In this second lesson we continue in chapter 2 where Paul wrote his statement of joy, “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Like every evangelist Paul’s joy was—their success. Oh, what is our hope—your spiritual success, Oh, what is our joy—your spiritual success, Oh, what is our crown of rejoicing—your spiritual success! Paul says it is you—your spiritual success—your being in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with us.

We have been studying Paul’s letters to the saints in Thessalonica who are under much affliction when they received the word of God (1 Thess. 1:6).  Paul refers to a time when he and Silas came to Thessalonica and suffered and were shamefully treated (Acts 17:1-8: 1 Thess. 2:2) and in the 14th verse Paul noted the saints there now “suffered the same things” from their own countrymen (2:14).

Now, we are in the third chapter of this first letter and Paul says to them, “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this” (1 Thess. 3:3). When, for your faith, you are despitefully treated, suffer much persecution, face various trials, you should not be shaken, rather keep your heart, your eyes focused on eternity, on the coming of Christ. This can only be accomplished if we first accept the word of God “…as it is in truth…”

This is first of three lessons called, “The Mind of Christ”. Here we are seeking to know the mind of Christ, as our King, Lord, and Savior. We have begun a journey and together we will travel through the gospels learning along the way what we can about our Christ, His humanity, His interaction with man, how Jesus handled the approaches of sinners, and how He used scripture to answer their often-foolish questions.

How, many with good and honest hearts came to Jesus for wisdom, for healing, for comfort and chose to become His disciples.
On this journey, we will learn of His compassion, His power, and His love! How Jesus interacted with people who had genuine need of His power to heal the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, and even raise some from the dead.

Most important written on the pages of your God breathed, Bible are the holy inspired scriptures that reveals truth concerning Jesus, His life and His ministry. To know the mind of Christ, means that we have received the message directly from God, and that message came into the world, out of the love of God, who is our redemption, Savior and Friend in Jesus.

What a better place to begin, than in the gospel account of John. . . 

Note how Paul exhorts them, “11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [c]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:11-12).  As Paul begins this chapter, he is going to teach them, “How to Walk Worthy” and connects that to suffering that will come to every Christian who so walks.  Verse 1 and 2 “1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict” (1 Thess. 2:1-2). Remember as recorded in Acts 16, what happened to Paul and Silas? (vs.22-24) Their clothes were torn off—they were beaten with rods, with many stripes—thrown into the inner prison—feet fastened with stocks. How then do the saints walk worthy? With Boldness, with Purity, with Desire to Please God not man, and with Affection and Love. . .

The Text of Psalm 29:1-2 “Give[a] unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 [b]Give unto the Lord the glory [c]due to His name; Worship the Lord in the [d]beauty of holiness.” (Psa. 29:1-2). David’s message: You “mighty ones” should be careful to attribute strength and glory to Jehovah, You should worship Him and Him alone, and remember that angels are messengers, ministering servants in God’s scheme of salvation (Heb. 1:14), and owe God their complete loyalty.

In the same way dividing our service with another master means condemnation, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [a-Tatarus]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Pet. 2:4). How much more then should we reverence and fear God – and keep ourselves from idols? “In the beauty of holiness” means simply give God your undivided and un-spoiled loyalty. No wonder John warns us all to “keep ourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

God demands our all in worship, every ounce, and He is a jealous God—and make no mistake, as the Creator, sustainer and Savior—God has every right to receive our reverence in the beauty of holiness. God is Not a Man!

In this lesson we are going to focus our attention to understand that when most people hear the term idols they often make the mistake of believing it means worshiping a statue, or a figure or form of some kind that represents a god, or gods. That is far from the truth. Then and now, there are forms of idol worship having nothing to do with any physical form or idol whatsoever. Fact is many participate in idol worship—never having molded, fashioned, or carved a single image. We tend to think “O’ how silly people are who worship and serve statues” That is just dumb. How foolish it is to bow down to an object created by mans hands. . .How foolish that some wear a crystal—and believe that it has mystical powers. But listen, just because we don’t see a physical complement made from metal, stone or wood—don’t think what we are doing isn’t connected to vain idol worship. Many because of this misunderstanding, fall into thinking of—well—I don’t have any statues, figures, or carvings in my house—therefore, I can’t

There is a song the Lord’s people sing that says, “Some glad mornin’ when this life is over I’ll fly away To a home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away”. What the world teaches is quite the opposite. What does the world teach you? The National Association of Biology Teachers stated, “The diversity of life on earth is the outcome of evolution: An unsupervised, impersonal, unpredictable…” (NABT). In other words no hope of life beyond this life, no Creator behind the magnificent design we see everywhere we look. Nothing personal, your born, you live, you die and you’re eventually eaten by worms and forgotten.

God’s people are not like them, for we are not without hope! We rejoice, knowing we have eternity awaiting us and our Faithfulness is Power! We know every soul will enter eternity – whether it be eternity with the Father (Heaven) or separated from the Father (Hell). When we are faithful to the LORD our God, we live for the promise of His coming, waiting for Eternity, WAITING TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD!

WAR 2 Corinthians 10:45 “For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

We Are At War! War is a terrible thing. The war we have fought over the years have caused the deaths of millions and has forever separated families and friends. “The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking… the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker.” ~Albert Einstein

Einstein was right the bomb was powerful, but wrong that the solution lies in man’s heart. “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). If left to man, was becomes common place. Thankfully today exists something much more powerful the atom bomb, and much greater than the heart of man. That is the Word of God, which when release has power to change the way men think — to change the heart of a man, to save what is assuredly lost.

One of the most powerful and helpful things a Christians can do is to live life with eternity as a goal. Living for eternity causes us to keep our eyes fixed on the things above, on the wisdom of God, and that promise of the coming of the Lord Jesus. Looking to the reward, a place in heaven with God our Father where we will spend eternity with Him, without pain, without tears, and without death. We are living in this old sinful world that is not our home—waiting for the city above “which has foundations—whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).
In this lesson our main focus will be from 1 Thessalonians and verse 3 where Paul writes, “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,” (1 Thess. 1:3).