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The Example Church 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Something To Think About When Paul left Thessalonica, he went to Athens and then to Corinth. When in Athens, he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the believers there were doing and to be a help and encouragement to them. When Timothy returned, Paul was in Corinth. The time was probably A.D. 50. About the time Timothy returned, Paul wrote First Thessalonians.

KEY VERSE 1 Thessalonians 1:7 “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia”.

Lesson Objectives To glean the qualities that made Thessalonica an example church To glow at the results of the gospel being preached To grow in the qualities demonstrated by the Thessalonians

A SAVED CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 Greetings (1) Gratitude (2) Grace (3-4) Romans 8:29

There is a statement in the old song, “The Old Time Religion,” which declares this kind of religion “makes me love everybody.” Christians should love “everybody”—but there should be a very special, deep, abiding love for all fellow believers. John put it like this, “And every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 John 5:1b). If we truly love God, we are going to love all of God’s children. We will want to do things for our fellow believers, meet their needs, and express our love for them verbally. This was Paul’s example. May we follow his lead.

A STABLE CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 The Power of the Holy Spirit (5) The Purpose of the Holy Spirit (6)

It is exciting to read about people whose conversions brought both inward and outward change. There was public manifestation of their changed lives, so much so that they were persecuted. But in the midst of that, they possessed joy only God can give. How wonderful that they were open with their change. These folks were not “secret followers.” It is just great to note these changes were for all to see.

A SOUNDING CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 Examples of the Believers (7) Exclaimers of the Word (8)

Should we not all strive to be example Christians? Perhaps we have lost something of the wonder and excitement of the conversion experience. Paul never “got over” the thrill of his salvation experience, recorded in three places in the New Testament: Acts 9; 22; and 26. If the thrill and joy of knowing God still gripped our hearts, we would be more eager to share salvation’s truth with others. It is not until we stop and look back that we can see just how far the Lord has brought us. What about you? Are the joy and the thrill of God’s salvation still in your heart?

A SERVING CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 1:9 The Turning (9a) The Task (9b)

Someone has said that “man is incurably religious,” yet the world has rejected the true God. This is true of some very brilliant people. Some people hold a kind of “humaneness” as their god. While they have rejected the true God, they believe they only need to be kind and fair to their fellowman. Of course, there are so- called atheists, agnostics, and infidels who claim they do not believe in any form of a supreme being. When one turns to the living God, he must always turn from any and every other god.

A SEEKING CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 1:10 The Expectancy of Christ’s Return (10a) The Excellency of Christ’s Return (10b) Romans 8:11 John 10:18 Matthew 3:7

What does the Second Coming of Christ mean to you? If you knew Christ would come this year, this month, or this week, would your lifestyle really be different? Would you be more zealous in sharing Christ with your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors? Would your conduct and relationship toward others change? We need the zeal and sense of urgency that the Thessalonians had regarding the Lord’s return. May God grant that each of us will have hope of the Lord’s return renewed in our lives.

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION 1. What made the city of Thessalonica such a strategic place for the spread of the gospel? What lessons can we learn from Paul’s missionary strategy to help us be more effective in spreading the gospel? 2. What was the Thessalonians’ “work of faith”? 3. Explain the meaning of the terms grace and peace. 4. How does the Holy Spirit enable a church to grow spiritually? 5. What does it mean to “serve” God? What does it mean to “wait” for His Son from heaven? 6. The Thessalonians were zealous witnesses. Why is it so difficult for many Christians to witness for Christ today?

May God Bless You For Coming To Sunday School This Morning! Bring Someone With You To Bible Study On Wednesday Night!

Acknowledgements Applications taken from Bible Teacher Bible Studies for Adults—Fall Edition (2011) This power point slide presentation may be altered by additions or deletions to fit your own teaching style. There is more information in viewing Note Pages Click on View then Note Pages Presentation Compiled For Randall House By Earl Scroggins