“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Like the good Pastor-Teacher that he was, Paul begins to close this epistle with a set of “Rapid Reminders” about the spiritual life. He talks about certain spiritual habits that are suitable to every season of life and every series of events that a ...  Read More

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with Him. Therefore, encourage one another, and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11Paul here reminds the believer that Christians have a “Blessed Hope“, which is the certain hope that Jesus will return t...  Read More

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.… Therefore encourage one another with these words.”  1st Thessalonians 4:13–18 Paul here offers comfort to these believers who had lost loved ones in death and worried whether these loved ones would miss the glorious...  Read More

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another… But we urge you brothers to do this more and more.“1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Paul here tells the believers in the Thessalonian church to “love one another“, and then he adds this challenge: “do this more and more.“ The problem is, we don’t love this way often in ...  Read More

“For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not men but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.“ 1 Thessalonians 4: 7 – 8This key section on “abstaining from sexual immorality“ contains a language selection by the Holy Spirit that says this is a “solemn warning“. It appears that for the Christian, sexual immorality is a particular sin that...  Read More

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you.“1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Pastor Paul again finds himself praying for the church in Thessalonica even as he’s writing to them. And notice what he prays for: the factor of “abounding love“ for the believers in that church for one another and for all is the heart of the prayer this ...  Read More