Comfort One Another: A Devotional Study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Copyright © 2013 Pastor Rusty Yost.

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Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0289-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0291-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0290-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013913090

WestBow Press rev. date: 8/6/2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 5

2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 3

Comfort One Another

DEDICATION

It is a great joy for me to dedicate my first book to my family. Every man owes a debt of gratitude to those around him who love, support, mold, and encourage him to pursue God’s will and to live for Christ. I first acknowledge the wonderful influence of three precious ladies God placed in my life—my mother, Shelby Yost, and my two grandmothers, Lilly Yost and Myrtle Hardy. I look forward to meeting them again in heaven.

I would also like to acknowledge the godly influence of my father, Clyde R. Yost Sr. Dad’s spiritual influence upon my life began on the day he rededicated his life to Christ. His decision to follow Christ gave me the courage to step forward during the same invitation and receive Christ as my Savior when I was a ten-year-old boy.

I would also like to thank my father-in-law and pastor, Shelby Gillam, for his godly influence upon my life over the years and for his encouragement to begin writing and actually bring a book into existence. By God’s grace, this will be the first of other works to follow.

Of course, this dedication would not be complete without acknowledging the most important gift God has placed in my life—my dear wife, Deb. My wife is a true helpmeet who blesses my life in many ways each day. I appreciate her love for me, her children, her grandchildren, and all of her family. Without her love for Christ and partnership in ministry, my life simply would not be what it is today.

To all of my immediate and extended family, I say thank you. I love each of you, and may the God of all comfort be your abiding strength until we meet at last in his presence.

For more information on the ministry of Pastor Yost visit the websites below:

cbmtoday.org

or

pastorrusty.com

INTRODUCTION

Paul’s experience at Thessalonica began when he boldly shared the gospel with a people steeped in idolatry and immorality. Immediately upon hearing the gospel, a powerful work occurred in their hearts, resulting in an amazing transformation of their lives. This wonderful work of the Spirit in the lives of a people so lost in spiritual darkness should serve as a source of inspiration in our own day. Thankfully, no one is beyond the reach of the gospel, including the many in our beloved nation who seem so far from God.

The apostle Paul’s letters to the young church at Thessalonica are filled with practical application for our lives today. If you are hungry for spiritual growth, this devotional study is for you! I have no doubt the Holy Spirit will enrich your walk with Christ as you engage in this verse-by-verse study.

Your journey through these two letters will also introduce you to the great doctrine of the second coming of Jesus Christ. In his first letter, Paul’s answer to a question posed by this young church subsequently brought comfort to the hearts of every succeeding generation of believers, including our own! In his second letter, the apostle continued to clarify various details concerning the second coming that are simply fascinating. There are several mountain peaks of Bible prophecy to be discovered in this study, and I’m sure you will find it quite exciting.

I hope you will take the time to make full use of the suggested activities that appear throughout the text of this book. These activities will promote additional Scripture reading and the use of other outside resources to enhance your study. As well, the questions presented will compel you to think more deeply about the text we are studying. The various questions can also be useful for group study.

At the end of the book, I have included an addendum designed to comfort and encourage those working through grief associated with the loss of someone dear in life. In my view, the theme verse of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians can be found in the first epistle in 4:18, which says, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The promise of Christ’s return is to be a constant source of comfort to our hearts as we face inevitable seasons of loss in our lives. I believe the addendum will be a helpful resource that complements this central teaching of Paul to the Thessalonians.

I pray the Lord will prosper your time in his Word as you enjoy this study.

Pastor Rusty Yost

CHAPTER 1

1 THESSALONIANS 1

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 1:1)

The apostle Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica not long after his initial visit resulted in the formation of a new church. He opens this letter by acknowledging two men who ministered with him during his stay at Thessalonica. Silvanus (Silas) and Timotheus (Timothy) were dependable coworkers who traveled extensively with the apostle during his missionary activities.

Suggested Activities

Using an appropriate map in your Bible or another resource, locate the city of Thessalonica.

Using a Bible dictionary, take the time to read some background information on the city of Thessalonica.

Read the following Bible passage concerning Paul’s coworker Silas: Acts 15:22-41.

Read the following Bible passages concerning Paul’s coworker Timothy: Acts 16:1–5; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 1:1–2.

Read Acts 17:1–14 concerning Paul’s first visit to Thessalonica.

Please note that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica. The local church is not a manmade idea. Rather, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks of the assembly of believers in a local body. Every able-bodied, born-again believer should be active in a local New Testament church with a pastor(s), deacons, and the fellow saints. Please read 1 Timothy 3 for additional study.

You will note the reference to the Lord Jesus Christ in this opening verse. Paul uses this title nineteen times in his two epistles to the Thessalonians! It should be pointed out that all true Christians acknowledge Jesus as Lord. Furthermore, this title is indicative of his deity (cf. Phil. 2:9–11). The word Lord is equivalent to the Old Testament word Jehovah. As the apostle Peter declared on the day of Pentecost, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The Lord Jesus Christ is the unique Son of the living God. He is God come in the person of Jesus, the Christ (John 1:1, 14). As such, he is Lord over all. It is absolutely essential that one come to grips with the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. Otherwise, one will be lost!

1 Thessalonians 1:2–10

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you,