I Thessalonians Theme: Christ’s Return (The Coming of The Lord Related To Practical Christian Living)
“Grace” (vs. 1) – The Provision of God. “Peace” (vs. 1) – The Protection of God. “Prayer’ (vs. 2) – The Power of God. “Work of faith” (“Turned to God from idols”) (vs. 3 & 9). “Labor of love” (“Serve the living & true God”) (vs. 3 & 9). “Patience of hope” (“Wait for His Son from heaven”) (vs. 3 & 10). “The Word,” “The Word,” “The Word” (vs. 5, 6, 8). Salvation In Relation To The Coming Lord (1:1-10)
The Pattern of Evangelism (2:1-9) – Obstetrics. The Pattern of Follow up (2:10-12) – Pediatrics. Key Verse: 2:13. “Effectively works” energeō (G1754) – operational energy. “Compression of time” – “a short time” (vs. 17). Serving The Coming Lord (2:1-20)
Every believer is responsible to be a spiritual mentor to someone (Heb. 5:12). “Stability” is the goal of the spiritual mentor (3:1-5). “Steadfastness” is the joy of the spiritual mentor (3:6-10). “Success” is the perspective of the spiritual mentor (at the Bema Seat) (3:11-13). Sanctification To The Lord’s Coming (3:1 - 4:12)
I Thessalonians 4:1-12
Walk In Holiness (4:1-8) “Walk” (vs.1) pres. act. inf. of peripateō (G4043) – to walk about. Walking is a favorite picture of Paul: – “…Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph. 4:1) – “…Stop walking as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the emptiness of their mind” (Eph. 4:17) – “…Walk in love” (Eph. 5:2) – “Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8) (cf. I John 1:5-7) Our walk begins with a step of faith, which leads to a walk of faith. – “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7) Walking suggests progress (Phil. 3:13-16).