1. Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians
Lesson 2 The Encouragement of Election 1 Thessalonians 1: June 13, 2010 1

2. Introduction to Lesson 2
Paul was concerned about the Thessalonians (2:17—3:13).
But were the Thessalonians concerned about Paul? (see 2:1)
Filling in the “gaps” of Acts 17:1-9
The length of Paul’s ministry (1 Thes. 1:7-10; Phil. 4:14-16)
The form of Paul’s ministry (1 Thes. 2:1ff.)
Composition of the church (1 Thes. 1:9)
The source of the opposition the Thessalonians faced
(1 Thes. 2:14)
The nature of Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians (1 Thes. 1:5; 2:1-12)

3. Paul’s greeting (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)
Paul’s confidence in the survival and success of the church at Thessalonica.
Our text is really about Paul’s great affection for the Thessalonians and the reason for his confidence regarding their growth and perseverance in the faith.
Paul’s greeting (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)
Paul and Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy
The church “in God. . . and Christ” (1:1)
“We thank God always for all of you” (1:2)
“Your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope” (1:3)

4. Paul’s confidence regarding the Thessalonians is rooted in their election and the sovereignty of God (1:4-10)
The relationship between love and election
Not “second-class” citizens, but chosen saints
Evidences of divine election
God’s authentication and empowering of the gospel message (1:5a)
The conduct of the gospel messengers (1:5b; 2:1-12)
The response of the Thessalonian saints to the gospel (1:6-10)
Joyfully receiving the message in the midst of persecution (1:6)

5. Conclusion and application
Becoming an example to all believers (1:7-8)
Welcoming the messengers and turning to God from idols (1:9)
Waiting for the return of Jesus, our deliverer from the coming wrath (1:10)
Conclusion and application
What we can learn about prayer from Paul
The sovereignty of God in salvation – the implications of election and divine sovereignty
Faith, love, and hope are the benchmarks of spiritual health. Paul’s life and ours
The affection of Paul and his associates for the church

6. Encouragement for saints as difficult times approach
God loves to beat the (human) odds, to His glory – compare 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Why does Paul lay this foundation, rather than what we find in his other epistles?
What do we learn about encouragement?
How does our text introduce 1 Thessalonians?

7. Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh
Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint
presentation of Lesson 2 in the series, Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians,
prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for June 13, Anyone is at
liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.