The First Epistle To The Thessalonians - Executable Outlines

. As Jesus Himself said, “no one can come to the Father except through Me” - Jn 14:6
c. As Peter would later say, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by
which we must be saved.” - Ac 4:12
B. OUR ELECTION IS CONDITIONAL...
1. Whether we as individuals remain in the body or church, (God’s elect) is conditional
2. We must be “diligent to make your calling and election sure” - 2 Pe 1:10
a. Just as Israel (as a nation) had been chosen by God to receive His blessings
b. But Individually, the Israelites also had to “make their calling and election sure”
c. Remember the many Israelites who became God’s elect at Mount Sinai, but died later
in the wilderness!
3. Thus we find many warnings in the Scriptures to remain faithful
a. Or fall just like many did in the wilderness - He 3:12-19
b. Or come short of our heavenly rest, like they failed to enter Canaan - He 4:1-3,9-11
4. Jesus Himself warned His disciples
1) Be fruitful, or be cut off! - Jn 15:1-6
2) Be faithful, to receive the crown of life! - Re 2:10
CONCLUSION
1. The faithful and fruitful lives of the Thessalonians gave Paul confidence concerning their election...
a. Their active faith, love and hope - 1 Th 1:2-3
b. Their reception of Paul and the Word - 1 Th 1:6-7
2. But whether they remained part of God’s elect was not final...
a. If it was, why even bother to worry about them? - 1 Th 3:1,5-6
b. As long as they remained faithful, Paul was comforted - 1 Th 3:7
3. Dear friends and brethren, what about us...?
a. Are we included among God’s elect?
1) God’s choice regarding salvation is still sure and final
2) Only in Christ Jesus is there salvation!
3) Through the gospel, God is still calling people
-- Obey the gospel, and you will be set apart by the Spirit to become one of God’s chosen!
b. Are we being diligent to make our calling and election sure?
1) Are we faithful and fruitful in our service to Christ?
2) Will we persevere to the end, or fall short of our heavenly rest?
That we may experience the eternal blessings God has prepared for His Elect, let us heed the
admonition of Scripture:
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in
departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called
‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we
have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence
steadfast to the end.” (He 3:12-14)
Mark A. Copeland
Sermons From First Thessalonians 11