Frio River

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” Acts 17:1-3

Conversion of Paul (Acts 9:17-19) Commission of Paul (Acts 9:15-16,20) Companions of Paul (Silvanus & Timothy)

City of Thessalonica

“It is impossible to overstress the importance of the arrival of Christianity in Thessalonica. If Christianity was settled there, it was bound to spread East along the Egnatian Road until all Asia [Minor] was conquered and West until it stormed even the city of Rome. The coming of Christianity to Thessalonica was crucial in the making of it into a world religion.” William Barclay

Church of Thessalonica Founded by Paul on his 2 nd MJ after founding church at Philippi. Paul’s strategy was to minister in the large cities and then have the believers reach out into smaller towns nearby.

Correspondence with the Thessalonians Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 1 Thessalonians 1:1

As we look at 1 Thessalonians, we should remember that it was a letter to be read in a single setting to the church. While Paul no doubt knew they would re-read the letter and discuss it in its various parts and thoughts, we should never fail to realize the power of considering the letter as a whole as well. Mark Lanier

Paul went to Berea, Athens, and then to Corinth. While at Corinth, Paul wrote back to the Thessalonians.

Snapshot of the 5 Chapters in 1 Thessalonians

Set the Pace! (1:1-10) And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (1:6-7)

Accept God's Word! (2:1-20) And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (2:13)

Stand Fast in the Lord! (3:1-13) For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. (3:8)

Walk to Please God! (4:1-18) Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. (4:1)

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thes. 4:13-18

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thes. 4:13-18

Build One Another Up! (5:1-28) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (5:9- 11)

Does His love for us, and our returning love of Him move us to labor for Him? “Work of faith and labor of love” (1:3). Points for home

Who or what do we ascribe worth to? What do we value? Who do we idolize? “Turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1:9). Points for home

Are you putting your compassion into action? “We wanted to come to you” (2:18). Points for home

Are you living with eternity in mind? “We will always be with the Lord” (4:17). Points for home

Point people to Jesus! “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Points for home