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A Royal Welcome for Our Monarch (2/8/26)
The emphases in 1 Thessalonians 4 might have “Twenty-first Century” stamped on them. (1) There is the issue of sexual holiness (vv. 3-7). Does that sound like today? (2) There is the issue of how to relate to those outside our usual culture (vv. 11-12). Can you name those who come to engage our culture? (3) There is the issue of the torment of missing loved ones who have died (vv. 13-18). Whose name is on your list?
[1] Paul is clear that appropriate sexual behavior is not defined by society; it is defined by God (v. 8). Some folks might be surprised to note that the apostle understands that sexual expression can be exemplary of holiness (v. 4). Obviously, those in the Thessalonian church were in a culture where abuse of sexual gifts was common. (Look at 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6: 13, 18 for other examples.) Paul says, “Let your sex life be holy!”
[2] Evidently, Paul noticed that some in the congregation at Thessalonica were slacking off work responsibilities and taking advantage of what he called “outsiders.” How do you define “outsider”? Might it be by language? Might it be by place of birth? Might it be by religious vocabulary? Might it be by economic measurement? The Twentieth Century New Testament renders 1 Thessalonians 4:12 this way: “so that your conduct may win respect from those outside the Church.” How do you relate to outsiders?
[3] In the closing verses of this chapter, Paul offers a word of hope and expectation to those who have lost loved ones. He is saying, “It ain’t over. Death does not have the final word.” This would have been a big question for that first-generation church. They might have been wondering, “Even if Christ saves those who have died, what about us who have not died? If Christ comes back before we die, will He save us too?” The living and the dead are all alive in Christ.
Wow! There are at least these three issues in this chapter: sexuality, outsiders, death of loved ones. Paul may have been writing to Thessalonica, but his message surely has my Zip Code on it!
What Someone Else Has Said: Carl Michalson (Faith for Personal Crises (Scribners), wrote: “To be like God is not our responsibility; it is our sin…To be responsible to God is our task, .and that task defines our very being as a human being.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Thank You, grace-giving God, for moving in this very world where I live, to challenge me, to support me, to comfort me. You are with me so I do not travel this journey alone…”
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By NC Conference of The UMCThe emphases in 1 Thessalonians 4 might have “Twenty-first Century” stamped on them. (1) There is the issue of sexual holiness (vv. 3-7). Does that sound like today? (2) There is the issue of how to relate to those outside our usual culture (vv. 11-12). Can you name those who come to engage our culture? (3) There is the issue of the torment of missing loved ones who have died (vv. 13-18). Whose name is on your list?
[1] Paul is clear that appropriate sexual behavior is not defined by society; it is defined by God (v. 8). Some folks might be surprised to note that the apostle understands that sexual expression can be exemplary of holiness (v. 4). Obviously, those in the Thessalonian church were in a culture where abuse of sexual gifts was common. (Look at 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6: 13, 18 for other examples.) Paul says, “Let your sex life be holy!”
[2] Evidently, Paul noticed that some in the congregation at Thessalonica were slacking off work responsibilities and taking advantage of what he called “outsiders.” How do you define “outsider”? Might it be by language? Might it be by place of birth? Might it be by religious vocabulary? Might it be by economic measurement? The Twentieth Century New Testament renders 1 Thessalonians 4:12 this way: “so that your conduct may win respect from those outside the Church.” How do you relate to outsiders?
[3] In the closing verses of this chapter, Paul offers a word of hope and expectation to those who have lost loved ones. He is saying, “It ain’t over. Death does not have the final word.” This would have been a big question for that first-generation church. They might have been wondering, “Even if Christ saves those who have died, what about us who have not died? If Christ comes back before we die, will He save us too?” The living and the dead are all alive in Christ.
Wow! There are at least these three issues in this chapter: sexuality, outsiders, death of loved ones. Paul may have been writing to Thessalonica, but his message surely has my Zip Code on it!
What Someone Else Has Said: Carl Michalson (Faith for Personal Crises (Scribners), wrote: “To be like God is not our responsibility; it is our sin…To be responsible to God is our task, .and that task defines our very being as a human being.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Thank You, grace-giving God, for moving in this very world where I live, to challenge me, to support me, to comfort me. You are with me so I do not travel this journey alone…”