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Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 1 * PART 4 * BOOK 42
I Thessalonians 1:1 – 2:14
Now let’s continue on with I Corinthians chapter 11 with this admonition from the apostle Paul to follow him. You know, everybody’s got the idea that we have to walk in the footsteps of Jesus but Paul doesn’t teach that. We follow Paul, who follows Christ. So actually yes, Christ is preeminent in our life – not Paul. Christ is the one who died for us, not Paul. But Paul is the one who has been commissioned to be our apostle. And it’s through his writings that we have the Word of God for Church Age believers. Now let’s jump back in where we should have ended in I Corinthians chapter 11, verse 1.
I Corinthians 11:1
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
Now the next time he says it is in Philippians chapter 3, verse 17. And you know I’m always stressing the apostle Paul did not have an ounce of conceit or egotism. Philippians 3:17-19
We’re now ready for verse 7. Let’s read verse 6 again to just pick up the flow.
I Thessalonians 1:6-10
Remember Greece, in Paul’s day, was divided into two states, Macedonia to the north and Achaia down to the south.) 9. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, (and this is the verse we covered in our last half hour) and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;(that was the response of love) 10. Now let’s go on the chapter 2 of I Thessalonians and verse1.
I Thessalonians 2:1
From the Jewish element, who hated everything Paul was doing, as well as from the pagan element who, of course, had nothing to do with Christianity. Between Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea and on down to Athens.
14. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timotheus abode there still."
Which was with the deputy (governor, the ruling individual) of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man (a Roman, a Gentile) who called for Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear the word of God."
Now let’s go on to verse 8.
Acts 13:8
So right from the very beginning of Paul’s missionary ministry to the Gentiles, he has opposition from the Jewish people from start to finish. Here comes these Jews from Jerusalem, seemingly having religious authority, and they bombard these poor earthly Gentile believers with " Well that’s all well and good as far as Paul went, but he didn’t go far enough. Believing Jews! Well said! Because that’s what legalism does, it just shackles people, puts them under fear and superstition. I Thessalonians 2:5-8
"For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: (the apostle Paul never came into a city with the idea that he was going to see how much of their money he could get before he left. Never! I Thessalonians 2:9
"For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable (or put in debt) unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God."
Isn’t that right? If you’re a true man of God, you should be able to live off of the tithes and offerings of God’s people. Now verse 10.
I Thessalonians 2:10
I Thessalonians 2:11
Do you see what a love he had for these pagan people? Remember they were pagans, they had just recently been offering offerings up to the gods and goddesses of the pagan world. Now verse 12.
"That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, (underline that next portion) ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,…"
Whenever we quote a Scripture, or make a doctrinal statement that people could just sit up and say, "Boy, now that’s God speaking!" Reading verse 13 again.
I Thessalonians 2:13
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, (every thing he spoke to these pagan was understood to be the Word of God) which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
See the unbelieving world can never accept the Word of God whether it’s in this Book or in your mouth or mine. But people of faith can immediately recognize the truth. Now verse 14.
I Thessalonians 2:`14
"For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: (now don’t let that throw you a curve. That simply means that the same God who began the work with Christ’s earthly ministry, and the assemblies there in Jerusalem, had now gone on to the places where Paul was sent to the Gentiles. It’s the same God.)

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