Sermon Tone Analysis

Wonderful hope!

I think there is no greater hope that the hope in the promise of Christ’s return.

The book of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians displays that throughout, but there is much we can learn, much we can apply along the way.

Today we start that journey.

Hope, it is a good thing, and I hope that we can get some hope through the books that central focus is the return of Christ and living in light of His return.

This is an introduction and it is a little lengthy, so, I hope, you can bear with me as we take a look at an overview and introduction of the letters to the the Thessalonians.

To understand a story, it helps to have some history so today we will do the history stuff, the background, but don’t worry there will be plenty of scripture to come along as we go.

It is about the summer of 49 and Paul, Timothy and Titus are thinking back as they travel of the promise Jesus made when He ascended (Act1:9-11); that makes me think of the reason behind the promise, besides the hope (2Pt3:10-14)

The promise given (Act1:9-11)

(expand on what they saw, and what was promised)

The promise designed for, the reason (2Pt3:10-14)

Look at the instructions from Peter on what we are to do as we wait for the Lord’s return for His church.

Be holy in conduct

Look for His return

Look for our heavenly home

Be diligent

Find peace, be spotless and blameless in Him!

So as we work our way through this series we will look at how we maybe ready for Christ’s return, what we should do while waiting for Christ’s return, but first let us look at the history and the characters in the book.

The Author

There is no dispute regarding the authorship of the letters, but what more can we know about the author and his companions from the opening of this book?

Author Paul, formally Saul (Act9:1-2); Apostle to the Gentiles (Act9:15)

Saul the murder, the persecutor of Christians now an Apostle

An Apostle sent on a mission from God to the unlikely people (Gentiles); kings and to the Jews.

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Joined by Silvanus (aka Silas)

Emissary, a person sent on a special mission, usually a diplomatic representative, from the apostles in Jerusalem (Act15:22, 27); Prophet (Act15:32); companion to Paul (Act15:34, 40-41)

Imprisoned with Paul in Philippi (Act16:19-25)

Helped to establish this young church at Thessalonica (Act17:1-4)

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Joined by Silvanus (aka Silas)

Emissary, from the apostles in Jerusalem (Act15:22, 27); Prophet (Act15:32); companion to Paul (Act15:34, 40-41)

Silas a leader, a leader who was sent to meet with Paul in Antioch.

He was not alone in the sending from Jerusalem, but that is outside of our letter, but gives us a little information about Silas.

He was also known as a prophet

Prophet is a person with a message and an authority to proclaim for foretell, He was a prophet who forth told about Jesus Christ and the mystery of the gospel.

He was a companion to Paul

and look at

Joined by Silvanus (aka Silas)

Emissary from the apostles in Jerusalem (Act15:22, 27); Prophet (Act15:32); companion to Paul (Act15:34, 40-41)

Imprisoned with Paul in Philippi (Act16:19-25)

So, Paul is with Silas, Silas came from Jerusalem to be with Paul and ends up in prison not singing the blues but singing hymns and praising God.

Joined by Silvanus (aka Silas)

Emissary from the apostles in Jerusalem (Act15:22, 27); Prophet (Act15:32); companion to Paul (Act15:34, 40-41)

Imprisoned with Paul in Philippi (Act16:19-25)

Helped to establish this young church at Thessalonica (Act17:1-4)

Look at the results of their friendship, companionship as sent by the Lord.

A church was formed, a body of believers that came from a Greek shipping area, trade route, who in just 3 sabbaths converted “a large number”

They were not alone, there was Timothy who was there too.

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Timotheus (aka Timothy)

A young disciple who also travelled with Paul (Act16:1-3)

Paul references him several times in his writing (2Cor1:1, Php1:1)

Recipient of some of Paul’s letters (1Tim1:1-2; 2Tim2:1-2)

Who, like Paul was imprisoned (Heb13:23)

Was a traveller, an emissary to Thessolonica (1The3:1-2) and bearer of good news to Paul (1The3:6)

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Timotheus (aka Timothy)

A young disciple who also travelled with Paul (Act16:1-3)

Timothy a 1/2 Jew; 1/2 Greek was well thought of and spoken of in the area.

Timothy who because of the ministry work to be done with Paul was circumcised.

Why, not for salvation, or for proof of salvation, but for the comfort and identity to those he was ministering too.

Timotheus (aka Timothy)

A young disciple who also travelled with Paul (Act16:1-3)

Paul references him several times in his writing (2Cor1:1, Php1:1)

And then you can see it again

A young disciple who also travelled with Paul (Act16:1-3)

Paul references him several times in his writing (2Cor1:1, Php1:1)

Recipient of some of Paul’s letters (1Tim1:1-2; 2Tim2:1-2)

And then there is

A young disciple who also travelled with Paul (Act16:1-3)

Paul references him several times in his writing (2Cor1:1, Php1:1)

Recipient of some of Paul’s letters (1Tim1:1; 2Tim2:1)

Who, like Paul was imprisoned (Heb13:23)

On a quick side note, this verse is why some believe that Paul was the author of Hebrews too, but that is another study for another series for another time.

A young disciple who also travelled with Paul (Act16:1-3)

Paul references him several times in his writing (2Cor1:1, Php1:1)

Recipient of some of Paul’s letters (1Tim1:1; 2Tim2:1)

Who, like Paul was imprisoned (Heb13:13)

Was a traveller, an emissary to Thessolonica (1The3:1-2) and bearer of good news to Paul (1The3:6)

Timothy was sent to Thessolonica to get word on them and to encourage them

And to bring back word from them to Paul to encourage Paul too.

What a mission team they were and from them a church was born.

This is a young church that was being rooted after 3 short Sabbaths with Paul, Silas and Timothy and Paul is writing to them shortly thereafter, believed in Spring of 50-51.

The Recipients

How about some facts about the recipients.

Who does not like getting a letter and from Paul, their friend, they must have been excited to hear from him.

(Thessolonica map)

Some facts

It was the capital and largest city (about 200,000) in Roman providence of Macedonia

Located on the Egnatian way, a major thoroughfare between Rome and the Eastern Roman providences

Known today as Thessaloniki, and formally Salonica, it changed to Thessalonica in 315BC.

So the recipients were a church located in Thessalonica who Paul loved and wished for grace and peace to be upon them.

Church established on Paul’s second missionary trip (Act17:1-9)

This happen shortly after being beaten, imprisoned and released in Philippi (you can look up Act16:22-40)

Now maybe we better look at the section of scripture mentioned to see how it was established.

Paul started where he always started in the Synagogue and used their Sabbath day gathering for evangelism.

But hey, in Philippi he was thrown in jail, in Thessalonica he was chased out of town.

But still the church was born and it had a good reputation

A church of good reputation (1The1:8)

Look what was known, they were known throughout all Macedonia and Achaia

A church comprised of mostly Gentiles (1The1:9)

Gentiles with Gentile idols that are gotten rid of to serve the living and true God.

Some prominent members too (Act17:9; Act20:4)

oh, Jason who had been dragged out because of them, helped orchestrate them being able to leave