IThessalonians

Sermon Outlines
for the book of I Thessalonians

Rev. David P. Horrocks, Th.M., Pastor
Christ Community Church

I Thessalonians

Introduction: "Picture the world being out of control"

The place Paul preached

His second missionary journey
The tough new field of Europe
The most important city of Macedonia

The Gospel Paul preached

God will judge sinners for their sin
God has promised the coming of a savior - the anointed one

The anointed one will die for our sins
The anointed one will be raised from the dead

Jesus of Nazareth is the anointed one

By faith in Jesus we receive the gift of salvation
With Jesus as our king we find our power and purpose for life

MESSAGE:

"ONLY THE GOSPEL PAUL PREACHED CAN RESCUE YOU
FROM THE DAMAGE AND THE DESTRUCTION OF YOUR SIN."

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I Thessalonians 1:1

Introduction: "Homework"

The missionaries to Thessalonica
The congregation in Thessalonica

Jewish converts
Proselytes converts
God-fearing Greek converts

The theological context of the church

God is the Father of all who believe
Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord of all who believe
The Father is God, the Son is God

The experience of those who believe

The source of life's greatest blessings is grace
The intent of God's grace is peace

The theme of the message to the Thessalonians

Jesus Christ will return
Therefore be ready
Therefore be holy

MESSAGE:

"WHEN JESUS CHRIST RETURNS,
THOSE WHO WILL BE READY WILL BE THOSE WHO ARE HOLY."

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I Thessalonians 1:2-5

Introduction: "Faith makes a difference."

How does Paul give thanks for people of faith?

He prayed
He prayed often
He prayed in specifics

Why is Paul thankful for these people of faith?

Because the graces of salvation made them better people

Work of faith
Labor of love
Endurance of hope

Because the grace of salvation came to them through Paul

Their salvation is the result of God's gracious choice

God made choices in eternity past
God's choices will eventually cause everything to glorify God
God's choices affect people for salvation

Their salvation is the result of God's gracious work through Paul

God was at work in the preachers
God was at work in the neighborhood
God was at work in the hearers

MESSAGE:

"THERE IS NO GREATER JOY THAN GOD'S USING YOU
TO DEVELOP THE GRACES OF SALVATION
IN THE LIFE OF ANOTHER."

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I Thessalonians 1:6-10

Introduction: "When they needed a watchman…!"

The conduct of the Christians in Thessalonica

You met life's opposition in the power of the Holy Spirit (1:6-7)

The word of God meets opposition in the world
It is God's will that believers resist the world
The Holy Spirit empowers those who will stand for the Lord

You found life's purpose by faith in God (1:8-9)

Conversion is to turn from being self willed to seeking God's will
Converts stop being masters and start being servants

You face life's future with hope in Jesus (1:10)

Jesus is coming from heaven to earth
Be on the lookout for Him
When He comes He will be looking out for us

The accomplishments of their strength, faith, and hope

You became worthy examples
You became living sermons
You became watchmen for your world

MESSAGE:

"WHEN YOUR POWER IS SPIRITUAL,
YOUR PURPOSE IS GOD'S AND YOUR HOPE IS IN JESUS;
YOU, TOO, BECOME A WORTHY EXAMPLE,
A LIVING SERMON, AND A WATCHMAN FOR YOUR WORLD."

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I Thessalonians 2:1-8

Introduction: "How important is your job?"

Paul's defense or Paul's instruction

How to live a meaningful life

Inspired by God's purpose for life (1-2)

Something for which you would sacrifice
Something for which you would struggle

Equipped by God's power to do it (3-8)

Reject the path of the world (3)

They are not true
They are not holy
They will not last

Follow the power of heaven (4)

God is our judge
Life is a holy trust
God's decisions will last

Reject the path of the flesh (5-6a)

Appearance is everything
Money is everything
Self is everything

Follow the power of the spirit (6b-8)

The pattern of a servant-leader
The heart of a servant-leader
The impact of a servant-leader

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I Thessalonians 2:9-12

Introduction: "Chocolate pieces"

Context: Paul's team ministry in Thessalonica

Committed to the Gospel of God
| Followed heaven and the Holy Spirit

Content: The good works of the Christian life

Evangelizing the lost into faith (2:9)

Evangelism is a lifestyle
Grace freely received should be freely given
Evangelism is God's will

Edifying the believer into holiness (2:10-12)

Live what you believe
Become a spiritual parent
Edification is God's will

MESSAGE:

"WHEN YOU WITNESS TO THE LOST ABOUT FAITH
AND YOU ENCOURAGE THE BELIEVER ABOUT HOLINESS,
YOU ARE DOING THE GOOD WORKS OF THE WILL OF GOD."

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I Thessalonians 2:13-16

Introduction: "Don't cheat in your faith"

Paul gives thanks for the blessing of faith (2:13-14)

Faith that believes the gospel (Hope)
Faith that believes that the gospel is from God (Confidence)
Faith that works to change my character (Holiness)
Faith that perseveres under fire (Endurance)

Paul warns of the sin of unbelief (2:15-16)

Israel had faith
Israel's faith became the unbelief of pride
Israel's pride led to great sins
Israel's great sins led to God's great judgment

Wrath of blindness
Until the end of the age

MESSAGE:

"FAITH AND UNBELIEF ARE THE GREAT TESTS
OF TIME AND ETERNITY."

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I Thessalonians 2:17-20

Introduction: "People really matter"

Paul's worldview of Christian fellowship

We are a family
We are a broken family
We are a broken family but united
We are a casualty of the spiritual war

Paul's eternal worth of Christian relationships

Jesus will return
The Church will be one
Each Christian will present his life's transcript to Jesus

Hope is your transcript
Joy is your effort
Crown of glory is your final grade
Holiness and human relationships will count the most

MESSAGE:

"THE WAY YOU TREAT OTHERS FOR JESUS TODAY
IS SHAPING HOW JESUS WILL TREAT YOU FOREVER."

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I Thessalonians 3:1-5

Introduction: "What if there were a way…"

Context: (1:1-2:20)

The Church had a healthy birth (1:1-10)

The Church was carefully nurtured (2:1-20)

Content: The Church was built up in faith (3:1-5)

Strengthened and encouraged by Timothy
Strengthened in the character of faith
Encouraged in "Affliction Management"

The danger of afflictions is doubt
The presence of afflictions is certain
The purpose of afflictions is eternal

The source of afflictions is spiritual
The goal of afflictions is unbelief

MESSAGE:

"WE OVERCOME AFFLICTIONS BY OUR FAITH,
BUT WE WILL BE OVERCOME BY AFFLICTIONS
IN OUR UNBELIEF."

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I Thessalonians 3:6-10

Introduction: "The bottom fell out"

Context: (1:1-2:20)

The Church had a healthy birth (1:1-10)
The Church was carefully nurtured (2:1-20)

Content: The Church was built up in faith (3:1-10)

Strengthened by Timothy's visit (3:1-5)
Strengthened by the written word (3:6-10)

The greatest news from earth to heaven is faith in the gospel
The greatest kinship on earth is the kinship of faith
The greatest inspiration to endure suffering is the faith of others

Life's greatest goal is to model and to perpetuate faith
Life's greatest praise is to rejoice at the faith of others
Life's greatest disciplines come by faith
Life's greatest need is for faith to live and grow

MESSAGE:

"FAITH - MY FAITH, YOUR FAITH, AND OUR FAITH -
WORKING TOGETHER IS LIFE BEING LIVED
AT ITS VERY BEST."

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I Thessalonians 3:11-13

Introduction: "How can I know the will of God?"

Context: (1:1-2:20)

The Church had a healthy birth (1:1-10)
The Church was carefully nurtured (2:1-20)

Content: The Church was built up in faith (3:1-13)

Strengthened by Timothy's visit (3:1-5)
Strengthened by the written word (3:6-10)
Strengthened by the prayer life of others (3:11-13)

Controlled by spiritual power (11)
Power from the Godhead
Power to control the unholy
Power to direct the Godly

Abounding in sacrificial love (12)

The means of such love is the Godhead
The model of such love is the incarnation
The motive of such love is the cross

Pursuing practical holiness (13)

Because Jesus will come again
Because we will be accountable to God
Because the angels will make our judgment certain

MESSAGE:

"WE NEED SPIRITUAL POWER, SACRIFICIAL LOVE,
AND PRACTICAL HOLINESS TO BE DOING
THE WILL OF GOD."

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I Thessalonians 4:1-8

Introduction: "The church spotless - The church with blame"

Context (1:1-3; 13)

Born again
Nurtured in spirit
Strengthened in faith

Content: To please not yourself but God and others (4:1-8)

Make the Lord Jesus your model (4:1-2)
Dedicate yourself to holiness (4:3-8)

Be absolutely moral in your sexual life (3-6)

Does my action come from a pure heart?
Am I serving or using others?
Am I following the way of the ungodly?
Can I do this and face other Christians?
Can I do this and pass the judgment of God?

Listen clearly to your calling (7)
Remember that sin and the Holy Spirit do not mix (8)

MESSAGE:

"TO PLEASE GOD AND SERVE OTHERS,
YOU NEED THE MIND OF CHRIST AND
THE POWER OF HIS SPIRIT."

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I Thessalonians 4:9-12

Introduction: "You need to know the rules"

Context: (1:1-3:13)

Born again
Nurtured in your spirit
Strengthened in your faith

Content: Living a blameless life in the world (4:1-12)

Make the Lord Jesus your model (4:1-2)
Practice holiness in your relationships (4:3-8)
Promote harmony in the church (4:9-10a)

Love for Christians is a test of faith
Love for Christians comes naturally where God rules freely
Love for Christians is a witness to how much you model Christ
Love for Christians is evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit
Love for Christians is a taste of eternity

Prevent harassment from the world (4:10b-12)

Develop the Sabbath in your soul
Run a well-managed household
Be a humble worker for the boss

MESSAGE:

"WHEN YOU SHOW LOVE AND PROMOTE PEACE,
YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE RULES
TO A BLAMELESS FUTURE"

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I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Introduction: "What happens to Christians who die?"

Context: (1:1-3:13)

Born again
Nurtured in your spirit
Strengthened in your faith

Content: Living a blameless life in the world (4:1-12)

Make the Lord Jesus your model (4:1-2)
Practice holiness in your relationships (4:3-8)
Promote harmony in the church and towards the world (4:9-12)
Let your resurrection hope overcome the sorrow of death (4:13-18)

Gathered together in your soul by resurrection hope (13, 14, 18)

Without hope, you are without strength to endure
With hope, there is comfort in the face of death

Gathered together with others in the resurrection (15, 16)

Jesus is our pattern for life and eternity
All in Jesus are alive

Gathered together forever with Jesus is our great hope

The resurrected ones and the living ones will be raptured
All Christians will rule with Jesus in the presence of God

MESSAGE:

"IMAGINE TOGETHER CHRISTIANS TOGETHER,
TOGETHER WITH THE LORD FOREVER."

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I Thessalonians 5:1-3

Introduction: "Learning to tell time the Christian way"

Context: Who you are in Christ (1:1-3:13)

Content: How to live in Christ (4:1-5:3)

Live a blameless life (4:1-18)
Be ready for the return of the Lord (5:1-3)

Living the gospel and reading our times

Crumbling foundations
Crashing lives

Living the gospel and knowing the future

What is the day of the Lord?

Period when God moves to restore righteousness
It starts with judgment and ends with blessings
Focus is on Israel's salvation and world redemption

When is the day of the Lord?

It is certainly coming
It is coming unannounced
It is coming when the opposite is expected
It is sudden in its coming
It is unstoppable when it comes
It brings eternal destruction
It is inclusive

MESSAGE:

"IF WE READ OUR TIMES AND KNOW THE FUTURE,
WE WILL BE MAKING OURSELVES READY
FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD."

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I Thessalonians 5:4-11

Introduction: "I found my way in Philly."

Context: Who you are in Christ (1:1-3:13)

Content: How to live in Christ (4:1-5:11)

Live a blameless life (4:1-18)
Be ready for the return of the Lord (5:1-11)

Read the times
Know the future
Make yourselves ready

Not ignorant of God's plan

Look for His coming
Prepare for His coming

Works of faith
Labors of love
Steadfast in your hope

Help others to look and prepare

Not objects of God's wrath

Chosen by His grace
Purchased by His love
Appointed to be His servants

MESSAGE:

"WE MAKE OURSELVES READY FOR THE RETURN OF THE LORD
|WHEN OUR HOPE IN HIM IS MET BY OUR SERVICE TO HIM."

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I Thessalonians 5:12-18

Introduction: "Stout. Stout? Stout!"

Context: Who you are in Christ (1:1-3:13)

Content: How to live in Christ (4:1-5:18)

Live a blameless life (4:1-18)
Be ready for the return of the Lord (5:1-11)
Become a reflection of Christ (5:12-18)

Follow your leaders (12-13)

Take note of them
Love them
Follow them

Reflect the Leader (14-18)

Instruct others to focus on eternity (14a)
Inspire the quitters (14b)
Invest in the spiritually immature (14c)
Work for long term results (14d)
Rise above disappointment to build relationships (15)
Let the Holy Spirit work in you (16)
Let Christ work through you (17)
See the Father's work all around you (18)

MESSAGE:

"BY FOLLOWING YOUR LEADERS, YOU WILL BECOME A REFLECTION
OF THE ONE WHO IS THE LEADER OF US ALL."

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I Thessalonians 5:19-22

Introduction: "The war over Elian"

Who you are in Christ (1:1-3:13
How to live in Christ (4:1-5:18
How to grow in Christ (5:19-22)

Let the Spirit burn in your soul (19)

The Spirit produces Christian character
The Spirit equips for Christian service
The Spirit teaches spiritual lessons
The Spirit promotes acceptable worship
The Spirit gives direction in life
The Spirit is an inner witness
The Spirit prays for you

Let the Bible speak to your heart (20)

Teaching: We learn what is right
Reproof: We learn what is wrong
Correction: We learn how to get right
Training in righteousness: We learn how to stay right

Make your choices according to truth and power (21a)
You will become a reflection of your choices (21b-22)

MESSAGE:

"LET THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT AND THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE
CONTROL YOUR CHOICES AND TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE."

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I Thessalonians 5:23-28

Introduction: "How would your boss rate your job performance?"

How to become a Christian (1:1-3:13)
How Christians live (4:1-5:18)
How Christians grow (5:19-22)
What Christians become (5:23-28)

The product of sanctification is the image of Christ (23)

Complete sanctification
Every part of you will be sanctified

The power to sanctify is fully sufficient and always available (24)

Work of God who is faithful
Work of God who does this daily

The process of sanctification is for all believers all the time (25-26)

The leaders need it
The congregation needs it

The path of sanctification is in the Bible (27)
The plan of sanctification is God's grace to us in Christ (28)

MESSAGE:

"GOD IS CONTINUALLY CALLING US TO ALLOW HIM
TO CONFORM US INTO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON."

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I Thessalonians - Summary
Topic: The Return of Jesus Christ

Introduction: "Caught or not caught"

The context of I Thessalonians in Paul's general letters

Our Lord and His cross

Romans (3:25)
I Corinthians (1:18)
II Corinthians (5:21)
Galatians (6:14)

Our Lord and His church

Ephesians (2:16)
Philippians (1:1)
Colossians (1:18)

Our Lord and His coming

I Thessalonians (1:10)
II Thessalonians (2:1)

The theme of I Thessalonians: Be ready for the return of Christ.

You have caught it when you love the Lord your God (1:9-10)
You have caught it when you live as a servant to others (2:19)
You have caught it when you love your neighbors (3:12-13)
You have caught it when you live a spiritual life (4:16-17)
You have caught it when you live a holy life (5:23)

MESSAGE:

"YOU KNOW YOU HAVE CAUGHT THE HOPE OF HIS COMING
WHEN IT IMPACTS ALL OF YOUR LIVING."

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