“WHAT PAUL THOUGHT ABOUT” (I THESS. 1:2-3)
1. During an average day people think about a lot of things.
2. A family in debt may think about the money that they owe.
3. A husband/wife in a troubled marriage will think about their strained relationship.
4. A man who has been laid off will be thinking about employment.
5. A person hospitalized because of an automobile accident may think about the wreck.
6. We think about a lot of things in life.
7. Because this is the way that human beings are. Scripture offers some guidance.
8. One place where this guidance is found is Phil. 4:8.
9. This passage was just used for a scripture reading.
10. Paul told people to think on (about) things that are:
a. True, honorable, just, pure and lovely.
b. If something has virtue, or is deserving of praise,
c. Even if it is a good report, we should contemplate such matters.
d. The word that is translated “think on” is defined by Thayer as:
e. “to consider, take account, weigh, meditate on.”
f. In a general way, Phil. 4:8 tells us what to think about.
BEFORE I SAY MUCH MORE ABOUT OUR THOUGHTS, I WANT TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE APOSTLE PAUL. I WANT US TO LOOK AT SOME INFORMATION FROM THE LIFE OF THIS APOSTLE, AND TIE THIS INFORMATION IN WITH PHIL. 4:8.
1) This information comes from today’s text, I Thess. 1:2-3.
2) The Thessalonian letter is an interesting letter.
3) One of the things that’s interesting about this letter is that Thessalonica still exists.
4) Many New Testament cities are no longer around. Thessalonica is one of the few that is.
5) Thessalonica has also had some modern significance.
6) During World War I it was an important Allied base.
7) During World War II it was captured by the German army.
8) The German’s deported and exterminated 60,000 Jews.
9) Now the city of Thessalonica ha a population of about 300,000.
10) In Paul’s day the population was about 200,000.
11) As we look at the New Testament we discover how Paul got to Thessalonica.
12) In a vision given by God, Paul saw a man in Macedonia.
13) This man was begging for help.
14) Paul and his companions went into this area and started at Philippi.
15) At Philippi a congregation was established.
16) Then Paul and Silas were arrested on false charges.
17) After Paul and Silas were freed, they went to Thessalonica.
18) The distance between Philippi and Thessalonica was about 100 miles.
19) When the men came to Thessalonica, they started to teach in a synagogue.
20) After a short time, Paul and Silas were about chased out of Thessalonica.
21) Before Paul left, a congregation was started in this city.
22) Let’s see what Paul wrote to these people. READ I Thess. 1:2-3.
i) These two verses tell us what Paul thought about.
ii) Look carefully at the words.
iii) Paul first said something about prayer – “we give thanks”.
iv) Paul’s prayer to God was filled with memories.
v) Paul also told the Thessalonians how often he remembered them.
vi) He said that he and others (“we”) remembered them “always”.
vii) In verse 3, Paul emphasized his point again:
viii) He said, “remembering without ceasing your work…”
ix) As I examined verse 3, I came across something interesting.
x) The word that is translated “without ceasing” is used outside the New Testament.
xi) Someone used this word to describe an incessant cough.
xii) Perhaps some of you have had a cough that would not stop.
xiii) I have.
xiv) Paul told these people that he did not stop remembering them.
xv) The apostle Paul and others were constantly reminded of the:
xvi) Faith, labor of love, and the patience that the Thessalonians had.
xvii) The point that Paul made is expressed on the board behind.
xviii) The unbroken line represents the word “always”.
xix) The dots represent the words “without ceasing”.
xx) There are no missing dots in this picture.
23) It is true that Paul thought about more than what is described here.
24) I Thessalonians 2:2 makes this clear. QUOTE/READ.
25) Paul also remembered that he had been mistreated.
26) He knew that he had been dealt with in a shameful way
27) He knew that he had been wrongfully persecuted.
28) The apostle also remembered church problems.
29) II Corinthians 11:28. QUOTE/READ
30) Though Paul thought about many things, he obeyed what he wrote in Phil 4:8.
31) He meditated on things that were true, honorable and lovely.
32) He frequently remembered the good things about the Christians in Thessalonica.
AS WE LOOK AT HOW PAUL VIEWED THINGS, WE SHOULD ASK OURSELVES A QUESTION: “WHAT DO WE MEDITATE ON? WHAT ARE WE TAKING ACCOUNT OF, OR LETTING WEIGH ON OUR MINDS?”
1) Is the answer things that are pure, lovely, and true?
2) Or is the answer things that are impure, unlovely, and untrue?
3) This matter was put to the Christians who were at Colossee.
4) Colossians 3:7 tells us what the Colossians had formerly done.
5) QUOTE/READ
6) The Colossian people had “lived in” and “walked” in a certain way.
7) This manner of life is described in verses 5, 8-9. READ.
8) The things that Paul describes are not lovely and good.
9) These items are not of “good report”.
10) Therefore, Paul said in Colossians 3:1-2. READ.
11) Growing up, I used to hear people speak about minds being in the gutter.
12) Colossians 3:7 teaches that this is possible.
13) Colossians 3 also teaches that a Christian’s mind is to come out of gutter.
14) Verses 1-2.
15) To this one or many might say: “Our minds are not down there”.
16) Perhaps not.
17) Are Christian minds and thoughts in accordance with Philippians 4:8?
18) Are good and wholesome thoughts being meditated upon?
i) I have had a rather unique life.
ii) In a short period of time, because of the Air Force and school,
iii) Teresa and I have lived in 5 states.
iv) We have been members of 6 different congregations.
v) In each place, I have seen the same thing. That is,
vi) At lease a few brethren meditate upon the wrong things.
vii) They think about a church split.
viii) They remember how 2 sisters took a swing at each other in the parking lot.
ix) Thoughts frequently go back to:
(a) A preacher that had to be fired and situation was ugly.
(b) Or an elder that was a detriment to the church.
(c) Many often call to mind a comment made against them.
(d) Or, they remember some other kind of injustice/church trouble.
19) Memories, especially in regard to the church, are many times awful.
20) This is not the way that things should be.
21) In my time as a Christian, a few members of the church have done some things that hurt me. My wife has been hurt. The majority of you, if you have been a Christian for any time at all, have been hurt too.
22) The lesson from Philippians 4:8 and I Thessalonians 1:2-3 is: we are to
23) Allow our minds to remember and emphasize the pleasant times.
24) About 10 years ago, Teresa and I were living in Austin, TX.
25) I am ashamed to say that I have not kept up with many Christians from there.
26) I frequently allow myself to remember our time there.
27) Members of U.H. church helped us create some very good memories.
i) Many good memories were created by Mr. and Mrs. Chancey .
ii) Morris was a computer repairman for Burroughs.
iii) He was a slow talking, easygoing man.
iv) This man was the best Bible class teacher I have ever heard.
v) Many good memories of class.
vi) He was a joy to be around.
vii) Many nights I went over to his pond and caught catfish.
viii) A small one was about 7 pounds.
ix) While we were in Austin, Thanksgiving time came around.
x) Teresa and I could not get back to be with our families.
xi) The Chancey’s invited us out to their place.
xii) Other military people were also invited to come.
xiii) The Thanksgiving we spent with the Chancey’s has been my favorite.
xiv) A long time has passed since the time we were in Austin.
xv) Memories of the brethren and that Thanksgiving Day are fresh and encouraging.
28) This is how Paul looked upon the Thessalonians.
29) The memories he had from these people were heart warming.
30) They were encouraging. They helped keep Paul going.
31) What Paul described is something that we can have.
32) While in a School of Preaching, I remember the director making a statement
i) He said, “One day you will be through with school.”
ii) Things may be very dismal (depressing).
iii) When this time comes, remember back to the school devotions.
iv) Remember the time that you spent here.
v) The director said that the memories we are forming would help us.
vi) The director spoke the truth. He was right.
33) As Christians, parents, and grandparents, we need to build memories.
34) These memories are for ourselves and for the young people we can influence.
35) For both us and them:
i) We can develop memories of fellowship and closeness.
ii) We can install with us and our youth, memories of things that are true, pure and holy
iii) While worshipping in Austin, Teresa and I met a Christian our age.
iv) Kenny was from Louisiana; he had no family in Texas.
v) Since we lived close to each other, we frequently got together.
vi) He would often come by our house unannounced.
vii) He would come over to our house for Sunday lunch.
viii) Many Sunday afternoons were spent exploring in a State Park.
ix) The time spent together has formed some great memories.
36) God’s people need good memories to think about and meditate on.
37) Too many times the memories that brethren contemplate are bad.
i) People will continually remind themselves of how they hurt.
ii) People will keep before them slander or another verbal injury.
iii) Paul had some memories that were less than positive.
iv) We all do.
v) We need to build memories like Paul had of the Thessalonians.
vi) We may use these memories as Paul did in prayer.
vii) Or, they may be just good thoughts throughout the day.
38) Conclusion:
39) If you do not have many good memories, especially in regard to the church, work on that.
40) If your children are not growing up with good memories about church, help.
41) There are many ways that you can accomplish this. One way is camp.
42) A special session is available to Goshen’s young people this June 19-23.
43) Sound teachers will be present: wholesome activities are being planned.
44) I will be one of the staff members and I expect a memorable time.
45) Goshen will likely have a fall retreat at Camp Indogan this year.
46) Just the other day someone was telling about memories that they had.
47) When the congregation bets together, participate.
48) Interact with brethren on a private basis too.
49) Be sure that good memories are developed.
50) If you have no good memories, you may not be a Christian.
51) Now you can initiate your first positive Christian memory by obeying the gospel.