N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE C HURCH AT T HESSALONICA.
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Transcript of N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE C HURCH AT T HESSALONICA.
NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA
INTRODUCTION• Established on the 2nd journey of Paul– Acts 17:1-9
• A great seaport town of Macedonia• Anciently called “Therma.”• Gave its name to bay on which it was
situated• Residence of the Roman proconsul, who
governed the province for Macedonia, and the Questor who has care for the emperor’s revenues located here.
INTRODUCTION• The metropolis of that district, it was
the seat of the court of justice• Carried on extensive commerce
through its merchants• Remarkable for the number, wealth,
and learning of the inhabitants.• Paul journeyed to Thessalonica from
Philippi.
ITS ESTABLISHMENT• Paul’s 2nd
tour• Paul as was his
custom went to the Jewish synagogues
• Jews first…– Acts 13:44-46
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold
and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you
first; but since you reject it, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to
the Gentiles.”
ITS ESTABLISHMENT• Reason for this• Jews been
prepared by the law for the coming gospel
• Already believers—not converted from idolatry
• Prejudice the problem– Acts 13:47
“For so the Lord has commanded
us: 'I have set you as a light to the
Gentiles, That you should be for
salvation to the ends of the earth.”
ITS ESTABLISHMENT• His message
always the same• Jesus is the Christ• Courage to
preach a message contrary to their understanding
• Boldly-gently– Acts 17:3
“Explaining and demonstrating
that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the
dead, and saying, This Jesus whom I preach to you is
the Christ.”
ITS ESTABLISHMENT• Jesus is the
Christ• Results…• Means– Paul’s own
labors (1 Thess.2:9)
– Other churches (Phil.4:15,16)
– Acts 17:4
“And some of them were persuaded;
and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of
the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.”
ITS CHARACTER• Trinity of
graces– Work of faith– Labor of love– Patience of
hope– Three great
motives to Christian life and character
– 1 Thessalonians 1:3
“Remembering without ceasing
your work of faith, labor of
love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ in the sight of our God
and Father.”
ITS CHARACTER• Endure much
persecution– 1
Thessalonians 1:6
– 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
“…For you also suffered the same
things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the
Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus
and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please
God and are contrary to all men.”
ITS CHARACTER• An example in
influence upon many others
• “City on Hill”—Matthew 5:14– 1
Thessalonians 1:7
“So that you became
examples to all in
Macedonia and Achaia
who believe.”
ITS CHARACTER• Evangelistic• Recognized its
duty to others, and carried them out dutifully– 1
Thessalonians 1:8
“For from you the word of the Lord
has sounded forth, not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not
need to say anything.”
ITS CHARACTER• Converted
men out of idolatry
• Wholehearted conversion to the Lord– 1
Thessalonians 1:9
– 1 Thessalonians
– 2:13
“For they themselves
declare concerning us what manner of
entry we had to you, and how you
turned to God from idols to serve the living and true
God.”
ITS CHARACTER• Growing in
spiritual strength– 2Thessalonia
ns 1:3-6
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,
as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly,
and the love of every one of you
all abounds toward each other.”
ITS CHARACTER• Worthy of
Paul’s confidence– 2Thessalonia
ns 3:4
“And we have confidence in
the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the
things we command you.”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• Possess own vessel in honor.– 1
Thessalonians 4:1-8
“For this is the will of God, your
sanctification: that you should abstain
from sexual immorality; that
each of you should know how to
possess his own vessel in
sanctification and honor.”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• Walk with them without correctly.– 1
Thessalonians 4:11,12
“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to
mind your own business, and to work with your own hands,
as we commanded you, that you may
walk properly toward those who are
outside, and that you may lack nothing.”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• One won’t work—should not eat.– 2
Thessalonians 3:10-12
“For even when we were with you, we
commanded you this: If anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner,
not working at all, but are busybodies.”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• Practice church discipline.– 2
Thessalonians 3:6
“But we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the
tradition which he received from us.”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• Stand fast.– 2
Thessalonians 2:15
“Therefore, brethren, stand
fast and hold the traditions
which you were taught, whether by word or our
epistle.”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• Divine vengeance on ungodly– 2
Thessalonians 1:7,8
“And to give you who are troubled rest with
us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with His mighty angels, in
flaming fire taking vengeance on those
who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• Coming for his own– 1
Thessalonians 4:17
“Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air. And thus we shall always be
with the Lord.”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• Dead in Christ raised first– 1
Thessalonians 4:15,16
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the
coming of the Lord will by no means
precede those who are asleep...”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• Dead in Christ raised first
• Personal coming of Christ– 1
Thessalonians 4:15,16
“For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God. And the
dead in Christ will rise first.”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• His coming will unexpected—as thief– 1
Thessalonians 5:2
“For you yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes
as a thief in the night.”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• Some thought He was coming immediately!– 2
Thessalonians 2:1-3
“Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by
spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let
no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling
away comes first...”
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ
• Warns not loving truth may believe a delusion– 2
Thessalonians 2:10-12
“And with all unrighteous
deception among those who perish,
because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they
might be saved.And for this reason God will send them
strong delusion, that they should believe
the lie...”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• Admonished to be respectful toward those laboring among them.– 1
Thessalonians 5:12,13
“And we urge you, brethren, to
recognize those who labor among you, and
are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's
sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”
ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN
• Admonished the disorderly, support the weak and fainthearted– 1
Thessalonians 5:14
“Now we exhort you, brethren,
warn those who are unruly, comfort the
fainthearted, uphold the weak, be
patient with all.”