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Valley Bible Church's - Sermon Transcripts


The First Epistle of Thessalonians (1996 - 1997)


I. Goals for the Church (1:1-10)

A. An Elect Church (1:1-4)

1. The content of the church

2. The character of the church

B. An Exemplary Church (1:5-7)

C. An Enthusiastic and Expectant Church (1:8-10)


II. Growth of the Church (2:1-12)

A. The Work of a Faithful Steward (2:1-6)

1. The manner and message of ministry

2. The motive of ministry

3. The method of ministry

B. The Work of a Nursing Mother (2:7-8)

C. The Work of a Concerned Father (2:9-12)

1. Ministry by leading

2. Ministry by example

3. Ministry by exhorting and encouraging


III. Going to the Church (2:13-3:13)

A. Different Responses to the Word (2:13-16)

1. The Reception of the Word

2. The Rejection of the Word

B. Dramatic Affection for the Church (2:17-20)

1. The Present Affection for the Thessalonians

2. The Present Affection for the Thessalonians Thwarted

3. The Eternal Affection for the Thessalonians

C. Departure of Timothy to the Church (3:1-10)

1. The reason Timothy was sent

2. The report from Timothy

D. Desires of Paul for the Church (3:11-13)

1. Prayer for the visit

2. Prayer for their love

3. Prayer for their holiness


IV. Giving Exhortation to the Church (4:1-5:22)

A. Walk in sexual purity (4:1-12)

1. Abstain from sexual immorality

2. Control the physical body

3. Refrain from Defrauding

4. Act with love and integrity

B. Comfort in the Coming of Christ (4:13-18)

1. The Coming of Christ in general

2. The Coming of Christ in detail

C. Distinguished from the World (5:1-11)

1. Knowledge and Ignorance

2. Expectancy and Suprise

3. Soberness and Drunkenness

D. Live responsibly in the Church (5:12-15)

1. Responsibilities of the Leaders to the Church

2. Responsibilities of the Church to the Leaders

3. Responsibilities of the Church to Itself

E. Live holy as individuals (5:16-18)

1. Rejoice always

2. Pray without ceasing

3. In everything give thanks

F. Live holy as a church (5:19-22)

1. How to not quench the Spirit

2. Popular movements that quench The Spirit

a. The Charismatic Movement quenches the Spirit

b. The Psychological movment quenches the Spirit

c. The Church growth movment quenches the Spirit

3. Despising prophecy quenches the Spirit

a. Prophecy described

b. False prophecy discerned

c. True prophecy distinguished


V. Godly Prayer (5:23-28)

A. Prayer for Sanctification (5:23-24)

1. What sanctification is

2. What sanctification does

B. Prayer for the Church Leaders (5:25-28)

1. Prayer for their deliverance

2. Prayer for their ministry





1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.


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