Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST THESSALONIANS

(2/20/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

I. THE INTRODUCTION AND THEME OF FIRST THESSALONIANS

A. Though the Bereans were “more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica” (Acts 17:11), Paul has many good things to say about Thessalonians in his first epistle to the Thessalonians. It is a book in the New Testament that has much to say to the church today.

B. The church today needs to have a powerful Christian testimony and example to the world around it. The Thessalonians were examples to the surrounding area in which they lived (1Th 1:7).

C. The church today needs a resurgence in biblical evangelism. The Thessalonians “sounded forth” (exêchéō - sound out a loud noise, Eng. “echo”) the gospel so that Paul did not need to say anything to them concerning evangelism (1Th 1:8).

D. The church today needs to stand firm in the face of persecution and again the Thessalonians showed us how (1Th 1:6; 2:14).

E. Many, including those in the church, are looking for security in the future. Paul writes some of the most revealing passages to the Thessalonians concerning the future return of the Lord (1Th 4:13-17).

F. The church today needs the same practical admonitions that Paul gave to the Thessalonians: concerning spiritual growth (1Th 3:12-13; 4:1; 5:23), concerning purity (1Th 4:3-7), concerning conduct outside the church (1Th 4:10-11), and concerning conduct in the church (1Th 5:12-14).

G. The key verse could be 1Th 1:3 where Paul was thankful for their “work of faith” (evidence of salvation), “labor of love” (toil prompted by love for the Lord), and “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (persevering and looking for Christ’s return); all elements of Paul’s letter. This is also the key verse for the 2011 GBC Theme, “Laboring in Love while Looking for the Blessed Hope.”

II. THE CITY OF THESSALONICA

A. The city of Thessalónica is the modern city of Salónica or as the residents call it, “Thessaloniki.” The city was founded around 315 B.C. by King Cassander of Macedon. It was near the old town of “Thermê” most likely because it was near thermal springs (Grk - thermê [heat] & polis [city], i.e. Thermopolis, WY). He named it after his wife, “Thessalonikê.” Thessalonikê, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, was the named by her father after the Macedonian victory at the Battle of the Crocus Field and meant “Thessalian victory” (nikê - victory, Eng. Nike).

B. Macedonia became one of four provinces under Roman occupation in 148 B.C. and Thessalonica was named its capitol. In 42 B.C., because it had supported Antony and Octavian in the battle against Brutus and Cassius, it was rewarded by being made a free city. It not only was exempt from Roman taxes but also enjoyed its own democracy and government.

C. At the time of Paul’s visit, Thessalonica was the largest and most important city of Macedonia (northern Greece). It was a major sea port in the Thermaic Gulf (the Gulf of Salónica) along the Aegean Sea. Thessalonica enjoyed worldwide influence and culture from Roman and seafaring tradesman and businessman. It sported a large Jewish population which included a synagogue as well as a Jewish political voice.

D. Thessalonica is one of the few cities that Paul visited that still exists in modern times. However, there are very few traces of Paul in the modern city, unlike Alexander the Great, Aristotle, and Saint Demetrius, a Christian Roman officer martyred in the 4^th Cent and now the patron saint of the city.

III. THE OCCASION, AUTHOR, AND DATE OF FIRST THESSALONIANS

A. The apostle Paul came to Thessalónica (modern Salónica), on his second missionary journey (A.D. 50; Acts 17:1–18:22).

B. As was his custom, Paul first preached there in the synagogue (Act 17:1). After three Sabbaths, some of the Jews “were persuaded” to believe on Christ along with a large number of Greeks (Acts 17:2-4).

C. However, some of the unbelieving Jews caused an up roar in the city so that the brethren sent Paul and Silas to Berea (Acts 17:5-10). Again the unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica found out Paul was in Berea and went there and persecuted him till the brethren sent them away again to Athens (Acts 17:13-15).

D. Anxious about how the believers in Thessalonica were doing under persecution, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them. Timothy reported back to Paul that the believers in Thessalonica were standing firm in faith (1Th 3:1-8).

E. Paul continued on his missionary journey, coming to Corinth (Acts 18:1, 5), where he eventually wrote two letters (A.D. 51-54) in order to encourage and instruct the believers in Thessalonica. He mentions himself numerous times in the epistle (1Th 1:1; 2:18; 3:5; 5:27).

IV. THE OUTLINE OF FIRST THESSALONIANS

I. Paul’s Salutation (1:1)

II. Personal Admirations (1:2-3:13)

A. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians (1:2-10)

B. Reminders of the Thessalonians’ Salvation (2:1-16)

C. Concern for the Thessalonians’ Welfare (2:17-3:13)

III. Pertinent Admonitions (4:1-5:27)

A. Christian living (4:1-12)

B. The Rapture (4:13-18)

C. The Day of the Lord (5:1-11)

D. Church life (5:12-15)

E. Holy living (5:16-24)

F. Personal Appeals (5:25-27)

IV. Paul’s Benediction (5:28)

V. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Persuaded

1. The Thessalonians had to be persuaded to believe on Christ. Though we know that the Holy Spirit brings spiritual enlightenment and regeneration to the unbeliever, the believer must implore (2Co 5:20) and persuade the believer to believe.

2. Some have been made ready to accept Christ (Bereans) some must be persuaded (Thessaloninas). Peithō (persuade) is a root of pisteuō (believe) and we must persuade unbeliever through the aid of the Holy Spirit to place their faith in Christ.

B. Persecuted

1. Any believer who is vocal about his faith is going to be persecuted to some degree. However, that same believer will experience the fruit of seeing unbelievers come to Christ.

2. Christ told his disciples that they would be persecuted (Joh 15:20).

C. Persevering

1. Whether because of persecution, absence of apostolic influence, or hard toil for the Lord, the Thessalonians persevered in love and service for the Lord.

2. They are an example for the church today to persevere despite the same types of difficulties. We are to faithfully serve the Lord out of a heart of love while we wait for our master to return.