1 Thessalonians – Page 5

“And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

October 9, 2012

Paul applauded the Thessalonian believers for how they “looked forward” to Christ’s return. When we are “looking forward” to a vacation, a wedding day, a birth or a graduation, what kinds of things do we do? Do we mark the calendar and count the days? Do we talk about the upcoming day with others? Do we pack our bags and organize our lives accordingly? Do we work and prepare? If we do all these things and more to prepare for worldly occasions, what might it look like for us to live “looking forward” to Christ’s return?

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

October 12, 2011

Stop wondering about God’s will for your life. Instead, choose joy, pray and give thanks. This will make you receptive to God’s will. It turns your eyes outward, away from self, where you can see what God is already doing and join Him there.

“When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

October 10, 2011

For the Bible to do its work in us we must accept and receive that it is the Word of God. Otherwise, we have no basis for our faith. Hearing it preached and reading it, our believing grows.

“Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

October 9, 2011

Your words carry only your influence and authority. Can you back up your own words? But the gospel word is backed up by the Lord. They contain His power to save, HIs Spirit to convict and redeem. Therefore we speak it with deep conviction.

Passing On a Godly Legacy

May 31, 2009 | 1 Thessalonians 2:6-13 | family, parenting

At the end of the TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, they park a big bus in front of the new house and have the family standing there in anticipation to see what their new home looks like. They are encouraged to shout, “Move that bus!” The family is always overwhelmed when they see the beauty and blessing of their new home.

How can we experience the beauty and blessing of a godly family? Is there a way to pass on a godly legacy?

In the book of 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul told them that he had treated them like a mother and a father as he shared the gospel and his life with them. He was thankful that they had believed and he challenged them to be witnesses and to be his “glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:20). In other words, Paul said you are my spiritual legacy. We can learn from Paul’s example to leave a Godly legacy to our family.