October 10, 2017
The apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the new believers at Thessalonica after hearing Timothy’s report concerning them. He was working in Athens when he felt compelled to send Timothy back to check on them. When Timothy returned to him with his great report of their continued faith in the Lord and their longing to see Paul again, he was overjoyed. He thanked God for them to such degree that he questioned how he might be even more thankful for them. Perhaps his thankfulness could be better expressed if he could only see them face to face and continue to “perfect” (“bring to completion”) their discipleship, he reasoned.
Paul was a firm believer in life on life discipleship. He always wanted to be face to face with those he was mentoring that he might “perfect” their discipleship, training them up to maturity in Christ. As he mentioned earlier in his letter, his discipleship included not only giving them the gospel, but also giving them himself because of his love for them (1 Thess. 2:8). This is the combination of spiritual and relational power that life on life discipleship brings to bear.
October 10, 2016
Making disciples is a relational endeavor. The apostle Paul illustrated this by how he related to his flock in Thessalonica as a “father with his children.” Depending on the Spirit’s guidance, he used all manner of relational approaches according to their need. Some he “exhorted,” coming beside them to call them out for correction. Some he “encouraged,” using a personal touch to comfort and console those who were weak. Others he “charged,” reminding them of their identity in Christ and bearing witness to them of God’s upward calling. Making disciples is our calling too. Not in an institutional way, but life on life, like a mother or a father with their children.
August 1, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
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parenting
Parents have questions… Practical questions like: How and when should I discipline my child? How do I get them potty trained? And spiritual questions like: When is my child old enough to confess faith in Christ? What about baptism and the Lord’s Supper? How can I be sure that they are saved? In answering these questions, we have God’s Word as our guide, but we must also take into account the child’s level of maturity. Have you noticed that every child is unique? No two are the same. And as they grow, they change. So the parenting style that seemed effective when they were small, doesn’t work when they’re older. These differences need different parenting styles.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul told them that he had been willing to parent according to their situation, sometimes gentle and affectionate like a mother and sometimes strong like a father in order to release them to live up to God’s calling. We can parent our children following God’s Word to match our child’s situation with a goal of releasing them to the Lord.
July 10, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
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exposition
What’s your life goal? Do you have one? What do you think God’s goal for your life is? Would you like to know? What is God’s goal for your life? That you become like Christ. Born again with a new nature, becoming like Jesus, so that you might be ready for Christ’s return. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he closed the letter with final instructions on how they might cooperate with God’s goal for them to be sanctified and ready for Christ’s return.
July 3, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11
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end times, exposition
Have you ever had to face the death of loved one? Do you know the grief of such loss? Do ever feel discouraged by the increasing trouble in this world? Did you know that the Lord has a word for you to help you face such days? Including the Day of all days? In these passages of 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, Paul tells the believers of Thessalonica that they can be ready to face the Day of the Lord. We too can be ready to face the Day of Christ’s return.
June 26, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
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exposition
Who are you trying to please? Is it your parents, your spouse, your kids, your neighbors or friends? What about God? Do you care whether God is pleased with your life? Another way of asking this is: Do you want God’s will for your life? Do you want to live to fulfill God’s will and calling on your life? In chapter four of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he instructed the believers to live in a way that would please God as they await the return of His Son, Jesus.
June 19, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
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exposition
How is your faith today? Are you going through a trial, a time of difficulty? Is your faith growing and secure? Or has your faith weakened in the face of hardship? What does it mean to stand firm in Christ? How can we not only stand firm but grow in our faith in Jesus and in His soon return when times seem to be getting worse? In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he taught the believers how they could stand firm in Christ while looking for His return. We can stand firm together.
June 12, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
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exposition
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he told the believers that they could live a life worthy of God’s call to His kingdom and glory. We can live lives worthy of God’s call to His kingdom and glory. The text found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 gives four marks of those who live worthy of God’s call.
June 5, 2016
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1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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end times, exposition
In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul expressed his thanks to God for their readiness for Christ’s return. He listed three attributes of how they were “being ready.” We can be ready for Christ’s return. In today’s text, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, we will see three attributes of how to be ready for Christ’s return.
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.