2010-02-28
1 Thessalonians - Be Alert! Be Eternally Focused
Steve Lane

A. Introduction/Review

1 Thessalonians gives us a good picture of a vibrant, growing church and individual.
Faith, love and hope.
Share the gospel and our lives as well. This is where the Thessalonians moved ahead.
You have this red-hot fire of a church, with embers flying out and starting other fires.
Persecution and spiritual warfare; God-centered friendships — they were all into disciple making.
Not just talk. Not superficial and not just intellectual agreement.
Eternally focused and looking forward to that Day.
Don't waste your life—be sanctified; set apart as God's holy vessel for His purposes.
A picture of the church on fire, and then how to live.
Live to please God. (1 Thessalonians 4)
Growing. More and more excelling in holy living.
Sanctification and sexual purity
Abounding in love contributed immeasurably to the fire in Thessalonica - their love.
Conclusion: Last week - we can grow in love.
Galatians 2: 20
Romans 6: 11
Romans 11: 1 - 2

Faith, hope and love is what prepared and motivated the Thessalonians
1 Corinthians 13 and 1 Thessalonians 4: 11 - 12 for context.
Don't put up barriers to the gospel!

B. The Parousia, Raptus - Rapture

1 Thessalonians 4: 13
The were looking for the Lord's return in their life time.

1 Thessalonians 4: 14 - 18
A little background:
The Latin raptus - caught up, or snatched up. (verse 17)
Greek parousia - presence, or to be with Him (verse 15)

The Rapture, or parousia is when all believers are caught up up meet Christ in the air.
The early church viewed the rapture as imminent.
The millennial kingdom (Revelation 20), the Great White Throne of Judgment
Immediately before the second coming will be the seven-year tribulation period.
Daniel 9: 27 - The Antichrist will go into the temple and declare himself God.
Literal interpretation of the Bible
Revelation 6: 16 - 17 and 1 Thessalonians 5: 11 -- The wrath of God.

Romans 11: 25 and 1 Thessalonians 5: 11
The hour of Jacob's trouble. Israel back on the front burner.
All of the remaining of God's promises to Israel will be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom.

2 Thessalonians 2: 6 - 8
The Tribulation period begins.

Revelation 4: 1 - 6 and 1 Corinthians 3: 13 - 15
The Bema - the judgment seat of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5: 9 - 10 - The only ones here will be true believers.
Substitution.
Five areas of reward:
1 Corinthians 9: 25 Mastery over the flesh.
1 Thessalonians 2: 19 Soul winners
James 1: 12 Those enduring trials
2 Timothy 4: 8 Loving His appearing
1 Peter 5: 4 Shepherds.

There will be many signs for the tribulation.

Resurrections: the final resurrection will be at the end of the 1000 year millennial.

C. More on the Perousia: Be Alert!

1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 11
Eternally minded.
Faith love and hope.