1 & 2 Thessalonians: Stand Firm

1 & 2 Thessalonians: Stand Firm

The Glory of Work

God is a worker, and he has called us— made in his image—to work. This makes our work, though tarnished by sin, holy and glorious as we do it for him and by him. And God calls us to work to provide for ourselves and bring good to our world.

Stand Firm in the Love of God

When life doesn’t go the way we expect, we are often filled with doubt, discouragement, and distraction, and we can feel stuck. What is the antidote? How do we stand firm in what we know to be true? Paul addresses this question in his letter to the Thessalonians, and we’ll explore his answer together.

The Victorious Lord

Believers in Christ may experience suffering for their faith in him. And when this happens, they may be tempted to quit because of the seeming injustice of it all. In our passage today, Paul speaks of God’s justice toward the Christian and the persecutor. Though none of us at Stonebrook may be suffering for Jesus’ sake to the extent of this Thessalonian church, we too can be strengthened in faith and deeds as we remember the pure and complete justice of God.

The Justice of the Lord

Believers in Christ may experience suffering for their faith in him. And when this happens, they may be tempted to quit because of the seeming injustice of it all. In our passage today, Paul speaks of God’s justice toward the Christian and the persecutor. Though none of us at Stonebrook may be suffering for Jesus’ sake to the extent of this Thessalonian church, we too can be strengthened in faith and deeds as we remember the pure and complete justice of God.

Living for the Day of the Lord

The Christian life is described as a race. And as anyone who has seen God’s call for how we ought to run it we know that it can seem long and hard. The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 that we cannot run well or finish strong if we lose sight of the finish line and the prize.

Hope in the Resurrection

When Jesus returns, the dead will rise and believers left alive will be changed. Because we know this, we should not grieve when fellow-believers die, for that glorious day awaits us all. We should be encouraged by these truths. 

A Life Pleasing to God

What is God’s will for my life? This question is frequently asked by Christ’s followers. In our passage today, Paul addresses this question broadly with some specific answers that center on a life that pleases God.

Stand Fast in Affliction

Our passage for today was written at a time when the apostle Paul, the spiritual father of the church, was kept from seeing the people in the church, kept from meeting with them and knowing how they were. And it opens with these words, which seem particularly apt for this day. Week 10 of being unable to meet together as a large group and our passage begins with: “…when we could bear it no longer…”  1 Thessalonians 3:1–13 (ESV) 1…

You, Our Glory and Joy

In one of the most uplifting letters in the New Testament, Paul is overjoyed at the faith of this young church in the midst of suffering. We who follow Christ can share in a similar joy as we walk by faith and help others do the same. When Christ comes again, those whom we have helped will be our glory and our joy!

Our Story in Christ

We all know the importance of being an example, not a hypocrite, to others—someone whose words and actions generally line up. And this becomes a noticeable and powerful influence to everyone who sees. The New Testament letter, First Thessalonians, tells us the story of Christians who believed the gospel, lived it in powerful ways, then spoke of it. What is our story?

Faith, Hope, and Love

Core virtues of the Christian life are the well-loved triad of faith, love, and hope. The Apostle Paul was concerned for the health of the very young Thessalonian church in the face of persecution. But he discovered they remained on a solid foundation with a genuine faith that led to action, an exemplary love that prompted service, and a sure hope that resulted in endurance. In our daily trials, including these strange and stressful days of COVID-19, we can be inspired by the exemplary lives of these Christians from ancient times.