The First Epistle The First Epistle to the to the

Thessalonians Thessalonians

An Encouraging Expectancy

1 Timothy2 Timothy

Titus

1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

EphesiansPhilippiansColossiansPhilemon

Romans1 Corinthians2 Corinthians

Galatians

Pastoral Epistles

Prophetic Epistles

Prison EpistlesFoundational

Epistles

Christ & the congregation

Christ & second coming

Christ & the church

Christ & the cross

GREECEASIA MINOR

Thessalonica

Purposes for the EpistlePurposes for the Epistle• The Problem of Persecution: For you, brethren,

became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews (2:14).

• Encouragement in Holy Living: For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God (3:3-5).

Purposes for the EpistlePurposes for the Epistle• Establishing a Christian work ethic: Make it your

ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need (4:11-12).

• Comfort for the Death of Loved Ones: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope (4:13).

1 Thessalonians 1:11 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

A shared A shared salvation salvation historyhistory

• God’s choice of you (1:2-5).• Your imitation of Christ (1:6-8)• Your turning to God (1:9-10)

Chapter 1

A shared A shared salvation salvation historyhistory

• The manner of his ministry (2:1-12)• The result of his ministry (2:13-16)• The joy of his ministry (2:17-20).• The reconnection of his ministry (3:1-8)• The prayer of his ministry (3:9-13)

Chapter 1

Paul’s Paul’s ministry in ministry in

ThessalonicaThessalonica

Chapters 2-3

A shared A shared salvation salvation historyhistory

• The principle stated (4:1)

• Sexual purity (4:3-8)• Responsible work (4:9-

12).• A Promise of Comfort in

the face of Death (4:13-18).

Chapter 1

Paul’s Paul’s ministry in ministry in

ThessalonicaThessalonica

Chapters 2-3

Exhortation Exhortation to walk in a to walk in a

worthy worthy mannermanner

Chapter 4

A shared A shared salvation salvation historyhistory

• Living in light of the Day of the Lord (5:1-11).• Attitudes toward Christians workers (5:12-13).• Closing instructions (5:14-28).

Chapter 1

Paul’s Paul’s ministry in ministry in

ThessalonicaThessalonica

Chapters 2-3

Exhortation Exhortation to walk in a to walk in a

worthy worthy mannermanner

Chapter 4

Living in Living in light of light of Christ’s Christ’s return return

Chapter 5

What God has done in our lives

How we are to live as a result of what God has

done