1. Be Ready by Warren Wiersbe
A Church Is Born
Chapter 1

2. A Church Is Born Background Thessalonica (Thessaloniki)
A capital of Macedonia
Currently it’s an important
industrial and commercial
city
Second to Athens in
population
An Allied base during WW II
Captured by German army & 60,000 Jews were deported and exterminated

3. First called Therma, an an-
cient city with many hot
springs
In 315 B.C. renamed to
Thessalonica after half-sister,
Thessalonike, of Alexander the Great
Became the capital of the province when the Romans captured Macedonia in 168 B.C.
In Paul’s days 200,000 lived there and most of them were Greeks although there were Roman and Jews communities. Today 300,000 live there.
Paul came to Macedonia in response to a vision which a man from Macedonia who asked him to “come over into Macedonia and help us” (Acts16:9)

4. After Philippi Paul left for Thessalonica
After Philippi Paul left for Thessalonica. Amphipolis and Apollonia were nearby, but Paul went to Thessalonica. Why?
Paul believed that he should go to a large city and then the believers would go to smaller cities to reach out.
Paul’s commision was to take out the Gospel to the Gentiles, but he started with Jews at the synagogue.
Paul used the Old Testaments Scriptures to explain the meaning with the reference to Jesus Christ.
Paul’s approach to evangelism: he used God’s Word to declare Jesus as the Son of God.

5. Paul’s approach evangelism to Gentiles: he started with God of Creation because the Gentiles had no knowledge of Old Testament Scriptures.
Paul ministered in the synagogue for 3 Sabbath days (Acts 17:2). Paul stayed longer because of home mission offering from
Philippi (Phil 4:16) and tentmak-
ing trade to support himself
(I Thess 2:9 & II Thess 3:6-15)
Timothy & Silas were left there
while Paul went to Athens. Paul
was hindered twice to go to
Thessalonica (I Thess 2:17-18)

6. The Burden Why did Paul write I & II Thessalonians Lessons:
God used people not angels to evengelize
The Gospel is still “the power of god unto salavation” (Rom 1:16). “Not in words only, but also in power in the Holy Ghost” (I Thess 1:5)
Satan still opposes the Gospel and persecutes God’s people, however, persecution can be a way of growth.
The Burden
Why did Paul write I & II Thessalonians
Assurance of his love and concerns for his friends
Paul’s enemies’ attack on his character and absurd information to the new believers that Paul was preaching for money (I Thess 2)

7. Encouragement to live holy life. Straightening out the confusions
Desire to ground the believers in the doctrines of Christian faith, especially with Christ’s return.
Encouragement to live holy life.
Straightening out the confusions
Return of Jesus Christ
Due to persecution, the thought that “Day of the Lord” had arrived.
Correcting some weaknesses in the church:
Not honoring the spiritual leader
Refusal to work
Confusion in public services (I Thess 5: 19-21)
Confusions still exist:
Bible prophecy, practical holiness, & lack of respect for spiritual leadership

8. The Blessing
Every book written by Paul has a special meaning, or blessing
Romans – Righteousness of god dealing with both sinners & believers
I Corinthians – The wisdom of god
II Corinthians – The comfort of God
Galatians – Freedom
Philippians – Joy
Ephesians – Wealth in Christ
I & II Thessalonians – The return of Christ & how this doctrine can affect our life & church
Paul looked at the doctrine not as a theory, but a truth to live by

9. Be Ready I Thess II Thess Christ comes in the Christ comes to
air for His church earth with His church
(4:13-18) (1:10)
A sudden secret A crisis that is
rapture at any time part of predicted
program
Can occur today Can occur only after
certain events
The Day of Christ The Day of the Lord
Be Ready