H I G H P L A I N S B A P T I S T C H U R C H
Living life in light of the immanent return of Christ! H I G H P L A I N S B A P T I S T C H U R C H
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 1:2
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 1:3
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 1:6
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 1:6
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 1:9-10
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 2:4
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 2:12
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 2:19-20
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 3:2-3
WHAT S IN THE BAG? I Thess. 3:11-13
Thinking like a Thessalonian H I G H P L A I N S B A P T I S T C H U R C H
Paul s Greetings and Urgent Declarations H I G H P L A I N S B A P T I S T C H U R C H
OCCASION The motivation was a return visit from Timothy in which he reported several issues which needed clearing up (1 Thess 3:1-5). Timothy was probably not with them on their visit since Timothy s name is absent from Acts 16:6 to 17:13, etc.
PURPOSES To express Paul s joy that the church is growing and doing well; To vindicate Paul s ministry and the Thessalonians true conversion; To correct some misunderstanding about End Times teaching both because Paul s message on that topic was cut short and, in the meantime, some of the Thessalonians had died (leaving nagging questions as to when they would be reunited with living believers); To correct some other moral and practical matters.
THREE ARGUMENTS PRESENTED Their conversion was not genuine hence, Paul s message could not be from God. Paul was a peddler for profit. The proof that Paul was not interested in the Thessalonians is that he has not even bothered to visit them again.
THREE ARGUMENTS PRESENTED Their conversion was not genuine hence, Paul s message could not be from God. Paul was a peddler for profit. The proof that Paul was not interested in the Thessalonians is that he has not even bothered to visit them again.
PAUL'S THANKS FOR THE THESSALONIANS First, he expresses thanks to God for the confirmation of the Thessalonians salvation as seen in their spiritual growth (1:2-10) He commends them to God because of their spiritual productivity which is motivated by their focus on salvation, their walk with the Lord, and their hope of glorification (1:3) He reveals the evidence he s seen of their salvation o His gospel was proclaimed with full conviction in the power of the Holy Spirit (1:4-5) o They accepted the gospel and followed Paul s pattern in words and works (1:6-8) o The Thessalonian believers remained steadfast in the gospel teaching (κήρυγµα) (1:9-10)
PAUL'S DEFENSE OF APOSTLESHIP & CONVERSION His Positive and Objective Defense (2:1-12) o Statement of truth (2:1-2) o Defense presented (2:3-12) The Source of Paul s Charisma κήρυγµα (2:3-4) The Internal Motive (2:5-8) The External Method (2:9-12)
PAUL'S DEFENSE OF APOSTLESHIP & CONVERSION Paul s Negative and Subjective Defense (2:13-16) o The Thessalonians Reception of the Gospel (2:13-14a) o Their Opponents Rejection of the Gospel (2:14b-16)
PAUL'S DESIRE TO VISIT The Hindrance of Satan (2:17-20) o Probably an oblique reference to the money paid by Jason The Sending of Timothy (3:1-5) o Plan B is put into effect to find out about the church The News from Timothy (3:6-10) o Paul now has a renewed desire to visit the Thessalonians
TRANSITIONAL BENEDICTION (3:11-13) The first major section of the epistle concludes here. The content of Paul s prayer, in light of the fact that the genuineness of his ministry, his message, and their faith stand vindicated is that the Lord would: o Bring the apostles back to the Thessalonians, o Continue to sanctify these believers o Perfectly sanctify them at the time of the second coming of Christ.
PROPER HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIPS Pleasing God First (4:1-2) Specific Entreaties (4:3-12) o Negatively - (4:3-8) The absence of lust o Positively (4:9-12) The presence of mutual edification
THE IMMANENT RETURN OF CHRIST
THE IMMANENT RETURN OF CHRIST Rapture Imminent is another way of say the pre& Resurrection (4:13-18) tribulational rapture of the church and those dead in Christ. This position is easy to defend biblically, but is sometimes argued to be fairly new (see Margaret MacDonald 1830) -
THE IMMANENT RETURN OF CHRIST Rapture & Resurrection (4:13-18) o No cause for grief or confusion o The process of being with the Lord Deliverance from God s Wrath (5:1-11) o The suddenness of Christ s coming o The vigilance of the saints o The promise of God o The final eschatological encouragement
PRACTICAL RELATIONS FOR NOW Recognition o The office o The work Responsible and Regard for Leaders (5:12-13) Action toward Imperfection (5:14-15) Reverence toward God (5:16-18) Critical Reception of Prophesy (5:19-22)
CONCLUDING REMARKS Benediction (5:23-24) Final Greeting (5:25-28)
INTRODUCTION A Case for Pauline Authorship o There are 5 essential argument s presented against Paul Eschatology Linguistic Features Change in Tone Readers Similarities
INTRODUCTION Thinking like a Thessalonian o What s the circumstance behind this second letter? Why write so soon following the first letter? What s with the change in tone? 1 Thess 1:2 and 2 Thess 1:3; 2:13; Why did Paul identify signs to watch for? 2:3, 5 & 6
OCCASION & PURPOSE 2 Thess 2:2 Paul states, Do not be quickly shaken from your settled state, nor be disturbed by a spirit, nor by a message, nor by a letter as though from us. o This verse seems to indicate the occasion for the writing of this letter. It would be unusual for Paul to mention a forged letter as a possibility unless it really had happened.
Perseverance in the Midst of Persecutions (1:3-10) o The Perseverance of the Believer (1:3-4) o The Vindication of God s Righteousness (1:5-10) Preparation of the Saints for the Kingdom (1:11-12)
Summary - Doctrinal Correction (2:1-2) Day of the Lord still in the Future (2:3-5) The Unveiling of the Antichrist (2:6-12)
Request for Prayer (3:1-5) Rebuke of the Idle (3:6-15)