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I THESSALONIANS – LESSON 3
I. PAUL OFFERS THANKS FOR HOW GOSPEL WAS RECEIVED, AND GIVES EXPLANATION FOR PERSONAL ABSENCE (2:13-
A. Thessalonians accepted message as the word of God – not as the word of men (v. 13).
1. Word works in believer.
B. Thessalonians suffered for their belief (v. 14)
1. Suffered from Gentiles as churches of God in Judea suffered from Jews.
2. Became imitators therefore of churches of God in Judea.
C. The character of the persecuting Jews (v. 15-
1. Killed the Lord Jesus
2. Killed the prophets
3. Drove out the apostles
4. Please not God
5. Contrary to all men – forbid the speaking to the Gentiles that they may be saved.
a. As always, filling to the full measure of their sins
b. But now, the wrath of God abides upon them to the uttermost.
D. Paul’s reason for this absence is not because he does not care (v. 17-
1. Absent, but not in heart
2. Great desire to see Thessalonians – but hindered by Satan
3. Thessalonian brethren are Paul’s reward at the coming of the Lord.
a. Paul’s glory and joy.
QUESTIONS:
1. In what way had the Thessalonians received the message of Paul?
2. Paul’s message was _________ ________________ the word of God.
3. Explain what the word of God was doing in the believer?
4. In order to withstand persecution, what are two attitudes that must be manifested towards the word of God?
5. From whom had the Thessalonians suffered?
6. Paul says the Jews did the following: Explain each.
a. Killed the Lord Jesus – HOW?
b. Killed the prophets – WHICH PROPHETS:
c. Drove out apostles – GIVE EXAMPLE:
d. Did not please God and was contrary to man – HOW?
e. Filled up their sins – THE CONSEQUENCES?
7. Paul was separated from the Thessalonians in ________________________ but not in ____________________________.
8. Who had continually hindered Paul in coming to see the Thessalonians? How?
9. When did Paul probably get to see the Thessalonians again after the writing of this letter?
10. In what way did Paul view the Thessalonian Christians?