1
Sunday School Lesson Outline – Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church – 3317 Toledano Street – New Orleans, La.
March 3, 2019 --- A New Loyalty --- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Unit I – New in Christ
Introduction: “Some people are remembered for their words. Will Rogers, Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, and, of course, King Solomon readily come to mind as men known for their wit and wisdom. However, such people are exceptions to the general rule, undoubtedly because their writings have been preserved through the years. The people most of us remember are those whose lives have had a profound impact on us. And we remember their character and their deeds long after their words have faded from our memories. There might be a few wise words we remember from parents and grandparents, but for the most part, we remember such things as their faithfulness, kindness, love, diligence, attitudes, and particular things they did that exhibited their honorable qualities. When the Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the Christians in the city of Thessalonica, he had things he wanted to teach them and remind them of. The first chapter, however, is devoted primarily to remembering the godly character and actions of the Thessalonian believers. Such reminders of their godly example would encourage them to continue faithfully following Christ and challenge others, including us, to set a Christ-like example for others to follow.” – BE&I (See Love's Introduction on Page 6.)
I. GREETING THE THESSALONIANS -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2
1 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
A. Greeting the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1).
1. “This important letter begins with a greeting that is familiar to readers of the New Testament.”
a. “Paul identifies himself as the author and the Thessalonian church as the recipient. (Silvanus, another name for Silas, and Timothy are also mentioned alongside Paul’s name.)”
b. “Silas had been with Paul when the Thessalonian church was first established (Acts 17:4), and Timothy had recently visited the Thessalonians and reported back to Paul (I Thess. 3:1-2).”
2. “Paul was writing on behalf of these two men as well as himself. (But Paul was the one who actually wrote the letter, as indicated by his use of I throughout [2:18; 3:5; 4:9, 13; 5:1, 27].)”
3. “Thessalonica was in the Roman province of Macedonia, which covered much of northern Greece.”
a. “Paul had brought the gospel to the city on his second missionary journey (Acts 17).”
b. “Many Gentiles came to the Lord at that time, but only a few Jews. (In fact, the Jews were largely hostile toward Paul and forced him to leave the city and even followed the apostle to Berea to disrupt his work there.)”
4. “Still, the church in Thessalonica was founded during Paul’s short stay there and was, in fact, amazingly well- grounded in the faith, as Paul’s letter shows.”
a. “The letter of I Thessalonians followed shortly after the establishment of the church.”
b. “It was written from Corinth and was one of Paul’s earliest letters, probably preceded only by Galatians.”
5. “More important to Paul than his own contribution was that the Thessalonian church was in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 1:1).”
a. “The word translated church is ekklesia, a familiar term in Greek and Jewish society for an assembly. (It literally means a called-out assembly.)” 2
b. “It was adopted as the distinctive name for the assembly of Christians.”
c. “Here God the Father distinguishes it from any pagan assembly … while and the Lord Jesus Christ distinguishes it from Jewish assemblies (Hiebert).”
6. “Paul’s distinctive greeting was Grace be unto you, and peace.”
a. “His desire was for his readers to experience fully God’s unmerited favor (grace).”
b. “He also desired for them the deep, abiding peace with God that results from receiving His grace.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
B. A distinctive church (1 Thessalonians 1:2).
1. “Paul and his companions expressed their thanksgiving to God for all the Thessalonian believers.”
a. “This they were doing constantly by praying for them.”
b. “The apostle could offer no greater encouragement to them than to assure them of his personal gratitude to God for them and of his continual prayers on their behalf.”
2. “Why has God chosen prayer to be the medium through which He acts for man?”
a. “Because sharing and talking together are the way all persons communicate, fellowship, and commune together.”
b. “This is true both with men and God.”
Practical Point 1: “A portion of our prayers should involve giving thanks.”
II. REMEMBERING THE THESSALONIANS' GODLY EXAMPLE -- 1 Thessalonians 1:3-8
1 Thessalonians 1:3 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;
A. Examples in their character (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
1. “Paul’s thanks to God for the Thessalonians was not merely a formality. (As he and the others prayed, they remembered without ceasing the exemplary character of the Christians in Thessalonica.)”
2. “What would be remembered without ceasing?”
a. “Their work of faith (work produced by a living faith).”
b. “Their labor of love (intense, exhausting labor produced by love).”
c. “Their patience of hope (hardship-conquering perseverance produced by hope).”
3. “These virtues are effectively worked out in our lives as we live with the constant awareness that we stand in the presence, or sight, of God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 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. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
B. Examples in their response to the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:4-7). 3
1. “Because the Thessalonians’ faith was evident in their works, Paul was convinced of their election of God.”
a. “They were not only his brethren but also God’s beloved.”
b. “Paul knew they were indeed chosen by God and belonged to Him.”
c. “As further evidence of this, Paul recounted the founding of the Thessalonian church.”
2. “The gospel had come to them in word but also…”
a. “…in power (For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek [Romans 1:16]).”
b. “…in the Holy Ghost (empowered by the Holy Spirit).”
c. “…in much assurance (assurance to the messengers that the gospel would accomplish God’s will).”
d. “(Their godly character validated their God-given gospel [what manner of men we were]).”
Practical Point 2: “The knowledge that we were specifically chosen by God gives us confidence in our work.”
3. “The manner in which the believers had embraced the gospel message made them examples to many others.”
a. “They had received it with faith even though it meant affliction, or oppression and they had received the word with joy.”
b. “They were not deterred by unpleasant outward circumstances but experienced the inner joy produced by the Holy Spirit.”
c. “Only those who trust in Christ can know the inner peace and joy that comes from knowing and following the Saviour and having a hope that extends beyond the pleasures or pains of this life.”
4. “As we look to the examples of others to inspire and encourage us, let us also be examples to others.”
Practical Point 3: “Just as we emulate spiritually mature Christians, we should anticipate that others will emulate us.”
1 Thessalonians 1:8 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.
C. Examples in their ministry (1 Thessalonians 1:8).
1. “The believers in Thessalonica proved to be encouraging examples in the way they embraced the gospel and remained faithful and even joyful in the face of severe challenges.”
a. “They were also examples by the way they proclaimed the word to others.”
b. “Just as the gospel had come to them by way of Paul, they had taken the gospel to others.”
2. “Their ministry is described as sounding forth the word of the Lord.”
a. “The expression pictures the reverberating sound of a trumpet or of thunder.”
b. “It emphasizes the resounding nature of the witness borne by the Thessalonian church (Morris).”
3. The Thessalonian believers were taking the word of the Lord to others in their own province and to Achaia and beyond.”
a. “The experience of the Thessalonians reminds us that we do not need to wait for organized campaigns or church programs to reach our cities and counties and states with the gospel.” 4
b. “We simply need to grasp the joy of knowing Christ through faith and faithfully share that truth in everyday life, wherever we go.”
4. “Paul said that the Thessalonians’ testimony was so widespread that he did not need to tell anyone of it.”
Practical Point 4: “Our lives can be examples for nonbelievers.”
III. AFFIRMING THE THESSALONIANS -- 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
1 Thessalonians 1:9 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
A. Confirmation (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
1. “Paul’s witness to the faith, love, and hope of the church in Thessalonica was not a solitary testimony.”
a. “As reports came to him in Corinth, he saw that others affirmed what he said.”
b. “This too was an encouragement to him, as well as to the Thessalonians themselves.”
2. “The unidentified people of verse 9 consistently affirmed three things about the Thessalonians.”
a. “They affirmed the manner of the missionaries’ (humble) approach in Thessalonica.”
b. “These people testified to the fact that the Thessalonians had turned (converted) to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”
c. “The witnesses testified that the Christians were also waiting for God’s Son from heaven (vs. 10).”
Practical Point 5: “Every Christian should discard the idols in their lives and turn to God.”
1 Thessalonians 1:10 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
B. The One Who delivers (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
1. “Jesus is further described as the One who delivers from God’s coming wrath.”
a. “God’s wrath is His righteous anger against all that contradicts His holiness.”
b. “As the Creator and the Holy One, He is entirely just in expressing His wrath against sin and sinners in either eternal judgment or temporal judgments.”
2. “It is possible that the temporal judgments of the end-times tribulation are envisioned in this wrath and that the Bible is saying believers will be spared from this.”
a. “The context, however, seems to suggest that it is the eternal judgment of hell that is particularly in view here.”
b. “Through the work of Christ, all believers have been delivered from everlasting judgment.”
Practical Point 6: “Because of Christ's work on the cross, we have been delivered from God's wrath.”
Compiler: Rev. Kenneth E. Thompson From: Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press, Cleveland, OH: Standard Lesson Commentary NIV, Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH; Power Bible CD, Online Publishing Co., Wordsearch 9 Basic Edition, Wordsearch Bible Software, Austin, TX.
5
Sunday School Lesson Text With NIV And Interlinear
March 3, 2019 --- A New Loyalty --- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1Th 1:1 ¶ Paul, (Paulos) and (kai) Silvanus, (Silouanos) and (kai) Timotheus, (Timotheos) unto the church (ekklesia) of the Thessalonians (Thessalonikeus) which is in (en) God (theos) the Father (pater) and (kai) in the Lord (kurios) Jesus (Iesous) Christ: (Christos) Grace (charis) be unto you, (humin) and (kai) peace, (eirene) from (apo) God (theos) our (hemon) Father, (pater) and (kai) the Lord (kurios) Jesus (Iesous) Christ. (Christos)
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. (NIV)
2 ¶ We give thanks (eucharisteo) to God (theos) always (pantote) for (peri) you (humon) all, (pas) making (poieo) mention (mneia) of you (humon) in (epi) our (hemon) prayers; (proseuche)
2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. (NIV)
3 Remembering (mnemoneuo) without ceasing (adialeiptos) your (humon) work (ergon) of faith, (pistis) and (kai) labour (kopos) of love, (agape) and (kai) patience (hupomone) of hope (elpis) in our (hemon) Lord (kurios) Jesus (Iesous) Christ, (Christos) in the sight (emprosthen) of God (theos) and (kai) our (hemon) Father; (pater)
3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
4 Knowing, (eido) brethren (adelphos) beloved, (agapao) your (humon) election (ekloge) of (hupo) God. (theos)
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, (NIV)
5 For (hoti) our (hemon) gospel (euaggelion) came (ginomai) not (ou) unto (eis) you (humas) in (en) word (logos) only, (monon) but (alla) also (kai) in (en) power, (dunamis) and (kai) in (en) the Holy (hagios) Ghost, (pneuma) and (kai) in (en) much (polus) assurance; (plerophoria) as (kathos) ye know (eido) what manner of men (hoios) we were (ginomai) among (en) you (humin) for (dia) your (humas) sake.
5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. (NIV)
6 ¶ And (kai) ye (humeis) became (ginomai) followers (mimetes) of us, (hemon) and (kai) of the Lord, (kurios) having received (dechomai) the word (logos) in (en) much (polus) affliction, (thlipsis) with (meta) joy (chara) of the Holy (hagios) Ghost: (pneuma)
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
7 So (hoste) that ye (humas) were (ginomai) ensamples (tupos) to all (pas) that believe (pisteuo) in (en) Macedonia (Makedonia) and (kai) Achaia. (Achaia)
7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (NIV) 6
8 For (gar) from (apo) you (humon) sounded out (execheomai) the word (logos) of the Lord (kurios) not (ou) only (monon) in (en) Macedonia (Makedonia) and (kai) Achaia, (Achaia) but (alla) also (kai) in (en) every (pas) place (topos) your (humon) faith (pistis) to (pros) God-ward (theos) is spread abroad; (exerchomai) so (hoste) that we (hemas) need (chreia) not (me) (echo) to speak (laleo) any thing. (tis)
8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, (NIV)
9 For (gar) they (apaggello) themselves (autos) shew (apaggello) of (peri) us (hemon) what manner (hopoios) of entering in (eisodos) we had (echo) (echo) unto (pros) you, (humas) and (kai) how (pos) ye turned (epistrepho) to (pros) God (theos) from (apo) idols (eidolon) to serve (douleuo) the living (zao) and (kai) true (alethinos) God; (theos)
9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (NIV)
10 And (kai) to wait for (anemeno) his (autos) Son (huios) from (ek) heaven, (ouranos) whom (hos) he raised (egeiro) from (ek) the dead, (nekros) even Jesus, (Iesous) which (ho) delivered (rhoumai) us (hemas) from (apo) the wrath (orge) to come. (erchomai)
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (NIV)
Love's Introduction -- Paul sends this letter to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. God was the very atmosphere in which the Church lived and moved and had its being. Just as the air is in us and we are in the air and cannot live without it, so the true Church is in God and God is in the true Church and there is no true life for the Church without God. Further, the God in whom the Church lives is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and, therefore, the Church does not shiver in the icy fear of a God who is a tyrant but basks in the sunshine of a God who is love.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul picks out three great ingredients of the Christian life.
(1.) There is work which is inspired by faith. Nothing tells us more about a man than the way in which he works. He may work in fear of the whip; he may work for hope of gain; he may work from a grim sense of duty; or he may work inspired by faith. His faith is that this is his task given him by God and that he is working in the last analysis not for men but for God. Someone has said that the sign of true consecration is when a man can find glory in drudgery.
(2.) There is the labour which is prompted by love. Bernard Newman tells how once he stayed in a Bulgarian peasant's house. All the time he was there the daughter was stitching away at a dress. He said to her, "Don't you ever get tired of that eternal sewing?" "O no!" she said, "you see this is my wedding dress." Work done for love always has a glory.
(3.) There is the endurance which is founded on hope. When Alexander the Great was setting out on his campaigns, he divided all his possessions among his friends. Someone said, "But you are keeping nothing for yourself." "O yes, I am," he said. "I have kept my hopes." A man can endure anything so long as he has hope, for then he is walking not to the night, but to the dawn. -- Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT).
7