N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

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N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

A Blueprint For N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What About 1st Century Thessalonica? On Paul’s 2nd journey Acts 17:1-10a

The capital city of Macedonia Some Jews were convinced re: evidence A great multitude of God-fearing Greeks

and many of the leading women believed A vigorous opposition by unbelieving Jews

targeted these Christians

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What About 1st Century Thessalonica? On Paul’s 2nd journey Acts 17:1-10a

The Jewish opposition Teamed with wicked men…formed a mob…

set the city in an uproar Jason soon found trouble personally He put up “security” (bond money) to ensure

future peace in the city Paul had to leave 1 Thess 2:14-20

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What About 1st Century Thessalonica? It seems we sometimes “sell them short”

Esp. compared to the Bereans Acts 17:11 Yet, they were convinced by the evidence

put forth by Paul Acts 17:3 They became a local church of the Lord in

a 1st century Macedonian city They were chosen by God 1 Thess 1:4

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What Is The “Thessalonian Blueprint?” They received the word of God vv. 5, 6b, 9

They knew it to be Divine truth & accepted it1 Thess 2:13

Even in tribulation v. 6 They left religious error, paganism v. 9 The initial building effort…people respond

to God’s word Rom 10:17 Jas 1:21

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What Is The “Thessalonian Blueprint?” They imitated the apostles v. 6a

Following the Lord’s ambassadors = is to follow the Lord Lk 10:16 1 Cor 11:1

All generations after them rely on them as “witnesses” Jn 20:29 17:17-20

We must continue in their word Acts 2:42

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What Is The “Thessalonian Blueprint?” They were examples to believers v. 7

Saints in one location provide incentive for other believers to be faithful 1 Tim 4:12

Paul’s later work in Macedonia, Achaia, and elsewhere benefited from these saints

Other churches are helped when a local church stands for truth

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What Is The “Thessalonian Blueprint?” They sounded out the word v. 8

Spreading the word to unbelievers Local preaching…even more so, support of

preachers who labor elsewhere Local faith “goes out”…points to a church’s

reputation in devotion to God and concern for the lost

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

What Is The “Thessalonian Blueprint?” They wait for the Lord v. 10

All that believers do is done in anticipation of the return of Christ 1 Thess 4:14-17

2 Thess 1:10

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

Conclusion They received the word of God They imitated the apostles They became examples to other believers They sounded out the word They waited on the Lord

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

Conclusion We can be what these troubled 1st century

saints were…simple N.T. Christians To achieve that, we must do what they did What they did is a good “blueprint” to

follow It is the key to building N.T. Christianity

N.T. Christianity1 Thess 1:4-10

A Blueprint For

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