Tour of Living Letters: Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

1. 1 Thessalonians
“1Thessalonians has a double thrust: godly living
within an awareness of Christ’s coming”

4. Acts17:1-10

5. CentralTheme:
1 Thessalonians
The Second Coming
of Christ

6. Other themes:
1 Thessalonians
Portrayal of healthy,
growing church

7. Notable characteristics:
1 Thessalonians
• It is intimate, heart-to-heart.
• Its tone is gentle, affectionate,“a
classic of Christian friendship.”
• The epistle is simple, basic.

8. Notable characteristics (cont.):
1 Thessalonians
• There is an air of expectancy, especially
concerning Christ’s return.
• The epistle gives one of the earliest
pictures of the primitive New Testament
church.
• There are no quotations from the Old
Testament.

9. Outline:The Lord’s Coming is…
1 Thessalonians
An inspiring hope for the young convert (ch. 1)
An encouraging hope for the faithful servant (ch. 2)
A purifying hope for the believer (ch. 3)
A comforting hope for the bereaved (ch. 4)
A rousing hope for the sleepy Christian (ch. 5)

10. Key words: “holy”
1 Thessalonians
“so that He may establish your hearts
blameless in holiness before our God
and Father at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ” — 1Thes. 3:13

11. Key words: “always”
1 Thessalonians
“always pursue what is good both for
yourselves and for all. Rejoice always”
— 1Thes. 5:15b–16)

12. Key words: “faith”
1 Thessalonians
“Your faith toward God has gone out,
so that we do not need to say anything.”
—1Thes. 1:8b

13. Key words: “coming”
1 Thessalonians
“Now may the God of peace Himself
sanctify you completely; and may your
whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.” —1Thes 5:23

14. Key words: “know”
1 Thessalonians
“for you know what commandments
we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”
—1Thes 4:2

15. Key words: “comfort”
1 Thessalonians
“Therefore comfort each other and
edify one another, just as you also are
doing.” —1Thes 5:11

16. 1 Thessalonians