly buttoned and tucked in so that they are in a mental state of energetic readiness.

The servants were to keep their lamps burning reminding us that we are to keep our inner lamps burning for others.  Matthew 5:14-16.  We are also to be engaged in the study of God’s word.        Psalms 119:105.

Verse 37:  Jesus is portrayed as a servant in Isaiah 42.  It is a very striking image to think that Jesus would be serving his people instead of the other way around.  It is a special honour and reward to his faithful servants.  At Jesus’ return he invites his faithful ones to a celebratory supper, the marriage feast of Revelation 19:9.  But in this passage in Luke we see a slightly different picture as shown in Revelation 3:20.  This is related to John 14:3, “I will come again and take you to myself.”

Verses 38-40:  Jesus is here portrayed as a thief breaking into a house unexpectedly.  The emphasis is on the unexpected time of the break-in.  Therefore, the homeowner has to be ready at all times.  This picture is also referred to in 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

 We note in Revelation 3:3 a slightly different idea in that returning like a thief is in punishment for not watching properly.

The question for all of us is:  What do we do on a daily basis to show our readiness?