Bible Notes for 19th October to 16th November 2014 by Barrie Morley

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CONGREGATION AT THESSALONICA

Introduction 

When Paul, the missionary apostle,  brought the gospel to Europe,in response to a vision of a man from Macedonia saying' Come over and help us',  he was able to work first in two strategically important cities, Philippi, (see the lectionary readings for the last few weeks) and then Thessalonica.  Thessalonica was a mega city, and capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.  Paul soon ran into the opposition that dogged his work, (on this occasion from Jewish opponents of his proclamation that Jesus was the Christ), and had to move hastily on to Beroea.   His two letters to the new church at Thessalinica are both encouragements and also an attempt to correct some wrong ideas about the Parousia or Second Coming of Christ.  In particular the question of what happenes to believers who have already died, before the return of Christ.  Questions about the future life, the triumph of God, a proper understanding of the future reign of Christ are always relevant.  Down the years they often have often moved higher up the agenda of many believers during a time of renewal or revival in the Church.

Another reason for Paul's two extant letters was to encourage this new congregation in the face of serious local opposition.  Dr. Ivor Jones (1) believes that this opposition was of the sort which often follows people who convert from a majority faith practised in their local setting.  Paul uses the Greek word Thlipsis which can be translated 'pressure' or 'affliction' or 'emotional/mental distress', several times in his letters to Thessalonica.     According to Acts  17, a great many 'god fearers' i.e. Gentiles interested in the Jewish faith, had abandoned their interest and turned instead to the faith of Christ. 

There may also have been anxiety in the Thessolonican assembly over the coming judgement of God - especially as some of their number had already died, before the expected return of Christ.
Pressure, difficulties, even persecution are tragically common for Christian minorities in parts of the world today, not least the Middle East, and here in the U.K. we know 'pressure' from the unthinking assumptions about life style, and a lack of understanding of the Christian minority which the secular majority often display.  

The Thessalonian letters are particularly important because they are believed to be the earliest of Paul's New Testament writings, and offer a glimpse of the issues which the earliest Gentile Christians faced.  

FOR WORSHIP AND PREACHING. 

It might be helpful to keep in mind Paul's themes of coping with pressure,  fear of judgement,  what the final triumph of Christ means when we preach and worship.  If different 'pulpit voices' can identify these themes week by week it will offer some continuity of teaching in Groups/Circuits/Benefices week by week.  Almost certainly todays believers will be facing their own pressure and distress, and the doubts which go with them.

October 19th - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 

Before we look at any problems which the congregation at Thessalonica may have had, it is worth noting the appreciation and affection Paul shows them in the first part of his letter.

This congregation accepted the Gospel despite 'affliction' and showed great faith, hard work, and steadfastness.  We get the impression that Paul found the Thessalonians a forward outpost for the spreading of the message of Christ.

POSSIBLE SERMON MATERIAL.    How steadfast are we in our difficulties?  How focused on spreading the Christian message?

October 26th - 1 Thessolonians 2:1-8  

Paul assures doubting Thessalonians that his work among them was not in vain, and that he and his colleagues were trustworthy ambassadors of Christ.

Sometimes Paul faced criticism from the Christian congregations he had founded, (e.g. at Corinth), and often from his non Christian opponents, as here.   In ministry I often found that people made assumptions which were incorrect, made judgements on a limited understanding of a situation, and then proceeded to judge and criticise.  The 'bruises' and sleepless nights followed.   However, few of us face the pressures which Paul faced.  Pastor H.H. Hobbs (2) noted that when Paul first introduced the Christian gospel into Europe he faced huge opposition.  Did he then return to Asia hoping to find more comfort and safety in his work?  He did not - he pressed on.   As I prepare this my mind goes to Canon Andrew White, a leader of the Christian minority in Iraq, and I am humbled and amazed at this man's courage and faithful love.   There is pressure in following Christ, and there is pressure in Christian service and leadership.

POSSIBLE SERMON MATERIAL.   Could we use this passage to challenge congregations (and ourselves) to be understanding and supportive of Christian leaders in the pressures which all true servants of Christ experience?

November 2nd - 1 Thessolonians 2:9-13 

If some of the pressure Paul was under since he had come into Europe was the charge of dodgy motives levelled at him by Jewish critics, then here in this passage he defends himself by showing how hard he and his fellow missionaries had worked.    Perhaps they had supported themselves, (Paul was a tent maker by trade), and then in the time available after that hard work, had preached and encouraged believers. 

And what was their style of work and leadership?  It was the gentle, caring work of a nurse (v7) and a father (v11). 

THOUGHT.  Is the leadership and pastoral care in our church characterised by the gentle caring style of a parent or a nurse?

November 9th - 1 Thessolonians 4: 13-18 

I remember visiting the sight of an old monastry beside the sea in Lancashire, and gazing at the empty stone coffins which had once held the mortal remains of the monks who wished to be buried, facing East, ready for the resurrection of the dead described in this passage.    We may smile at such literal interpretations of Scripture and 'quaint' customs.  Very few Christians today would worry about having their bodies buried facing East.   However the other word pictures Paul uses in this passage still divide believers.  The description of the  Lord appearing in the air, and his people all flying up to meet him, is thought by many to be either pre-scientific or at best picture language.  On the other hand, millions of believers continue to hold that it is prophecy which ought to be taken literally.  It's not so long ago that I saw a bumber sticker which read,  'in case of Rapture - please inform Police of this empty vehicle'.

One thing we may all agree on is that Paul is looking ahead to the New Creation, rather than a spiritual existence in heaven.  Bishop Tom Wright (3) has done much to challenge the Greek idea of immortality of the soul, and bring us back to the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, with a new heaven and, importantly, a new earth.  

The Thessalonian believers were working on an ultra short time scale. They expected the immanent return of Christ.  Therefore the  death of some of their number before this, filled them with questions and anxiety.  Paul reassures them that for both the living and the dead in Christ - all will be well.   Isn't this all we can say,  'In the beginning God - and in the end God'?   This is one of the basic messages of the Bible.  Genesis speaks of things being started by God, and Revelation points to a future where God will finally bring His plans to fruition. 

POSSIBLE WORSHIP AND PREACHING THEME.

The Thessalonians' faith and hope had been shaken by the death of some of their number.  Today our faith is tested not only by the long time scale of God's final triumph, but by the ongoing streength of evil and suffering.  Can we offer people hope, not in the how and when but in the reality of God's final triumph?

A devout Christian man, greatly used as a help to others, once strong and agile,  is now aged and ill, and trying to care for his wife.  He typifies many others whose early hope (just like the Thessalonians) is challenged by problems which come with time.  Paul's confidence that 'in the beginning God and in the end God' applies not just to the Parousia but to our own lives when problems and disappointments come and early hopes are challenged.     Can we encourage people whose faith is under pressure during today's worship?  

November 16th - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 

The Thessalonian concern with dates and times is mentioned, but Paul refuses to speculate on the date of the Day of the Lord.   Instead he encourages them to be vigilant.   He is concerned that these believers live their lives in a truly Christian way, a way which contrasts with the worst of the culture which surrounds them. 

QUESTIONS.  As time passed by some early believers began to ask,  'Where is the promise of his coming?'

How do we ourselves keep our enthusiasm for the Christian life when there seems little to get excited about?  How do we encourage others to do so?

Do we live as people of the day or of the night?

Barrie Morley    October 2014

NOTES

1.  The Epistles to the Thessalonians     I.H. Jones   Epworth Commentaries     2005

2.  1-2 Thessalonians   H.H. Hobbs  in Boardman Bible Commentary    1971

3.   Surprised by Hope   N.T. Wright