Kress Biblical Resources :: Paul’s Prayer-Report of Thanksgiving—Recounting the Evidence of Genuine Conversion (1Th 1:2-10)

Detailed Outline of 1 Thessalonians

The Coming of Christ for His Church Calls Us to Excel Still More in Holiness, Hope, and Love

2. Paul’s prayer-report of thanksgiving—recounting the evidence of genuine conversion (1Th 1:2-10)
   1. The prayers of thankful pastors (1Th 1:2)
   2. The picture of transformed lives (1Th 1:3)
      1. Remembering your work of faith
      2. Remembering your labor of love
      3. Remembering your steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
      4. Remembering these in prayer before our God and Father
   3. The proclamation of a theological mystery—and the proofs that confirm God’s electing love (1Th 1:4-10)
      1. The doctrine of election declared—God’s electing love should be a source of comfort, rather than a source of contention (1Th 1:4)
         1. The comfort of God’s spiritual family (1Th 1:4a)
         2. The comfort of God’s steadfast love (1Th 1:4b)
         3. The comfort of God’s sovereign choice (1Th 1:4c)
      2. The doctrine of election demonstrated—God’s electing love results in supernatural evidence— a Spirit-empowered gospel heard; faith, hope, and love lived out (1Th 1:5-10)
         1. The elect have heard a Spirit-empowered gospel (1Th 1:5)
            1. The message was proclaimed with sincerity and supernatural power (1Th 1:5a)
            2. The messengers were servants—not those who demand to be served (1Th 1:5b)
         2. The elect demonstrate a sincere faith, a supernatural joy, and a striking example of the truth and power of the gospel [they are new creatures in Christ] (1Th 1:6-7)
            1. The gospel produces a sincere faith (1Th 1:6a)
            2. The gospel produces a sustaining power (1Th 1:6b)
            3. The gospel produces a supernatural joy (1Th 1:6c)
            4. The gospel produces a striking example to others (1Th 1:7)
         3. The elect communicate a sure testimony to others—evangelism and a life of genuine faith, repentance from sin, and hope in Jesus’ deliverance (1Th 1:8-10)
            1. The testimony of love—evangelism/proclamation of the Word of the Lord to others (1Th 1:8)
            2. The testimony of faith and repentance—evidence of changed devotion (1Th 1:9)
            3. The testimony of hope—eagerly waiting for Jesus’ return (1Th 1:10)

   Alternate outline for 1Th 1:5-10

   4. [The particulars of a transformed life (1Th 1:5-10)
      1. A sincere faith in the truth and power of the Gospel (1Th 1:5)
      2. A supernatural joy in the midst of much tribulation (1Th 1:6-7)
      3. A solid testimony to the word of the Lord, genuine faith, repentance from sin, and hope in Jesus’ deliverance (1Th 1:8-10)]