Weekly bible study of the New Testament book of 1 Thessalonians at Harvest Bible Church in Cypress Texas

1. 1 Thessalonians
Week 4

2. Plan for this Study
Week 1 – Overview of the Study and Introduction to 1 Thessalonians (1:1)
Week 2 – 1:2-10 Thanksgiving for the Church
Week 3 – 2:1-16 Reminders for the Church
Week 4 – 2:17-3:13 Concerns for the Church
Week 5 – 4:1-8 Moral Purity
Week 6 – 4:9-12 Disciplined Living
Week 7 – 4:13-18 Death and the Rapture
Week 8 – Eschatology
Week 9 – 5:1-11 Holy Living and the Day of the Lord
Week 10 – 5:12-15 Church Relationships
Week 11 – 5:16-22 Basics of Church Living
Week 12 – 5:23-28 Paul’s Benediction and Closing Remarks
Week 13 – Review, Conclusions, Application

3. Themes
Reminder of our 5 Major Themes in 1 Thessalonians:
1) An apologetic theme with the historical correlation between Acts
and 1 Thessalonians
2) An ecclesiastical theme with the portrayal of a healthy, growing
church
3) A pastoral theme with the example of shepherding activities and
attitudes
4) An eschatological theme with the focus on future events as the
church’s hope
5) A missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation
and church planting

4. Week 3 Review
1 Th 2:1-16 Reminders for the Church
• The Integrity of Paul’s Message (Missionary Theme)
o Not in error or out of impurity or deceit
o Not with flattering speech or pretext
o Not seeking glory
o Pleasing to God, not men
• The Integrity of Paul’s Example (Pastoral Theme)
o Gentle, caring, with fond affection
o Hard working so as to not be a burden
o Devout, upright, blameless
o Exhorting, encouraging, imploring

5. Week 3 Review
1 Th 2:1-16 Reminders for the Church
• The Integrity of the Church’s Example (Ecclesiastical
Theme)
o Walking in a worthy manner
o Accepting of the word of God for what it is
o Imitators of their Leaders
o Endured suffering
• The Integrity of God (Eschatological Theme)
o Wrath on those who killed the Lord and the prophets and drove Paul out
o Wrath on those not pleasing to God, and hostile to men
o Wrath on unbelievers

6. Week 4 Overview
1 Th 2:17-3:13 Concerns for the Church
• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Welfare 2:17-20
o Satan’s attack against God’s purpose
• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Faithfulness 3:1-10
o Timothy’s Mission 3:1-5
o Timothy’s Report 3:6-10
• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Continued Growth 3:11-13
o Paul’s Prayer for Himself 3:11
o Paul’s Prayer for the Church 3:12-13

7. 1 Th 2:17-3:13
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short
while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great
desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet
Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you,
in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be
left behind at Athens alone,

8. 1 Th 2:17-3:13
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance
that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you
know.
5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find
out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you,
and our labor would be in vain.

9. 1 Th 2:17-3:13
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us
good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of
us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were
comforted about you through your faith;
8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy
with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see
your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

10. 1 Th 2:17-3:13
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our
way to you;
12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one
another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness
before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His
saints.

11. The Church’s Welfare
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short
while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great
desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet
Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you,
in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be
left behind at Athens alone,

12. 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short
while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great
desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and
yet Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you,
in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be
left behind at Athens alone,
The Church’s Welfare

13. 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short
while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great
desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet
Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even
you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be
left behind at Athens alone,
The Church’s Welfare

14. 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short
while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great
desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet
Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you,
in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be
left behind at Athens alone,
The Church’s Welfare

15. 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short
while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great
desire to see your face.
18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet
Satan hindered us.
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you,
in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best
to be left behind at Athens alone,
The Church’s Faithfulness

16. 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your
faith,
3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance
that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you
know.
5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find
out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you,
and our labor would be in vain.
The Church’s Faithfulness

17. 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance
that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you
know.
5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find
out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you,
and our labor would be in vain.
The Church’s Faithfulness

18. 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in
advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to
pass, as you know.
5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find
out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you,
and our labor would be in vain.
The Church’s Faithfulness

19. 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance
that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you
know.
5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to
find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have
tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.
The Church’s Faithfulness

20. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has
brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always
think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see
you,
7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were
comforted about you through your faith;
8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy
with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see
your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The Church’s Faithfulness

21. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us
good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of
us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we
were comforted about you through your faith;
8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy
with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see
your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The Church’s Faithfulness

22. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us
good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of
us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were
comforted about you through your faith;
8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy
with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see
your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The Church’s Faithfulness

23. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us
good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of
us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were
comforted about you through your faith;
8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all
the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see
your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The Church’s Faithfulness

24. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us
good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of
us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were
comforted about you through your faith;
8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy
with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may
see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
The Church’s Faithfulness

25. 11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct
our way to you;
12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one
another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness
before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His
saints.
The Church’s Growth

26. 11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our
way to you;
12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for
one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness
before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His
saints.
The Church’s Growth

27. 11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our
way to you;
12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one
another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness
before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with
all His saints.
The Church’s Growth

28. Conclusions
1. Satan will attack the church, disguised as an angel of
light, and the inside attacks are the most difficult to
defend against
2. Satan cannot take away that which is firmly planted with
a strong root.
3. The greatest joy we can have on this earth is to do the
works God has prepared for us.
4. Sometimes God allows us to see the crowns of our
exultation – those believers who come to faith by God’s
grace where we were planters or waterers

29. Conclusions
5. It is our job to strengthen and encourage fellow
believers by sharing the Word and God’s promises
6. Preaching Christ Crucified can be met with extreme
hostility, but we must preach it anyway
7. Serving God is not about getting the results we want.
8. Our goal is Holiness