Bible Study (6) - Authentic (6) - Doing Life Together in CHRIST - 1 Thessalonians 5:4-15 - May 19, 2024

 

Bible Study (6) – Authentic (6) – Doing Life Together in CHRIST – 1Thessalonians 5:4-15 – May 19, 2024

Our focus scripture is 1 Thessalonians 5:4-15.

Believer’s share and experience life in CHRIST together.

When we place our faith in JESUS, a miracle takes place quicker than the twinkle of an eye. GOD’S Spirit immediately joins with our human spirit, and we are born-again. The union of GOD’S Spirit with a human spirit result in a person’s eternal birth into GOD’S eternal family. GOD confirms this union with the Gift of The Holy Spirit and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

GOD gives all born-again believers Gifts to minister in HIS vineyard, earth. We dwell in GOD’S vineyard for the purpose of sharing the Good News of Salvation through faith in JESUS THE CHRIST.

All “born-again” believers are upon earth to share the Good News of Salvation with others. They are to help teach and help those who are or will be Spirit-born to grow and mature in CHRIST.

Paul was eager to share the Gospel with others and desired to see all grow into Spiritual maturity.

The Apostle Paul knew that JESUS had told HIS disciples that HE was coming back to earth at a future time. Christians then and today are anxiously waiting for the return of JESUS and the rapture of all Christians form earth to Heaven to be forever with GOD and JESUS.

It is believed that the Apostle Paul was referring to himself in 1 Corinthians 12:1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

When a person experiences something out of the ordinary and especially when it is in the Heavenly realm, it is clear in the person’s mind what took place but often difficult to express.

Paul saw things that he could not put into human words. I have a friend that was pronounced dead after an accident who went to Heaven. He could not put into words what he saw. Why? He said there were no human words for him to use to explain what he saw.

Paul told the Thessalonian’s about the second coming of JESUS as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[e] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[f] one another with these words.

Paul gives all who are born-again complete hope in JESUS – those who have died and those who are alive when JESUS comes.

Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:8:
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The instant those who have been born again will immediately be in the presence of GOD/JESUS when he/she dies physically.

Paul’s message to all of us, who know the truth, is to share this truth with others. In today’s world is an excellent time to share this Good News with others to be eternally born into GOD’S eternal Family.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3:

5 About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. ³ When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Paul is writing to those in the family of faith. Thus, as we read on, he refers to those who are born-again as brothers and sisters. When we have been Spirit-born into the family of faith through our accepting JESUS as our Savior, we belong to GOD. We are GOD’S Children. Thus, brothers and sisters in CHRIST, thus, Family!

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8:

 ⁴ But you, brothers, and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. 

As Children of GOD, we are light to those living in darkness. We are hope to those seeking to know the way to eternal life though faith in JESUS. Are we compelled to let the Spiritual light we have in JESUS shine to displace the darkness that shrouds our world today. We are the light and hope to those who are dying and have lost hope.

Be a Beacon to all facing the storms of life. JESUS said in the latter days there will be those who will attempt to deceive even the elect. This is why, we who know the truth must abide in truth, which is CHRIST in us, the hope of Glory. Colossians 1:27:
God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

GOD, in HIS wisdom, placed the Holy Spirit into jars of clay (human body), truth for us to share with others the Good News, the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS.

Exhortations and Blessings

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11:

⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Once a person is born-again, he/she is eternally a Child of GOD. It does not matter whether the person is alive upon earth or has died, he/she is eternally alive. We who are alive upon earth are to share with others the Good News of Eternal Salvation through faith in JESUS.

Once saved, always saved but for some it may be like as recorded in 1 Corinthians 3:¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

Yes, once saved, always saved but how we live following salvation determines our eternal rewards. We who are alive still have time to ask GOD to help us to be obedient to HIS commands and willingly obey HIS commands.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15:

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you^[a] in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle,^[b] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

Paul is urging those who know the truth of salvation to recognize and understand that they have been given a precious eternal truth through faith in JESUS. This truth is not to be hidden but shared. The Holy Spirit brings to all who receive salvation the guarantee they are GOD’S Child and are encouraged in their walk with JESUS.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22:

 ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Don’t stifle the Spirit. ²⁰ Don’t despise prophecies, ²¹ but test all things. Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away from every kind of evil.

We who know the truth of salvation, through faith in JESUS, are to let our gospel light shine in a world that is dark. We, who know the truth, are light to others who are living in darkness, brought about by Satan and his followers.

I recall the time my son and I went Spelunking (Cave exploring) with the Boy Scouts. We were traversing a steep rock wall. We all had flashlights mounted on our hard hats. As I was about to go around a corner on the wall, I thought this would not be a good spot for my light to go out. But guess what? It did and there was momentary total blackness until the person behind me came around the corner and his light gave me enough light for me to continue around the next corner until I got to a safe place to get my light working again.

Folks, this is what life is all about, helping each other to dispel darkness as we journey through life. All of us will experience dark times in our lives.

DO NOT STIFLE THE SPIRIT BUT WELCOME AND USE THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU TO SERVE UPON EARTH.

We who know the truth are to let our light shine before others who are in darkness. We are the light. LET IT SHINE BECAUSE OTHERS DEPEND UPON IT.

If you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins. You can do so now. Dear JESUS, I am a sinner and I need YOUR forgiveness for my sins, and I ask YOU to forgive me and for YOU to come into my heart now. I believe YOU willingly gave YOUR sinless life for me to be Spiritually born into GOD’S Eternal Family, never to be unborn. Thank you for giving me eternal life and confirming it with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to grow Spiritually as I continue to journey through life. Reveal YOUR truth to me as I read and study the Bible. Guide me to those who can help me grow Spiritually. Amen.

Ask GOD to lead you to a Bible teaching and believing church where you can grow Spiritually. Having fellowship with fellow believers is especially important.

Many who receive this study know that I attend Morningside Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC. We currently are praying for a pastor and trusting our LORD will call the right Pastor to our church. While we seek and wait, we pray and trust.

Come worship with us. Our staff is leading us as our LORD leads them by delivering GOD’S message in worship and music. To GOD BE THE GLORY, with thanks, to a loving, caring and praying congregation.

Blessings!!!