THE CHURCH WITH THE RIGHT STUFF 52.2

FIRST THESSALONIANS SERIES—

Pastor/Teacher Charles E. Whisnant

THE CHURCH WITH THE RIGHT STUFF

Series No. 52.2

THE PREACHERS NAMED: VS. 1

IB "Paul". Just Paul
2B "Silas". Leader in the Jersualem church. Acts 15:22, Acts 16:37. Roman Citizen, Prophet. Silas joined Paul following Barnabas leaving with Mark.

3B "Timothy". Converted in Lystgra, Constant companion of Paul. Writer of several NT books

THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED

IB "Unto the church" <1577>. Ekklesia, Gr. term. Related to eklogen "elect". The term is local, and "called out ones." The term has the meaning of "God's elect called out from among the world." Acts 19:39. Assembly of believers. Then it came to mean an congregation which meets for worship, in a location. The result of been summoned you have an elect congregation.

1. Here ekkleia is used to describe the early gatherings of believers in various geographical locations.
2. The term is two fold, An event of the assembling (world­wide) of God's people, and it is also a particular local "church," congregation": or assembly."
3. The Book of Acts, this new community of God,, this congregation appeared as a part of salvation history on the day of Pentacost.
4. The early fellowship of believers became the "church" in the local geographical sense (Acts 5:11; 8:1,3; 11:22, 12:1; 16:5 and 20:17) Paul used the term 60 times. Paul wrote to local assemblies. (Corinth, Galatia, Thess. etc.)

2B "In" <1722> the Father <3962> and in the Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>."

1. "IN" This was to distinguish them from the Jewish synagogues, or any other association in Thessalonica. This group is an elect church, being in Christ, they are in a spiritual organic union with Christ. (Branch and Vine) They "live" in Him, having a living participation with the very life of God (John 15) and the live of Christ.


2. "In Christ" a term Paul uses a lot. Gal. 2:20. "He in me and I in Him." In God, In Christ, In the Holy Spirit, (vs 6). 2C

PAUL'S CHRISTOLOGY.

1. "JESUS" {lesou} Saviour. Matthew 1:21. "Messiah His humanity and "Jehovah saves."


2. CHRIST" {Christo}. To anoint. Messiah, Anointed One, Chosen One.


3. "LORD" {kurio} used by the Romans in emperor-worship. Paul's view of Jesus Christ was not as the current view was, but as the Risen Christ, and Lord of his life. Creator, Redeemer, and one who rules us.


4. "IN" as a prep, {en} employed to denote a close personal relationship [Rom 8:9; Gal. 2:20] The Christian is to live and act "in" the sphere of his or her relationship with God. The believer stands firm "en kurio" I Corin. 15:58. Both in The Father and In Christ.

3B "Grace <5485> be unto you, and peace <1515>, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

1. The church did not bring forth truth, truth was giving to the church by God's mouthpieces.
2. "GRACE" {charis} favour shown to one who has no claim upon it. Its the kindness of God's heart or some operation of that kindness. Eph. 2:8-10


3. "PEACE" {eirene} the result of grace. Health, well-being, wholeness, spiritual prosperity. Its inward harmony and well-being been produced by the Spirit of Grace. John 14:27, Phil. 4:7.

4B "We give thanks <2168> always for you all, making mention <3281> of you in our prayers".

1. "WE GIVE THANKS" (eucharistoumen), pres tense stresses the continual action of giving thanks.


2. "ALWAYS" (pantote) to GOD (theo) (there is no capitals in Greek.) When you come up in our remembrance, we always give thanks to God for you. "the direction of the memory to some particular object." Maybe a prayer list, daily to pray for


3. "ALL" Paul encircled them all.


4. "MAKING MENTION." Rom. 1:9, Eph. 1:16, Philm 1:4.
   Every time they engaged in prayer these converts came into mind.


5. "GIVING THANKS" The best thing you can do is to give thanks to God. You might have though giving meant money? But to make our money work for God, it has to be given with thanksgiving. Same when we pray, prayer is only effective with God, when prayer is offered up with thanks. Eph. 5:20, Col 3:17, 1:2.

THIS CHURCH WAS AN ELECT CHURCH vs 4.

How does Paul know?

Can Rivers of Joy Baptist Church be an Elect Church!

Footnote: The numbers show the numbers in the Strongs.

This message was preached last at the Rivers of Joy Baptist Church August 2008

Photo: Myself, and Bill Aldridge, our Deacon at the church.