1 & 2 Thessalonians

The title was written before the sermon was completely written out.  Paul in the last part of 2 Thessalonians 3 discusses the subject of work, but the principles we find there cover life in general in how we relate to one another and need to support each other.  Take a few moments to listen to this sermon and be challenged in your ministry to others in the local body, your example before others as a redeemed child of God, and…

Two words.  A very simple title.  But those two words summarize the great truths that Paul expresses and challenges us to in this passage of 2 Thessalonians.  As he wraps up his epistle, he focuses on these two subjects asking for the church to pray for him, the team, and the gospel of Christ Jesus.  As he considered the church itself and it’s future, he was confident not in them alone but in the Lord and what He would bring…

Often we hear about the judgment of God through TV and movies.  We don’t often get the correct facts though as people use their creative liberties rather than sticking to the truths of God’s Word.  Other venues and people simply laugh at it and make mockery of it.  Paul makes it clear though that the judgment of God is coming and that the situation the Thessalonians are going through is evidence of its coming.  There are two groups that he…

The Thessalonian church was undergoing some intense persecution in their day.  Their endurance as well as their growth as a group of believers was impressive to Paul.  To him, they were great examples that other churches around them should look to and follow.  The question before us as we go through this passage though is this–are we that same example?  What are our lives communicating to other believers and are we living in such a manner as to encourage and…

How many times as a child did you drag mom and dad (or perhaps your kids or grandkids are dragging you) to the fish section at Walmart or any pet store.  It is always so much fun to see all the different kinds of fish and how they interact with the other fish and even just move around the tank.  Tanks are often made out of clear material for the very purpose of being able to do this.  Have you…

People often question what the will of God is.  They search for decades, spend hours in prayer listening for a distinctive voice.  However, the Word of God gives us His will pretty explicitly.  In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul conveys what the Word of God has said all along about sexual immorality.  We live in a world that worships it though.  The world approves of it as we see the pornography industry gross billions of dollars each year.  Hollywood glorifies affairs…

We all have witnessed this as we hear people’s testimonies of faith and see changes in people’s lives.  Let’s bring a question close to home though.  Do you believe that the Word of God is true?  Do you believe it is really real?  Your actions reflect your belief.  We can take a lesson from the Thessalonian believers and what the Apostle Paul writes about their faith its reflection into their lives.  God’s Word does changes lives.  The most important question…

The church at Thessalonica had been through “much tribulation”.  There were in need of some encouragement and that is exactly what we see Paul doing here.  He had heard the report from Timothy and testimonies from area residents.  He also remembered his time with them.  Combining all that, he uses those reports and knowledge to lift up this body of believers.  From it we are challenged as well to encourage each other as a church as well as follow the…