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 Ac 20:4; Php 4:16; 1Th 1:1; 2Tm 4:10 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 Ac 8:35; 9:20; 13:13-14
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 Lk 24:26; Jn 20:9; Ac 3:18; 9:22; 18:28
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 Lit as well as not a few 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 Ac 17:13; Rm 16:21; 1Th 2:14-16
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 Lk 2:1; Rm 1:32; Eph 2:15 saying that there is another king—Jesus!”h Lk 23:2; Jn 19:12
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 Ac 17:13-14; 20:4 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 Isa 34:16; Lk 16:29; Jn 5:39 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 Other mss omit and disturbing the crowds.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothyl Mt 10:23; Ac 15:22; 16:1 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 Ac 18:1,5; 1Th 3:1

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 Php 4:20 your work of faith,g Rm 3:28; 9:32; Gl 2:16; 5:6; 2Th 1:11; Heb 6:1; Jms 2:14-26; Rv 2:19 labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,h Ac 15:26
4 knowing your election,i Mt 24:22; Eph 1:4 •brothers lovedj Jn 3:16; Rv 12:11 by God.k Dt 33:12; 2Th 2:13
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit,l Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; 1Co 2:4; Gl 5:25; Tit 3:5; Rv 3:22 and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among youm Ac 20:18; 1Th 2:10 for your benefit,
6 and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the messagen Heb 4:12 with joy from the Holy Spirit.
7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedoniao Ac 16:9 and Achaia.p Ac 18:12
8 For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faithq Or in every place news of your faithr Gl 2:16 in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,
9 for they themselves reports Lit report about us what kind of receptiont Ac 17:1-9 we had from you: how you turnedu 1Pt 2:25 to God from idolsv Gn 31:19; 1Co 8:4 to serve the livingw Dt 5:26 and truex Jn 4:23; 1Jn 5:20 God
10 and to waity Jd 21 for His Sonz Heb 1:2 from heaven, whom He raised from the deada Mt 17:9; Jn 5:25—Jesus, who rescues usb Mt 27:43 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 Jos 10:24; Ps 110:1; Mt 22:44; Mk 12:36; Ac 2:34-35; Heb 10:13k Ps 110:1

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!!!