1 Thessalonians Sermons – Covenant United Reformed Church

Paul closes the letter to the Thessalonian church with the exhortation to kiss one another with a holy kiss. Why would Paul want this to be a practice? How does this exhortation fit into the concept of the day of the Lord? How does this call to greet one another this way show how the […] The post Kept for the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:23-28) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

If you were to ask someone what it means to be a good Christian I am sure that you would get a variety of responses. The apostle Paul exhorts the church to be good Christians, and his exhortations are rather surprising as to how the community is to function together. So, what does Paul say […] The post What is a Good Christian? (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

There are a variety of answers that could be given to the question, "If you were to die tonight would you go to heaven?" . However, it would be interesting to ask Christians, "Would you be happy if Christ was to come today?" Or "Would you be eager to enter into God’s judgment day?" I […] The post Encouraged by Judgment Day? (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Many of us have lost loved ones to death. We know the pain, and we know the grief that comes upon us when we experience such a loss. Paul speaks of death for a Christian as sleep. How can Paul speak in such terms? Is Paul callous to the pain that we experience at the […] The post Sleeping Until the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The city of Philadelphia is a city that is supposed to mean brotherly love. That is a nice thing to say in itself as it connotes that people look out for one another as a family. However, what does Paul mean when he exhorts the church to show this philadelphia? How is this brotherly love […] The post Living in the Heavenly City of Philadelphia (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Many times it is tempting to think about the commands in scripture as being the practical parts of scripture. Also, when cynics read the commands of the Lord they think that it is a religion of boredom and just pure discipline. How does the apostle Paul show that the commands of the Lord are not […] The post You Have the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Paul seems to have a real praiseworthy attitude toward the Lord. Paul also seems so sincere in his desire to come to this church in Thessalonia. Why care so much? This is only one church. Why would he want this church to manifest the fruits of the gospel in love? Why does Paul want to […] The post Why is God so Praiseworthy? (! Thessalonians 3:11-16) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

I remember the Saturday Night Live skit with the church lady who would always interject, "Satan." It always struck me as an interesting satire on the church that we are quick to blame Satan for our sin. Why does Paul blame Satan for blocking his visit to the Thessalonians? Why is Timothy such an encouragement […] The post Encouraged by Their Endurance (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Many times in the midst of suffering we all struggle as to whether the Lord still loves us. How does Paul encourage the Thessalonians in their suffering and persecution? Does Paul hate the jewish people when he speaks of the suffering the churches have endured? How does the gospel of Christ encourage the saints then […] The post Receiving the Same Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Paul spends 8 verses talking about his coming to the Thessalonians. This is fine, but how can Paul claim to be a self sacrificing man if he focuses so much time talking about himself? How can the exhortation in verse 12 be a proper building up from Paul mentioning his labor on behalf of this […] The post Living Like the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

If someone was to ask you to recommend a church, what would you say? In other words what churches would be worthy of your recommendation? Why would you prefer some churches over other churches? Why does Paul seem to be so encouraged by the Thessalonian church? What does Paul use as the benchmark of a […] The post The Ideal Church (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10) appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.