1 Thessalonians

Intro

Paul, Silas, and Timothy went to Thessalonica to preach the gospel. Some were converted but shortly after they were run out of town. After a couple more cities Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the new converts were doing and report back to him.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 “5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.”

Timothy sent him back awesome news, the church is growing and thriving. Paul writes a letter to the Thessalonians about how excited he is to hear the news and to encourage them in some of their hardship. He also mentions a couple ways they could get off track and to steer clear of them.

Knowledge

The fruit of the gospel confirmed the work of God:

1 Thessalonians 1:4–8 (NIV)

4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.

The fruit: accepted God’s people, were humble under teaching, they suffered well, they sought to imitate Godly men and women, they were so radically different that Paul is getting news from surrounding towns about the power of God in Thessalonica.

Ex: How do we know we aren’t wasting our time? Yesterday I attended a baptism for one of my LifeWise students. His mom belongs to New Testament church, the baptisms were done at First Baptist next door, and several Faithbridge folks were in attendance. New Testament baptized 10 people. Each of them got to share their testimony beforehand and what we kept hearing was the same thing, “I walked away from God, I tried it my way, but now I don’t just want to give Jesus my life but I want to walk in His way and I want to make Him proud!” We hear about shootings, injustice, and terrible things going on and sometimes we forget to look at all the work God is doing. Paul is running place to place but he has the perspective to see the work of God.

Paul then reminds them of God’s will for them moving forward: not a building, not a bigger service, not an institution

1 Thessalonians 4:2–6 “2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.”

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 (NIV)

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Ex: I don’t care what anyone thinks of me is not a biblical stance. What do people think of Christians around here? How do you feel when you know the mechanic you dropped your car off with is a Christian? What do outsiders think when their daughter comes home and says, “mom - dad - this is my new boyfriend. He’s a Christian. - - Are they happy? Do they think they’ll be dealt with honestly? OR Do they think, “great it’s Sunday after church no one’s going to tip.”

Our faith should not just be powerful when we are doing “religious activities” everything we do should be different. I hope my son grows up like… I hope my daughter grows up to be just like… EVEN NONBELIEVERS

Paul has heard many of the new believers have died - maybe because of persecution - but he encourages them that when Jesus comes back they will all meet Him alive.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 (NIV)

1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 (NIV)

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, (EX: Miss Bobbi) who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. (EX: Pastor Ron) Live in peace with each other. (Ex: 1st Baptist) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, (Ex: no - just kidding - but seriously, if you aren’t putting your shoulder to the wheel and pushing hard enough to convince your unsaved neighbors that being a Christian is a good thing here’s your warning; you are not in God’s will. EX: The Amish)

encourage the disheartened, (If you can’t get out of bed because you don’t think you deserve to be used by God or that time has passed - YOU ARE WRONG - stop treating yourself like someone God hates, because He loves you)

help the weak, be patient with everyone. (MOG, impatience is a SIN)

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

Vision

1 Thessalonians 5:27 “27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.”

Paul wants everyone to hear it from him, “You guys are killing it, I’m so excited to see the root that God’s word has taken. Your next steps are

Holiness

A quiet hardworking life

Confidence over death

This is God’s will for your life

That you live so set a part, that you would work so hard, that you would grieve with so much confidence in the resurrection that even unbelievers would marvel at the work of God in YOUR ORDINARY life.