Review of Thoughts and Themes From I Thessalonians

I Thess. 2:14-20 A Bright Hope in a Dark Day (Message #5)

I. The Attack of the Enemy (vs. 14-17)

• One of the most common encouragements given in Scripture is one that people don't often like to hear: "Others have gone through exactly what you're going through."
• The reason this should encourage us is because if others endured what we are facing and pressed on by faith, then we can as well.
• Those who prevent others from hearing the gospel store up for themselves a greater measure of wrath from God.

II. The Averted Endeavor (vs. 17-18)

• While the Thessalonians were under persecution, Satan was averting any endeavor made by Paul, Silas, or Timothy to get to the Thessalonians.
• The devil knew what courage and boldness would be brought to the Thessalonians by the return of these three men.
• The Christian faith is a one-another faith.

III. The Attention on the End (vs. 19-20)

• One endeavor that Satan will have no power to avert will be the endeavor of the Savior to gather the children of God home!
• Every soul you've brought to the Savior will be a jewel in your crown of rejoicing when Jesus returns.
• Though we live in a dark day, may God help us to focus on the fact that we serve a ruling & reigning, conquering & coming King!

I Thess. 3:1-5 Truths Seldom Told (Message # 6)


I. Timothy's Resume (vs. 1-2)

• Paul sent the best man he could to inquire as to the welfare of the Thessalonians.
• Paul spoke in glowing terms about Timothy.
• How do we speak about one another?

II. Tough Reminders (vs. 3-4)

• We are appointed unto affliction and will suffer tribulation.
• We cause people to become disillusioned when we lead them to believe that if they trust Christ as their Savior it will solve all of their problems.
• Getting saved does not erase the storms of life, but it does give us a companion Who has already gone through the storms and knows how to lead us safely through.

III. Temptation's Revelation (vs. 5)

• Trials and temptations reveal the authenticity of our faith.
• Trials of faith are precious because they reveal to us whether or not our faith is genuine.
• There will be times when we feel as if all of our labor and love for others in the Lord was in vain. (Heb. 6:10)



Final Review of Themes & Thoughts From I Thessalonians

 I Thess. 1:5-10 A Model Church (Message #3)

I. The Essential Element (vs. 5)

• The essential element necessary for the gospel to take affect is the power of the Holy Ghost.
• The power of the Holy Ghost was so evidently manifested that it produced great assurance in the hearts of the Thessalonians as to the veracity of the gospel.
• While the indwelling of the Spirit is a one-time and permanent event, the filling of the Spirit must be sought after time and again.
• We have a constant supply of Holy Spirit power if we will take the time to seek His filling.

II. The Evangelistic Example (vs. 6-8)

• The Thessalonians followed the example of Paul, Silas, and Timothy as they suffered for the sake of the gospel.
• The way in which the Thessalonians received the Word of God was an example to their province and those provinces surrounding them.
• Once the Word of God has been received with joy, those who have received it should count it a joy to send the Word forth.

III. The Effectual Entrance (vs. 9-10)

• The gospel had a tremendous effect on the lives of the Thessalonians.
• Their faith in Christ caused them to turn from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait with anticipation for the return of Jesus.
• While waiting for Jesus, they were also working for Jesus.

I Thess. 2:1-12 The Gospel Delivered & Displayed (Message #4)

I. The Gospel Preached (vs. 1-6)

• The mistreatment that Paul and Silas received in Philippi did not deter them from preaching in the same manner when they reached Thessalonica.
• The Word of God was preached with power, purity, not seeking profit, but only wanting to please God.

II. The Godly Practices (vs. 7-10)

• At the top of the list of reasons why Paul's ministry at Thessalonica was so fruitful would undoubtedly be the power of the Holy Spirit, but somewhere near the top of that list would be the manner in which Paul, Silas, and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians.
• They could preach so boldly because they lived so compassionately.
• They were as gentle as a nursing mother caring for her infant.
• If we are going to be effective witnesses it will be because we have the power of the Holy Spirit on our lives and because we conduct ourselves with grace and compassion.

III. The Good Produced (vs. 11-13)

• The gospel preached coupled with the godly practices resulted in many coming to Christ.
• Those that came to Christ were challenged to walk worthy of God.
• We have been given a honor higher than that of wearing a uniform for a country or a jersey for some ball team...we have been called children of God.
• God's desire is that we would act like His children.
• God's Word has the greatest affect on those who take it as God's Word.

Final Review of Themes & Thoughts From I Thessalonians

       Thank you for being a part of this study as we examine the inspired epistles penned by the Apostle Paul. Next week we will begin a verse by verse study on II Thessalonians. Throughout this week, we will take some time to review all of the themes and thoughts that we have examined in this Epistle, so be sure to check back daily. Before you read the review, I would encourage you to stop now and ask God to speak to your heart about areas in which you can grow. Here goes...

I Thess. 1:1 More Than Just a Hello (Message #1)

I. The Picture of the City

• Thessalonica was the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia
• Thessalonica was situated on the Aegean Sea and boasted a large naval base and many hot springs which drew tourists to the city.
• The Via Egnatia, Rome's largest east to west road cut through the heart of the city.
• Paul's first visit to the city took place on his first missionary journey. He spent three sabbaths there, but was run out of the city for preaching the gospel.

II. The Position of the Church

• The letter is penned to the church.
• Of the 114 times the word "church" is used in the New Testament, 109 of those times it is used to describe a local assembly of believers.
• Acts 20:28 tells us that the church was purchased with the blood of Christ, and thus it should be of primary importance in our lives.
• To be in the church, one must first be in Jesus.

III. The Provision for the Christian

• Grace and peace are the typical salutations that Paul uses to greet those to whom he is writing.
• There are different kinds of graces for different trials in life.
• Knowing that God's grace is sufficient should give us peace in our hearts no matter what trial we are going through.
• God has more grace to give to those who will humble themselves before Him. (Jas. 4:6)

I Thess. 1:2-4 The Best Testimony (Message #2)

I. Gratitude in Prayer (vs. 2)

• In 6 out of 7 letters penned to churches, Paul is careful to let the churches know that he was grateful for them.
• Gratitude is an essential part of prayer. (Phil. 4:6; Ps. 100:4)
• Jesus showed gratitude in prayer. (Jn. 11:41)

II. Graces in Practice (vs. 3)

• The three Christian graces are faith, hope, and love. (I Thess. 2:3; I Cor. 13:13)
• The Work of Faith speaks of salvation. (Jn. 6:29)
• The Labor of Love speaks service to others. (Heb. 6:10)
• The Patience of Hope speaks of waiting for Christ's return. (I Jn. 3:2-3)
• The Work of Faith that has been done in the past, the Labor of Love that we are presently involved in, and the Patience of Hope that we have for the return of Christ has been described as the biography of the Christian.

III. God's Initiated Plan (vs. 4)

• Election does not mean that God has predetermined that some people will go to Heaven and some people will go to hell. (II Pet. 3:9; Titus 2:11; I Tim. 2:3-4)
• Election is God's decision to accept as His children those who believe on Jesus Christ. For more discussion on this point, check out this archived post.

      
       I pray that these refreshers will again challenge us from the pages of this first inspired epistle by the Apostle Paul. Feel free to offer up any responses, thoughts, or questions that you might have. Check back tomorrow for a review on messages 3 & 4.

Application Questions from I Thess. 5:25-28

1) What request does Paul make in I Thess. 5:25?

2) How often do I pray for the needs of others?

3) What two requirements does Paul give in verses 26 & 27?

4) Though the method of greeting one another has changed in our culture, what should remain the same?

5) List three reasons why the Word of God is so important.

6) With what did Paul begin and end this letter to the Thessalonians?

7) What area do you need God's grace to grow in the most?