October 12, 2015
Paul must have written this letter in October to encourage Pastor Appreciation Month. 🙂 For he urged the Thessalonians to give recognition, high esteem and love to those who labored and served as their shepherds. There is a sinful human tendency to rebel against authority. Yet, believers are to be submissive to God and to those whom He has placed “over” them to “admonish” them. This makes the hard work of shepherding more beneficial for both the pastor and the people.
October 11, 2015
The apostle Paul described believers who had died as having “fallen asleep” in Jesus. For them death is like sleep, a transitional state where one closes their eyes in this world and opens them in the next. Having given the Thessalonians this description, Paul encouraged them not to “sorrow as others who have no hope.” Let the tears fall down your face, but not without believing in your heart that the same Jesus who died and rose again will return with those who sleep in Him. This faith gives us hope that overcomes the sorrow of death.
October 9, 2015
The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians that when they shared the gospel with them, they also shared their lives. This was the practice of Jesus, who was accused of eating and drinking with sinners. As Christ-followers we are called not only to share the gospel, but to share our very lives, loving others with the love of Christ. Gospel-sharing and life-sharing go hand in hand.
October 11, 2014
Our faith is anchored in the historical fact of Christ’s death and resurrection, giving us a future hope in God’s power to “bring back” our believing brothers and sisters who have died. This is not myth nor make believe, but God’s revelation to us through Christ. As Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Christ defeated sin, death and the grave, so that we who believe might share in His victory. And this future life is not a non-corporeal existence that some imagine, but a real physical existence in a resurrection body. Christ is the prototype of this future existence, the firstborn from among the dead, and someday we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2).
October 9, 2014
Paul said that the One who “entrusted” him with the gospel message was also the One whom he sought to please in its delivery. Those who claim to share the Word, yet water it down to please its hearers, are not approved by God. Not only do they not please God, they mislead the people. Whose approval do you seek? Whose applause?
July 20, 2014 | 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 |
Pastor Gary Combs teaches us from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 on the topic of “Situational Parenting”
October 12, 2013
What is God’s will for your life? Be full of joy, prayerful, and always thankful. Be the body of Christ in this world!
October 9, 2013
When we share the gospel we pray that our presentation will not just be words. But that we will have what the apostle Paul had, namely the power of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit and overwhelming passion and conviction in our voices.
October 12, 2012
Paul says that we should “honor” our spiritual leaders. In a culture that celebrates individualism and rebellion against authority, we must swim upstream to honor our leaders. It goes against our worldview. Yet, those who follow Christ have transformed minds that recognize this need for submission to authority. Do you honor your pastors, teachers, small group leaders… do you honor those who lead in the Lord’s work?
October 11, 2012
Paul instructed believers to live and work in such a way that their lives gave credibility to the message of the gospel. Another benefit of such a lifestyle was that they weren’t dependent on the church, their neighbors or the government for their needs. In fact, such a lifestyle led to a surplus that allowed them to help others. Our lifestyle and work should be a platform for proclaiming Christ and our dependence on Him alone. Living for Christ makes us producers/givers, not consumers/takers.