The Italian Memorandum

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father

And the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from

God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

(2 Thessalonians 1:1-2)

Introduction: We never get tired of the Christian Greeting– because the greeting concerns the renewal of acquaintance.

I. Review of the Greeting

II. Somewhere called Thessalonica (2)

A. Have you ever re-read a passage from a saved letter or a scripture and said to yourself, I don’t remember seeing this before?

B. Exploring Life Passages (Secularism creates a dependence upon the surface and the superficial; but, the Christian life is about a depth beyond these. Secularism has its own “Life Passages,” but these are not the same as Christian Life passages).

Secular or Christian

1. Re: Authority ___________ ____________

2. Re: Involvement _________ _________

3. Re: Relationship _________ _________

4. Re: Benefits _________ _________

Conclusion: Gain through depth. What Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae cannot provide.

“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it”

(1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Introduction: In this section of 1 Thessalonians, 5:12-28, Paul gives final instructions; after which he will pronounce a final blessing upon the church of the Thessalonians (v. 28).

I. Final Instructions:

1. 5:12-13 Re: ______________________________

2. 5:14 Re: ______________________________

3. 5:15 Re: ______________________________

4. 5:16 Re: ______________________________

5. 5:17 Re: ______________________________

6. 5:18 Re: ______________________________

7. 5:19-22 Re: ______________________________

II. Benediction:

A. vv. 23-24 Wishing them well (benediction)

B. vv. 25-27 More Instructions

C. v. 28 Last benediction

Conclusion: These directions for showing the will of God in one’s life all become dynamic in the second coming of Jesus in history (5:23). May his grace be with you (5:28)!

“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way”

(Proverbs 19:2, NIV)

The apostle Paul said, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Jesus, himself, said, while on earth-“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one…” (John 17:20).

1 Corinthians 1:10 and John 17:20 are just some of the New Testament exhortations to base unity upon the name of Christ and the apostolic word. This admonition, however, has been set aside by a celebration of doctrinal diversity. But, one might ask, what’s wrong with doctrinal diversity? After all, we celebrate diversity within college circles and Olympic venues from London to Beijing. The main problem with doctrinal diversity is that it is not built upon a base of approved biblical knowledge. Paul uses this same critique in Romans 10:2, “I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” To base one’s religion upon zeal without knowledge has long been wrong (Proverbs 19:2; Hosea 4:1,6; 1 Timothy 6:20).

Doctrinal diversity should definitely not be celebrated nor commended. Celebration should be based upon zeal with knowledge.

-Robert M. Housby

“… the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”

(1 Thessalonians 5:2)

Introduction: The Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) is to be understood in relation to The Coming of the Lord (4:13-18). 4:13-5:11 has reference to the second coming of Jesus in history.

I. 5:1-3 What is it like? (4 aspects)

5:2 – _________________________

5:2b – _________________________

5:3 – _________________________

5:3b – _________________________

II. 5:4-11 Why and how the Christian’s experience will differ (from the above)

5:4-5 – _________________________

5:6-8 – _________________________

5:9-10 – ________________________

5:11 – _________________________

Conclusion: And you thought that the County Fair was all that was coming! Christ resolves your past; enriches your present; and, sparks your future. The Day of the Lord will come.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned…

knowing from whom you have learned it”

(2 Timothy 3:14)

The letters of Paul to Timothy (1 and 2 Timothy) contain the rationale for why churches and individuals today should discover, re-discover, and/or maintain the Christian faith.

1. Paul’s documents are backed up by his apostleship (1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1); and his apostleship is based upon the “will of God” (2 Tim. 1:11-12). Paul’s writings are inspired scripture (2 Tim. 3:16,17).

2. Different doctrines are discouraged (1 Tim. 1:3); and are contrary to “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10). The positive command, here, is to “Follow the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13).

3. Doctrinal deviations were predicted (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

While many modern Christian churches (and individuals) teach that there is no need to insist upon sound doctrine, conversely, the restoration movement takes seriously Paul’s concluding directives to avoid doctrinal contradictions and false knowledge which results in a swerving from the faith (1 Tim. 6:20-21).

-Robert M. Housby