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)