THE SECOND COMING AN INSPIRING HOPE--I THESSALONIANS--LESSON 2

THE SECOND COMING AN INSPIRING HOPE
I THESSALONIANS--LESSON 2

By E. L. Bynum

Lesson: I Thessalonians 1:1-10

Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 1:2

Introduction:

This Epistle was written to a young church that had been richly blessed, and was growing in spiritual strength. This letter contains a strong emphasis on the Second Coming of the Lord. The coming of the Lord a second time is mentioned 318 times in the 260 chapters of the New Testament. This means that one out of every 20 verses refers to the Second Coming. This doctrine is emphasized in every chapter of I Thessalonians.

I. GREETINGS TO A CHOSEN CHURCH. vs. 1-4

A. The Greeting. v. 1

1. This greeting is harmonious in its outflow. v. 1

a. The greeting was from all three. They had all had a part in the establishing of this Church.

b. This does not mean that all three wrote the letter. Paul was the writer that God used, but in Christian charity the greeting is from Silas and Timothy also.

2. This greeting recognizes the Church's Sublime Origin.

a. The Church is divinely founded. It was "in" God the Father and "in" the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1) In the following Scripture we have an intimate glimpse of the meaning of being "in" the Father and the Son. John 17:21, That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

(2) Paul did not bypass the Church as many today.

(3) These people had not long ago been idolaters and false religionist, but what a change grace brought.

b. The Church is divinely sustained. Whatever is "in" the Lord is sustained by His power. Matthew 16:18, And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

3. This greeting supplicates the bestowal of the highest blessing.

a. "Grace" always comes first in Paul's greetings. It is from grace that all other blessings flow. (See Paul's greetings in his other Epistles.)

b. "Peace" is the outflow and the result of grace. Philippians 4:7,9, 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

c. The source of all blessings is found in the Father and the Son.

B. The Thanksgiving. vs. 2-4

1. This thanksgiving is to the source of blessing. v. 2

2. This thanksgiving resulted in regular remembrance in prayers. v. 2

3. This thanksgiving is because of their work of faith. v. 3. Works do not produce faith, but faith produces works. Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

4. This thanksgiving is because of their labour of love. v. 3

5. This thanksgiving is because of their patience of hope. v. 3. It was firmly anchored in Christ and under the watchful eye of the Father. Note the conjunction of faith, hope, and love, which we also find in the following Scriptures and in other places also. Romans 5: 2-5, By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. I Corinthians 13:13, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

6. This thanksgiving was because they were an elected Church. v. 4. (Election means chosen). Election is always a work of God and not of man. Election is not a plan for sentencing men to eternal torment, but for rescuing them from it. See Ephesians 1:4. There is a vital connection between love and election. See v. 4; II Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 15:13-18.

II. THE COMMENDATION OF A MISSIONARY CHURCH. vs. 5-8

A. The Gospel Came In Word And Power. v. 5

1. The gospel in word.

a. The Messiah must suffer, die, and rise again. Acts 17:3

b. This Jesus is the Messiah. See Acts 17:3.

2. The gospel in power, and in the Holy Spirit. v. 5; Romans 1:16; John 16:7- 11

3. The gospel in assurance. The Spirit through the Word gives assurance.

4. The gospel in shoe leather. Paul and his helpers came with the right message flowing from a right life.

B. The True Reception Of The Gospel. v. 6

1. They received the word in much affliction. v. 6; Acts 17:5-9

2. They received the word with joy of the Holy Ghost.

C. The Practical Result Of The Reception Of The Gospel. vs. 6-8

1. They became followers of Paul and of the Lord. v. 6

2. They became examples to other churches and believers. v. 7

3. They sounded out (or sent forth) the word of the Lord. v. 8

4. Their God centered faith was spread abroad. v. 8

III. THE EXPECTATION OF A PREMILLENNIAL CHURCH. vs. 9-10

A. They Were A Working Church. v. 9

1. They had turned to God. This involves faith.

2. They had turned from idols. This involves repentance.

3. They served the living God. They did not sit down and wait for the coming of the Lord. They did something practical. Some prophecy lovers are so starry eyed and heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.

B. They Were A Waiting Church. v. 10

1. They were looking for the return of their risen Saviour. They were not waiting for the antichrist or for the beginning of the tribulation.

2. They had been delivered from the wrath to come.

Note in vs. 9-10, the three tenses of the Christian life.

Past--They had turned to God from idols--Salvation.

Present--They were serving the living God--Sanctification.

Future--They were waiting for the Coming of the Son--Glorification.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. If Paul was the writer, why are the names of Silvanus and Timothy included?

2. What is the significance of the order of grace and peace?

3. Write out the memory verse from memory.

4. State as many reasons as you are able, for Paul's thanksgiving

5. What is the meaning of election?

6. List four results of their reception of the gospel.

7. What did this Church do while waiting for the coming of the Lord?

8. State from memory the three tenses of the Christian life.