Bible Survey Outlines
1 Thessalonians
"The Second Coming of Christ"
INTRO: The church at Thessalonica was founded by Paul on his 2nd missionary journey. (Acts 17:1-9) Paul just spent a few weeks there because of persecution by unbelieving Jews who incited a riot.
It seems from 1 Thess. 3:1-2 that Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the infant church was doing. Timothy soon returned to Paul and brought him news of the church there. This news prompted Paul to write this letter.
This book is unique in that it records the first written words of the Apostle. The date, A.D.54 suggests it was written even before the gospels.
1. Paul wrote to encourage the young believers in Thessalonica. This letter is warm and full of Paul's love and concern for his converts.
2. He also wrote to continue his teaching from where he had been forced to leave off.
3. These 2 letters to the Thessalonians are known as "THE SECOND COMING BOOKS." They are saturated with instruction on the coming of Christ.
4. The 2nd coming is mentioned at the close of every chapter of this book. (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:17; 5:23)
5. The 2nd coming of Christ affects every aspect of the Christian's life here on earth.
6. 1 Thess. gives us the "Marks of a Mighty Church".
Outline of 1 Thessalonians
THE SECOND COMING & OUR SALVATION (Chp. 1)
(A Model Church)
I. They were an elect group of people (1-5)
A. The Assembly addressed v.1
-the congregation of Thessalonica
-in God, not man
-in Jesus Christ, not the synagogue
B. The Authors identified v.1
-Paul, Silvanus (Silas), Timotheus (Timothy)
C. The Appreciation expressed vs.2,3
-"without ceasing" used 3 times in the letter
verse 3
Work of Faith - work inspired by faith
Labor of Love - labor because of love for Jesus
Patience of Hope - endurance founded in the hopeof the second coming
D. The Assurance of salvation v.4,5
Brethren - family of God
Beloved - be loved by God
Election - He selected them in eternity passed (Eph. 1:4,5)
Predestinated
Chosen to salvation 2 Thes. 2:13
The Bible teaches both parts - God's part and man's part.
God's part:ELECTION
Man's part:EVANGELISM
| DANGER | | BIBLE | | DANGER |
Hard Shell
Hyper Calvanism
No Evangelism |
There is a
BALANCE |
| Armenian
Easy believism
No Election |
|
II. They were an exemplary group of people (6,7)
A. Salvation produced a change in them.
B. They were a pattern for others to follow.
"pattern" {tupos} the mark of a stroke or blow, a print
C. They had absolute assurance of salvation.
III. They were evangelistic (8)
A. They "echoed" out the gospel message.
B. Election motivated evangelism.
-God has a people out there!
IV. They were an expectant group (9,10)
A. Salvation shown by separation.
B. Salvation shown by service.
C. Salvation shown by scanning the skies. (10)
THE SECOND COMING AND OUR SERVICE (Chp. 2)
Overview
Entrance (1-9)
Example (10)
Exhortations (11-12)
Evidence (13-16)
Enemy (17-20)
I. The ministry among the Thessalonians (1-12)
A. The circumstances of Paul's arrival(1,2)
1. It was not ineffective.
2. Paul spoke with boldness.
B. Blameless Character (3-12)
1. A pure message (3,4)
a. Not of deceit (3)
b. Not unclean (3)
c. Not of guile (3)
d. Allowed by God (4)
2. A proper motive (5-8)
3. A personal maintenance (9)
4. A purposeful ministry (10-12)
a. The excellency of his conduct (10)
b. The exhortation to his children (11)
c. The expectation for his converts (12)
II. The thanksgiving for the reception of the Thessalonians
A. The Word at work(13)
1. The Word recognized
They appreciated the Word.
2. The Word received
They appropriated the Word.
3. The Word is relevant
B. The Result of the Word at work
1. They became followers. (14a)
a. of the churches of God
b. not of the world's religion
2. They entered the fellowship of suffering for the Word. (14b-16)
C. The Reward of the Word at work
1. The expression of Paul's concern (17)
2. The enemy of Paul's converts (18)
3. The expectation of Paul's crown (19,20)
a. Not just Paul's but the Thessalonian church members.
b. Ours as well
Don't go to Heaven empty handed!!
THE SECOND COMING AND OUR STABILITY (Chp. 3)
A. Grounded in the Word (1-5)
B. Steadfast in the faith (6-9)
C. Saturated with prayer (10-13)
WALKING WITH GOD (4:1-12)
I. Walking in Holiness (1-8)
A. To please God (1)
B. To obey God (2-3)
C. To glorify God (4-5)
D. To escape the judgment of God (6-8)
II. Walking in Harmony (9-10)
III. Walking in Honesty (11-12)
THE SECOND COMING AND OUR SORROW (Chp. 4:13-18)
IV. Walking in Hope (13-18)
A. REVELATION: We have God's Word (13,15a)
B. RETURN: Christ is coming again (14-15)
C. RESURRECTION: The Christian dead will rise.(15-16)
D. RAPTURE: Living Believers will be caught up (17)
E. REUNION: Christians forever with the Lord (17-18)
THE SECOND COMING AND OUR SANCTIFICATION (Chp.5)
The Day of The Lord (1-11)
or "Us And Them"
Notice the pronouns that distinguish the lost and the saints of God.
I. The Day of The Lord
A. The day of the Lord will be a day of suddenness - unexpectancy (1-2)
B. The day of the Lord will be a day of false security for unbelievers (3)
C. The day of the Lord will be a day of judgment (3)
D. The day of the Lord will be a day of destruction (3)
E. The day of the Lord will be a day of no escape (3)
II. God's people should not be cought unprepared
A. Because of our nature (5)
1. We are children of light, of the day
2. We are not of the night, of darkness
B. Because of the life we are to live (6)
1. Not to sleep as some do
2. Not to be identified with the night or evil (7)
3. To be sober and protected(8)
C. Because God has not appointed us to wrath (9)
(Alternate outline of 5:1-11)
US AND THEM
1Thess. 5:1-11
I. Them (1-7)
A. The Period Involved (1-2a)
1. Definition of the term
*Rapture through the Millennium
2. Description of the time
B. The Pictures (2b,3)
1. Thief - no signs, the world will be caught off guard.
2. Tumult - sudden destruction
3. Travail - as travail upon a woman with child.
C. The People Involved
1. Characterized by darkness (5)
2. Characterized by drowsiness (6,7a)
3. Characterized by drunkenness (7b)
II. Us (4-11)
A. The Character of the saints (4-8)
1. Vividness (4,5) - light (Matt. 5:16)
2. Vigilance (6) sober: stable, in control
3. Virtue (8) faith, love, and hope
B. The Character of the salvation (9,10)
1. Appointed by God (Eph. 1:4)
2. Acquired by believers (Romans 8:28-30)
*as a result of God�s choosing
3. Afforded by Christ (Acts 4:12)
4. Accomplished at the Rapture (1Thess. 1:10)
C. The Comfort of the Scripture. (11)
How To Behave In Church (12-13)
I. Toward Church Leaders (esp. Pastor)
A. Know them (12)
B. Esteem them very highly (13)
1. in love
2. for their work's sake
C. Be at peace among yourselves
II. Toward church members (14-15)
A. Warn the unruly (14)
B. Comfort the feebleminded (14)
faint-hearted, dispirited, those who lack courage,
those who are easily discouraged
C. Support the weak (14)
D. Be patient with everyone (14)
E. Look after every member (15)
III. Toward God (16-22)
A. Rejoice evermore (16)
B. Pary without ceasing (17)
Always be in the mindset of pray.
Be spiritually able to go to the Lord instantly.
C. Give thanks in all circumstances (18)
Thank the Lord for His presence with us when we face
circumstances in life.
D. Don't quench the Spirit (19)
Don't put out the Spirit's fire!
E. Don't despise prophesying (20)
Don't despise the proclamation of the Word of God!
F. Prove all things... Hold to the good (21)
1. 1John 4:1
2. Don't blindly accept what people say.
a. Check it out in the Word of God.
b. You can trust the Bible!
c. Once you have proved all things in the Word... Hold to it!
G. Avoid all evil (22)
1. "all forms of evil"
2. Prov. 14:16
IV. The Results of Behaving Properly in Church (23-24)
A. Peace (23)
B. Sanctification (23)
C. Blameless (23)
D. Assurance of God's faithfulness (24)
V. Conclusion
A. Pray for the ministers (25)
B. Greet all the brethren (26)
See the importance of fellowship.
C. Study the Bible (27)
"that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren"
D. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The second coming of Christ affects every aspect of the Christian's life here on earth.
If we that are God's people would truly live our lives in view of the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it would make a great impact in our churches.
Back to "Bible Survey Outlines"
Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Hugan's Home Page
[email protected]
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page