I Thessalonians 2:1-20

I Thessalonians 2:1-2 – Paul had been mistreated in Philippi (Acts 16:12-40). Paul was jailed, then miraculously freed and the jailer was converted. Paul persisted in spreading the gospel with boldness.

• Hebrews 12:1-3

I Thessalonians 2:3-12 – You are witnesses and so is God.

• I Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9 – Paul sometimes used himself as an example.

• II Corinthians 12:13 – Paul was prepared to give himself to help them.

• II Thessalonians 2:10

• Could we use ourselves as examples to others?

• I Thessalonians 2:6 – Paul could have thrown his weight around as an apostle but did not.

• I Thessalonians 2:9 – Paul was worthy of wages as a preacher but did not burden them (II Thessalonians 3:8).

• I Thessalonians 2:7, 11 – Paul described himself as a father or mother trying to help his children toward the end goal (I Thessalonians 2:12).

• There may be times when it is permissible to do something, but it’s more beneficial if we give up personal liberties and refrain.

I Thessalonians 2:13 – Paul wrote that the word “performs its work in you who believe.” Compare Psalms 119:103-105; Acts 20:32; Romans 6:17-18; II Timothy 3:15-16; Hebrews 4:12.

I Thessalonians 2:14-16 – The Thessalonians suffered just like brethren in other churches (Acts 4:3; 17:5; Philippians 3:10; II Timothy 3:12). Suffering is a theme and point of fellowship among Christ and Christians and not a sign that Christians are doing something wrong.

I Thessalonians 2:17-20 – Paul had formed a close relationship with them and longed to see them. See Philippians 4:16. Some time had possibly passed between Acts 17:4 and Acts 17:5. He spent at least three weeks with them according to Acts 17:2.

Hebrews 8:1-2

He’s there to save us from our sins forever.

• Hebrews 2:17

• Leviticus 16:15, 32-34 – The high priest made atonement for all Israel once a year.

• Hebrews 9:23-28; 5:6, 9-10 – Jesus made atonement for all mankind, once for all time.

  • Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20; Psalms 110:4). Jesus is a priest perpetually. Melchizedek was superior to Abraham (since Abraham paid him tithes), and thus his priesthood was superior to the Levitical priesthood. Thus, Jesus’ priesthood is also superior to the Levitical priesthood.

• The perfect high priest is in place and will always be there for us!

• Hebrews 7:3-4, 7, 17, 23-25; 6:19-20

He encourages us to confess Him and never turn back.

• Exodus 28 – The high priest garments.

• Exodus 29:9-10, 12, 21, 29

• Hebrews 5:1-3; 4:14-16 – The high priest was one of the people, so would sympathize with their weaknesses. Jesus lived and was tempted as we are, so we have an even greater advantage with Him as our high priest.

• Hebrews 3:1; 10:19-23 – We can have confidence through Jesus.

• Matthew 10:32-33

He has proved His love. Now it’s our turn.

• Hebrews 4:15

• Isaiah 59:2, 9, 15-16, 20

• Hebrews 2:17-18; 9:11-14

Amos 1-9

Introduction to the book

• Amos means “burden bearer.”

• Message of the book: doom.

• The book was written approximately 760-750 B.C.

Four major divisions of prophecy in the book:

• Judgment on six nations around Judah

  • Damascus (Amos 1:3-5) – for cruelty in war

  • Gaza (Amos 1:6-8)

  • Tyre (Amos 1:9-10)

  • Edom (Amos 1:11-12) – for hatred of Israel

  • Ammon (Amos 1:13-15) – for cruelty to people

  • Moab (Amos 2:1-3) – for burning the bones of the king of Edom

• Judgment on Judah (Amos 2:4-5) – for religious apostasy

• Judgment on Israel (Amos 2:6-9:10)

  • Amos 2:6-8 – God rebukes Israel for injustice, immorality, and idolatry.

    • See I Kings 12:30.

  • Amos 3 – Israel no longer walked with God.

  • Amos 4:12 – Summation of the book: “prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

  • Amos 5:23; 6:5 – Some try to misuse these verses to show that instrumental worship is not approved.

    • II Chronicles 29:25 – Instrumental music was approved for worship under the Old Covenant.

    • Doing the right thing with wrong motives is not approved by God.

  • Amos 7:10-17 – Amos was ordered not to prophesy in Israel by Amaziah.

• Messianic hope (Amos 9:11-15)

  • See Acts 15:13-18 (quotation of Amos 9:11-12).

  • This is the only optimistic message in the book!

Lessons for us:

• We are going to meet God in judgment, so prepare!

• God is righteous, both in punishment and blessing.

• Even right acts are an insult to God if done with wrong motives.

• All can be blessed in the restored tabernacle of David.

I Timothy 2:9-10 – The emphasis should be on being a godly woman. Appearance is secondary.

I Peter 3:1-4

So … how long, how tight?

• Proverbs 5:18-20

• Genesis 2:25; 3:7, 20 – The fig leaves covered the bare essentials, but God made them coverings to cover more.

• Genesis 29:17; 39:6 – “form and appearance”: Beauty involves shape and contours – not just the face.

• Esther 2:7

Lack of specifics does not mean God’s word does not powerfully direct us.

• Ephesians 4:29 (language)

• I Corinthians 16:2 (giving)

• Titus 2:12 (substance abuse)

Love for God and others

• Matthew 22:37-40

• Matthew 18:6-10

• I John 2:16-17 – We should not use our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness.

• Romans 6:12-13; 13:13-14 – Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

• I Corinthians 6:19-7:5 – Our bodies belong to God, so we should glorify God in our bodies.

• I Thessalonians 1:1 – See I Peter 5:12; Acts 15:22, 40 – Silvanus (Silas)

• The Thessalonians were already an example to others. We don’t get to a certain age and suddenly become examples to others!

• The Thessalonians were doing such a good job that other people were bringing news of their good deeds back to Paul! What a great example they were!