1 Thess. Summary & 2 Thess. Introduction

Northwest Bible Church – Oct. 15, 2023 – 1 & 2 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. Summary & 2 Thess. Introduction

Intro

A. PAUL’S MINISTRY IN THESSALONICA.

1. Acts 17:1-10 –
2. Paul’s escape during the night was a source of criticism.

B. THEMES IN 1 THESS.

1. Divine election, 1 Thess. 1:4-5.
2. Importance of Sanctification.
a. 1 Thess. 2:11-12; walk worthy of God
b. 1 Thess. 4:1-10 God’s will is your sanctification, “EXCEL STILL MORE.”
3. The Second Coming.
a. Every chapter ends with a reference to it.
b. The comfort of the coming of the Lord, 1 Thess. 4:13-18,
c. The timing of the rapture is post-trib., 1 Thess. 4:17.
d. As a “thief in the night” is only for unbelievers, 1 Thess. 5:3-4.
4. Community.
a. Mutual ministry, 1 Thess. 5:13-18
b. corporate worship, 1 Thess. 5:19-22.

C. INTRO TO 2 THESS.

1. When written?
2. Authors (2 Thess. 1:1).
3. Recipients (2 Thess. 1:1). “in God our Father”.
4. Blessing (2 Thess. 1:2). “grace and peace”.
5. Issues to be dealt with.
6. Outline of 2 Thess.
a. Thankfulness for perseverance in suffering (2 Thess. 1:3-12).
b. God’s people will not be deceived by false teachers (2 Thess. 2:1-12).
c. Thank God for electing grace and its comforts (2 Thess. 2:13-17).
d. Prayer for the spread of the gospel and sanctification (2 Thess. 3:1-5).
e. Stay clear from the unruly, and follow our example (2 Thess. 3:6-16).
f. Final greeting and blessing (2 Thess. 3:17-18).
7. Purpose of 2 Thessalonians –
(1) to strengthen the Thessalonians in the face of persecution (2 Thess. 1:3–12
(2) to correct the false teaching and exhort to stand firm (2 Thess. 2:1–3:5).
(3) to deal with problems (2 Thess. 3:6–15).

Conclusion

Things to Ponder: What are the main things you learned from 1 Thessalonians? Why did Paul emphasize election in 1 Thess. 1:4-5? What lessons for the Christian life can we learn from this epistle? Why is the second coming so important to our Christian lives?