1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 1
1 Salutation

• From Paul, Silvanus (2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Peter 5:12) and Timothy
• To the church of the Thessalonians
• Grace to you and peace

2-10 The Thessalonians' Faith and Example

• We give constant thanks to God for you, remembering your 1) work of faith; 2) labor of love; and 3) steadfastness of hope.
• Our message came to you in 1) word; 2) power; 3) the Holy Spirit, with full conviction
• In spite of persecution you received the word with joy.
• You sounded forth the word in every place, turning to God from idols, waiting for Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

1 Thessalonians 2
1-16 Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1-8 We came to you:

• having suffered persecution
• to preach the gospel to you
• with courage
• not out of impure motives or trickery
• not pleasing mortals, but God
• not with flattering words
• gently, as a nurse caring for children
• sharing ourselves with you

9-12 You remember:

• our laboring night and day so you wouldn't be burdened
• our blameless conduct
• how we encouraged you, like a father encourages his children, to lead lives worthy of God

13-16 We give thanks that when you received the word of God:

• You accepted it as God's word, not as human
• You imitated the Judean churches, suffering the same things they suffered at the hands of the Jews - who 1) killed both Jesus and prophets; 2) drove us out; 3) hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles; 4) fill up the measure of their sins; 5) at last have received God's wrath

17-20 Paul's Desire to Visit the Thessalonians Again

• We were made orphans in our separation from you
• We longed to see you, but Satan blocked our way. Does Satan have that kind of power against God's people? If it could happen to Paul, it can happen to us, that Satan can close doors. What he cannot do is take away the love we have for each other, God's love for us, our love for God, or our salvation.
  
• You are our crown of boasting before Jesus at his coming, our glory and joy. Does this mean that when Jesus comes again, Paul will boast, "Look at these Thessalonians, Lord. Aren't they great?"

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1-5 Paul's Desire... (cont'd)

• When we could no longer bear the separation, we sent Timothy to you to encourage and strengthen you in light of the persecution.
• I had told you that persecution would be inevitable, and it did happen. I was afraid that the tempter would sway you, and our labor would have been in vain.

6-13 Timothy's Encouraging Report

• Timothy has come back, and brought us the good news: 1) Your faith and love; 2) that you remember us kindly
• We are so encouraged about your faith, and can't thank God enough for all the joy we feel because of you.
  
• We pray for you night and day: 1) That God will direct our way to you; 2) that he may make you increase in faith and love; 3) that he may so strengthen you that you will be blameless at that coming of our Lord Jesus

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1-12 A Life Pleasing to God

• A final plea: abstain from fornication, for God calls us to holiness, not impurity
• Concerning love, we ask you to : 1) do so more and more; 2) live quietly; 3) mind your own affairs; 4) work with your hands, that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one.

13-18 The Coming of the Lord

• So that you will not grieve as others who have no hope, this is how it will happen:
• The Lord coming with a cry, the archangel's call, and the trumpet of God
  
• Those who have died will be resurrected first
• Those who are still alive will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air
• Encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5

• You know the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.
• Sudden destruction will take most people by surprise, but as children of light, you will be prepared...
• ...with soberness, a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation
• God has destined us for salvation through Christ, that we may live, whether awake or asleep.

12-28 Final Exhortations, Greetings, and Benediction

• Respect those who labor among you, esteem them highly, be at peace among yourselves
• Admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearter, help the weak, be patient with all
• Never repay evil for evil, but seek to do good to all
• Always rejoice, pray, and give thanks
• Do not quench the Spirit, despise the words of prophets -- test everything
• Hold fast to good, abstain from evil
• May God sanctify you, may your spirit, soul, and body be sound
• Greet brothers and sisters with a holy kiss