August 16, 2009
Morning Service

I Thessalonians

 

Intro. To I Thessalonians.

 

1. After Paul’s conversion in chapter 9 of the book of Acts, he begins his missionary work with Barnabas.  Leaving Antioch of Syria, and traveling through Asia, which we now call Turkey.
2. Paul’s second missionary journey begins at Jerusalem, with Silas, and takes him through Asia, Macedonia, and Greece.  On his return to Jerusalem, by ship, he touches down at Ephesus, then sails around the southern coast of Turkey to Caesarea.
3. It is believed that he wrote the letter to the Thessalonians from Corinth, around 51AD.
4. At the time Paul did his travels throughout these regions they were all under Roman rule, in which he was a free born Roman citizen.
5. The city was inhabited by Greeks, Romans, and Jews. It adored many gods, but particularly Jupiter, as the father of Hercules, the alleged founder of its ancient royal family.
6. The name of the place now is Saloniki. It is a Turkish commercial town, and contains about 70,000 inhabitants. 

 

In chapter 15 of Acts, Paul had just finished meeting with the elders at Jerusalem.  A very important chapter for us to remember.  Special events begin to happen after this.  In chapter 16 Paul hooks up with Timothy at Derbe, and Lystra. 

It was at this time he received the call from God, in a vision, to go into Macedonia.  This is where Thessalonica is located.

While at Philippi he met Lydia, in which when she heard the gospel, believed it, and was baptized.

This is also where he cast the demon out of the woman that had the spirit of divination.

And last but not least in chapter 16, the Philippian jailer, and his household was converted to Christianity.

Then on to Thessalonica:  Chapter 17 this is said:

Act 17:1-10  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:  (2)  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures,  (3)  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.  (4)  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.  (5)  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.  (6)  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;  (7)  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.  (8)  And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.  (9)  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.  (10)  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

 

Paul had been run out of town by the unbelieving Jews, and therefore was very encouraged when Timothy came to him with good news from Thessalonia.  They were persevering through difficult times.  Paul therefore writes this letter of commendation, and encouragement to them. 

This letter is the foremost letter concerning the coming of our Lord and Savior.

 

With these things in mind let us begin with I Thessalonians.

 

1Th 1:1-10  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Silvanus here is Silas.
• Then Paul’s typical greeting.

(2)  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;  (3)  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 

• Right off the bat, Paul shows us the importance of prayer.  Paul was a mighty man of God.  He prayed often.  This should help you and I recognize that prayer is an important part of our walk with God.  We also should pray often.
• Hopefully these things can be said of the church that meets in Mitchell IN.  Our work of faith, labor of love, and patience of Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

(4)  Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 

• Paul said this to the Ephesians:  Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
• Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

• Peter said;  1Pe 1:2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

(5)  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

• There was great power manifested in the gospel in its leading them to break off from their sins, to abandon their idols, and to give their hearts to God;  Not necessarily in the realm of miracles, but to the converting of souls.
• And because of this power, and witness the following happened.

(6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 

• You became followers of us, and the Lord Jesus, because of the life we lived in your presence.
• And because of this witness;

(7)  So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  (8)  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad;

• What kind of examples are we? 
• Are we known for spreading the Word of God?  Paul says that they were.

so that we need not to speak any thing. 

• Paul is saying “we don’t need to say anything concerning you, your life of example is enough.”

(9)  For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 

• Paul says “we came and preached, and you believed.”  This is why he can say that they are predestined.  God is the one who gives the ability to believe.  God called these people from Thessalonica to believe in His Son Jesus for salvation.  The proof is their life, and testimony.

 

Then Paul concludes chapter one by saying:

(10)  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

• Jesus is coming back after His people, the church.
• God the Father did raise Jesus from the dead, and is now living in a glorified body somewhere in the heavens.
• And by His witness, and life, has now delivered all who trust in Him for their salvation, from the wrath that is to come on this world.

 

Peter said; 2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

 

Paul speaks of this day of wrath often in his writings.  It is coming, and Christian we will know when it is at the door.  Be prepared, and do not be caught unawares.  Look up for you redemption draws near.