Bible Study – Legacy – A Legacy of Love – May 27,
2012
This is our final lesson in our series entitled “A
Lasting Legacy.”
Our scripture is Acts 17:1-4; 2Corinthians 5:14-15;
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10.
The Greeks had four (4) names they used to describe
love:
Agape – Self giving love that does not demand or
require love to be returned.
Philia – Brotherly love.
Eros – Erotic love.
Storge - Family love like a parent’s love has for his/her
child.
The love that GOD and CHRIST have for humans is
agape love. CHRIST gave HIS life for all who will believe in HIM. HE had no
guarantee that anyone would believe in HIM. However, GOD allowed HIS only Son
to come to earth, live as a human, give HIS life to pay the penalty for sin, conquer
death as evidenced by HIS resurrection and ascension.
GOD knows all things from beginning to the end. But
HIS knowledge does not predestine humans to do certain things. HE knows what
they will do before they do it.
CHRIST left HIS Glory in heaven and willingly came
to earth. HIS motivation was love. John 3:16-17 sums it up – “For God loved the
world •in this way: He gave His •One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did
not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the
world might be saved through Him. The world was already condemned. CHRIST gave
HIS life to redeem the world. That included all who will believe upon HIM and every
molecule that created the world. All of nature had to be redeemed and it will
be fully redeemed with the formation of a new heaven and a new earth at the end.
HE was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted. HE
remained sinless. HE gave HIS life on the cross to pay the debt for sin. HE was
buried and GOD raised HIM from the dead as proof that HE conquered both sin and
its consequence, death. JESUS received HIS Glorified body, which will be like
the glorified body all Christians will receive at the second coming of CHRIST.
HE ascended into heaven and took HIS seat at the right hand of the Father. GOD
placed all things into HIS hands, including judgment. Why did HE do this? It
was because of love, agape love.
Trying to describe love is very hard to do. Think
about it, “How would you describe love?” Attempting to describe the love of GOD
and CHRIST (agape love) is like trying to describe a beautiful, fragrant, thorny
rose to a blind person with no sense of smell. The blind person can touch and
taste but he/she can also come into contact with the thorns, the leaves and peddles.
If the blind person receives his/her sight and smell, then he/she can begin to explore
the various aspects of the rose. We are blind to Spiritual matters before we
accept CHRIST as our Savior. We try to figure out what being a Christian is all
about but it is impossible. However, when we accept CHRIST as our Savior on faith,
our Spiritually blind eyes are open to truth and we begin to explore. It is a
lifetime of exploring through the process of sanctification and the renewing of
our minds by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
In preparing this lesson, I had to examine myself.
Do I fully comprehend the agape love of GOD/CHRIST? I do not. However, the
Apostle Paul makes it clear that when you do, you will be compelled to share
the Good News with everyone you come in contact with. The Apostle Paul will
give us some clues in comprehending the love of GOD/CHRIST and what it does
when we do. Let’s explore.
Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:
14 For Christ’s love compels us, since we have
reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. 15 And He
died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but
for the One who died for them and was raised.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth.
In verse 14, he used the word “compels.” The Greek word used for “compels” can
be translated as “constrained” which carries the idea of a person being walled
into a narrow corridor that forces him/her to go in one direction. It is not a
bad force but a good force because you know it is the correct direction because
you are fleeing sure destruction and going toward salvation.
What compels Christians? It is CHRIST’S love. Is it their
love for CHRIST or HIS love for them? It is both. Why? CHRIST loved us and died
for us when we were sinners. Before we became Christians, we had no thought of
what HE had done for us and did not care. We were dead to that knowledge and
dead to a personal relationship with CHRIST. Once, we receive HIM as our Savior,
we began to comprehend HIS great love for us. The instant we accepted HIM as
our Savior, HE made us eternally alive through the miracle of rebirth.
CHRIST gave HIS life for all who will believe in
HIM. It is hard for Christians to fully comprehend what that means. We can only
comprehend what CHRIST did for us in light of what we avoided. Paul was trying
to get the Christians in Corinth to comprehend and understand in their hearts
the depth of this love relationship. It is not a relationship that comes
through head knowledge but it comes from experiencing CHRIST through a personal
relationship and walking with HIM each moment.
When we met the person of our dreams and fell in
love with him/her, we dated. This led to marriage. As we built a relationship
together, we discovered certain characteristics about our spouse, both good and
bad. This discovery leads to either a closer relationship or highlights things
that need to be worked upon or some combination. When we work together, on the
things which need to be worked upon, this leads to a more intimate, loving
relationship.
CHRIST gave HIS life for every person who has ever
lived and will ever live. Some believers were looking forward to the cross and we
are looking back on the cross. The sad thing is that not everyone will choose
CHRIST as their Savior. GOD gave every person the freewill to choose. The Holy
Spirit will work in the hearts of every person to woo them into seeing the
truth in CHRIST. Never-the-less CHRIST gave HIS life for all who will believe
in HIM. It is a free gift but as with any gift, we must reach out and accept
it. HIS gift is eternal life. When we experience life it is difficult for us to
comprehend what it means to have eternal life or to comprehend eternal death.
The Bible reveals the consequence of eternal death, which is Hell.
Those who can embrace what the love of GOD has saved
them from should respond with a compelling desire to obediently live for HIM
and be willing to share this Good News with others. They will be compelled to
reveal this truth to others as led by the Holy Spirit.
This scripture establishes the foundation that
catapulted Paul into the tireless passion to present CHRIST to all and
establish churches where possible. We see this in our next scripture.
Let’s read Acts 17:1-4:
A Short
Ministry in Thessalonica
1 Then they traveled through Amphipolis and
Apollonia and came to Thessalonica,a where there was a Jewish
•synagogue.
2 As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,b
3 explaining and showing that the •Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.”c
4 Then some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a great number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a numberd of the leading women.e
2 As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,b
3 explaining and showing that the •Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.”c
4 Then some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a great number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a numberd of the leading women.e
The Apostle Paul, Timothy and Silas traveled through
the cities of Amphipolis (am FIP uh lihs) and Apollonia (ap uh LOH nih uh) and
ended up in Thessalonica. Doctor Luke remained in Philippi.
The question arises why didn’t they stop in Amphipolis
and Apollonia? I think Doctor Luke, who wrote Acts, gave the answer. There was
a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica. In order for a Jewish synagogue to be
established in an area, there had to be at least ten (10) Jewish men interested
in establishing a Jewish synagogue. This could mean that the Jewish population
in the first two cities was sparse. Paul being a Jew wanted his fellow Jews to
know that the Promised Messiah had come.
Paul and Silas left Philippi and made the 100 mile
trip on the Via Egnatia to Thessalonica, a thriving city for commerce. It was
about a day’s journey from Philippi to Amphipolis and another day’s journey
from Amphipolis to Apollonia. Then it is another day’s journey from Apollonia
to Thessalonica.
As usual, Paul went to the synagogue for three (3)
Sabbaths. Why did he choose to go to the Jewish synagogue? The Jews knew the
scriptures and were looking for the coming of the Promised Messiah. Paul knew
that the Jews in the synagogue should be open to the message of CHRIST. Paul
was a Jew and a Pharisee. He knew the scriptures and he taught the scriptures.
Knowing the scripture, applying the scripture and experiencing HIM are vital
for any teacher to be able to teach Spiritual truths to others. Teaching must
transcend head knowledge. A teacher must have heart knowledge based on the
leadership of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Paul presented CHRIST as the promised Messiah, HIS
life, death, resurrection and ascension. Some who listened to Paul over these
three (3) Sabbaths accepted CHRIST as their Savior – Jews, Gentiles and leading
women. It is interesting and refreshing to know that the women in this society were
present and carried such influence.
Paul, Silas and Timothy established a church in
Thessalonica. It was a short visit because Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica
as recorded in Acts 17:5-10: (Satan will do all he can to prevent the gospel
from being spread. The Christians that remained were persecuted as we will note
in Paul’s letter to them.)
Riot in the
City
5 But the Jews
became jealous, and they brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace,
formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they
searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly.f
6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the •brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,
7 and Jason has received them as guests! They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees,g saying that there is another king—Jesus!”h
8 The Jews stirred up the crowd and the city officials who heard these things.
9 So taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them.
6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the •brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,
7 and Jason has received them as guests! They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees,g saying that there is another king—Jesus!”h
8 The Jews stirred up the crowd and the city officials who heard these things.
9 So taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them.
The Bereans
Search the Scriptures
10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea.i
On arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scripturesj daily to see if these things were so.
12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that God’s message had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and disturbingk the crowds.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothyl stayed on there.
15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.m
11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scripturesj daily to see if these things were so.
12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that God’s message had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and disturbingk the crowds.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothyl stayed on there.
15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.m
Paul and his team went from Thessalonica to Berea.
Those upset with Paul found out where he had gone and they went to Berea. Then
fellow Christians in Berea escorted Paul to Athens. In the mean time, Paul sent
Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the church they had established there.
Timothy reported back to Paul which prompted two letters to the Christians in
Thessalonica. Some Bible scholars think his first letter to the Thessalonians may
have been Paul’s first letter to any church.
This leads us to his first letter to the
Thessalonians based upon Timothy’s report back to him.
Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10:
Thanksgiving
2 We always thank God for all of you,
remembering you constantly in our prayers.
3 We recall, in the presence of our God and Father,f your work of faith,g labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,h
4 knowing your election,i •brothers lovedj by God.k
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit,l and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among youm for your benefit,
6 and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the messagen with joy from the Holy Spirit.
7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedoniao and Achaia.p
8 For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faithqr in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,
9 for they themselves reports what kind of receptiont we had from you: how you turnedu to God from idolsv to serve the livingw and truex God
10 and to waity for His Sonz from heaven, whom He raised from the deada—Jesus, who rescues usb from the coming wrath.c
3 We recall, in the presence of our God and Father,f your work of faith,g labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,h
4 knowing your election,i •brothers lovedj by God.k
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit,l and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among youm for your benefit,
6 and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the messagen with joy from the Holy Spirit.
7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedoniao and Achaia.p
8 For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faithqr in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,
9 for they themselves reports what kind of receptiont we had from you: how you turnedu to God from idolsv to serve the livingw and truex God
10 and to waity for His Sonz from heaven, whom He raised from the deada—Jesus, who rescues usb from the coming wrath.c
Paul began with a gracious introduction. He assured
them of their constant prayers. They did not just plant a church and forget
them but they constantly recalled their work of faith, labor of love and endurance
of hope. Faith leads Christians to work as the Holy Spirit leads and guides
them to obediently serve GOD. Paul used the words “Labor of love.” Labor
implies a more strenuous or intense effort than work. The strenuous effort was
the result of agape love for CHRIST and HIS love for them. It encompasses the
things Christians do that often are not appreciated. Agape love does not demand
recognition or appreciation in return for strenuous labor. Paul referred to “the endurance of hope in our
LORD JESUS.” This type of hope is not wishful thinking but it is hope built
upon the foundation of trust in CHRIST. It is a hope that looks beyond current
circumstances and focuses upon what lies ahead because of one’s faith in
CHRIST. Because of the strong faith of the Christians in Thessalonica, their hope
resulted in endurance.
In verse 4, Paul used the word “election” which
means they were chosen by GOD. Most of you know my favorite verse in Ephesians
1:4 -For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and
blameless in His sight.
The foreknowledge of GOD allows HIM to know what
lies ahead. Foreknowledge allows HIM to know who will make a decision on their
own to accept HIS provisions for salvation. I believe this foreknowledge gives
special protection to those who are to receive salvation – Hebrews 1:13-14 - Now to which of the angels has He ever said:
Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool ?i Or enemies a footstool for Your feetj ; ; ; ; ; k
14 Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?l
Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool ?i Or enemies a footstool for Your feetj ; ; ; ; ; k
14 Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?l
Satan would love to prevent every person that would
receive CHRIST as his/her Savior to not exist. Just think of your bloodline.
Your birth as a human is a miracle because if certain ancestors in your
bloodline were annihilated, you would not exist. GOD’S love held you in HIS
heart and mind until you were born. HE has a plan and a purpose for your life. You
might ask, “What about those HE did not protect?” JESUS said of Judas, who betrayed
JESUS, “It would have been better for him not to have been born.”
Paul continued in verse 5, that the gospel they
preached was not mere words but were words with power. The words they presented
were powerful because they were backed up by the power of the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit confirmed the truth in their hearts and by the witness of those who
brought the gospel to them. Those who presented the gospel also lived lives
that confirmed the gospel. Do our lives confirm the gospel?
In verse 6, Paul acknowledged that the Christians in
Thessalonica put their faith in CHRIST into action. They became imitators of
Paul and his team by spreading the gospel even in face of severe persecution.
They reached out to people in Macedonia and Achaia
(uh KAY yuh). This was an area of several hundred miles. They shouted the
message of CHRIST every place they had gone. Paul had nothing but praise and no
criticism.
Are we eager to tell others the message of CHRIST
where ever we go as GOD provides the opportunity? When we fully comprehend HIS
great love for us and what salvation really means, I believe we will. We need
to keep in mind that Satan will do all he can to discourage and defeat. But
remember, “Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.”
Christians need to ask themselves, “What kind of Spiritual
legacy are we leaving?”
The Thessalonians looked upon Paul and his team as
role models. Christians are role models whether we like it or not. Blessings!!!
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