I THESSALONIANS
Theme: Second Coming of Christ in Comfort
Author: Paul
Time: 50-51 AD - early in Paul’s ministry
Pastoral book
Key Words:
Faith 12
Joy 7
Love 6
Comfort 6
Key Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification
General will of God - for every single person that’s in the church
Specific will of God - will always be for the general will… your sanctification
Structure:
Chapters 1-3: Congratulation for their notorious faith
Chapters 4-5: Teaching on Sanctification and Christ’s Return
Meaning of holiness and Christ coming back
Purpose of the Book:
1. Correction mistaken views and establish the doctrine of the second coming of Christ
Some are confused
2. To exhort the believer to display the three chief virtues: faith, hope, and love
Foundational theological virtues
3. Confirm the purity of Paul’s ministry among the Thessalonians
How loving and fatherly he is to his people. Authority of the apostle but serves as a servant
Message of the Book:
1. The coming of Christ for his people is a comfort to those who are patiently waiting for him
Dreadful day of the lord are for those who do not know him
Thief in the night for those who do not know Christ
2. The doctrine of the second coming is a great incentive for holiness
God has called us to be Holy. If you reject Holiness you are rejecting God and the Holy Spirit inside of you.
The church is going to look her best when Christ returns
3. The lord’s return will be as a thief in the night to those that are in darkness, not those that are in Christ
When he comes back… it will be very clear to his Church