Bible Study of 1 Thessalonians , week 4

1 ThessaloniansWeek 4

Plan for this StudyWeek 1 – Overview of the Study and Introduction to 1 Thessalonians (1:1)Week 2 – 1:2-10 Thanksgiving for the ChurchWeek 3 – 2:1-16 Reminders for the ChurchWeek 4 – 2:17-3:13 Concerns for the ChurchWeek 5 – 4:1-8 Moral PurityWeek 6 – 4:9-12 Disciplined LivingWeek 7 – 4:13-18 Death and the RaptureWeek 8 – EschatologyWeek 9 – 5:1-11 Holy Living and the Day of the LordWeek 10 – 5:12-15 Church RelationshipsWeek 11 – 5:16-22 Basics of Church LivingWeek 12 – 5:23-28 Paul’s Benediction and Closing RemarksWeek 13 – Review, Conclusions, Application

ThemesReminder of our 5 Major Themes in 1 Thessalonians: 1) An apologetic theme with the historical correlation between Acts

and 1 Thessalonians2) An ecclesiastical theme with the portrayal of a healthy, growing

church3) A pastoral theme with the example of shepherding activities and

attitudes4) An eschatological theme with the focus on future events as the

church’s hope5) A missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation

and church planting

Week 3 Review1 Th 2:1-16 Reminders for the Church• The Integrity of Paul’s Message (Missionary Theme)

o Not in error or out of impurity or deceito Not with flattering speech or pretexto Not seeking gloryo Pleasing to God, not men

• The Integrity of Paul’s Example (Pastoral Theme)o Gentle, caring, with fond affectiono Hard working so as to not be a burdeno Devout, upright, blamelesso Exhorting, encouraging, imploring

Week 3 Review1 Th 2:1-16 Reminders for the Church• The Integrity of the Church’s Example (Ecclesiastical

Theme)o Walking in a worthy mannero Accepting of the word of God for what it iso Imitators of their Leaderso Endured suffering

• The Integrity of God (Eschatological Theme)o Wrath on those who killed the Lord and the prophets and drove Paul outo Wrath on those not pleasing to God, and hostile to meno Wrath on unbelievers

Week 4 Overview1 Th 2:17-3:13 Concerns for the Church• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Welfare 2:17-20

o Satan’s attack against God’s purpose• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Faithfulness 3:1-10

o Timothy’s Mission 3:1-5o Timothy’s Report 3:6-10

• Paul’s concern for the Church’s Continued Growth 3:11-13o Paul’s Prayer for Himself 3:11o Paul’s Prayer for the Church 3:12-13

1 Th 2:17-3:1317 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,

1 Th 2:17-3:132 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

1 Th 2:17-3:136 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

1 Th 2:17-3:1311 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

The Church’s Welfare17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone,

The Church’s Welfare






The Church’s Faithfulness

2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.








6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?










11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

The Church’s Growth





Conclusions1. Satan will attack the church, disguised as an angel of light,

and the inside attacks are the most difficult to defend against

2. Satan cannot take away that which is firmly planted with a strong root.

3. The greatest joy we can have on this earth is to do the works God has prepared for us.

4. Sometimes God allows us to see the crowns of our exultation – those believers who come to faith by God’s grace where we were planters or waterers

Conclusions5. It is our job to strengthen and encourage fellow

believers by sharing the Word and God’s promises6. Preaching Christ Crucified can be met with extreme

hostility, but we must preach it anyway7. Serving God is not about getting the results we want.8. Our goal is Holiness

Spiritual

Bible Study of 1 Thessalonians , week 4