Intro 1 Thessalonians

1. FIRST THESSALONIANS
First Thessalonians, 89 verses and 1,857 words, and 5 Chapters.
The book can be completed in 2 ½ days, at 2 chapters a day.
BACKGROUND:
Writing with gratitude and affection to a church that he had
visited only briefly, Paul’s first and second epistles to the
Thessalonians offer words of encouragement to a faithful but
struggling church, and they focus particularly on the
encouragement offered by the return of Christ.
DATE:
The book of 1&2 Thes. are the first epistles that Paul wrote to
his Gentile converts. He wrote it around AD 51-52, after the
events of Act 17:1-9.
THEME:
In 1st
and 2nd
Thessalonian there are 20 references to the second
coming of Christ.

2. There are no outstanding doctrinal or moral problems in the
church at Thessalonica.
Therefore, the believers could be filled with a joyous
anticipation of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Each chapter ends with some happy note about Christ's
coming:
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from
the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to
come (1: 10).
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not
even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his
coming (2: 19)?
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in
holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (3: 13).
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump
of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with

3. them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the Lord (4: 16-17).
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (5: 23).
Only those living in the will of God hope to be translated into
His very presence.
OUTLINE:
In chapter 1 we learn of their exemplary lives.
In chapter 2 we learn of their exemplary ministers. In
chapter 5 we learn that, as an assembly, they were noble
examples of the Christian faith.
Note the character of an ideal believer in
CHAPTER 1:
They were converted by the gospel and the Holy Ghost (v.
5).

4. No doctrines of men and no doctrines of God were
delivered by the means and energy of the flesh. They
were filled with much assurance (v. 5).
When one understands that salvation is ours through the
finished work of Christ, not the unfinished work of the
believer, blessed assurance results. They became
followers of the Lord (v. 6).
A profession of faith may put us on the roll of a local
church, but only salvation will enable us to follow Jesus
Christ. They were ensamples of the faith (v. 7).
Their conversion was genuine, and their conduct was
exemplary of the working of grace in a life. They "sounded
out" the word (v. 8).
There is no such creature as a silent Christian.
Those who know Christ confess Him before men.
They do not "sound out" dogmas, creeds, or
denominational affiliation;
true believers proclaim the word.
They turned from idols to serve God (v. 9).

5. They were waiting for the coming of the Lord (v. 10).
Only sold-out believers are living in hopeful anticipation of
the Lord's return.
IN CHAPTER 5
when believers assemble under exemplary leadership, their
congregation is also exemplary:
 They had high esteem for God-given authority (vv. 12-
13).
 They were at peace among themselves (v. 13).
 They warned the unruly (v. 14).
 They comforted the feebleminded (v. 14).
 They supported the weak (v. 14).
 They were patient toward all men (v. 14).
 They did not render evil for evil (v. 15).
 They followed that which is good to all men (v. 15).

Another reason why God's people long for His return is the
trouble and persecution they endure in this world.
The best saints are often the most hated by the children of wrath.
Such was the case with the saints at Thessalonica and the apostle
Paul:
 Christians meet with much affliction (1: 6).
 They are shamefully treated (2: 2).

6.  They suffer at the hands of their own countrymen (2:
14).
 They endure afflictions (3: 3).
 And are often in distress (3: 7).
The First Half Of Chapter 5
provides an excellent contrast between those who are
watching for the Lord's return and those who are not:
THE WATCHERS:
 Know the Lord is com-ing as a thief in the night (v. 2).
 Are prepared to obtain final salvation (v. 9).
 Are watchful and sober (v. 6).
 Have faith, hope, love, salvation and comfort (vv. 8,
11).
 Are children of the day and light (v. 5).
THE SLEEPERS:
 Expect peace and safety (v. 3).
 Find sudden destruction, travail, no escape (v. 3).
 Are sleeping and drunken (vv. 6-7).
 Have nothing. Are children of night and darkness (v.
5).

7. HOW TO MINISTER
1Thes 2:4
1Thess 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in
trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing
men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
1) Value the privlage
1Thes 2:4
2) DON'TS
-Don't do it to please man 1Thes 2:4
-Don't use flattery 1Thes 2:5
-Don't be covetous 1Thes 2:5
-Don't do it for self-glory 1Thes 2:6
3) DO
-Do it with gentleness 1Thes 2:7
-Do it with charity 1Thes 2:8
-Do it by example 1Thes 2:10
--Conclusion--
1Thes 2:11-12 exhort, comfort, charge/ to walk worthy of God,
read the scripture (5:27)
THE WILL OF GOD
1Thes 4:3
1Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

8. --Intro.--
Is a commandment of Jesus 1Thes 4:2; Mark 3:35;Rom 8:2;
1John 2:17
1) Your Difference-
Sanctification 1Thes 4:3
abstain from fornication 1Thes 4:3
take possesion of the flesh 1Thes 4:4-5; 1Pet 2:15, 4:2
Holiness 1Thes 4:7; Eph 6:6
Love the family 1Thes 4:9; Act 13:36
2) Your Duty- Conduct
Rejoice Evermore 1Thes 5:16
Pray Without Ceasing 1Thes 5:17; Col 4:12; Rom 8:27
Give thanks In Everything 1Thes 5:18
3) Your Diligence-
Patience in anticipation Heb 10:36-38
1Thess 4:17-18
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and
so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Lord’s return is supposed to be a “comfort.”
If it isn’t, something is wrong I Corinthians 15:51-52.

9. 1Thess 5:9
9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Christians are not appointed to go through the Tribulation.
The Tribulation is a time of “wrath” (Rev. 15:7; 16:1).
Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the
seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of
God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple
saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour
out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.