The GospelsActs of the ApostlesPaul’s LettersOther LettersRevelation

A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 14: 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope

GOD REVEALED

Romans – Life Transformation Journey 1 Corinthians - Heaven’s Gold 2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay Galatians – No longer I Ephesians - Pushing Limits Philippians - The Mind of Christ Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope 2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope 1 Timothy - Fighting Fit 2 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness Titus – Double Grip Philemon – The Avatar

Paul’s Letters

EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Summary and Background True example:chapter 1-2:7 Tender Relationship:chapter 2:8-3 Transforming Hope:chapter 4 Tips on Life:chapter 5 Discussion

Cascading HopePresentation Overview

Christ’s Example

Leader’s Hope

Christian’s Hope

6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Ch 1

Cascading HopeTheme Verse

Christ’s example

Paul’s example

Thessalonians’ example

Macedonian believers

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures Acts 17:1,2

BackgroundOrigins of the Thessalonian Church

 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Acts 17:4-5a,10

BackgroundOrigins of the Thessalonian Church (Cont’d)

Purpose of the letter was to: Cascade and spread the faith and hope Encourage the afflicted new believers Assure them of the hope of Christ’s coming

and Reuniting with loved ones in Christ.

Cascading HopeIntroduction

Pauls example (chapter 1:2-7) demonstrates and results in:

◦ Thankful prayers◦ Work of Faith◦ Labour of Love◦ Steadfastness of Hope

2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cascading HopeTrue example

Paul preaches◦ In face of opposition◦ Pure motives◦ No trickery◦ No flattery◦ No mask to cover up greed◦ Worked day and night◦ Not looking for praise◦ Not asserting authorityBut as those approved by God and entrusted with gospel (ch 2:3-6)

True Example

3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.  Ch 2

True example cont’d..

5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Ch 2

True example cont’d..

True ExampleThankful prayers

Paul thanks God for their commitment.13 And we also thank God continually ..because, when you received the word of God…. you, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea.. You suffered ..  the same things those churches suffered from the Jews-Ch 2

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Ch 1:8

True ExampleWork of Faith

6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. - Ch 1

True ExampleLabour of Love

9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. Ch 1

True ExampleSteadfastness of Hope

Rather than asserting apostolic authority, Paul establishes a relationship (2:7-3:13):

◦ Like a nursing mother – gentle, caring◦ Like a father – Exhorting, encouraging, charging◦ Like orphans –intense longing, every effort,

again and again◦ Life a brother – Strengthening, thanking,

blessing

Tender relationship

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. Ch 2

Tender relationshipLike a Nursing mother

11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God. Ch 2

Tender relationshipLike a Father

Tender relationshipLike orphans 17 .. we were orphaned by

being separated from you.. out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again ch 2

… I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you.. Ch 3

7 Therefore, brothers and sisters…9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Ch 3

Tender relationship Like a brother

Transforming Hope

Paul provides the long term vision (Ch 4) in the: Life of Hope Love from Hope Limitless Future in

Hope

Transforming Hope – Ch 4Life of Hope 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body …. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Transforming Hope – Ch 4Love from Hope

9 Now … you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia… Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more. Ch 4

 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him… we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Transforming Hope – Ch 4Limitless Future in Hope

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command..  and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Transforming Hope – Ch 4Limitless Future in Hope

Hope is like the sun, which as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us – Samuel Smiles

◦Alertness – be sober, breastplate of faith and love, helmet of hope

◦Attitude to people– Respect, admonish idlers, encourage fainthearted, be at peace, be patient..

Tips on Life – Ch 5

◦Attitude to self – Give thanks in all circumstances, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, test everything, hold fast to good

◦Avoid – fall asleep, evil for evil, quench spirit, despise word of prophets, evil

Tips on Life – Ch 5 (Cont’d..)

True example:◦ Thankful Prayers◦ Work of Faith◦ Labour of Love◦ Steadfastness of Hope

Tender Relationship:◦ Like a Nurse◦ Like a Father◦ Like Orphans◦ Like a Brother

Cascading HopeRecap

Christ’s Example

Leader’s Hope

Christian’s Hope

Transforming Hope:◦ Life of Hope◦ Love from Hope◦ Limitless Future in Hope

Tips on Life:◦ Alertness◦ Attitude to Others◦ Attitude to Self◦ Avoid

Cascading HopeRecap (Cont’d..)

Christ’s Example

Leader’s Hope

Christian’s Hope

What powerful lessons did Paul communicate through His personal example? What was the impact?

What was special in Paul’s approach to relationships? What aspects strike you in particular?

What do we learn about Christ’s second coming? How can we prepare best for it?

Discussion