Month: September 2025

1 Thessalonians, pt. 1

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Pastor Alan has been taking us through the book of 1 Thessalonians this summer. The first few messages he shared are below. To listen to them, simply click play on the audio player for the message you’d like to hear. I’ve included Alan’s outlines for you and links to Scripture references at Bible Gateway. Praying these bless you!

Characteristics of God’s People and the Church

1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

  1. Background Information on the letter:
    • The town 
    • The audience. 
    • The different reactions
    • The writing of the letter
  2. Characteristics of the church (vs 1-4):
    • The church is connected to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. vs 1a.
      • There are at least three implications of this:
        • The church doesn’t belong to any human authority or organization.
        • The church is alive by its connection to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
        • The church is seen as the body of Christ with every “limb” playing a role.
    • The church is blessed to be a blessing. Specifically, Paul always gave the blessing of grace and peace in his letters.  We all are always in need of grace and peace.  vs 1b
    • The church must acknowledge to God, and one another, their gratefulness for each other.  This takes work to remember.  vs 2a
    • The church is to be continually praying for one another. vs 2b
    • The church is to be characterized by three couplets.  They are:
      • work produced by faith,
      • labor promoted by love,
      • and endurance inspired by hope. vs 3
    • The church is loved and chosen of God. vs 4
      • What are the evidences of God’s choosing?
        • You come to God.
        • You confess Christ.
        • You change.
  3. Our lives become marked by work produced by faith, labor produced by love, and endurance inspired by hope. Hopefully in maturing degrees of each.

What Will We Do With the Gospel?

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

  1. Introduction:  What is the Gospel?
  2. The Thessalonians and the Gospel 1:5-10
    • The Gospel came to them. vs 5
      • The Gospel must come to people in at least three ways:
    • The Gospel was received by them. vs 6-7
      • What happened when they received the Gospel?  
        • Their lives became examples of imitating Christ and the apostles.
        • They became persecuted for their faith.
        • They were still joyful even when persecuted for their faith. 
    • The Gospel was passed on by them.  vs 8-10
      • How did they spread the Gospel?
        • They spoke about it. vs 8a
        • They lived in such a way as to validate what they spoke about. vs 8b
        • The lives they lived were marked by turning from idols, serving God, and waiting expectantly for Christ’s return.
  3. Conclusion:  One can draw parallels between the triad Paul mentions in 1:3 and this triad here in 1:9 –
    • Turning from idols – work of faith
    • Serving God – labor of love 
    • Waiting for return – endurance (steadfastness) of hope.

The Marks of Doing Ministry: Paul’s Self-Disclosure

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

  1. Two Distinctions about Paul
    • He was an eyewitness of Christ. 
    • He had true apostolic authority. 
      • He could say, and write, with certainty, “Here is what God says.”
  2. Marks of Paul’s ministry. vs 1-16
    • It wasn’t without purpose. vs 1
    • It wasn’t without suffering. vs 2
    • It wasn’t without boldness. vs 2b.
    • It was pure of content and motive. vs 3
    • It was seen as an act of good stewardship. vs 4a
    • It wasn’t about pleasing people, but God who knows one’s heart motivation.  vs 4b
    • It wasn’t motivated by greed and it didn’t use a position to abuse others. vs 5-6
    • It was nurturing and sacrificial in character. vs 7-8
    • It didn’t burden those preached to. vs 9
    • It conducted itself beyond reproach. vs 10
    • It acted like a good father would with his children by exhorting, encouraging, and challenging, vs 11-12
    • It was grateful for the people who received the message and how their lives were changed. vs 13-14
    • It put up with opposition and hindrances continually. vs 15-16
  3. Conclusion:  Doing ministry isn’t for those looking for an easy road.  It’s also not for those who want power and prestige.  It’s for those who live with, at least to some degree, grateful humility.