 Good morning everyone. Welcome to the New Testament Survey BC 103. Today we're going to study on 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. Before we could start, can I request one of us to lead us in prayer? Brother Subashish, would you like to lead us in prayer? Yes, Pastor. Thank you. Let's pray. Loving Heavenly Father, once again, Lord, we thank you so much for this beautiful day, Lord. Thank you for speaking to us, Lord, from this morning also, Lord. Lord, Lord, as we are going to learn from New Testament, Lord, I pray that you bless the pastor. Bless each one of us, Lord, so that Lord, we will be able to grasp what Lord you want to communicate this morning. Lord, once again, I thank you for everyone, those who have not yet joined. I pray that Lord bless them so that they will also join quickly and we will be able to learn together as a team. Jesus, when I pray, amen. Amen. Thank you, Brother. Well, we had given you all some assignment for the online students. Request you all to please submit your assignments on time. Even if you're delayed, they would be a certain percentage of marks been deducted, but then I would encourage all to please submit your assignments. With that, we will start with this today's session to letter to the church at Thessalonica. So who was the author of this letter? Who was the author of this letter? Yes, Brother. Thanks so much. Yes. Yes. Who was Apostle Paul? Who was the author of this letter? So Paul started the church at Thessalonica and he wrote this letter to the believers there within just few months of leaving that place. So we see that in the book of Acts in chapter 17 verse 2, we see Luke has recorded that Paul preached for three Sabbath days to the Jews in the local synagogue. So that says about three weeks. But then there are most scholars who believe that Paul would have spent about three years because rather than three years, rather than three weeks with the Thessalonians, because you would have been there long enough to receive one or more offering from the church of Philippines. So Paul's ministry in Thessalonica obviously touched not only Jews, but Gentiles as well. So many Gentiles in the church had come out of idolatry, which was not a particular problem among the Jews of that time. So we see that in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 9. Can I request one of y'all to read? Rosalind, if you're okay, you can or Zellie, John Paul, am I audible? Yeah. Yes, Pastor, you're audible. Can you repeat the word? Yes. Chapter 1 verse 9. First Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 9. For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Amen. So we see Paul's ministry at Thessalonica has touched many souls, not only Jews, but also Gentiles. So Paul writes this first letter to the church at Thessalonica saying from the city of Corin, he writes around 51 AD, just few months after having been priest at Thessalonica on a second missionary journey. So upon leaving Thessalonica under a threat or a pressure, Paul, Silas and Timothy travelled to Athens by the way of barrier. I'm just trying to summarize the whole story before we could study the purpose or the very features, the unique features and other details. So when Paul Silas and Timothy travelled to Athens by the way of barrier, after a short time in Athens, Paul felt the need to receive a report from this newborn church at Thessalonica. So he sends Timothy back to serve and minister to the new believers there. So Paul wanted to check on the state of Thessalonians fate for fear that false teachers might have infiltrated their number. So Timothy soon returned with a very good report prompting Paul to write the first Thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers. We see that in chapter 3 verse 6 saying that, 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 see you. That's a wonderful report to receive from a young church. So Timothy reports include excess of sorrow over the departed saints. We see that in chapter 4 verse 13 saying that, but I do not want you to be ignorant brethren concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest your sorrow as others who have no hope. We also see, you know, later part chapter 21 we see that some of the false accusation there and many stopped to stop to work talking about the eschatology that is the end times and there was a danger of immorality in chapter 4. We see that and there's a division in the church and despising of oversight. So this is what it states in first Thessalonians and we will also get to learn about Silas, a new leader whom the disciples have selected. So Silas was a leader in the early church, a fellow missionary with Paul. And he was a faithful brother. This is what Peter describes the Silas because Silas had the opportunity to serve alongside with Paul and Peter. So to look at his family background Silas, he was an Hellenist and a Jew who was also a Roman citizen. We see that in Acts chapter 16 and Acts chapter 16 also says that he is also referred to as Silvanus. So his full name was Silvanus and maybe in short they tried calling him Silas. We see that in Paul's epistle in chapter 1 verse 1 you see Paul, Silvanus and Timothy it has been addressed as Silvanus. So Silas and Silvanus are the same person. So we first, we met Silas in the book of Acts, Acts chapter 15 verse 22 to 32. We see that he was a leader and a teacher at the Jerusalem church and after the Jerusalem council, Silas was chosen to help communicate the council's decision at the church of Antioch and along with the apostle Paul. So after that we see Paul set out on a second missionary journey and then they had a clash with Barnabas. So Barnabas takes John Mark and heads a different direction and we see Paul takes Silas and moves ahead and later Timothy joins Paul and Silas in their second missionary journey. So what happened? On this journey we see Paul and Silas travelled to Greece and at Philippi the missionaries were arrested, beaten and imprisoned. So Paul, Silas were in the prison but about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them. We see that in Acts chapter 16 verse 25. So what happened? God then miraculously released them and the jailer having witnessed their faith asked them, Sir, what must I do to be saved? So we see that Paul and Silas answered, believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. We see that in Acts chapter 16 verse 30 to 31. So the jailer that night received Jesus as the Lord and Saviour just not him but his whole household. He and his family were all baptized. So what happened? The fact that the prisoners were singing and listening to Paul and Silas. And look at the attitude of Paul and Silas. They were singing in midst of their circumstance, in midst of their trial behind the bars. They were singing. This is not something that we should skip or take it lightly but we need to look at the very attitude that they carried within them. And it turned out to be a blessing. So as a follower of Jesus Christ, we do have people watching us how we react in our life's circumstance. So if Paul and Silas had been gripping or protesting or whining about the injustice of their situation, the jailer would have never been drawn to believe in the Lord Jesus. It's not just the jailer but even his household. But then they responded to their situation gracefully and with joy. So their action completely changed the whole atmosphere. Why? How could they do it? Because they had the Lord Almighty within them. They had the Holy Spirit within them. They believe that they are the salt and light as stated in Matthew chapter 5. Others had their hearts open to the gospel. And later part we see Silas and Timothy ministering at Barrier in Acts chapter 17. We see Silas spent extra time in Corinth. Look at the heart of walking more than a mile. Being there for the believers, equipping them, ministering to them despite the time and season. Silas spent extra time in Corinth ministering after Paul left that city. So Silas served with Peter as well. We see that when we read the book of Peter. In fact, he is taught to have delivered the epistle of 1 Peter to his recipients. So what we see here when we look at Silas, his lifestyle. Yes, we always get to read or hear more about Paul and Peter. But there were other disciples also who served alongside with Paul and Peter. Like Stephen, a man was full of spirit and he was the first martyr. And now we get to study about Silas. Very soon when we study on 1 Timothy, then I will share about Timothy. These are the people who had a good character who have developed a good character who served faithfully. And they stand out to be a great example for each of us. They use their gifts to serve the Lord and others with all their heart willingly. So we see that in the letter Apostle Paul called Silas as faithful. And he was known as one who encouraged and strengthened the brothers in the church. He had the gift of encouragement. No matter how small or how big the gift that God has put in each one of us. Are we willing to serve the Lord in the area that God has called us? Among the people whom God has assigned us to. So there were multitudes in the early church. They always blessed by the ministry of Silas and Paul and Peter and the other disciples. And Silas was an inspiration that we can draw from this letter how we can serve people in the church with all that we have. With that I will move on with the background, few more background details about first and second Thessalonians. I've just combined both the letters together. So in Paul's second missionary journey Paul and Silas had received a call from Macedonia to preach the gospel at Macedonia. So they immediately responded and went to Philippi where they were beaten and put in the prison as we saw in the summary. So shortly after the release from the prison they decided to leave that place under pressure of the young church. So after leaving Philippi they came to Thessalonica. We see that in Acts chapter 17, 1 to 10. So Paul followed his normal custom which our place he went. He first went to the synagogue of the Jews. And we see that there was an open door in the synagogue for about three weeks. And as some scholar believes that Paul could have stayed there for more than three weeks, about three years. We are not sure about it. So Paul had this usual two-fold reaction in that quite a number of people were persuaded and believed. But those who were not persuaded and did not believe stirred up a riot against Paul. So the mob that had been created came against the household of Jason where it was believed that the Christians were meeting and brought Jason before the magistrate with false charges. So because of the pressure of the situation Paul and Silas were smuggled out of the town by night and went to barrier where they continued to minister. So what we see here, if from one place you face an opposition, let not the gospel stop there. Move out, look out for a new place to share the word. We have people everywhere and you know the gospel, the good news need to be reached. So we need to take that bold stand. Nothing should stop the word of God. So eventually the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica came to barrier learning that Paul and Silas are there. And what did they do? They stirred up the crowd against Paul and Silas there. Again from barrier Paul was forced to leave and now Silas has joined. So what happened? Paul says, sorry Timothy has joined Paul. So Paul tells Silas and Timothy, you all stay here and build the church. I will move out of barrier. So Paul moves to Athens where he ministered in the marketplace while he visited Paul and Silas to rejoin him there. So in 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 1 to 2 we see that Timothy evidently joined Paul at Athens long enough after Paul to send back the Thessalonica to help ground this new work. So Paul did not stay at Athens for long. He eventually went on to Corinth where he started a business and partnered with Achila and preached in the synagogue. We see that in Acts chapter 18. So Silas and Timothy eventually rejoined Paul again at Corinth. Timothy gave Paul a good report of what was happening in the church at Thessalonica even though they were facing quite a bit of persecution for their faith. Then we see the follow up to the church at Thessalonica. Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to help establish and strengthen the work. Can I request one of us to turn to chapter 3 verse 1 to 5? 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 1 to 5. Anita, would you like to read? Lea Lama, Aradhana, anyone in the class? Yes please. So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be lived by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and coworker in God service and spreading the gospel of Christ. Who strengthen and encourage you in your faith so that no one would be uncertain by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. Is it chapter 3 verse 1 to 5? 1 to 3 actually. Okay 1 to 3 you read, yes I pointed to this. 4 to 5 please. In fact when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted and it turned out that way as you will know. For this reason when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain. Amen. Thank you brother. So what we see here Paul sent Timothy back to the Thessalonica to establish and strengthen the work wife. Because of the problem that they may face and to strengthen their face to encourage them and to establish them in the work. We also see when Timothy returned and gave this report to Paul, Paul wrote to follow up on the report. The report had two emphasis that Paul addressed. First one he commanded them for their faith in the face of adversity. And the second one we see that Paul corrected some problems that were prevalent in the church. With that we also see Paul wrote the second letter to the church just a couple of months after the first letter. Paul may have looked in on the church briefly at the end of his third missionary journey when he circulated among the churches of Greece. So what was the purpose of this letter? I'm sure each of y'all would have gone through the notes that have gone through the purpose, the features, the unique features, the theme, the key verse, isn't it? So can one of y'all please look into your notes and tell me what was the purpose of this letter? So we see that Paul had received a report from Timothy regarding the condition of the church which was very evident. And yes, there was a positive that report and also it also had a negative aspect. So on the positive side, the believers in the church at Thessalonica had been very faithful under the pressure of the persecution. So that was the positive side. And let's look at the negative side. The negative side was there was few problems that Paul felt the need to be addressed. We did not ignore the problems. We addressed them immediately. So what did he do? Paul felt the need to defend some of his actions like how we can conducted himself among them. In chapter 2 verse 1 to 16, we see that why he was not with them and why he sent Timothy because the Jews who were against Paul came up with their own stories and they started, you know, causing problem to Paul. So he is trying to defend the believers in the church by giving them the reason, the right reason. So Paul felt the need to admonish them regarding the areas of their Christian behavior at the same time. So what was it? There were three areas at the addresses that is sexual purity. In chapter 4, we see that chapter 4 and also in chapter 5 talks about the brotherly love, treatment of the church leaders. We also see Paul felt the need to correct them in doctrinal areas relating to afterlife and the second coming of Christ. So Timothy most likely delivered this letter to the church. So to that we will look into the theme of this book. What was the theme? The central theme of both first and second Thessalonians is the second coming of Christ. So in every chapter in this book contains at least one reference to this subject. The word coming, which is in Greek means parausia occurs seven times. So Paul was counteracting with some false concepts that people had regarding the second coming. There were those who were suggesting that Christians who died in faith would not have the same glorious experience of Christ return. So they would miss out. We see that in first Thessalonians chapter 4. So Paul let the people know that the second coming will not be quite an event. Those who die in faith would not miss out. He also explains it to them saying Christ will return with a loud shout and Archangel will make a similar commotion with a loud trumpet sound. That dead in Christ will rise first and then those who believe who are alive on earth will ascend with them to meet the Lord in the air. And we will live together with the Lord forever. We see that in chapter 4 verse 13 to 17. Yes. And we also see that they were those who were suggesting that since Christ return was imminent, there was no need to stay engaged in work. So Paul, you know, he voices out for that. The challenges that will happen. Till Jesus comes continue to do what you're doing and not to stop your work. We also see in first Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 18 says therefore comfort one another with these words. Comfort one another with these words. So he's encouraging to focus on the relationships of the second coming of Christ in relation to the believers. So this book sees the comfort side of the second coming. And also the second Thessalonians focuses on the relationship of the second coming of Jesus in relation to the unbelievers. So this book sees the judgment side of the second coming. We see that in second Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 7 to 10. Can I request one of you to read? Can we read? Yeah. Second Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 7 to 10. And to give you more trouble rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. And he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who believe because our testimony among you was believed. Thank you. Thank you, John. So what we see here they're focusing on the relationship of the second coming of Christ. In relationship to the unbelievers. So this letter focuses more on the judgment side of the second coming of Christ. So what are the other themes that we see in this book? The three key word of the biblical Christian experience. We see that in first Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 2 and 3. We see that we give thanks to God always for you all making mention of you in our prayers remembering without seizing your work of faith, labor of love and patience. Your work of faith, labor of love and patience. So what we see faith, hope and love. So these are the key words we see in first and second Thessalonians. So faith occurs about 13 times in this letter in both first and second Thessalonians and hope occurs five times and love occurs eight times. All commends the believers at Thessalonica for three things. First is their work of faith in first Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 3 to 9. It talks about the work of faith seen in these believers was they're turning from the idols, they're turning to God in the face of persecution and their joy in the Holy Spirit. And the second one we see that the labor of love, the labor of love seen in these believers was the willingness to serve the living God and all that it means. And the third point we see that is their patience of hope. This is the area that Paul sought to strengthen each one of us. Their hope was to wait for Christ's return and the prospect of deliverance from wrath to come. So these words we're seeing in relation to each other in the New Testament. We see that the key chapters about faith, hope and love with the other scriptures as well. For example, we see about faith in Hebrews 11 where the chapter talks about the heroes of faith. And in Romans chapter 8 we see the hope, the patience of hope. And in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 we see where Paul talks about the labor of love. And also we see Paul talks about the same thing, a labor of love in Galatians chapter 5 verse 5 to 16. So most of his letters addresses certain issues and talks about he encourages the believers in faith, hope and love. So in this letter we see the emphasis on the deity and exaltation of Lord Jesus Christ. So in Acts chapter 17 verse 2 to 3, can we turn to Acts, book of Acts chapter 17 verse 2 to 3. Acts 17 verse 2, then Paul, as his custom was, went into them and for peace have it's reason with them from the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and to rise again from death, saying, this Jesus who might reach to you is the Christ. Thank you, thank you John. So what we see here, the emphasis on the deity of Lord Jesus Christ, he exalts his name. Note, the name of Jesus occurs 54 times in these 8 chapters. In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, he has mentioned it as Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Jesus Christ and Jesus. So he is exalting the name of Jesus and is giving him all reverence. And what are some of the unique features of this book? Paul gives us a good look at the spirit of truth and false ministry. In 1st Thessalonians chapter 2, he addresses some issues like the qualities of the false ministry, the error, unclean, deceitful, man pleasing, flattery, covetousness, seeking praise of men and demanding. He tries to address all these areas with how? If there's an error, the true ministry is about gentleness. If there's unclean, the true ministry is about loving. If we face deceitful, the true ministry is selfless. If we are man pleasing, the ministry is all about hardworking. We need to be devoted. We need to be blameless. We need to be just friend of God. So these are certain things that Paul addresses in this letter. Paul also goes ahead and teaches this church how to face adversity. Maintain, how to face adversity in different areas. And he encourages the church believers or the believers and the saints in that church to maintain, be an example in affliction. And your testimony is stronger because of what you are going through. And he also encourages them by saying, maintain your boldness and do not fear what men can do to you. Maintain your faith knowing that affliction is part of your destiny as believers. And as he encourages the church, even we today, go through similar kind of situation in our life, in our church, in our ministry and hear these letters encouraging us. Be an example. Be bold. Do not fear. Have faith in Jesus. And God will take care of those who trouble you. Take it to God in prayer. And also be encouraged that endure it. Being focused on Jesus' return, on Christ's return, you will find rest. And in the letter of 2 Thessalonians, he introduces us to the Antichrist. We see that he is seen as the man of sin, the son of prediction and lawlessness one. He will perform lying signs and wonders and he will deceive many who will worship him as God. And he will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ, not long enough. You will see the destruction on him when the second coming of Christ is. We see that in 2 Thessalonians 2 verse 8. Verse 8 he says that, then the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming, a man. So endure things till the coming of the Lord. So what did we learn from these 2 letters? What did we learn from these 2 letters? Anyone in the class? What was our learning from these 2 letters? What was the learning? Yes, our learning is to be encouraged during trial. Yes, Brother Lubeika, please go ahead. I think one of the learning we get from Pastor and 2 Thessalonians is to wait for Jesus Christ passionately. Passionately doing the right thing as we wait for him. Thank you Pastor. Thank you. Thank you Lubeika. Yes, we need to be encouraged to be strong in faith. Yes, we need to wait for the second coming of Christ with an expectant heart. Keep yourself prepared. Live your life every day remembering that Christ return his at hand. So our anticipation of Christ written should not keep us from living lives in a responsible manner. So if we don't understand scripture correctly, it will affect how we live our lives. So I will live you with 2 reflection questions. Can we examine ourselves and ask is our hope in Christ written changing the way we live our life? I repeat. Can we examine ourselves and ask that is our hope in Christ written changing the way we live our life? And the second question, are we disciplined and self-controlled? Is it evident in our life that may be contagious for others to follow our lifestyle? As Paul states, be an imitator of me as I imitate Christ. The best example or the best way to share the good news with others is when we live our life in that way. Can we take this time as we study this letter of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians to examine ourselves? Are we living our life in worthy of Christ coming? Yes, it is not easy. There would be challenges but then His strength is much greater in us. When we look at Him, we can draw His strength and try to change our life. It is a process. I am not saying we should be perfect. Yes, it is a process. Sometimes we fall as believers we fall but then we have a God who uplifts us. He encourages us. He allows us not to give up but then move ahead because He is a faithful God. He is holding us, not we, to give up that easily. But then when we hold on to Him, we will draw the strength and we will overcome our temptation. We will overcome our challenges in life and move ahead with the hope that the anticipation of Christ written is at hand. With that, we will conclude this letter and I request one of us from our class. If you have any questions or anything that you would like to share, please feel free. If not, we can request one of you all from our class to end this session with a word of prayer. Do you all have questions or is there anything that you would like to share about these two letters? Please feel free. Okay. Can we conclude with a word of prayer? Zellie, can I request you to pray? Is there some problem with the mic? I will pray first. Yes, yes, John. Please go ahead. Father, we want to thank you for this kind of learning. Thank you for speaking to our hearts of God. We pray as we continue to live our life in this world. We pray that we would have an attitude of submission towards you as we wait upon your second coming and we pray a lot that we would have that hope inside our hearts that we would be able to reveal the extensive hope to people alumnus, those who are in hopeless situation of God. We pray that we would watch ourselves and guard ourselves as we prepare this coming days for Jesus. Thank you for Pasindayana enabling her to share your word and we pray of God that we would be able to reflect your goodness in the days to come of God. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you Paul. Thank you John for praying. Thank you. Let's see in tomorrow's class. Thank you. Good bless. Have a great day.