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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?
I THESSALONIANS – LESSON 4
I. PAUL’S GENUINE CONCERN OVER THREAT OF PERSECUTION DESTROYING THE FAITH OF THE THESSALONIANS CAUSING HIM TO SEND TIMOTNY TO THESSALONICA (3:1-
A. Reasons for sending Timothy – a brother, and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ (v. 1-
1. Paul could no longer forbear in not knowing the condition of the Thessalonians’ faith – left in Athens alone.
2. Timothy could establish and comfort Thessalonians.
a. Establish (STERIZO – for Sterix – a prop): to fix, make fast, to set.
b. Comfort (PARAKALEO – PARA – beside + KALEO – to call): calling to one’s side; consolation.
3. Man can be moved by afflictions – the means of “the tempter. “
a. Paul prepared people with warning that persecution was the lot of the Christian – now being experienced.
b. Paul’s labor could be in vain.
B. Reasons for thanksgiving over Timothy’s report (3:6-
1. Good news concerning Thessalonians’ faith and love
2. Thessalonians have good remembrance of Paul and apostles.
3. Thessalonians long to see Paul
4. Paul comforted in own distress and afflictions by receiving word of Thessalonians’ faith.
a. Paul lives if Thessalonians stand
C. Paul cannot give God enough thanks for the Thessalonians (3:9-
1. Joy too great to give enough thanks
2. Paul prays night and day exceedingly to see Thessalonians in person and perfect their faith.
D. Paul’s purposeful prayer for the Thessalonians (3:11-
1. For God to direct Paul unto the Thessalonians
2. That Thessalonians’ love would increase and abound:
a. toward one another.
b. toward all men.
c. as Paul’s love abounds toward Thessalonians.
3. That Thessalonians’ heart be established unblameable:
a. before God.
b. at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his saints.
QUESTIONS:
1. Paul was in ___________________ when he sent __________________ to see about the Thessalonians.
2. What two things was this person to do for the Thessalonians?
3. Paul was primarily concerned about the ________________________ of the Thessalonians.
4. Unto what are we appointed as Christians?
5. Considering chapter one and three, show that one is in error for believing the elect can never be lost:
6. Does “the tempter” use MEANS to accomplish his will?
7. Where did Timothy and Silas come to Paul with news about Thessalonians?
8. What four things did Timothy report about the Thessalonians?
9. What effect did the report have regarding Paul’s own circumstances?
10. Paul declared, “Now ________ ____________________ if you stand fast in the Lord.”
11. Paul’s great joy over the Thessalonians’ faith caused him to:
a. give thanks to Timothy for his work.
b. give thanks to God.
c. not able to render unto God enough thanks.
d. a & b
e. b& c
12. Why did Paul want to see the Thessalonians in person?
13. To whom does God want the expression of our love to abound?
14. What is “the end” or goal of every Christian?
15. Who are the “saints” who will come with Jesus?