NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

INTRODUCTION• Established on the 2nd journey of Paul– Acts 17:1-9

• A great seaport town of Macedonia• Anciently called “Therma.”• Gave its name to bay on which it was

situated• Residence of the Roman proconsul, who

governed the province for Macedonia, and the Questor who has care for the emperor’s revenues located here.

INTRODUCTION• The metropolis of that district, it was

the seat of the court of justice• Carried on extensive commerce

through its merchants• Remarkable for the number, wealth,

and learning of the inhabitants.• Paul journeyed to Thessalonica from

Philippi.

ITS ESTABLISHMENT• Paul’s 2nd

tour• Paul as was his

custom went to the Jewish synagogues

• Jews first…– Acts 13:44-46

“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold

and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you

first; but since you reject it, and judge

yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to

the Gentiles.”

ITS ESTABLISHMENT• Reason for this• Jews been

prepared by the law for the coming gospel

• Already believers—not converted from idolatry

• Prejudice the problem– Acts 13:47

“For so the Lord has commanded

us: 'I have set you as a light to the

Gentiles, That you should be for

salvation to the ends of the earth.”

ITS ESTABLISHMENT• His message

always the same• Jesus is the Christ• Courage to

preach a message contrary to their understanding

• Boldly-gently– Acts 17:3

“Explaining and demonstrating

that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the

dead, and saying, This Jesus whom I preach to you is

the Christ.”

ITS ESTABLISHMENT• Jesus is the

Christ• Results…• Means– Paul’s own

labors (1 Thess.2:9)

– Other churches (Phil.4:15,16)

– Acts 17:4

“And some of them were persuaded;

and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of

the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.”

ITS CHARACTER• Trinity of

graces– Work of faith– Labor of love– Patience of

hope– Three great

motives to Christian life and character

– 1 Thessalonians 1:3

“Remembering without ceasing

your work of faith, labor of

love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus

Christ in the sight of our God

and Father.”

ITS CHARACTER• Endure much

persecution– 1

Thessalonians 1:6

– 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

“…For you also suffered the same

things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the

Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus

and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please

God and are contrary to all men.”

ITS CHARACTER• An example in

influence upon many others

• “City on Hill”—Matthew 5:14– 1

Thessalonians 1:7

“So that you became

examples to all in

Macedonia and Achaia

who believe.”

ITS CHARACTER• Evangelistic• Recognized its

duty to others, and carried them out dutifully– 1

Thessalonians 1:8

“For from you the word of the Lord

has sounded forth, not only in

Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not

need to say anything.”

ITS CHARACTER• Converted

men out of idolatry

• Wholehearted conversion to the Lord– 1

Thessalonians 1:9

– 1 Thessalonians

– 2:13

“For they themselves

declare concerning us what manner of

entry we had to you, and how you

turned to God from idols to serve the living and true

God.”

ITS CHARACTER• Growing in

spiritual strength– 2Thessalonia

ns 1:3-6

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,

as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly,

and the love of every one of you

all abounds toward each other.”

ITS CHARACTER• Worthy of

Paul’s confidence– 2Thessalonia

ns 3:4

“And we have confidence in

the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the

things we command you.”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• Possess own vessel in honor.– 1

Thessalonians 4:1-8

“For this is the will of God, your

sanctification: that you should abstain

from sexual immorality; that

each of you should know how to

possess his own vessel in

sanctification and honor.”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• Walk with them without correctly.– 1

Thessalonians 4:11,12

“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to

mind your own business, and to work with your own hands,

as we commanded you, that you may

walk properly toward those who are

outside, and that you may lack nothing.”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• One won’t work—should not eat.– 2

Thessalonians 3:10-12

“For even when we were with you, we

commanded you this: If anyone will not

work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner,

not working at all, but are busybodies.”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• Practice church discipline.– 2

Thessalonians 3:6

“But we command you, brethren, in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the

tradition which he received from us.”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• Stand fast.– 2

Thessalonians 2:15

“Therefore, brethren, stand

fast and hold the traditions

which you were taught, whether by word or our

epistle.”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• Divine vengeance on ungodly– 2

Thessalonians 1:7,8

“And to give you who are troubled rest with

us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from

heaven with His mighty angels, in

flaming fire taking vengeance on those

who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel

of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• Coming for his own– 1

Thessalonians 4:17

“Then we who are alive and remain

shall be caught up together with

them in the clouds to meet the Lord

in the air. And thus we shall always be

with the Lord.”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• Dead in Christ raised first– 1

Thessalonians 4:15,16

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the

coming of the Lord will by no means

precede those who are asleep...”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• Dead in Christ raised first

• Personal coming of Christ– 1

Thessalonians 4:15,16

“For the Lord Himself will

descend from heaven with a shout, with the

voice of an archangel, and

with the trumpet of God. And the

dead in Christ will rise first.”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• His coming will unexpected—as thief– 1

Thessalonians 5:2

“For you yourselves know

perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes

as a thief in the night.”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• Some thought He was coming immediately!– 2

Thessalonians 2:1-3

“Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by

spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let

no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling

away comes first...”

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

• Most disturbed by false teaching about 2nd coming of Christ

• Warns not loving truth may believe a delusion– 2

Thessalonians 2:10-12

“And with all unrighteous

deception among those who perish,

because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they

might be saved.And for this reason God will send them

strong delusion, that they should believe

the lie...”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• Admonished to be respectful toward those laboring among them.– 1

Thessalonians 5:12,13

“And we urge you, brethren, to

recognize those who labor among you, and

are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's

sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”

ERRORS CORRECTED & EXHORTATIONS GIVEN

• Admonished the disorderly, support the weak and fainthearted– 1

Thessalonians 5:14

“Now we exhort you, brethren,

warn those who are unruly, comfort the

fainthearted, uphold the weak, be

patient with all.”