Written by Paul from Corinth during his second missionary journey.

Purposes:

1. To praise and commend their steadfastness.
2. To correct what people were saying about his ministry.
   1. Paul was not a qualified messenger (1 Thess. 2:3-4)
   2. Paul’s motive in ministry was covetousness and financial gain (1 Thess. 2:5-6)
   3. Paul was dictatorial and lacked genuine concern (1 Thess. 2:7-8)
   4. Paul lived off the people and was disorderly (1 Thess. 2:9)
   5. Paul’s behaviour did not line up with his message (1 Thess. 2:10-12)
3. To correct errors the church had about the second coming of the Lord (4 basic errors).
   1. They were still living in fornication (1 Thess. 4:1-9)
   2. They had stopped working (1 Thess. 4:9-12)
   3. They thought those who physically died before Jesus came would miss the second coming (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
   4. They were speculating and worrying about when Jesus would come (1 Thess. 5:1-11)

Outline:

1. Personal: “We give thanks remembering…” (1 Thess. 1-3)
   1. How the church was born (1 Thess. 1)
      1. An elect group (1 Thess. 1:1-5)
      2. An exemplary group (1 Thess. 1:6-7)
      3. An enthusiastic group (1 Thess. 1:8)
      4. An expectant group (1 Thess. 1:9-10)
   2. How the church was nurtured (1 Thess. 2)
      1. A faithful steward (1 Thess. 2:1-6)
      2. A gentle mother (1 Thess. 2:7-8)
      3. A concerned father (1 Thess. 2:9-16)
      4. A loving brother (1 Thess. 2:14-20)
   3. How the church was established (1 Thess. 3)
      1. Through the Word (1 Thess. 3:1-5)
      2. Through prayer (1 Thess. 3:6-13)
2. Practical “We beseech you to…” (1 Thess. 4-5)
   1. Walk in…(1 Thess. 4)
      1. Holiness (1 Thess. 4:1-8)
      2. Love (1 Thess. 4:9-10)
      3. Honesty (1 Thess. 4:11-12)
      4. Hope (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
   2. Be…(1 Thess. 5)
      1. Watchful (1 Thess. 5:1-11)
      2. Respectful (1 Thess. 5:12-13)
      3. Mindful (1 Thess. 5:14-15)
      4. Thankful (1 Thess. 5:16-18)
      5. Careful (1 Thess. 5:19-21)
      6. Faithful (1 Thess. 5:22-28)