Malcolm Cox

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ

Extra Notes
Some final instructions and encouragements
All are an expression of grace, or the results of receiving the grace of God.

'admonish' - '‘It denotes the word of admonition which is designed to correct while not provoking or embittering’ (J. Behm, TDNT, iv, p. 1021). It seems to carry a suggestion of blame for wrongdoing (cf. ‘warn those who are idle’, v. 14) and is aimed at correcting the wrong. Best sees it as addressed to the will rather than the mind.' Tyndale "while its tone is brotherly, it is big-brotherly." 166. Leon Morris NITCOTNT See 1 Cor. 4:14.

        * 'highest'
            * 'hyperekperissou is a very forceful word (see on 3:10), called by Findlay a ‘triple Pauline intensive’ meaning ‘beyond-exceeding-abundantly’' Tyndale
        * 'love'
            * agape - not affection, but much more. Not only respect your leaders, but love them. They are primarily there not to perform a function for your benefit, but to share in Christian love with you.

       * help the weak
            * spiritually weak, Rom 14; 1 Cor 8. "The thought is that it is good for weak souls to know that there are others who are with them, who will cleave to them in the difficult moment, who are not forsake them." 169 Leon Morris
            * help - 'The verb antechesthe (help) is used of holding on to something, cleaving to a person (cf. Luke 16:13). The weak need to feel that they are not alone and strong Christians should ‘hold on to them’ and give them the support they require.' Tyndale
        * Patient - 1 Cor 13:4. "It is more important for him that he be able to render them some service than that his ego should be satisfied." 169 Leon Morris

        * 'pays back'
            * Rom. 12:17; 1 Pet. 3:9
            * No retaliation whether to external threats (causing suffering) or internal injustice (harshness of leaders). Jesus is our inspiration in this - 1 Pet. 2:23.

    * v16
        * Rejoicing is needed especially when there is conflict in church relationships. Indeed, strange, though it may seem, it is possible to rejoice matter what is going on. Additionally, if we work through these issues of relationship disharmony, we will find the effort and repentance rewarded with great joy. This joy is so important because it is so different to that of the world. That in the world is dependent on circumstances, that in the kingdom is dependent on our Lord. "They thought more of their Lord than of their difficulties; more of their spiritual riches in Christ than of their poverty on Earth; more of their glorious future when the Lord should come again than of their unhappy past."

        * See Phil 4.4.  Source of joy is God, not circumstances, Matt 5:12. Lk 10.20.
        * Strange as it may seem, affliction and deep joy go together ([[2 Cor. 6:10]]; [[2 Cor. 12:10]]). Paul rejoiced in tribulations ([[Rom. 5:3]]; [[Col. 1:24]]; cf. [[Acts 5:41]]; [[Acts 16:25]]).
        * A mark of the early church. A joy that cannot be stolen, [[John 16:22]]. Supernaturally provided, [[Galatians 5:22-23]], [[Romans 14:17]].

    * v17
        * See [[Luke 18:1]]; [[Romans 12:12]]; [[Ephesians 6:18]]. A spirit of prayer more than a perpetual speaking. At times words will break out - as they do in Paul’s epistles.
        * It is our habit to look away from our circumstances, difficult as they are, to deliberately contemplate the presence of God.
        * "Though it is quite impossible for us always to be uttering the words of prayer it is possible and necessary that we should always be living in the spirit of prayer." Leon Morris NICOTNT 173

            * We cannot control our circumstances, but we do not have to be controlled by them.
        * ‘this is God’s will’ - rejoice, pray, give thanks. A mantra for the Christian life?

        * Do not grieve the Spirit, Ephesians 4:30. Live in the way I have taught you, as pleases God, and you will not be quenching the Spirit.

        * 'contempt' - strong word
        * ‘reject’ - see Romans 12:9. Strong word. Same as 1 Thess. 4:3
        * 'of peace':
            * cf. Rom. 15:33; Romans 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 4:9; 2 Thess. 3:16.
        * ‘sanctify’
            * God sanctifies us - the power; Ephesians 5:26 - Spirit; Romans 15:16 - Son (and Word, John 17:17).

Conclusion
- Which leader can you express love to ?
- What will help you to “ Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”? Pick one a week?
- Will you use one of Paul’s prayers as a template?
- What has stood out to you most from the book of Thessalonians? 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). 

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 

God bless, Malcolm

Alex
Question that always comes to mind for me: “How do we consider this generation in light of their growing up in an age that was completely taken over by the internet? How has that affected them and how do we get them back to Jesus?” We all seek comfort, peace, joy, community, safety, and especially purpose. Showing them the most excellent way is going to be important, but also fully addressing the notions of women’s roles in the church and the LGBTQ+ community as both of those are major points for this upcoming generation.

Emi

Conversational teaching in the round, learning together.
“Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!” (Mark 3:34 NIV11)

Jack

Question: What questions would you suggest I ask at the conference?

Why not sign up for the Old Testament Survey module: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/old-testament-survey-aim-uk-ireland-tickets-531954449077 More information about AIM can be found here: https://www.aimukandireland.com. Send me an email expressing interest if you cannot find what you need on the site.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

Keep calm and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm