Imitating Jesus Even Under Pressure
(1 Thessalonians )

Knowing by observation (1 Thess. b)

• Just as Paul knew by observation something about the Thessalonians, so also the Thessalonians knew by observation something about Paul and his companions.
• They had proved themselves to be unselfish and faithful ministers devoted to the new believers

The Thessalonians imitated Paul, just as Paul sought to imitate Jesus (1 Thess. )

• Tribulation = they were under pressure, but they maintained joy in the midst of trials and persecutions.

The result of their righteous reaction (1 Thess. )

• They became an example to all the believers in the entire region.
• Example (tupos) = something that is reproduced by means of striking a blow or by extreme pressure.

Their joyful reaction in the midst of pressure sent a shock wave across the entire region (1 Thess. )

• Every place that was connected to Thessalonica (by sea and by land) heard the echo of their faithfulness.
• Paul and his companions were not the ones who spread the news -- they heard it wherever they went.

Two aspects of the Thessalonians "turning to God" (1 Thess. a)

• First, they did an "about face" -- they turned away from their dead and false pagan idols, and they turned to the living and true God.
• Second, they were continually awaiting the return of God's Son from heaven.

The doctrine of the rapture of the Church mentioned (1 Thess. b)

• Rescue = "draw to oneself, drag out of harm's way"
• From = "out from." Not in or through, but outside of the wrath.
• The wrath = a specific future time of God's wrath poured out on mankind during the Great Tribulation (see also 1 Thess. ).