Spurgeon's notes on 1 THESSALONIANS
 

"Walk worthy of God who has called you."

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

This is the first of the apostles epistles, and was probably written by him from Corinth, when, having left Athens, he was joined by Silas and Timothy. Paul had founded the church at Thessalonica, and it had greatly flourished, but it had been subject to much persecution, hence he treats largely upon the second advent as affording the richest consolation to tried saints. The passage we shall read gives us a lovely picture of the apostles earnestness for the good of souls, and it furnishes us with a grand example of how we also in our measure should serve the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4

If the preacher of the word be not bold and truthful he cannot expect a blessing. A trustee of the gospel must be faithful to his charge.

1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8

Gentleness wins far more than severity. Many will be led who will not be driven.

1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8

If we would do good to others we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves. Selfishness and soul-winning never go together. Love is power. What are we doing for our neighbors? Have we an affectionate concern for their eternal welfare? If not, how can we hope that we are ourselves converted?

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Holy living is the great end of preaching. Hearing is nothing if it does not lead to this.

1 Thessalonians 2:13, 15

They had no love either for God or men. It is said of them that they would not even point out the way to a person of a different religion. Their bigotry had destroyed their humanity.) Nothing is more hardening to the heart than religious pride, it is the death of love.

1 Thessalonians 2:16

Men cannot oppose the gospel without incurring great guilt. If they reject the Savior who saves to the uttermost, they bring upon themselves "wrath to the uttermost," and that must be terrible indeed. May none of us bring such a doom upon our own heads.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13

We may sorrow, but with measure and limit. We know that the souls of departed believers are safe, and that their bodies will rise from the grave: wherefore, then, should we weep and lament as the heathen and the unbelieving do?

1 Thessalonians 4:14

Note the words, "sleep in Jesus." Death does not break the union between Jesus and his saints. We are one with him eternally; and therefore as surely as Jesus rose, so surely must all the members of his mystical body rise also.

1 Thessalonians 4:15

Lord shall not prevent anticipate or take precedence of

We shall in no respect fare better. To sleep in Jesus is no dishonor to saints, and it shall not place them in a second class. They shall be in all things equal to those who survive until the Lord comes. We need not therefore dread death, nor feel any overweening desire to live until the second advent. That the Lord shall come is our confidence; that we shall escape death by his coming is but a poor subject for congratulation. It will give us no gain over the sacred dead.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

So that, in order, those who have died will have the preference. Their glory is reached first:

1 Thessalonians 4:17

The resurrection first, then the rapture, and the eternal abode with Jesus. Fairest of hopes, are you ours?

 

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Unexpectedly to those who have slighted the warnings of prophecy.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

Certainly, suddenly, irresistibly. Turn which way they will they shall find no safety—no deliverance.

1 Thessalonians 5:4

Unrevealed though the time be, your faith stands on the watch, and you are prepared.

1 Thessalonians 5:5, 6

Privilege involves responsibility. Are we children of the light? Then we are bound to be awake. The sons of darkness may legitimately slumber, but we must not, or we shall be unpardonably inconsistent.

1 Thessalonians 5:7

Drunkenness in those days had not grown so brazen-faced as now,—men who were given to intoxication reserved their revels for the darkness which would veil them. It would ill become us who have heavenly light to fall into the vices of nature's midnight.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-10

Jesus' great love can only fitly be acknowledged by the entire consecration of our redeemed manhood to him, at all times and in all places. Spirit of holiness, work in us communion with Jesus and conformity to him. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5

Paul, having spoken of the coming of the Lord, now tells the Thessalonians that they were not curiously to inquire as to the appointed dale of the advent, but to live in daily preparation of the Lord's appearing.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

To others the advent will be an unexpected calamity, to us a long hoped for day of exultation. Ours it is to live with Jesus always, so that life or death shall make no difference. As a child both sleeping and waking is at home in his father's house, so whether here or in Heaven we are still living together with Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Are we doing this? Mutual consolation and edification are very much too rare in these days.

1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13

Be well acquainted with your minister, and esteem him for the sake of his work and his Master. He has many trials, and his work is arduous: endeavor to cheer his heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

Prayer comes in between two precepts of joy. Praise, pray, and then praise again; ring the changes upon the silver bells of devotion.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Resist not his sacred drawings, silence not his voice either in others or in your own soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Some are so busy with proving all things that they forget to hold fast that which is good; such persons use compasses with one foot, and so cannot complete the circle of holy duty.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

You cannot be too careful: if there be any manifestation of evil, however slight, shun it at once. Flee from the lions roar, and you need not dread his teeth.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

If the apostle asked for prayer, how much more does our pastor need it! We ought never to forget him, either in family prayer or on our knees alone.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

Or as our western custom is, give them all a hearty shake of the hand. Christianity delights in sincere and loving courtesies.