“1st Century Letters for 21st Century Living” “The Church: Changing Lives in Life’s Changing Times” I Thessalonians 1:1 – 8

Introduction: In :1 – 9, Luke walks us through the planting this church.

I. WHO wrote this letter to the Thessalonians? 1 Thessalonians 1:1a, Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus ...

During his second missionary trip, round AD 50, Paul’s team left and went to Thessalonica.

Acts 17:1, … passed through and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2, And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

The Old Testament is the Concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament Revealed.

1. assigned the twelve to a/The Restricted Commission: Matthew 10:5, These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the enter ye not: 6, But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

2. The Revised Commission Luke writes summaries this commission: :8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in , and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

3. The Required Commission :1, And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 4, Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

So it was Saul’s persecution that forced the church of Jerusalem into evangelism.

4. The Preferred Commission :15, But the Lord said unto him (Ananias of ), Go thy way: for he (Saul of Tarsus) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16, For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Saul of Tarsus was redeemed, called and ordained as the chief apostle for all things Gentile.

II. To WHOM was this letter written?

1 Thessalonians 1:1b, …unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus : Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

When you build your hope on God Riches At Christ Expense His peace can preside your new life.

Acts 17:3, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4, And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and ; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

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We are not asked to save people, but to introduce them to the Savior.

III. WHY was this letter written? To encourage, establish, instruct, and inspire this new church. Acts 17:5, But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

If the is believed confirm their faith, but if rejected step away.

Acts 17:10, And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

If you’re serious about serving God He’ll always have an assignment for you.

1 Thessalonians 2:17, But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

IV. WHAT prompted Paul to write this letter? Timothy’s encouraging report…

A. Expressions of Gratitude:

1. Prayers for God’s Favor 1 Thessalonians 1:2, We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

2. Appreciation for their Faithfulness 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

B. Election of Grace:

1. Chosen by God: 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

2. Confidence in God’s Power: 1 Thessalonians 1:5a, For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

C. Encouraged by their Growth:

1. Delight in God’s Word: 1 Thessalonians 1:6, And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

2. Display Godliness to Others: 1 Thessalonians 1:7, So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

D. They Effectively Share the Gospel:

1 Thessalonians 1:8, For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

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The Outreach of an evangelizing community is both local and Global.

IV. WHAT prompted Paul to write this letter, cont? Paul shares how it pained him to leave so abruptly and when it couldn’t take anymore he writes First Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 3:1, Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at alone; 2, And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

The church must Continue to grow towards spiritual maturity but Never arrive.

1 Thessalonians 3:6, …..when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

God Expects each one of us to be responsible for our personal Growth.

PRAYER: God, gives us the determination to follow you in a close and intimate relationship. Keep us from looking for quick formulas and give us the courage to follow the promptings of your Spirit. Keep our hearts and minds open to change. Help us to value your will as revealed in the , so that we respond in holiness to all of life. Amen