1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 — Word of Commendation – Changed Lives
CHANGED LIVES (THE MARK OF FAITHFUL DISCIPLES) SPUR THANKSGIVING BECAUSE THEY CONFIRM GOD’S ELECTION (AND OUR FAITH)
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 — Godly Role Models – An Example Worth Following
CHANGED LIVES EARN THE REPUTATION OF BEING A MODEL WORTH IMITATING
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 — Boldness in Church Planting
SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN CHURCH PLANTING VALIDATES AUTHENTIC MINISTRY WHEN BASED ON PURE MOTIVES AND PROPER CONDUCT (THE MARKS OF SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH PLANTERS)
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 — Integrity of Spiritual Leadership – Leadership Profile – The Unselfish Servant Love of a Mother
SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN CHURCH PLANTING VALIDATES AUTHENTIC MINISTRY WHEN BASED ON PURE MOTIVES AND PROPER CONDUCT (THE MARKS OF SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH PLANTERS)
1 Thessalonians 2:9 — Integrity of Spiritual Leadership – Leadership Profile – The Unselfish Servant Love of a Worker
(2:7-12) 3 ROLE MODELS OF UNSELFISH SERVANT LOVE THAT PICTURE PROPER CONDUCT IN THE MINISTRY
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 — Integrity of Spiritual Leadership – Leadership Profile – The Unselfish Servant Love of a Father
(2:7-12) 3 ROLE MODELS OF UNSELFISH SERVANT LOVE THAT PICTURE PROPER CONDUCT IN THE MINISTRY
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 — Godliness Always Stirs Up Persecution — Godliness . . . Persecution. . . Perseverance
THE DYNAMIC POWER OF GOD’S WORD PRODUCES GODLINESS IN BELIEVERS THAT PROVOKES PERSECUTION — LEADING TO TWO VERY DIFFERENT OUTCOMES:
– ENDURANCE FOR BELIEVERS
– WRATH FOR THE PERSECUTORS
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 — Pressing on to Maturity – Part 1 – Family Fellowship
(2:17 – 3:13) PRESSING ON TO MATURITY — CHURCH PLANTERS FEEL THE BURDEN OF ENCOURAGING THEIR DISCIPLES TO MATURITY
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 — Pressing on to Maturity – Part 2 – Sacrificing Security
(2:17 – 3:13) PRESSING ON TO MATURITY — CHURCH PLANTERS FEEL THE BURDEN OF ENCOURAGING THEIR DISCIPLES TO MATURITY
1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 — Pressing on to Maturity – Part 3 – Feeding on Faithfulness
(2:17 – 3:13) PRESSING ON TO MATURITY — CHURCH PLANTERS FEEL
THE BURDEN OF ENCOURAGING THEIR DISCIPLES TO MATURITY
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 — Pressing on to Maturity – Part 4 – Persevering in Progress
(2:17 – 3:13) PRESSING ON TO MATURITY — CHURCH PLANTERS FEEL
THE BURDEN OF ENCOURAGING THEIR DISCIPLES TO MATURITY
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 — Sanctified Sex
15 PRINCIPLES REINFORCING SANCTIFIED SEX – PART ONE
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 — Brotherly Love and Responsible Living
GROWING DISCIPLES MUST STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLEASING GOD
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 — God’s Formula for Comfort
CONVICTION REGARDING GOD’S PROGRAM FOR THE FUTURE
GIVES HOPE FOR THE BEREAVED
GOD’S FORMULA OF COMFORT:
KNOWLEDGE + FAITH GIVES HOPE
KNOWLEDGE + FAITH = CONVICTION
CONVICTION GIVES HOPE
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 — Ready Position – Stay on Your Toes
CONVICTION REGARDING GOD’S PROGRAM FOR THE FUTURE KEEPS US SPIRITUALLY ALERT
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 — Promoting Body Life While Preventing Body Strife
THE HEALTH AND PEACE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH DEPENDS UPON EACH MEMBER FULFILLING 4 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GOVERN OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER —
4 RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MAINTAINING HEALTHY CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 — Consistent Christianity – Perpetually Practicing Piety
3 PERPETUAL PRACTICES TO ENSURE SPIRITUAL VITALITY AND DEVOTION
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 — Be Free . . . But Also . . . Be Careful
ENCOURAGE AND VALUE THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHILE EXERCISING CAREFUL DISCERNMENT THAT PROMOTES GODLY MORALITY
1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 — The Sanctification and Preservation of the Saints — Benediction / Closing Requests
(:23-24) BENEDICTION — ANTICIPATE COMPLETE SANCTIFICATION AT THE LORD’S RETURN BECAUSE OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN PRESERVING HIS SAINTS