Reading Sunday // Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

Preservice Statements:

This morning we have a wonderful opportunity to begin to study this wonderful epistle. There seems to be a tendency to view 1 & 2 Thessalonians as solely focusing on eschatology. These books are full of riches for us to mine out. Both letters do include important teaching on the end times, but we must keep it in light of the context of Paul’s great love and pastoral concern for this flock so they would not lose sight of joy and hope found in sound eschatology.

This epistle depicts a healthy and vibrant church. Some of the marks of their healthiness is as follows:

Giving responsibilities of the leaders to the congregation and the congregation to the leaders. Essentially pure discipleship was taking place within this church. People were getting saved through evangelism, disciples, and raised up to be church leaders.

The believers here were growing spiritually.

Standing firm despite persecution.

Living ordering lives.

As we will see in the second letter they took their responsibility to discipline sinning members seriously.

Something we will talk in-depth next week is this church’s focus on their responsibility to reach the lost world with the saving truth of the gospel.

Reading:

Chapter 1 — Me

Chapter 2 — Pat L.

Chapter 3 — Ron VV.

Chapter 4 — Kent H.

Chapter 5 — Steven M.

Introduction to 1 Thessalonians:

Author:

The apostle Paul is the author of this epistle. Epistle simply means letter.

Date:

1 Thessalonians is most commonly dated between A.D. 49–51, which means this likely takes place early in Paul’s 18-month stay in Corinth during his second missionary journey.

Theme:

The most prominent theme in 1 Thessalonians is the second coming of Jesus. It is mentioned in every chapter of this letter. At Jesus’ future coming, the dead in Christ will rise and will be caught up along with the living to meet the Lord in the air. Unbelievers will be subject to His wrath, but Christians will be delivered from this, inheriting salvation instead. Those who destined to participate as “holy ones” in the second coming must be holy and blameless, and God, who is faithful, will produce holiness in the lives of those whom are His.

The City:

[Picture]

Thessalonica, modern Thessaloniki, was the largest and most important city in the Roman province of Macedonia, being the northern part of modern day Greece. This harbor city boasted of having about a quarter of a million people, including native Greeks, Romans, sailors, travelers, tradesmen, and businessmen. This city also had a somewhat large Jewish population, large enough at least to support a synagogue.

Probably the most important asset Thessalonica had was its location. It’s main street was part of a great highway linking Rome with the eastern regions of the empire.

“It is impossible to overstress the importance of the arrival of Christianity in Thessalonica. If Christianity was settled there, it was bound to spread East along the Egnatian Road until all Asia [Minor] was conquered and West until it stormed even the city of Rome. The coming of Christianity to Thessalonica was crucial in the making of it in to a world religion.”–William Barclay

The Church:

Paul first came to Thessalonica on his 2nd missionary journey. After traveling west across Asia Minor after he was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in the province of Asia. Paul and his group would arrive in Troas, a city on the Aegean Sea. This is where we see Paul was given a vision of a Macedonian imploring him to come to their province and preach the gospel Acts 16:6–10.

Paul crossing the Aegean Sea, came to Philippi, where Paul fearlessly preached the gospel sparking a riot. As a result, he and Silas were seized, beaten, and placed in stocks in the city jail. Through the means of an earthquake, the Philippian jailer came to faith in Christ too.

Horrified at the realization they had beaten Roman citizens without benefit of a trial, the magistrates begged Paul and Silas to leave Philippi, and struck out for Thessalonica. As his custom Paul began his ministry in Thessalonica by preaching the gospel in the synagogue. In Acts we see he spent at least three Sabbaths arguing from the OT Scriptures that the Messiah had to die and rise from the dead.

As a result of this revolutionary new teaching, which contradicted the prevailing Jewish view of the Messiah, some Jews, a large number of Gentiles, even some upper class Greek women believed in the gospel and were saved.

However, seized with jealously the Jews’ resentment of Paul’s success at winning Gentile believers, they gathered a mob and assaulted Jason’s house, looking for the Christian preachers. Not wanting to cause further problems for the new Christians Paul and Silas left Thessalonica turning their eyes toward Berea.

The Occasion:

After leaving Thessalonica, they traveled 50 miles to Berea. Where Paul and Silas had a successful ministry until the Jews from Thessalonica arrived, stirred up trouble, and just Paul left, Silas and Timothy were able to stay behind. From Berea, Paul went to Athens, where Silas and Timothy later rejoined him.

Paul was truly concerned for the ministry he left behind in Thessalonica, he sent Timothy back just to check on them. Timothy’s report of the new church was encouraging, there were some issues however. Persecution which drove the God squad out hadn’t stopped with them, the church needed to be encouraged to stand firm.

Also, as they usually do, enemies of the truth were spreading lies and slandering Paul and his companions. Claiming Christian preachers were only in it for the money and to build their reputations. We will see Paul vigorously defends his, Silas’s, and Timothy’s integrity in chapter 2.

Paul is also concerned the these new believers not slip back into their old life of immorality, which was prevalent in their culture. Also, I hope you noticed as we read, Paul is concerned about their reputation with those outside of the church, encouraging them to continue to love each other fervently and to work diligently.

v. 1) Greeting and introductions

Paul probably needs little to no introduction, he was once an enemy of God, now he was a man after God’s own heart. Paul rarely does all the work himself. Whenever possible, Paul worked with a team. Here Paul mentioned the men he worked with.

Silvanus (also known as Silas) was a long and experienced companion of Paul. He traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey and experienced much of what Paul did. This church knew Silvanus well.

Timothy was a resident of Lystra, a city in the province of Galatia. He was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother named Eunice. From his youth Timothy learned the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. Timothy was a trusted companion and associate of Paul, and he accompanied Paul on many of his missionary journeys. Again Paul had sent Timothy to the Thessalonians on a previous occasion.

Despite Paul and the gang being ran out of the city, this new church continued to be alive and active.

In all likelihood, while in Athens, it is likely Paul was concerned about the church he had just founded, and he wondered about their state. It would be here Silas and Timothy came to him from Berea and Thessalonica. Timothy came with news of this church.

This would have been a very refreshing bit of news as Paul was sure to be a very discouraged missionary at this point.

This letter presupposes a basic truth: Paul thought it important, essential even, to organize these young converts into a community of mutual interest, care, and fellowship.

[1] “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is Pauls customary greeting.

The love Paul has for this church is something we can learn from:

How many churches lack strength because their ministers have not remained faithful in exhorting them:

to follow the Lord?

to follow and support their present ministers?

Acts 14:21–22 NKJV

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Titus 2:11–15 NKJV

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

A strong church is a church of the people. This letter wasn’t addressed to “the church at Thessalonica,” but to “the church of the Thessalonians.” The church was the people, the people who had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Without people who are committed to the Lord there is no church. This letter wasn’t addressed to the leaders either, but the whole congregation.

A strong church is a church of the people a church:

comprised of people

built upon the people

acknowledges the importance of the people

involves and uses the gifts of the people

recognizes and esteems the presence and contribution of the people

The flip-side, what will weaken a church?

Building the church upon a few people or leaders

Ignoring and neglecting the needs of some members

Failing to involve and use the gifts of some members

Romans 12:3–5 NKJV

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Family, a church which is not founded upon God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is not a church, not a true one, no matter what it may be called. It is nothing more than:

A man-created fellowship, gathering, assembly, body, meeting, worship.

Grace is the undeserved favor and blessings of God. Peace means to be bound, joined, and woven together, meaning to be assured, confident, and secure in the love and care of God. And it is always important to note, you cannot have peace without the grace of God.

A church connected to Christ is characterized by grace and peace.

vv. 2-3) Thanksgiving for their faith

[2] Paul constantly prays with the team for this church.

Paul’s gratitude is continuous. He is always gives thanks for them in prayer. This truly reflects a key element of Paul’s ministry. Prayer must be an element of any effective minister of the gospel.

We can ask the question, why has God chosen prayer to be the medium through which He acts for man?

It is because sharing and talking together are the way all persons communicate, fellowship, and commune together. This is true both with men and God. Prayer requires our presence, sharing, and talking, and God wants to fellowship and commune with you.

Unfortunately few christians heed this fact; few take prayer seriously. Nevertheless a strong church encourages people to pray, and it stirs people to pray for it and its ministries.

[2] This church had evident Christian virtues. Paul highlights three marks of a genuine Christian life.

Work of faith:

True faith is never passive but is demonstrated in action.

James 2:17 NKJV

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Their faith was visible through their obedience and perseverance amid persecution.

This reflects saving faith, which naturally produces works

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Labor of love:

Love (agape) is self-sacrificial, mirroring Christ’s love

John 13:34 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Their love was active and costly, involving real sacrifice for one another.

This perfectly aligns with Paul’s teaching

Galatians 5:6 NKJV

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Steadfastness of hope:

Hope in Christ sustained them through trials.

“steadfastness” implies patient endurance, even under persecution.

This ultimately reflects a future-oriented faith, anchored in Christ’s promise to return.

The triad of faith, love, and hope is a common theme in Paul’s writings:

1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Here in 1 Thessalonians it summarizes the Christian life:

Faith: looking back to Christ’s finish work.

Love: operating in the present, shaping your actions.

Hope: looking forward to Christ’s return.

A good church is a gift of God for which we ought to give thanks.

A church needs continual prayers more than occasional engagement.

v. 4) God’s Choice

The final verse of our passage this morning is beautiful. Paul affirms their divine election, indicating they belong to God. After all this church was still be persecuted by those who persecuted Paul. They needed to know if they were still loved by God.

Election is a major biblical theme, showing salvation is ultimately God’s work, not your human effort.

The phrase “beloved brethren,” was to let them know Paul also cared for them deeply, and that they weren’t alone.

This is a reminder God loved them (beloved) and He chose them (election). The two go to gether. When we love someone, we naturally choose them.

Paul’s confidence in their election is not based on abstract theology but on observable evidence—their faith, love, and hope. These Christians in Thessalonica actually responded to the gospel and it was proven in their actions.

In a sermon on the following passage, Spurgeon found four evidences of election:

The Word of God coming home with power (our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power).

The reception of God’s Word with much assurance (and in much assurance).

The desire to be like Jesus (you became followers of us and of the Lord).

The existence of spiritual joy in spiritual service (in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit).

Election doesn’t negate your human responsibility; rather, it assures the believer their salvation is secure in God’s sovereignty. Again these Christians could endure trials because they were loved and chosen by God. And so can you.

Application for Today:

A Gospel-centered identity:

The church is not just an organization but a people rooted in God.

Our primary identity is in Christ, not in culture or personal achievements.

A life of faith, love, and hope:

Faith should be active, evidenced by obedience.

Love should be sacrificial, prioritizing others.

Hope should be unshakable, anchoring us in Christ’s second coming.

Confidence in God’s sovereign grace:

Our salvation rests not in our performance but in God’s love and election.

You can endure trials knowing you are in God’s hands.

1 Thessalonians 1:1–4 introduces Paul’s heartfelt gratitude for this church. He recognizes their faith, love, and hope as evidence of genuine salvation, reminding them they are loved and chosen by God. This passage calls all believers to live out their faith actively, love sacrificially, and remain steadfast in hope as they await Christ’s return.

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 NKJV

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.