Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians Lesson 11: What Everyone Needs to Know About the Second Coming 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 September 5, 2010

Introduction to Lesson 11 Is 2 Thessalonians a “Re-run”? What we already know from Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians The birth of the church Paul’s sudden (forced) departure Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel Apostles’ conduct; their identification with their Judean brethren (chapter 2). Paul’s inability to return, sent Timothy Sanctification Second coming and dead saints (raised) Second coming and living saints (watchful) Final instructions, benediction, closing

So what’s new in 2 Thessalonians? Why the need for a second epistle? Persecution – it may have intensified, or at lest raised questions, doubts (2 Thes. 1). Paul’s teaching on the Second Coming was being twisted (2 Thes. 2). Paul’s teaching on idleness must have been ignored (2 Thes. 3) The structure of our text – 3 sections: Vss. 1-4 Greeting, thanksgiving, praise Vss 5-10 Encouragement for sufferers, based upon the Second Coming. Vss. 11-12 Paul’s prayer for Thessalonians My (changed) approach in this message

Greeting, thanksgiving, boasting (1:1-4) Note three changes from 1 Thes. greeting Paul prayed for growth in 1 Thes. (3:12; 4:10); he praises God for growth here. 1 Thes.: Praised God; 2 Thes. emphasizes the necessity (“ought”) & appropriateness (“rightly so”) of praise. In 1 Thes., no need for boasting (1:8-10); here, Paul does boast to churches (vs. 4). So what how should Paul’s words affect us? Ecclesiology (how we do church) Eschatology (the Second Coming) Persecution Prayer