Outline of I Thessalonians

John Hatcher
Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Evansville, Indiana

  1.  Words of encouragement and exhortation for the church.
    1. Introduction:   Acts 17 relates the beginning of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica.   During his 2 nd missionary journey, after the jail experience in Philippi, Paul traveled southwest to the city of Thessalonica.   The church of the Thessalonians resulted from God’s direction to Paul through the vision at Troas.   This church, like the Philippian church, was in the region of Macedonia.   It is one of the churches in Macedonia commended for its generosity in II Corinthians.
    2. Though Paul was in Thessalonica for only a relatively short time, the Gospel bore much fruit quickly, albeit under duress.   Ushered out of the city quickly, Paul and his traveling companions went to Berea.   It is possible that Silas (shortened form of Silvanus) and Timothy carried on a more extensive ministry later in Thessalonica.   They stayed in Berea, a town neighboring Thessalonica, as Paul headed south with others to Athens.   Timothy was also sent to Thessalonica again from Athens (I Thessalonians 3:1-2).   This is probably why Timothy and Silas are prominent in the letters.

  2. Salutation (1:1).
    1. Paul…, the letter was probably written from Corinth after Timothy returned (see above and Acts 18:5).   It is probable that Silas had accompanied Timothy going on to Philippi or some other city in Macedonia and then returning together.
    2. Silvanus, and Timothy…, Paul did an effective job of training men by tutorage, internship and delegation of responsibility; on the job training.   This is the New Testament pattern!   It is Church centered and practical.   Our leaders would be more effective and less prone to error if we would quit trying to copy the World and the Romanists and return to our roots in the Word.
    3. The Church is the addressee.   The New Testament does not recognize freelance believers.   We are to make ourselves accountable to a church in the Lord Jesus Christ.   The church of the Thessalonians… is specific and not universal.   The Life, authority, and power of all who make up any New Testament Church is found in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Jesus is Lord of all true believers and only churches that obey Him as Head are in Him.   We know His will through His Word of which this epistle is a part.   If you abide in My Word, you are my disciples indeed (John 8:31).

  3. Paul’s Desire – Grace, God’s power working on our behalf, freely given, and Peace, comfort in God’s sovereignty, can only come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   They are essential for our fruitfulness.

  4. Thanksgiving (1:2-10).   Gratitude is essential in our walk with the Lord.   It is the antidote for bitterness (Hebrews 12:15).   The Holy Spirit moved Paul to express in words the thanksgiving that He had produced in Paul’s life.   In all of the canonical letters to churches except Galatians, Paul begins with Thanksgiving.   Even when there was much correction to be made (i.e. Corinth).   God is teaching us how we can give thanks in everything.
    1. Making mention…in…prayers.   If you see the Grace of God at work in others, thank the Lord for it when you pray.   It will glorify Him and encourage you.
    2. Remembering without ceasing – forgetting those things that are behind (Philippians 3:13) does not mean forgetting God’s grace at work, but forgetting our fleshly endeavors.   Your
      1. Work of faith (seen action is evidence of unseen faith)
      2. Labour of love ( labour emphasizes energy expended)
      3. Patience of hope (hope produces endurance)
      4. In the Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.   It is only possible in our Saviour and, in Him, it pleases the Father; Who will give us rewards for what He is doing through us, which we will cast at the feet of Jesus!
    3. Knowing…your election of God (1:4-10).   We are to preach the Gospel, not search for the elect.   When people get saved their changed lives will give evidence that they were elected.
      1. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also (1:5):
        1. in power.
        2. in the Holy Spirit
        3. in much assurance
      2. Demonstrated by:
        1. Discipleship (1:6).
        2. Exemplary conduct (1:7; 9-10)
        3. Evangelism (1:8).

  5. Review (Chapter 2 & 3).
    1. Missionary activity (2:1-12).
      1. Bold under duress (2:2).
      2. Truthful (2:3-5).
      3. Honest (2:5).
      4. Humble (2:6).
      5. Gentle (2:7).
      6. Sacrificial (2:8).
      7. Tireless (2:9).
      8. Exemplary (2:10).
      9. Loving (2:11).
      10. Purposeful (2:12).
    2. Response (2:13-16) – cause for thanksgiving.
      1. Received as the Word of God (2:13).
      2. Followed example of Judean churches (2:14).
      3. Endured suffering (2:14-16).
    3. Follow-up (2:17-3:13).
      1. An earnest desire (2:17-18).
      2. Hindered by Satan (2:18).
      3. Motivated by joyous expectation (2:19-20).
      4. Purpose of Timothy’s trip (3:1-5).
      5. Good report came for encouragement (3:6-9).
      6. Desire for further follow-up (3:10-13).

  6. Exhortation (Chapters 4 & 5).
    1. Keep growing in obedience to the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ (4:1-12)
      1. By abstaining from sin (4:3-8).
      2. By increasing in love for fellowbelievers (4:9-10).
      3. Working responsibly (4:11-12).
    2. Remember the Coming of the Lord (4:13-5:11).
      1. Be comforted concerning dead (4:13-18).
      2. Be prepared for action (5:1-8).
      3. Be mindful of destiny (5:9-11).
    3. Respect your Godly Leaders (5:12-13).
    4. Be a Blessing (5:14-15).            
      1. Warn the unruly.
      2. Encourage the fainthearted.
      3. Support the weak.
      4. Be patient toward all.
      5. Return good for evil.
    5. Rejoice always.
    6. Pray without ceasing.
    7. In every thing give thanks.
    8. Quench not the Spirit.
    9. Despise not prophesyings.
    10. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
    11. Abstain from every form of evil.

  7. Benediction (5:23-28).
    1. May the very God of peace sanctify you wholly to preserve your whole:
      1. Spirit
      2. Soul
      3. Body
    2. God is faithful, He will do it.
    3. Requested Prayer.
    4. Delegated greeting.
    5. Command for epistle propagation.
    6. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.   Amen.