(1 Th 2:1)  For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

· Paul and the others had came to Thessalonica on his second missionary journey, and stayed there only 3 weeks, but in that time had started the church there.

(1 Th 2:2)  But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

· Just before they came to Thessalonica, they had been in Philippi, and had been in jail there, and the jailor and his family had been saved.

· Note that they trouble they had in Philippi did not sway them at all against continuing to preach in Thessalonica.

(1 Th 2:3)  For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

(1 Th 2:4)  But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

· It may be easy to trick men, but God is one who will not be tricked.  God knows our hearts even better than we do.  He sees our motivations in what we do.

· I must examine my heart - what is my motivation for teaching?  I must look carefully, to see what God sees.  Am I trying to please men or God?

· Tell me, is there anything you do to help others, or plan to do?  Why do you do it?  Dig deep - what are the motivations you have, whenever you help others?  Are you trying to please men or God?  A litmus test may be taking a look at how you feel, how you react, when praised for your work.

· We need to pray for God to purge any selfishness from any work we do.

(1 Th 2:5)  For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness; God is witness.

(1 Th 2:6)  Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

· If Paul had been selfish in his labors, he probably could have been successful, because of his position.  People can be seemingly successful because of position, personality, power, etc., but in reality it means little unless it is done to please God.

(1 Th 2:7)  But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

· Christians are to care for those they help with the same love and passion as a parent would for thei own children.

(1 Th 2:8)  So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

· Here is the secret of how to successfully teach others about God - do not merely teach them the facts, but give your lives to them.  Give them your time, be available, be involved in more than just the material and the teaching time.

(1 Th 2:9)  For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

· Paul and the others were paying for their keep by preaching.  They were being paid to preach.

(1 Th 2:10)  You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

· Wow.  Paul and his crew had been so on target with what God wanted in their lives, that they could make this claim, that with the Thessalonians they had been devout, just, and blameless.

(1 Th 2:11)  as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

(1 Th 2:12)  that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

· This was Paul's goal with the Thessalonians - that they would get to the point where they would walk worthy of God.  In 3 weeks he could not have left them in that state, but this was Paul's goal for them - nothing less than perfection.  This was Jesus' stated goal for his disciples - Matt 5:48  "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

· This should be our goal for ourselves - perfection.  Not making excuses, but being disheartened with each sin, with each word that comes out impure, with each thought against His will, and with a determination with God's help to avoid that in the future.  We will never be perfect, but what is our goal?

(1 Th 2:13)  For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

· What is this word we hear, we read?  Truth.  From God.  With power.  May we never have a small view of God's word.  May we always be in awe of it as if we heard it from the lips of God directly.

(1 Th 2:14)  For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,

(1 Th 2:15)  who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

(1 Th 2:16)  forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

(1 Th 2:17)  But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

(1 Th 2:18)  Therefore we wanted to come to you; even I, Paul, time and again; but Satan hindered us.

(1 Th 2:19)  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

(1 Th 2:20)  For you are our glory and joy.

· Here is the fulfillment, the culmination of giving to others - they truly become our source of glory and joy.  So much that not being able to give would remove our glory and our joy.

(1 Th 3:1)  Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

· "We" is probably Paul and Silas.  What was it they were "enduring"?  The inability to be in Thessalonica working with and encouraging them in the midst of the afflictions (vs 3) they had been facing.  These are afflictions Paul had even warned them they would face these (vs 4).  Paul felt they had been appointed to lead and minister the Thessalonians (vs 3), so they needed to be fulfilling their duty.

(1 Th 3:2)  and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

· Note that Paul was in Athens when he sent Timothy (vs 1), but had moved on to Corinth from where he wrote this letter.

(1 Th 3:3)  that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

(1 Th 3:4)  For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

(1 Th 3:5)  For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

· There are few things more disappointing than when you have given your time and your heart to help someone draw closer to God, and they made good progress, and you later go to see them, and they have fallen away from the faith, or had just not sought any more to have a close relationship with God.  Paul sent Timothy (vs 2) to check on them and to encourage and build them up in their afflictions.

(1 Th 3:6)  But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you;

· Timothy had returned to Paul and Silas in Corinth.

· How refreshing (and comforting - vs 7) was the news from Timothy!  Verse 5 shows their concerns, but the church was still going strong.  Plus, they still had strong affection for Paul and Silas.

(1 Th 3:7)  therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

(1 Th 3:8)  For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

· "If" is really "Since".  Paul is saying their lives were refreshed by hearing of their standing fast in the faith.

(1 Th 3:9)  For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

(1 Th 3:10)  night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

· What passion they had to build up others in the faith.

(1 Th 3:11)  Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

· Paul was hoping they could make it back to Thessalonica, but they never did.

(1 Th 3:12)  And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

(1 Th 3:13)  so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

(1 Th 4:1)  Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

· Notice the affection Paul has for the Thessalonians, and how earnestly he wants them to do what pleases God.  Because of his great love for them, he wants them to succeed, and the only real success is when they are doing what pleases God.  Paul was unwilling to accept anything less from them.

· The Thessalonians were already known abroad for their good works, yet Paul is encouraging them to excel even more.  We should never be satisfied with where we are at with God, we should always be pushing hard to improve, as the athlete to strives to be the best (1 Cor 9:24, Phil 3:14).  What do you see when you see an athlete who doesn't work that hard, vs. one who works really hard?  What do you see when you see a Christian who doesn't work that hard, vs. one who works really hard?

· Note that Paul is exhorting them to excel in pleasing God, even though he considered himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15).  It is okay to exhort others in their walk even though your walk is not what it should be, for it never will be (Rom 3:23).  Every person is depraved (Rom 3:10-18), yet every person can be forgiven (Rom 5:8-9).  We all need to put sin behind us and press forward toward the goal of the call of Christ (Phil 3:12-14).

· Note that, although we are sinners still sinning, we can please God!  That shows, with God's mercy and grace, His great forgiveness and love for us.  Know that even though you still fail God (for you can never be free from sin), you can still please God.  You can be a person who pleases God by your walk with Him.

· Paul had taught them how to walk and please God.  How can we do this?  Learn what His Word says to do, and do it.  Many of us have heard what to do, as the Thessalonians had, but have not put it into our lives.  What gives us the ability to do this?  "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15), and as a result, love to others (see vs 9).  And we have the power to love through His Holy Spirit (vs 8).

· We need to learn what God says in His Word about: finances, sexual life, and our roles as a husband/wife, father/mother, son/daughter, neighbor, employee, etc.

(1 Th 4:2)  for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

(1 Th 4:3)  For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

· See notes on vs 5. There was a strong influence on the Thessalonians towards sexual impurity, because it was such a strong and regular practice in the city, and possibly in their earlier lives as well.

· Sanctification means we have been set apart for God. It's a work of the Spirit of God. Types of sanctification:

1. "Positional sanctification" means that we are never accepted because of who we are, but because of what Christ has done. This positional sanctification is perfection in Christ.  As soon as we become a Christian, we become sanctified in Christ - our position is different than those in the world.

2. "Practical sanctification" is the Holy Spirit working in our lives to produce holiness in our walk. This practical sanctification will never be perfect so long as we are in these bodies with our old sinful flesh.

3. "Total sanctification" will occur in the future when we are conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. Then both the position and the practice of sanctification will be perfect.

· This verse is encouraging us to have practical sanctification - our lives are different than those in the world.  Doing God's will (walking as we ought and pleasing God - vs 1) is what sets up apart, what sanctifies us.

· "Perversion" means to turn something away from its natural state, and as we interpret that, the state that God designed us to live in.

· "Sexual immorality" is anything that causes the physical or thought life to dwell where it shouldn't.  You can usually tell this by the piqued interest, focus, and distraction on anything not in its natural state, the way God designed it to be.  This means men need to avoid the things that temp them, and women need to avoid being seducing or distracting (as much as practical, while still being attractive), knowing that men too easily are affected by looks.

(1 Th 4:4)  that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

· How are we to treat sexual temptations?

· Prov 6:20  My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.

· Prov 6:21  Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.

· Prov 6:22  When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.

· Prov 4:11  I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

· Prov 4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

· Prov 4:13  Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

· Prov 4:14  Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.

· Prov 4:15  Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.

· We are to keep out mind and body sanctified, honoring to God.  We need to know how to do that, and do it.

(1 Th 4:5)  not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

· All around these Thessalonian believers were the pagans who combined sex and religion.  Sex was a religion among the Greeks.  In ancient Greece sex was often done in religious ceremonies in groups - orgies. The word "orgy" comes from the Greek word "orgia" meaning "secret worship". Most secret worship involved sexual rituals.  There were many orgies throughout the year as celebrations in the religion of the Greek gods.  Interesting that they sought God, but they did not know God.  Many of these Christians may have been involved in these sexual rituals in the past, and now needed God's grace to focus on Him and what He wanted instead, and to avoid wanting to go back to be involved in those rituals.

(1 Th 4:6)  that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

· Sexual immorality doesn't just defraud the woman you see or touch, it also defrauds her husband.

· But sexual immorality, as with any sin, has a much broader reach than just those directly affected.  Children are affected, whether they ever know about it or not.  And it's not just the physical immorality, but the mental, too, that affects your children.  Even if no one knows about it.  God promises sin has penalties.

· Exodus 34:7  "who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."

· And what a warning!  God will take vengeance against you!  Be forewarned!

(1 Th 4:7)  For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

· Paul's prayer for them (vs 3:13) was that their hearts would be blameless in holiness before God.

· You cannot be involved in sexual sin and at the same time be used of God.

· 1 Pet 1:13  Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

· 1 Pet 1:14  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

· 1 Pet 1:15  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

· 1 Pet 1:16  because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

· How can we fight temptation, avoid sin, and be holy?

1.            See sin as God sees your sin.

2.            Recognize your tendency towards sin.

3.            Openly acknowledge your sin.

4.            Willfully choose against your sin.

5.            Repent of and forsake your sins.

6.            Ask for and accept God's forgiveness.

7.            Ask for God's grace to prevent temptation from coming near.  Trust God to work with you.

8.            Ask for and accept God's grace to overcome temptation.

9.            Plan ahead of time ( like police do) what you will do when tempted.

10.          Know that God ALWAYS provides an escape route, and shows it to you (1 Cor 10:13).

11.          Don't go near temptation.  When you see it, run away.

12.          Realize sin ALWAYS has consequences (see list above).

13.          To resist it, praise God, sing to God, recite memorize Scripture.

14.          Don't make excuses (like no one is perfect, God will forgive me, no one sees it, etc.).

15.          Realize at times you will fall.  Repent quickly (the quicker, the more mature).

16.          Once you repent, know what you are clean before God, but also know you are not free from the consequences.

17.          If you are able, find someone to share your struggle with, and to ask you tough questions.

(1 Th 4:8)  Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

· Many reject the pristine Christian standards for sexual purity, and reject Christians themselves for having these standards, yet those who reject it are not rejecting man's opinion, but God Himself!

· The Holy Spirit is what gives us the power to walk and please God, otherwise we would not be able to.  We need to trust God, not our own strength, to get us through temptation.  Give the situation to God, let Him have control.

(1 Th 4:9)  But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

· Pure love defeats all sin, and all sin is the result of a lack of love.  (Discuss - is this true?)

(1 Th 4:10)  and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

· Again, like verse 1, he encourages them to increase more and more, to not be satisfied with status quo.

(1 Th 4:11)  that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

· 1 Tim 5:13  And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

· "Mind your own business" - compare being a busybody or gossip to being truly concerned about your brothers and sisters in Christ.  God does call us to reprove, and tells us how to go about it.

· 2 Thess 3:14-15  "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, ... admonish him as a brother."

· Why work?  It is commanded (vs 11), but also it pleases God (Col 3:23-24) and so we can help others in need (Eph 4:28).

· Some made excuses not to work, looking for the second coming of Christ.

· Apparently these things continued to be a problem, for Paul addresses them again (2 Thess 3:10-13).

(1 Th 4:12)  that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

· "Lack nothing" - the riches we have in Christ (1 Cor 4:8, 2 Cor 6:10).  Every true need is met, so we lack nothing.