S.O.A.P. 1 Thessalonians
Background
Curious about how the Thessalonians were doing, and wanting to encourage them concerning the Lord's coming, Paul writes the letters before us, wherein he:
• Remembers the Thessalonians' past in chapters 1--3 as he recalls how he lived among them and shared with them in close communion;
• Refocuses their present in the first part of chapter 4 as he encourages them to love with brotherly affection;
• Reveals their future in the second half of chapter 4 and the first part of chapter 5 as he speaks to them of the Rapture and of heavenly expectation;
• Refines their walk in the last part of chapter 5 through a series of practical exhortations; and
• Reinforces his teaching concerning the Second Coming in 2 Thessalonians.
In these last days, as we study Paul's letters to the Thessalonians, may the Lord refocus our vision of the big picture—the hope of heaven. - Jon Courson's Application Commentary
Scripture
1 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.
2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it,
Observations
- In my background study I discovered this church plant all took place within 3 weeks
- Silas & Timothy are young ministry partners
- Thankfulness and prayfullness are foundational
- Hope!
- Love!
- The Good News usually has short term negative earthly benefits and long term eternal benefits
- An example models Jesus
- A life of eternal hope under earthly pressure rings righteousness
Applications
- Apply principles but not patterns
- Pray and thank God for young ministry starts
- Look through pressure by harnessing hope
- Model Jesus by leaning in, listening and loving people today
- Allow my circumstances to be a cry of hope
Prayer
Jesus I thank you for the people that have "come" after me. You are not finished working in individuals lives and it excites me. I want to thank You for these ministers and their ministries. I love You and ask that you empower me today to use my circumstances as cries of hope and not help. My help is not earthly it is eternal!
