Epaggelia

During the 1st century, the city of Thessalonika was a major port city of Greece on the edge of the Aegean Sea. The Roman proconsul of the northern region of Greece was seated in Thessalonica (appx pop. 1 million). During Paul’s life, it was likely the second most populated city of Greece being larger than Corinth but not Athens. It was a key hub of the ancient Egnatian Way, a major Roman trade route between eastern & western cultures. It was not a new city, established for over 3 centuries before Paul arrived. Today we have artifacts proving a mint operated there, and from an inscription the word “POLITARCHES” has been found, being the same word Luke uses to describe rulers in Acts 17:6.  What is the first thing Luke observes about Thessalonica?

How many sabbaths was Paul able to preach & teach in Thessalonica?

What word is used to describe Paul’s preaching & teaching in Thessalonica?

What two things did Paul need to convince the Thessalonians about his good news?

1. _____________________________

2. _____________________________

Which two groups of people were receptive to the good news Paul brought?

Whose house did the “mob” assault?

What were the two charges brought against receptive brethren?

What did the brethren do quickly with Paul in the cover of darkness?

What can Christians today learn from the way the Holy Spirit used Paul’s presentation of the gospel in Thessalonians?

1:1-10

Depending on which version you use, there are three words which may need attention, “Silvanus” v1, and Achaia & Macedonia v7-8. Silvanus is another form of the name Silas, mentioned by Luke in Acts 17 where the Thessalonians are introduced to the gospel. Achaia & Macedonia are north and northwestern regions of modern day Greece, culturally these people loved philosophy, foreign trade economics & agriculture. Their recent history had seen the fall of the Alexandrian Empire, they were proud of their culture because it’s language had infiltrated the cultures of other countries, forming the base of communication for the New Testament.

How are the new Christians in Thessalonica described in v1, v4, v6 and v7

__church_______________

_____________brethren_______

_____followers_____________Heb. 6:12, Eph. 5:1.

__examples___________“stamped image, to mint a drachma” 

What three virtues did God commend about them? 

_____________ , _____________________ & _____________________

What had they repented of?

What had they been rescued from?

Paul took no time or words to complain about their culture, politics or society in any way. His priority should be our priority, Christ and his beloved brothers & sisters.

2:1-12

How did Paul describe his message to them? ____________ ____ ______

v2

Does God test our heart before we become a Christian, or while we are a Christian? v4

How may this testing affect our prayers? (see Romans 8:27)

What kind of accusations did Paul criticize in v5?

How was Paul like a mother to them?

How was Paul like a father to them?

In what way were the Thessaloniki Christians “witnesses” of Paul? (see 2nd Corinthians 10:10-11)

How did Paul make sure he did not become a “burden” on the congregation?

(see Acts 18:3)

When do you believe a leader in your congregation could become a burden?

How should our lifestyle be worthy of God’s calling? (see James 2:8)

How could an Elder/Shepherd be torn between being gentle with an erring Christian and the need to deal firmly with unrepentant sin in the church?

2:13 – 3:5

Paul was always thankful for the new Christians in Thessalonika because they received 

his message as the word of ________

Paul mentions their example (1:6-7) again in 2:14. What is the common theme of their example?

The Jews wanted to shut Paul down so he could not speak to the _______________

Paul wanted to return to visit them again but ___________ stopped him.

The phrase, “The wrath has come upon them” is a fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy in Matthew 24:1-2, Mark 13:2, Luke 19:43-44 & John 2:19-20. Can this date the letter to the Thessalonians?

The thought of seeing them together with him when Jesus returns, made Paul _______

Does the thought of us being together when Jesus returns make you ___________ ?

The apostle John said he had no greater _______ than to _________ his children were living by the truth. (3rd John 1:4)

Do you believe whatever made them ________ can make us ________ ?

3:2 has two descriptions of Timothy; 1. Deacon of ________   2. Their ______________

Prior to writing this letter, Paul had told the new Christians that they would suffer, and in reality what came into their life? 

If the devil wants to destroy our faith, in various ways, he will try to ___________ us, but Jude tells us what will build up our faith, see Jude v20, what is it?

3:6 – 4:8

What was at the heart of Timothy’s message to Paul?

What was Paul’s reaction to the good news about the new Christians in Thessalonika?

How often did Paul pray for them?

What was at the heart of Paul’s prayer for them?

Who helps their love for one another to grow, 3:12? (see also 1st Thes. 2:13 & Rom. 15:30)

Whose authority did Paul proclaim to them in his commandments?

How could a Christian take advantage and cheat fellow Christians in the context of sexual immorality? (explain)

What does the word “Vessel” mean, in 4:4

Do you believe sexual sins to be only an individual destructive sin? (see 1st Corinthians 6:18-19)

What did God ‘call’ Christians to, not impurity, but _______________

If anyone rejects Paul’s doctrine, who is he really rejecting?

Who do we need in our presence, so that we can live pure lives?

4:9-18

Why would Paul commend their love for one another yet in the same passage instruct them to “attend to their own business”, while encouraging them to love one another “more and more”? See the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16.

In what sense does love focus on everyday life today, while faith & hope focus on the future?

For faith, reference 2nd Corinthians 5:7

For hope, reference Romans 8:24

Why did Paul use the word “sleep” to describe Christians that had already passed away?

The return of Christ is equated to ______ coming to bring with Him, those who sleep. In the 1st century, no one yawned or ever got bored when talking about the second coming of Christ, it was a real, vivid and fresh anticipation in their daily life. How do you feel when someone starts talking about His return?

Do “scoffers” affect us more than Scripture? See 2nd Peter 3:4.

What do you believe will be the command that is shouted with the voice of an archangel? (see definition of name “Michael”, Daniel 12:1.)

Who rises first?

According to 1st Corinthians 15:52, what happens to those who are risen from death (sleep)?

Who then will be afterwards caught up together with Christ?

How long will we all be together?

Does this order of events allow for any time for Christ’s followers to be apart in the future? See 2nd Peter 3:10.

5:1-11

Where else in the New Testament is the return of the Lord compared to a thief in the night?

What analogy did Paul use to describe the suddenness of the Lord’s return?

How is the phrase “Day of the Lord” used in the Old Testament? (Isa. 13:6)

What did Paul tell Thessalonians to do because of the certainty of the Lord’s return? (see also 1st Corinthians 15:24-25)

What is both faith & love compared to?

What is hope compared to?

What did Paul say would be the destiny of Christians when the Lord returns?

How did Paul begin and end his discussion of Christ’s return? 4:9,18, 5:11

Why is waiting for the unknown timing of the Lord’s return, never boring or hopeless?

What does our modern world make so confusing about the return of the Lord?

Was Paul referring to literal darkness & light when he urged Christians  to be watchful?

5:12-28

As a Christian, how do you “recognize” your leaders? (see Hebrews 13:7)

Can a congregation be a real healthy church without any Elders/Shepherds/Bishops or Pastors? (see 1st Corinthians 6:1-6)

What kind of warning should an “unruly” Christian be given?

What might be the real circumstance that Christians in Thessalonika would become “fainthearted”? (see Acts 17:5)

Describe what “Do Not Quench The Spirit” means: (see Jude v19-21)

Would the phrase, “sanctify completely” indicate that we grow in holiness, or that we are immediately made holy when we are born anew? (John 3:3-5)

What was the promise which Paul believed God would be faithful to keep?

How did Paul want Christians to greet one another?

In verse 27, do you think Paul intended for Christians in Thessalonika to keep this letter to themselves?

SECOND THESSALONIANS 1:1-4

Every single letter written by Paul, opens in the first few verses with the phrase, from “God the Father & the Lord Jesus Christ”, Rom. 1:7, 1Cor. 1:2, 2Cor. 1:1, Eph. 1:1, Php. 1:2, Col. 1:3, 1Tim. 1:2, 2Tim. 1:2, Tit. 1:4, Phm.v3, except for Hebrews, which is only purported to be written by Paul, and doubtful by the phrase in Heb. 2:3, “by those who heard him”. 

“Lord” in Greek is kurios, in these passages above. See Luke 10:27, “Lord” in Greek is Kurios, and as this passage is quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, in this law, “Lord” is Hebrew as YHWH (Jehovah). 

• What is the significance of calling Jesus “Lord” in the context of God The Father?

Why do you think Paul wanted Christians to know that he did not let a day go by, without thanking God for who they are? ( 1st Thes. 3:10 &  2nd Corinthians 6:18 )

How do we know God has always wanted to be looked upon as a “Father”? See Jeremiah 3:19 & 31:1-9 & Genesis 3:8-14.

According to v3, how do we know the Thessalonians obeyed Paul’s prior request in 1Ths. 4:1?

Have you ever bragged about brothers & sisters in a different congregation?

How do we know the Christians in Thessalonika suffered more than just an attack on Jason’s house? Acts 17:5.

1:5-12

What did Paul say about the result of persecutions and afflictions?

Did God send persecutions upon these Christians to make them worthy, or did God allow persecutions to be used for making them worthy?

When Jesus talked about “not worthy”, what action was it based upon? See Luke 9:62

How did Paul say that Jesus would be revealed from heaven?

When Jesus comes again, who will he deal out vengeance upon?

According to Hebrews 10:29, what does everyone “deserve”?

Revelation 14:9-10, what kind of punishment do unbelievers receive?

For what two things did Paul say that he prayed? 

Make ____________

Fulfill ____________

When we think of “worthiness”, in v5, & v11, do we believe God makes us worthy, or do we believe our own faith makes ourselves worthy?

What is Paul’s purpose in praying for these things, in reference to the name of Jesus Christ, v12

2:1-12

What subject ‘agitated’ or ‘bothered’ Christians in Thessalonika?

What behavior did Paul condemn in 2nd Thes. 3:7-15?

What three phrases are used by Paul to describe an event, which he expects them to remember? See 2ndThes. 2:3 & 5. 

1. _________________________

2. _________________________

3. _________________________

Silas & Timothy were with Paul when he wrote (2nd Thes. 1:1), and they had been to Macedonia before joining Paul in Corinth (Acts 17:15 & 18:5). It is obvious that his first letter is very closely written to his second letter to the Thessalonians. Therefore, both letters have early dates. In 40AD, the Roman Emperor Caligula mounted a statue of himself inside the Temple grounds. Later in 70AD the Roman army destroys the Temple. Could this be the beginning of the “man of sin” (Roman Emperor worship) which would later cause God to destroy the Roman Empire?  

What is one reason for Paul to not clearly write the definition of who exactly is the “man of sin” in such a public letter as 1 & 2 Thessalonians?

Who works to deceive people in 2:9-10 ?

These people found no place in their hearts for ___________ ?

Jesus said what about the nature of truth in John 8:31-34

In what did those listening to the “man of sin” take pleasure or delight in?

2:13 – 3:5

His Prayer for them, and their prayer for him. Learn from this and emulate what the Spirit records about their prayers!

What did Paul say he always offered to God for this congregation?

By what two things have Christians been “Sanctified”?

________________________      ____________________________

What was the purpose of calling the Thessalonian Christians through the gospel?

(2:15) Whose “traditions”are Christians to “teach”?

From whom did Paul say he had been rescued?

What did Paul want these Christians to pray for, on his behalf? (3:1)

When Jesus said to pray for “Workers to enter the harvest”, did he only mean to pray for more people to work, or to pray for their work’s success? (Lk. 10:2)

What did Paul say he had confidence the Thessalonians would continue to do?

Into what two virtues, did Paul pray the Lord would direct their hearts?

____________________________     _____________________________

Both Peter & Paul explained what Christians must “GROW” into, what is it? (See 1st Peter 2:2)

3:6 – 18

What did the apostle Paul command the church in Thessalonica to do?

What was Paul’s example that the Christians should follow?

Before Jesus started his ministry, what did people know him as? 

(see Matthew 13:55)

During his ministry, how did Jesus serve? (see John 8:28-30)

When Paul described some in Thessalonica as “disorderly”, what did they spend their time doing?

Christians are not to grow weary in doing what ? 

If a Christian is admonished as a brother, how would we assure them and insure that we do not treat them as an enemy?

What did the apostle Paul say was the consequence of a Christian refusing to work?

Are there teachings published today and currently broadcast on the subject of the return of Christ that could cause similar problems in a congregation today?

Why would Paul need to use a “sign”, or a mark or token of his own signature on all of his letters?

Isaiah 42:1-2, promises the Messiah (Elect One) will fulfill his work as spiritual, in a very physical world, Matthew 12:17. The declaration would be verbal, not written, which may be one reason, Jesus never made a recorded writing, but His Spirit did! Isaiah’s declaration echoes through the centuries, through you and me, 2nd Corinthians 3:1-3.

42:6, The Singular Servant, Matthew 12:18-21.

42:8, Mark 12:29-30 This Servant brings only One God to humanity.

See Isa. 44:9-12, for any other thing worshipped is an idol from our own ignorance. See 1st Corinthians 8:4.

Both Isaiah and Paul were adamantly clear about how fake idolatry is in our lives.

“Carved images” Isa. 44:17-23, Paul in Colossians 3:5, makes a precise point drawn on idolatry in the sin of covetousness. Today, people can worship carved images in the form of coveted coins. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil,  see 1st Timothy 6:10.  Be warned, a warning for all Christians, from the youth collecting coins to the elderly who act like misers with their retirement investments!

The unique nature of Christ as Immanuel (God with us) is forsaken when we don’t avoid idolatry in our lifestyle. The subtle sin of idolatry can twist our desires into other types of sin. See Romans 1:23-24. This led Isaiah to remind God’s people to RETURN to God, Isa. 44:22-23

The New Testament quotes from the Psalms more than any other Old Testament book, which is no surprise when we consider Psalms is the biggest part of the Jewish Bible, however, what is surprising is that Isaiah is the second most quoted book in the New Testament, yet Isaiah didn’t write as much as Jeremiah. Pure logic would expect the second most often quotable scriptures would come from Jeremiah since he wrote more, but actually Isaiah wrote less and is quoted more often. Why? 

Because Jesus proved he was THE S______________ Messiah.

If we are going to follow Jesus, we must S________ others more and self less. 

God designed us for S__________ ! We should see a red flag in our lives, when we are spending more of our money on creature comforts, rather than in serving our Creator!

The Mustard Seed, Leaven, Treasure & Pearl Merchant, Matthew 13:31-35 & 44-50

The Kingdom of Heaven on earth has many virtues, be careful to value them with faith in the points Jesus makes concerning the reign of God in Christians. His Kingdom belongs to people who suffer for righteousness sake, Mat. 5:10. Unless a person has righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of Pharisees, we can not enter the Kingdom, Mt. 5:20. It is possible that the Kingdom can contain evil people, which God’s angels will purge out, Mt. 13:41. The Kingdom can be taken from a person and given to a different person, Matthew 21:43. The Kingdom of God is spiritual in a physical world, Luke 17:20-21. Please read Romans 14:17 !

The Mustard Seed may be small, but it grows into a plant that is larger than you would expect. God’s reign starts small but grows larger than you can imagine.

The Leaven is indeed small, but it affects the whole of any loaf it lives in. God’s reign is alive and well, though unseen, His power is active!

The Hidden Treasure is so valuable that it can motivate a person to make great sacrifices to buy the whole of the field the treasure is hidden in, he is purchasing the field, not the treasure because God’s reign is still His.

The Merchant sacrificed everything he had, in order to purchase the one single solitary pearl of great price. The reign of God in Jesus motivated him to give all his self, time & effort to gain each and every single individual that was priceless to him. That is why he died on a cross to save you and me.

Jesus made statements about the Kingdom which help us understand the nature of the reign of God. His dominion is not physical, it is spiritual power over the hearts of men & women who…

…want to grow like a mustard seed.

…want to affect the world, wherein we live like leaven.

…want to submit to His power, not our own, like the hidden treasure we guard in our hearts, 1st Peter 1:4-5, Jude v1 & Proverbs 4:23.

…want to follow Jesus because of the price he paid for us & others.

The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37

This is the most popular, well-known parable in the Bible in our society today, yet most people miss the point; No one is acceptable to God if they do not love God by showing compassion to their fellowman, Mt. 25:31-46. More Christians will miss heaven because of their selfishness rather than their false-doctrine! God ordained & blessed the priesthood, but condemned them for their hypocrisy, we must make sure that Christ’s priesthood (the church) makes compassionate sacrifices a priority!

This parable is prefaced and concluded with two questions:

1. How do you understand what is written in the law? For a Christian today, we must ask ourselves: How do you live the law of Christ, Galatians 6:2-5
2. Which of the three people in the parable do you think was a neighbor of the man who fell into the hands of robbers? 

Name 7 things the Samaritan had:

1. __________________________

2. __________________________

3. __________________________

4. __________________________

5. __________________________

6. __________________________

7. __________________________

Why does God inextricably link love for him with love for our fellow-man?

What is pure religion? (James 1:27)

The Strong Man’s House

Mark 3:20-30 & Matthew 12:43-45

In Mark 2:5, Jesus had ‘forgiven sins’, and in Mark 3:5-6, Jesus healed on the sabbath day, engendering such hatred from the Pharisees that they were already working with the Herodians to find a way to assassinate Jesus. Now public masses were crowding Jesus for teaching and miracles, but his critics were even found amongst his ‘own people’, see Matthew 12:46-50. 

Who do you think Mark is referring to “his own people”? (see Mat. 12:46-50)

According to Mt. 12:43-45, how would our generation keep demonic interests, activity and temptations away from our house/body?

Who accused Jesus of having an evil spirit to cast out demons? _______________

What kind of kingdom do you think Jesus referred to in Mk. 3:24?

How did Jesus teach against the false accusation of his demon possession? 

Luke 11:17-21

If formally educated people in the Law of Moses can see a genuine miracle, why could they not have taken the view from Acts 5:39, “We do not want to be found fighting against God”?

How did they blaspheme against the Holy Spirit?

What did Jesus say about forgiving any other type of sin?

Can people today commit a sin that can never be forgiven? (Hebrews 6:4-6)

 Light & Bushel / Sheep & Goats,  Luke 8:16-18 / Matthew 25:31-46

“I was a stranger, and you didn’t welcome me”

Jesus used both of these parables to teach on the nature and principle of God’s judgment.

If a person hid a lit lamp, what would he lose_________________________________ .

What role does light play in 1st John 2:8-10

Whoever __________ their brother  & sister ___________ in the light…

Jesus believed that people will know whose disciples we are by what? ____________  for 

___________________________, John 13:34-35. 

If a person didn’t feed the hungry and/or didn’t encourage the incarcerated, what would he lose?

Why did the people who fed the hungry, answer the King’s questions with ignorance of having helped him? Because what they did in charity was not done to “score points” with God, but done out of love for the hungry. There are two big difference between sheep & goats

Sheep have better hearing than goats, they can tell the difference between their shepherd & someone different. John 10:4

Sheep eat  Grass, and goats will eat GarbageSee John 3:19

Christ’s Kingdom is prepared for ____________________________________, Mt. 25:34

Hell is prepared for the _______________ and his ____________________ . Mt. 25:41

Since Jesus refers to himself as a “King” in this judgment scene, how is that a problem for religious people that believe his kingdom is to come in the future after judgment?

How can you prove He is King of your life, right now?

Luke 14:1-11

To help appreciate the setting of this parable, note that most Jewish and eastern dinner tables were “U” shaped and low to the ground, with guests reclining, not sitting upright as westerners. An honored guest would be seated in the center, with those of less honor on both sides. The painting of “The Lord’s Supper” by L. daVinci (1495-98) is a figment of western imagination. But the certainty of Jesus coming to dinner amongst critics that wanted to lay a trap was real. Jesus deliberately healed on the Sabbath to confront criticism from the Pharisees. He was going to expose them, not vice-versa.

It may seem surprising that Proverbs 25:6-7 actually teaches the wisdom of this parable centuries before Jesus must make it clear to educated Jews. Even though Jesus had his most stinging rebukes and big disputes with the Pharisees, he still fellowshipped them! He loved them and showed them godliness in his instruction. If we want to be like Jesus, we must never shun hypocrites, but rather help them grow. The main reason most Christians leave the church is because hypocrites make them angry or depressed, but Christ would stay & insist on helping them grow in the grace & knowledge of his Father. Only after repeated rejection, would he “wipe the dust off his feet”, and/or make damning rebukes to their faces, but never behind their backs. 

What do you think is the main point of this parable? 

The following scriptures emphasize the importance of humility: Matthew 23:12, Luke 18:14, Philippians 2:3-4, James 4:10, 1st Peter 5:5-6 & John 13:1–17

There are three facts of life that should keep us in a humble frame of mind:

1. Our physical and/or bodily weaknesses
2. Our mental limitations
3. Our moral or ethical failures

Jesus practiced what he preached about humility and had to exemplify God’s servanthood even to the extent of going to the cross, read Luke 22:24-27. Matthew 23:6 states that Pharisees loved “chief seats”. What are some things in our modern western lifestyle that parallel a desire for so-called “chief seats”?

Is it possible that a person can become proud of their own humility?

When Jesus came into the world, he slept in a feeding trough, and when he died he willingly laid himself down on a cross, neither at his birth nor at his death could he find a more lowly place. The contrast of his life with our lives is to our shame.