Sermons From First Thessalonians - Introduction To The Epistle (1:1)

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               "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                   Introduction To The Epistle (1:1)

INTRODUCTION

1. A wonderful hope of the Christian is the promise of the Lord's
   return...
   a. A promise given when Jesus ascended into heaven - Ac 1:9-11
   b. A promise designed to motivate Christians to live holy and godly
      lives - 2Pe 3:10-14

2. How then should we live as we anticipate the Lord's return? This
   question is addressed in Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians
   a. In which every chapter has some mention of the Lord's return
   b. In which we find practical instructions for holy and godly living

[That we might be ready for the Lord's return, we begin this series of
sermons based on First Thessalonians. In this lesson, we shall consider
some background information on this epistle...]

I. THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE (1:1a)

   A. PAUL...
      1. Known formerly as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the church
         - Ac 9:1-2
      2. Who became known as the "apostle to the Gentiles" - Ac 9:15
      3. Author of half of the books of the New Testament

   B. JOINED BY SILVANUS AND TIMOTHY...
      1. Silvanus, also known as Silas
         a. Originally an emissary from the apostles and elders in
            Jerusalem - Ac 15:22,27
         b. Identified as a prophet, who exhorted the brethren in
            Antioch - Ac 15:32
         c. Who remained in Antioch, later to become Paul's traveling
            companion - Ac 15:34,40-41
         d. Who suffered mistreatment and imprisonment with Paul in
            Philippi - Ac 16:19-25
         e. Who together with Paul established the church in
            Thessalonica - Ac 17:1-4
      2. Timothy, also known as Timotheus
         a. A young disciple who traveled with Paul - Ac 16:1-3
         b. Who is mentioned with Paul in many of his letters - e.g.,
            2Co 1:1; Php 1:1
         c. Recipient of two letters from Paul - 1Ti 1:1; 2Ti 1:1
         d. Who suffered imprisonment himself - He 13:23
         e. Who had just returned from a trip to Thessalonica - 1Th 
            3:1-2,6

[These three men had a vested interest in the welfare of the church in
Thessalonica.  Speaking of that church, let's now focus on...]

II. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE EPISTLE (1:1b)

   A. THE CITY OF THESSALONICA...
      1. It was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of
         Macedonia
      2. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the
         eastern provinces
      3. The city served as a center of trade and commerce
      -- Today, it is known as Thessaloniki (formerly Salonica)

   B. THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS...
      1. Its establishment is recorded in Ac 17:1-9
         a. On his second journey, Paul and his companions had just
            left Philippi
         b. Traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at
            Thessalonica
         c. Paul immediately located the synagogue and used their
            Sabbath gathering as an opportunity for evangelism
         d. For three weeks he reasoned with the Jews, converting some
            and a number of prominent Gentiles
         e. Unbelieving Jews soon caused a disturbance, forcing Paul to
            leave
      2. Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was 
         established
         a. It quickly gained a good reputation - 1Th 1:8
         b. It was mostly Gentiles - 1Th 1:9
         c. Members included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus and Secundus 
            (Ac 20:4)

[The reputation of this church is even more remarkable when we consider
how young it was.  The young age of the church becomes apparent when
we consider...]

III. THE PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING

   A. THE PLACE...
      1. The letter itself indicates it was not written long after 
         Paul's departure
         a. Paul had only been gone a short time - 1Th 2:17-18
         b. He had sent Timothy from Athens, who had returned - 1Th 
            3:1-6
      2. From Luke's record in Acts, it is evident Paul wrote this 
         epistle soon after arriving in Corinth on his second 
         missionary journey
         a. For Paul did not stay long in Athens - Ac 17:16-18:1
         b. And Timothy came back from Macedonia after Paul arrived in
            Corinth - Ac 18:5
      -- So the place of writing is most likely Corinth

   B. THE DATE...
      1. Writing soon after his arrival in Corinth, this would place 
         the date sometime around 50-52 A.D.
      2. This would make First Thessalonians one of Paul's earliest 
         known writings, if not the first

[Now let's examine...]

IV. THE PURPOSE AND CONTENT OF THE EPISTLE

   A. THE PURPOSE...
      1. Paul had been anxious about the condition of the church
         a. Occasioned by his abrupt departure - Ac 17:10
         b. He wanted to return, but was hindered - 1Th 2:17-18
         c. His anxiety prompted him to send Timothy to encouraged them
            - 1Th 3:1-3
      2. Timothy had brought back good news! - 1Th 3:6-8
         a. Of their faith and love, and of their desire to see Paul
            again
         b. Their steadfastness comforted Paul greatly
      3. From the content of the letter (see below), it becomes 
         apparent that Paul had a three-fold purpose in mind as he 
         wrote this letter:
         a. To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution
         b. To instruct them concerning holy living
         c. To correct any misunderstanding, especially regarding the 
            second coming of Christ

   B. THE CONTENT...
      1. The epistle is unique in that every chapter ends with a 
         reference to the second coming of Christ - 1Th 1:10; 2:19; 
         3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23
      2. Here is a brief outline of the epistle:
         a. Personal reflections (1-3)
            1) Regarding their condition - 1:1-10
            2) Regarding his conduct - 2:1-12
            3) Regarding his concern - 2:13-3:13
         b. Apostolic instructions (4-5)
            1) Walk in holiness - 4:1-8
            2) Walk in love - 4:9-10
            3) Walk in diligence - 4:11-12
            4) Walk in hope - 4:13-18
            5) Walk in light - 5:1-11
            6) Walk in obedience - 5:12-28

CONCLUSION

1. With such an emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an
   appropriate theme for this epistle would be:

           "Holiness In View Of The Coming Of Christ"

2. In keeping with such a theme, I offer the following passage as the
   key verses of the epistle:

   "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one
   another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish
   your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the 
   coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."  
                                                      - 1Th 3: 12-13

As we proceed through this epistle, it will be my prayer and aim that
our study will lead to greater faithfulness and holiness in our service
to God as we wait for the coming of Jesus!

Are you ready for His coming?  Even if you should die before He
returns, are you ready to face Him in the Judgment?  Let the apostles
of Christ tell you what you need to do be ready for that day - cf. Ac
2:36-38; 17:30-31

Only then can it truly be said:  "Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1Th 1:1c)
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