Open Your Bible I Thessalonians Chapter 4 1

Open Your Bible

I Thessalonians Chapter 4: 1 The Pastoral Beseeching's of Paul These are also great applications for fathers to consider in regards to “dad” being the ‘pastor’ of the family!

Taking a careful look through this chapter, you will see two parts. Part I - Verses 1 -12 – Paul opens up this chapter with the word "beseech" - this is where will start our study regarding all the “beseechings” that Paul expressed to his people. Beseech means to entreat; to supplicate; to implore, to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person. A few good synonyms are “beg, ” “appeal, ” “crave, ” “entreat, ” “implore, ” “importune, ” “invoke, ” “plead, ” “pray” and “supplicate. ” The remainder of verses 1 -12 deals with Paul’s desire for these people to know the will of God in regards to more of the Christian Walk issues. Part II - verses 13 -18 – These verses obviously deal with the rapture, etc. We will wait cover this part next week, however, but we can’t forget that these words are one of our sources of comfort, amen? But for now, let us go forward and look closely at the very serious concerns that Paul had expressed to his people. Paul was so concerned about these things that he would “beseech!” I also greatly encourage fathers to please consider these notes…these are some of the most important things a caring and Godly father could consider “beseech” for his entire family! Paul was a caring man – pastors and fathers can learn from him!

1. For the first one, let’s look at Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1. For the first one, let’s look at Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Paul is “earnestly entreating” – “imploring” that we be willing to make sure what we do with our own body is to keep it clean – it is our “reasonable service. ” When you consider what God did with His body, wouldn’t you think we could at least present Him what He wants from ours? Being saved, we are acceptable & holy, etc. but we certainly must not forget how often Paul preaches on the outside walk. Our walk should consist of more than just learning doctrine – it also includes ‘walking’ it!

2. Next, turn to Romans 15: 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

2. Next, turn to Romans 15: 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; Pastors and fathers are in great need of prayer. There are serious discouragements and challenges that can hinder a man’s ministry – prayer from the ‘family’ is so important. Even Paul sought prayer from his people. We are to strive together WITH Paul as we pray FOR Paul. You are to strive together WITH your pastor as you pray FOR your pastor; The family should strive together WITH dad as they pray FOR dad!

3. Turn to Romans 16: 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

3. Turn to Romans 16: 17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Why? For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Verse 18 Not only do Pastors need to warn their flocks about these wolves who are looking out for their own selves, they will also deceive the sheep with good words and fair speeches; fathers also need to warn their family about wolves, as well as people & children tend to follow those good words and fair speeches! That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4: 14

4. I Corinthians 1: 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

4. I Corinthians 1: 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. If we were to speak the same thing – the same WORDS – we would: Have no divisions! Be perfectly joined together in the same mind! Be perfectly joined together in the same judgment! If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. I Timothy 6: 3 -5

4. I Corinthians 1: 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. If we were to speak the same thing – the same WORDS – we would: Have no divisions! Be perfectly joined together in the same mind! Be perfectly joined together in the same judgment! If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. I Timothy 6: 3 -5 …from such withdraw thyself.

5. I Corinthians 4: 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

5. I Corinthians 4: 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. Follow Paul? Follow your pastor? Follow your father? Sure! If so, this should make us pastors / fathers examine ourselves & ask ourselves… …are we worth following? Let’s look at Paul’s record: Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I Corinthians 4: 11 -13 What was Paul getting at here, anyway? I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. I Corinthians 4: 14, 15 Even when times are rough, we should still follow Paul, your pastor, & or your father!

6. I Corinthians 16: 15, 16 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, ) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

6. I Corinthians 16: 15, 16 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, ) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. Why? I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. Verse 17, 18 There are many people ministering in this church, more than just your pastor, that are laboring for you and for others. There are pastors, evangelists, preachers, teachers, building cleaners, people heading up work & repair projects, etc.

7. II Corinthians 6: 1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

7. II Corinthians 6: 1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. According to the context of the next verses, we see that Paul is beseeching some lost folks to not reject the grace of God that is given through His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ! Note verse 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ) However, note also that Paul was VERY concerned that those folks would reject God’s salavation because of his own testimony or those in the ministry with him! Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Verses 3 -10

8. II Corinthians 10: 1, 2 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

8. II Corinthians 10: 1, 2 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. Paul, being the caring preacher that he was, he was not wanting to ever be bold in such a way that folks would accuse him of walking according to the flesh! Even though Paul prayed for boldness, he was also alert to the potential that his boldness would ‘hurt’ anyone. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6: 19, 20 How about you – can you handle Paul’s boldness? Your preacher’s? Your husband’s? An evangelist’s? A fellow brother/sister? Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119: 165 NOTHING!

9. I Thessalonians 4: 1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

9. I Thessalonians 4: 1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. Note that Paul said “as ye have received of us!” Those folks had no excuse to not walk a walk to please God. He also said in verse 2, For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. Original First Round of Blessings All because of our Salvation! Whether we know about them or not, they are given to us the instant we are saved! Second Round of Blessings All based of our walk to please God These blessings will be given out at the Judgment Seat Round One Blessings – Freely Given by God! Round Two Blessings – Earned by Ourselves!

10. Galatians 4: 12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

10. Galatians 4: 12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Paul is concerned here, if you read on with the entire set of verses 9 -16. Apparently some folks have returned to the weak & beggarly elements of the world – right back into bondage. Vs 9, 10. He makes the comment that he fears that his labour towards them may have been in vain. But note: he is not afraid of it all for himself, but he is afraid of them – that THEY are not getting what Paul is trying to teach them. Vs 11 -12 Paul even reminded them that there was a time in those early days that they truly loved Paul – they even received him as an angel of God. Now that is some respect and honor! Vs 12, 13 According to verse 15, they would have even given Paul their own eyes! So after all that Paul has done for these people, they just continue to treat him like the enemy! Verse 16: Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

11. Ephesians 4: 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

11. Ephesians 4: 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Paul does describe how that should be done in the verses 2, 3: With all lowliness and meekness… …with longsuffering… forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are known by how we love God – I Cor 8: 3 We are his workmanship – Ephesians 2: 10 We CAN please God with our walk! I Thessalonians 4: 1 -7 We should keep our walk away from evil We are to be rich in good works – I Tim 6: 18 works of the world! II Timothy 4: 17, 18 We are to maintain good works – Titus 3: 8 We will reign with Christ according to our works and sufferings now. II Timothy 3: 12 -14 We are to love him with all heart, soul, mind! Matthew 22: 34 -38 We are be zealous of good works – Titus 2: 14 We are to be vessels of gold! Romans 9: 22, 23 These can all be applied by church folks and children within the family!

12. I Thessalonians 4: 9, 10 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

12. I Thessalonians 4: 9, 10 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; We could always love the brethren even more!

13. I Thessalonians 5: 12, 13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

13. I Thessalonians 5: 12, 13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Know who they are! Be familiar with them! Don’t be like strangers! This includes Parents – Kids shouldn’t look at parents like strangers. Esteem them highly because of the work that they do for you! I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, ) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I Corinthians 16: 15, 16 Remember They are NOT always your enemy!

15. II Thessalonians 2: 1, 2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

15. II Thessalonians 2: 1, 2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. We are not to be shaken in mind We are not to be troubled HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? 1. By the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ a) Salvation b) Rapture 2. By the Gathering together unto him a) Church b) Rapture This also has great application from dad and his family. The home is to be the place of peace and security. Because of dad, the family should not be soon shaken in mind, or be troubled – no matter what comes at them!

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. A Quiet and Peaceable Life Pleases God! For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. Jeremiah 13: 10 Dear Pastors, Church Members, Men, Fathers, Husbands, Women, Wives, Mothers, Young Adults, Teens, Kids… Don’t Refuse God’s Words, or you will be…