1Thessalonians Part 3 – 1:6-10

Verse 6

• “and ye became followers of us” – Not of the Jews – Acts 17:5.

i. More contrast between the Corinthians – 1Cor 4:16, 11:1, Phil 3:17, 4:9.

• “and of the lord” – Because they were sent by the Lord, being his apostles (2:6) and speaking his

word (2:13).

• “received the word…… with Joy of the Holy Ghost” – Gal 5:22, Rom 5:11, 15:13

Verse 7-8

• “ye were ensamples” En = with in. Ex = with out. They were ensamples to those believers within

the region that believed.

ii. Ensample (1Cor 10:11, Phil 3:17, 2Thess 3:9, 1Pet 5:3, 2Pet 2:6)

iii. Example (Matt 1:19, John13:15, 1Cor 10:6, 1Tim 4:12, Heb 4:11, 8:5, James 5:10, 1Pet 2:21, Jude 1:7).

• “Macedonia and Achaia” = Philippians, Corinthian, Athens, Berea.

• “From you sounded out the word” – Sounded out gives the idea of a trumpet sounding out –

2Chron 7:6, 13:14.

• “in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad” – Beyond even their own region – Rom

1:8, 16:19

iv. We need be like the Thessalonians here and also sound out the word of the Lord – Phil 2:15-16, 2Cor 5:20-21.

• “so that we need not speak anything” – Meaning, when they had gone to the other cities, or met

people in the region, they did not have to tell them of the Thessalonians faith and conversion, for

they had already heard. Paul likely not knowing the full result of the word on the Thessalonians

since he left shortly after due to the persecution.

Verse 9-10

• “For they themselves shew of us” - In contrast, rather than Paul telling others of how the

Thessalonians had converted to faith in Christ, others would tell Paul.

• “how ye turned to God from idols” – When one believes the gospel it changes them on the inside,

this here is true repentance ~A change of mind.~

• “to wait for his Son” – This is our hope as Christians – Col 3:4, Titus 2:13, 1Cor 15:51-58.

• “whom he raised from the dead” – The foundation of Christianity and Paul’s message – 1Cor 15:12-

22

• “delivered us from the wrath to come” – Notice the past tense “delivered”. It has already happened

because we will not see the tribulation – Rom 5:9

1Thessalonians Part 2 – 1:1-5

Verse 1

• “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus” – found together in Acts 17:10-14 Act 18:5, 2Cor 1:19.

i. Paul – Formally Saul, was saved on the road to Damascus – Act 7:58, 9:1-8

ii. Silvanus = Silas – Came from Peters group – 1Pet 5:12, Acts 15:22.

iii. Timotheous – From Lystra - Acts 16:1-3

• “Church of the Thessalonians” – Started in Acts 17:1-9

• “Grace and peace” – Paul begins all of his epistles with this greeting. Gods if offering these I’m this dispensation “From God our father, and the Lord Jesus Christ”

i. 18 times in NT – 14 from Paul, the first appearance in scripture is Romans.

Verse 2

• “We give thanks to God always for you” – 2Thess 1:3 – A pattern of Paul – Rom 1:8, Phil 1:3.

• “making mention of you in our prayers” – Thanksgiving unto God is a function of prayer.

Verse 3-5

• “Remembering without ceasing” – 1Thess 2:13 – They were constant upon their minds.

• “faith, love, hope” – 1Cor 13:13.

i. “Work of faith” – Believing the word of God – 1Thess 2:13, Acts 17:4

ii. “Labor of love” – 1Thess 4:9-10 – Paul likely experienced it himself (Acts 17:5-10) but also was reported from Timothy – 1Thess 3:6.

iii. “Patience of hope” – The Thessalonians we’re going through persecution, Hope give patience and allows us to endure – Rom 8:18-25.

• “knowing, brethren, beloved, your election of God” – The Thessalonians had faith (1:8, 2:13, 3:6,

Rom 10:17) they made a choice to believe the gospel after hearing it – Acts 17:2-4, Eph 1:13,

2Thess 2:13-14.

i. 2 Thess 2:13/election – They were chosen to hear the gospel (Acts 16:9-10) but that was unique to them – Col 1:5-6. You also had some who didn’t believe – Acts 17:5.

ii. Christ was elect – Isa 42:1 – They were in Christ – Eph 1:4-7, Col 3:10-12.

iii. Christ is the beloved son of God (Matt 3:17, 12:18) and you are accepted in him – Eph 1:6, Eph 4:32.

iv. You can be elect and know your election by being in Christ which comes by faith in the Gospel of his death and resurrection.

• “For our gospel” – Acts 17:3

• “came not in word only” – All we read about in Acts 17

• “in power…… in the Holy Ghost…… much assurance” – Spirit gifts – this was to verify Paul’s

message was of God – 1Cor 2:1-4, Gal 2:7-8, Rom 15:19.

i. We can make a contrast here in verse 3&5 between the Thessalonians and the Corinthians. The Thessalonians are praised while the Corinthians are rebuked – 1Cor 3:1, 12-14.

• “as ye know what manner of men we were among you” – Apostles that were no burdensome -

1Thess 2:6.

PROPHECY OF A MESSIAH

a) Prophecy of a Messiah to come – Isaiah 9:6-7, Deut 18:17-19.

b) Daniel 9:25-27 gives the timeline for when the Messiah would come.

i. The commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem – Neh 2:4-6

ii. Seven weeks (49years) – Rebuilding the city – Neh 12:27.

iii. Threescore and two weeks shall messiah be cut off (434years) - John 19:30

iv. One week (7years) – Matt 24:21,

c) The weeks = 7 years. 70 weeks = 490. 483 from Nehemiah until Jesus came.

d) People talk about a 400 year gap between Malachi and John the Baptist, but Israel could’ve known.

2. JESUS PROPHESIED LIFE

a) Jesus whole life was prophesied – Luke 24:44

b) Jesus life fulfilled things in the law, prophets, and Psalms – 39 books to Israel – Matt 5:17.

c) Many prophecies fulfilled by Jesus proving he was the Christ – MMLJ “as it is written” “that it might be fulfilled”

d) A messenger comes before him – Isa 40:3, Mal 3:1, Luke 1:76 - Matt 3:1-3, 11:7-10.

e) His lineage was prophesied- 2Sam 7:12, Psa 132:11, Jer 23:5 – Matt 1:1, Luke 3:23-31.

f) His place of birth was prophesied – Micah 5:2, 1Sam 17:58, 20:6, Isa 11:1 – Luke 2:4.

g) His virgin mother – Isa 7:14 – Matt 1:21-25.

h) His going to Egypt as a child – Num 24:7-8, Hos 11:1, Jer 31:15 – Matt 2:13-18

i) His baptism was prophesied – Psalms 2:7, Isa 11:2, 42:1 – Matt 3:13-17

j) His miracles and healings – Isa 53:4 – Matt 8:16-17, 9:10-13, Hos 6:6.

k) Where he traveled – Isa 9:1-2, Matt 4:12-16. Zech 9:9 - Matt 21:2-7.

l) His speaking in parables – Psalm 78:2 – Matt 13:34-35 – The reason why and the response of those who heard – Isa 6:9-10, Matt 13:13-15.

3. JESUS PROPHESIED DEATH

a) That he would die – Isa 53:5,11, Dan 9:26.

b) He would be betrayed by a friend – Psalm 41:9 – John 13:18,21 – And the price he would be betrayed for – Zech 11:12- Matt 26:14-16

c) His being taken and scattering his disciples – Zech 13:7, Mark 14:27 – Matt 26:54-56.

d) The events on/surrounding the cross:

i. Numbered with the transgressors – Isa 53:12 - Mark 15:28

ii. Lots cast for his garments – Psalms 22:8 – John 19:23-24

iii. Smitten upon his head with the reed and being spit on – Isa 50:6 – Matt 27:30.

iv. The people despise him – Psalm 22:6-7, 109:25, Mark 15:29.

v. My God, my God, what has thou forsaken me – 22:1 – Mark 15:34

vi. I thirst – Psalm 22:15 – John 19:28

vii. Drinking vinegar – Psalm 69:21 – John 19:29

viii. His hands, feet, and side pierced (crucifixion) - Psalm 22:16 – John 19:18, 20:25

ix. No bone broken – Psalm 34:20, Exo 12:46, John 19:32-36

x. His resurrection – Isa 53:10, Psalm 110:1 – Mark 16:19, Acts 2:34-35.

4. JESUS TAUGHT WHAT WAS IN THE LAW AND THE SUBJECT OF PROPHECY

a) Jesus came preaching the kingdom – Mark 1:15-16

b) The kingdom is like – Matt 13:24,31,33,44,45,47,52.”1

c) Obey those that sit in Moses seat – Matt 23:1-3

d) The sermon on the Mount was about the law and kingdom – Matt 5-7, Matt 5:17-20, 6:10-12,14-15,31-33, 7:7-8,20-21,24.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL

a) God could not utterly destroy them because he made a promise – Lev 26:43-45, Jer 30:10-11.

b) There are examples throughout Israel’s History of a remnant – 1Kngs 19:13-18, Isa 1:9-10,

c) It was prophesied – Isa 10:16-22, Isa 11:11, Ezek 6:7-9, Joel 2:28-32, Zech 8:11-12.

d) They would return after judgment – 2Kings 19:30-31,

2. A REMNANT RETURNS

a) This is what Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah are about.

b) It was foretold they would be captive for 70 years – Jer 23:1-4, 25:11-12

c) Return is through the Persian empire = Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes.

i. Cyrus – Prophesied he would allow Gods people to return and build – Isa 44:28-45:1,13….. 2Chron 36:22-23.

ii. Darius – Haggai, Zechariah prophesy – Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 1:1

iii. Artaxerxes – Let Nehemiah go to Jerusalem to build – Neh 2:1-8.

d) Ezra was a Priest and Scribe and established the law in the land – Ezra 7:11, Neh 8:1-8.

e) Nehemiah was governor and established rule – Neh 12:26-27.

f) Haggai and Zechariah prophesy about Zerubbabel and Joshua – Haggai 1:12-14, Zech 4:6,9.

g) The remnant returns – Ezra 1:1-5, 2:1-2,64-65.

3. JESUS AND THE REMNANT

a) Jesus came to confirm the promises -Rom 15:8, Isa11:1,

b) He came to cause division in Israel – Luke 12:51-53, Matt 10:31-38.

c) He promised the kingdom to a nation bearing fruits – Matt 21:33-43, 3:8-10, Luke 12:32

d) Ezra and Nehemiah not the fulfilling of all prophecy – Dan 9… John 14:1-3,

1. A KINGDOM DIVIDED

a) The kingdom divided – 1King 11:26-43.

2. THE PROPHETS BEFORE ISRAELS CAPTIVITY (2Kings 18)

a) Jonah – Amaziah/JereboamII – Jonah 1:1- cf 2Kings 14:23-25.

b) Isaiah, Micah, Hosea, Amos – Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah – Isa 1:1, Micah 1:1, Hosea 1:1, Amos – 2Kings 15:1-2Kings 20:21.

3. THE PROPHETS BEFORE JUDAHS CAPTIVITY (2Kings 24-25)

c) Habakkuk – Before the Chaldeans take Judah captive – Hab 1:5-6 – 2Kings 24:1-2.

d) Zephaniah – Josiah – Zeph 1:1 – 2Kings 21:24-25:1.

e) Jeremiah – Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah – Jer 1:1 – 2Kings 21:24-25

i. Lamentations - written by Jeremiah about the destruction of Jerusalem.

4. THE PROPHETS DURING CAPTIVITY

f) Daniel – Captivity Around 2Kings 24:1

g) Ezekiel – 5th year of captivity of Jehoiachin - Ezek 1:1 – 22years before 2King 25:27.

h) Haggai, Zechariah – During the reign of Darius and rebuilding of the temple – Haggai 1:1, Zech 1:1 – Ezra 6:14-15.

i) Malachi – After Ezra and Nehemiah and the building of the temple and alter – Mal 1:7-8, 3:3-4, 10.

5. OBSERVATIONS

a) Joel, Obadiah, and Nahum not in list because no dates given.

ii. Joel looks ahead to judgement.

iii. Obadiah deals with Edom

iv. Nahum deals with Nineveh

b) More prophets than just the books of the Bible – Elijah, Elisha, etc…

c) Important to know the kingdom divided and Israel scattered.

i. Prophecies about the kingdom reuniting – Ezek 37:16-24, Jer 33:6-9

ii. Jesus speaks of sheep “not of this fold” – John 10:16, 11:52, he chose 12 apostles.

iii. The new covenant made with Judah and Israel – Heb 8:8, James 1:1

d) Samaria became the capital of Israel – 1Kings 16:29 – 2Kngs 17:29

e) Exile was judgement because Israel kept not the law – Lev 26.

f) Israel was once “not a people” – Hosea 1:9-10, 1Pet 2:10.

g) Judah – All kings come from the line of David, Israel has 9 lines. (2Sam 7:15-16)

1. SOLOMON’S REIGN

a) 1Kings 1 – David now in old age and near death, Adonijah sets himself up to be the next king – 1-9

• Nathan makes a plan to tell David of Adonijah’s doings – 10-27

• Solomon made king – 28-40

• Adonijah fearful of his life – 41-53

b) 1Kings 2 – David gives Solomon warning and charges of people in the kingdom (Joab&Shimei) – 1-10

• Adonijah, Joab, & Shimei judged and killed by Solomon – 11-46

c) 1Kings 3 – Solomon asked for wisdom and discerns between the two women and the child*

d) 1Kings 4 – Solomon’s prince’s, Priest, Scribes, & officers – 1-19

• Details about Solomon (riches, kingdom, wisdom) – 20-34*

e) 1Kings 5 – Solomon starts the building of the temple.

f) 1Kings 6 – The Temple built*

g) 1Kings 7 – Solomon also built the “house of the forest of Lebanon” & a house for his wife – 1-8

• More detail on the work of the temple- 9-51*

h) 1Kings 8 – Dedication of the temple, Solomons prayer

i) 1Kings 9 – God answers Solomon – 1-9*

• Some details of Solomons kingdom – 10-28

j) 1Kings 10- The Queen of Sheba comes to see Solomon – 1-13*

• Solomons riches – 14-29*

k) 1Kings 11 – Solomons sin and downfall – 1-11*

• God raises adversaries of Solomon as judgment - 12-43

2. OBSERVATIONS

a) 1King 3:3 – cf 2Kings 17:8

b) 1Kings 4:26 – A textual controversy – 2Chron 9:25 – Words matter – “for” vs “and” – 40,000 not unrealistic – 1Kings 10:28, 2Chron 9:28,

c) 1Kings 6:2-3 – 90ftx30ftx45ft the porch was 30ftx15ft. (The length of a cubit is still debated so this is an estimate.

d) Solomon had a head start on the temple – 1Chron 22, 28-29. 18:5-8

e) 1Kings 1:8 is the same context as 2Chron 7:14 – Does not apply to America.

f) The Queen of She a mentioned by Jesus – Matt 12:42, Luke 11:31 – Condemnation of the Jews.

g) 1Kings 10 is a picture of Christ and his reign – Acts 1:6, Zech 8:1-3, 20-23

h) Solomons riches is unknown because we do not know for sure how much a talent was worth, esteems say this would have been 3-4 million, some say 8 million. This is just the Gold cf vs 15, 22, 25-26. Estimates of his peak net worth are 2+ trillion.

• 666 – The number of man – Rev 13:18.

i) Riches are vanity – Ecc 2:3-11.

j) Solomon disobeyed Gods law – 1Kngs 11:2 – Cf Deut 7:1-6, Judges 1:21-36, Exo 20:3-5.

1. ABSALOMS REIGN

a) 2Sam 13 – Amnon’s sin with Tamar – Vs 1-21

• Absalom’s plot to kill Amnon – vs 22-39

b) 2Sam 14 – Joab gets David to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem – Vs 1-28

• Absalom gets Joab to have the King see him – Vs 29-33

c) 2Sam 15 – Absalom’s plot begins by winning the heart’s of the people – vs 1-9*

• A strong conspiracy – vs 10-12

• David flees – Vs 13-30

• David’s counterplot – Vs 31-37

d) 2Sam 16 – Mephibosheth slandered? – vs 1-4 cf 2Sam 19:24-30

• Shimei curses David – Vs 5-14

• Ahithophel councils Absalom – vs 15-23*

e) 2Sam 17 – David’s plan for Hushai works – Vs 1-26

• Children of Ammon bring relief to David – Vs 27-29*

f) 2Sam18 – The battle between David and Absalom, Absalom killed – Vs 1-18

• David mourns for Absalom – vs 19-33

2. OTHER EVENTS

g) 2Sam 19 – Joab rebukes David over his mourning for Absalom – vs 1-8

• David brought back as king – 10-43*

h) 2Sam 20 – Sheba a sin of belial killed.

i) 2Sam 21 – A famine in the land for the Gibeonites because of Saul’s evil against them – Vs 1-14

• War with the Philistines – vs 15-22

j) 2Sam 22 – Song of David.

k) 2Sam 23 – “David’s last words” – vs 1-7 (ch 23 not in chronological order)

• David’s mighty men – vs 8-39*

l) 2Sam 24 – David sinned

3. OBSERVATIONS

a) Absalom’s pride evident – 1Chron 15:1

b) The council of Ahithophel were likely from feeling of revenge for David’s sin with Bathsheba which was his granddaughter- 2Sam 23:34 cf 11:3.

• Prophesied by Nathan in 2Sam 12:11-12.

c) Evidence that David had friends in Ammon – 2Sam 10:1-2

d) David shows mercy to Shimei – 2Sam 19:16-23

e) Joab not mentioned among David’s mighty men – 1Kngs 1:5-7

f) The “he” in 2Sam 24:1 is Satan – 1Chr 21:1 – James 1:13-14.

1. THE 4 W’s

a. Who wrote the book? – Paul – 1Thess 1:1, “I”… 2:18, 3:5, 4:9,13, 5:1, 23,27…. Maybe with

Silvanus and Timothy as co-writers 1Thess 1:1…… ”We, Us, Our”….. 2:1, 3:1, 4:1.

b. Who is it written to?

I. The church of the Thessalonians – 1:1

II. The Body of Christ – 1Thess 1:10, 2:16, 5:1, 9-10.

c. What is he writing about? – Paul wanted them to know he desired to see them and know how

they faired – 1Thess 2:17-18, 3:1-2. Writing to comfort the – 4:18, 5:11. Instruction in the will of

God and walking righteously – 4:1-5,12.

d. When was it written? Man and tradition say 50A.D.or 52A.D. The Bible does not. We can look at

Acts to see when in scripture it may have been written – After Acts 17-18:1 cf 3:1….. maybe

around Acts 18:5 while Paul is in Corinth.

e. Answering the 4 questions above can help to get the context of a book. Paul is writing to comfort

and encourage the Thessalonians to see how they faired because they were being persecuted. Acts

17:1-13

2. OVERVIEW

a. Popular passages in 1Thessalonians – 2:13, 4:13-18, 5:17-19

b. Important but ignored passages – 2:4-6, 4:11-12, 5:1-11

c. Summary of the book in sections

I. Writing to let the Thessalonians know that they cared for them and wanted to see them – 1-3

II. Instruction in their walk – 4:1-12

III. Comfort of what happens to the dead in Christ – 4:13-18

IV. Times and season/end times – 5:1-11

V. Final Exhortation 5:12-28.

d. Thessalonica is in Macedonia

How did Israel come to be? How did they get where they are today? This is the fifth lesson in a series reviewing the history of the nation of Israel.

How did Israel come to be? How did they get where they are today? This is the fourth lesson in a series reviewing the history of the nation of Israel.