Day 277: 1 Thessalonians 1-5

I love this little book. It seems so personal and heartfelt. Paul is writing to people he cares about very much.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. (2:7-8)

I've always thought that this could be a good theme verse for a church. You could condense it to "Sharing the gospel...Sharing our lives". In fact we tried it at a church I served many years ago. It was on our letterhead...but I don't think it took. But I digress...

Sometimes I think we in church leadership spend a lot of pulpit time teaching people how to live and maybe not as much as we should proclaiming the facts of the gospel. Don't get me wrong, we need to be teaching life application (certainly Paul did, even in this letter) but what I have noticed in this year-long reading of the Bible is that the sermons in the book of Acts and the teachings so far in the epistles are focused more on Jesus' death, resurrection and second coming than anything else.

I find it interesting that each and every chapter of 1 Thessalonians closes with a reference to the return of Jesus to earth. Check it out (all bold-face, italics, and underscore are mine):

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1:8-10)

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (2:19-20)

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (3:12-13)

And this next one could possibly be one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. I have read it in just about every funeral I have ever done and I still find it exhilarating to read now...

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (4:13-18)

Did you catch that last sentence? "Therefore encourage one another with these words." When you consider the end of the world as we know it and the return of Christ to rescue His church and judge the world...do you find that an encouraging thought?

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (5:1-4)

We cannot ever know the day or the time of Christ's return until it's upon us. But there's no reason that it should ever surprise us...no matter when it happens.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (5:23-24)