Podcasts about thessalonian

The sermon examines the nature of the true gospel as presented in 1 Thessalonians, distinguishing it from false teachings by emphasizing its divine origin and empowering presence through the Holy Spirit. It highlights the Thessalonian church's transformation from idolatry to serving the living God, illustrating that genuine faith involves a visible change in conduct and a reliance on God's sovereignty rather than human will. The message underscores the necessity of repentance and faith as the foundational response to the gospel, which delivers believers from the wrath to come. By contrasting the powerlessness of idols with the authority of Christ, the sermon calls for a personal examination of one's spiritual state, urging listeners to ensure they have received the power to become children of God. The tone is both instructional and convicting, challenging the audience to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a life empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Taylor Shippy - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10What if one of the most unlikely churches in the New Testament became the model for every other church?In the opening chapter of First Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul can't stop thanking God for a young, persecuted congregation whose faith worked, love labored, and hope endured. Their lives had been so transformed by the gospel that their reputation “rang out” far beyond their own city becoming the mold Paul wishes every church fit into… As we begin our journey surveying the Book of First Thessalonians, we ask ourselves challenging question: What would happen if our church fit the mold of the Thessalonian church?

Yesterday we began our journey through the little book of 2Thessalonians. Today, let's begin looking at the first chapter, starting withverses 1 and 2: “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of theThessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, andpeace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These words mightsound like a simple greeting, but there is a great deal of truth packed intothese two verses. Paul begins by mentioning Silvanus, whom we usually know asSilas, and Timotheus, or Timothy. These three men had been together when thechurch in Thessalonica was established. Ifyou remember from our study of 1 Thessalonians, Paul had only been inThessalonica for a short time before persecution forced him to leave. Yet inthat brief period, people believed the Gospel, their lives were changed, and achurch was born. Now Paul writes to them again. And notice how he describesthem: “Unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and theLord Jesus Christ.” They lived physically in Thessalonica, butspiritually they were in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Whata wonderful description of every believer! We live in a particular town. Wehave an address. We belong to a family and a community. But if we have trustedJesus Christ as our Savior, our true spiritual position is in Christ. Andthat was especially important for these Thessalonian believers because theywere experiencing persecution. Their circumstances were difficult. Theirenemies were real. Their suffering was painful. Butnone of those things could change their position in Christ. And neither can thecircumstances you and I face today. You may be going through disappointment. Youmay be dealing with sickness. You may be carrying a burden that nobody elseknows about. You may be facing uncertainty about tomorrow. But if you knowChrist, you can remind yourself: I am in Christ. My circumstances maychange, but my relationship with Him does not. ThenPaul gives them two wonderful words: “Grace unto you, and peace.” Graceand peace. Notice the order. Grace comes first, and then peace. We cannotexperience the peace of God until we have first experienced the grace of God. Graceis God's undeserved favor toward us. We could never earn salvation. We couldnever deserve forgiveness. But God loved us and sent His Son to die for us. Paulwrote in Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are you saved through faith; and thatnot of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” And once we have received God'sgrace, we can experience God's peace. Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore beingjustified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” First,we have peace with God through salvation. Then, as we walk with Him, wecan enjoy the peace of God in the circumstances of life. Thatis exactly what these Thessalonian believers needed. They couldn't control thepersecution around them. They couldn't control what others said about them. Theycouldn't know what tomorrow would bring. But they could know the grace andpeace that came “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” And so can we.Maybe today you are facing something you cannot change. Instead of allowingfear to control your heart, remember who you are and where you are. If you knowJesus Christ, you are in Him. You are surrounded by His grace. And youcan rest in His peace. The world may be troubled around us, but Jesus said inJohn 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.”  Let'spray. Father, thank You for Your amazing grace that saved us and for the peacethat we have through the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us today to remember thatregardless of what happens around us, we belong to You and we are secure inChrist. May Your grace strengthen us and Your peace guard our hearts as we walkwith You today. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

In this week’s episode, Pastor Becky Johnson of Jesus Culture Sacramento unpacks the first three chapters of 1 Thessalonians and explores what happens when the gospel truly takes root in a church and in our lives. Looking at the Thessalonian church's faith, hope, and love, Pastor Becky challenges us to examine the idols of comfort, convenience, control, and self, and invites us into a deeper life of surrender to the Holy Spirit. She reminds us that genuine faith produces transformation, genuine love produces sacrificial service, and genuine hope gives us the strength to endure suffering. As the church lives this out, our prayer is that the gospel would become unmistakably visible—not through reputation, influence, or success, but through humility, love, service, and a steadfast hope in Jesus.

This week as we celebrate our 6th Anniversary, we also start a new sermon series. We're looking at the Thessalonian congregation, because Paul calls them "a model for all the believers." Today we see how the Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living and true God.

Eucatastrophe- The Feel of MinistryIt may seem strange to start a sermon series with such an unusual title — and yet, what if the word you're looking for to describe what a book is about isn't available to you? That happened to Tolkien when he was trying to describe what happens in a fairy story. You know the plot of the fairy story, and for that matter every great story that has ever moved you: it feels like a tragedy for most of the story, and then suddenly, out of nowhere (if the storyteller knows their craft), an unlooked-for rescue comes, and you have a happy ending. That, Tolkien says, is a eucatastrophe, or good catastrophe. There is a sudden turn, and Tolkien describes it like this: "…it is a sudden and miraculous grace: never to be counted on to recur… giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy, Joy beyond the walls of the world." (J. R. R. Tolkien, On Fairy-Stories)He goes on to say the story of redemption is the ultimate eucatastrophe — and it's true. The disciples certainly felt this as they watched Jesus die, only later to see him alive and experience joy beyond the walls of the world. Such joy turned the world upside down. Well, this week we will see Paul experience an eucatastrophe; indeed, the Thessalonian church is born out of it. The whole book is pastoral, and one of the first and earliest letters Paul wrote. I can't wait to begin this journey deeper into the mystery of grace!Also remember, Sunday School for all ages and St. Patrick 101 both start this Sunday. If you're new to St. Patrick, I hope you'll join us for this class — and for our Newcomers Feast after worship.

2 Thessalonians 1:1–12What does suffering say about where we stand with God?As persecution and affliction increased, the Thessalonian church began to wonder whether their circumstances meant they had somehow missed God. Paul writes to correct their thinking and remind them of what is true: their suffering does not define their identity. Jesus does.In 2 Thessalonians 1:1–12, Paul points a pressured church back to grace, celebrates a faith and love that are flourishing in hardship, and reminds them that the Day of the Lord will bring both perfect justice and glorious salvation. Their response is not to check out while waiting for Jesus, but to persevere, pursue holiness, share the gospel, and live lives worthy of the calling they have received.When life gets harder, the answer is not less faithfulness. Rooted in grace and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we keep trusting, keep loving, and keep working for the glory of Jesus until He comes.

Are you a gospel trumpet? That is the dominant image which Spurgeon employs for his sermon from 1 Thessalonians 1:8 about sounding forth the word of the Lord. The sermon builds to some applications which are very specific to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Spurgeon's time, and we need to take that into account as we reach them. However, they can easily be turned to help us in our own situations, and the principles which lie behind them are broadly true. So, we are urged to consider the trumpeters themselves, the kind of men who make God's word to sound out, with Spurgeon ranging across Paul's description of the Thessalonian believers in his letters to them. This is really a brief study in Christian character. Then we turn to the trumpets, and see how it is that they give forth such a penetrating sound, and here we are in the realm of Christian experience and obedience. Thirdly, Spurgeon insists that there was a pressing present need for just such a trumpet-blast as sounded from the Thessalonian believers, and here the flavour of the hour begins to bleed through, but in a way that I think makes the modern reader add his, “Amen!” to the preacher's assessment. Finally comes the question of whether or not his immediate congregation had an obligation to sound forth that trumpet-note. While some of the qualities and opportunities Spurgeon identifies are very tightly tied to the Tabernacle gathering, they raise questions and challenges for every church and each believer as to how we respond to the need of the present hour. Read the sermon here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/sounding-out-the-word-of-the-lord Check out the new From the Heart of Spurgeon Book! British: https://amzn.to/48rV1OR American: https://amzn.to/48oHjft Connect with the Reading Spurgeon Community on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ReadingSpurgeon Sign up to get the weekly readings emailed to you: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon. Check out other Media Gratiae podcasts at www.mediagratiae.org Download the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Are you a gospel trumpet? That is the dominant image which Spurgeon employs for his sermon from 1 Thessalonians 1:8 about sounding forth the word of the Lord. The sermon builds to some applications which are very specific to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Spurgeon's time, and we need to take that into account as we reach them. However, they can easily be turned to help us in our own situations, and the principles which lie behind them are broadly true. So, we are urged to consider the trumpeters themselves, the kind of men who make God's word to sound out, with Spurgeon ranging across Paul's description of the Thessalonian believers in his letters to them. This is really a brief study in Christian character. Then we turn to the trumpets, and see how it is that they give forth such a penetrating sound, and here we are in the realm of Christian experience and obedience. Thirdly, Spurgeon insists that there was a pressing present need for just such a trumpet-blast as sounded from the Thessalonian believers, and here the flavour of the hour begins to bleed through, but in a way that I think makes the modern reader add his, "Amen!" to the preacher's assessment. Finally comes the question of whether or not his immediate congregation had an obligation to sound forth that trumpet-note. While some of the qualities and opportunities Spurgeon identifies are very tightly tied to the Tabernacle gathering, they raise questions and challenges for every church and each believer as to how we respond to the need of the present hour.

Are you a gospel trumpet? That is the dominant image which Spurgeon employs for his sermon from 1 Thessalonians 1:8 about sounding forth the word of the Lord. The sermon builds to some applications which are very specific to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Spurgeon's time, and we need to take that into account as we reach them. However, they can easily be turned to help us in our own situations, and the principles which lie behind them are broadly true. So, we are urged to consider the trumpeters themselves, the kind of men who make God's word to sound out, with Spurgeon ranging across Paul's description of the Thessalonian believers in his letters to them. This is really a brief study in Christian character. Then we turn to the trumpets, and see how it is that they give forth such a penetrating sound, and here we are in the realm of Christian experience and obedience. Thirdly, Spurgeon insists that there was a pressing present need for just such a trumpet-blast as sounded from the Thessalonian believers, and here the flavour of the hour begins to bleed through, but in a way that I think makes the modern reader add his, "Amen!" to the preacher's assessment. Finally comes the question of whether or not his immediate congregation had an obligation to sound forth that trumpet-note. While some of the qualities and opportunities Spurgeon identifies are very tightly tied to the Tabernacle gathering, they raise questions and challenges for every church and each believer as to how we respond to the need of the present hour.

Are you a gospel trumpet? That is the dominant image which Spurgeon employs for his sermon from 1 Thessalonians 1:8 about sounding forth the word of the Lord. The sermon builds to some applications which are very specific to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Spurgeon's time, and we need to take that into account as we reach them. However, they can easily be turned to help us in our own situations, and the principles which lie behind them are broadly true. So, we are urged to consider the trumpeters themselves, the kind of men who make God's word to sound out, with Spurgeon ranging across Paul's description of the Thessalonian believers in his letters to them. This is really a brief study in Christian character. Then we turn to the trumpets, and see how it is that they give forth such a penetrating sound, and here we are in the realm of Christian experience and obedience. Thirdly, Spurgeon insists that there was a pressing present need for just such a trumpet-blast as sounded from the Thessalonian believers, and here the flavour of the hour begins to bleed through, but in a way that I think makes the modern reader add his, "Amen!" to the preacher's assessment. Finally comes the question of whether or not his immediate congregation had an obligation to sound forth that trumpet-note. While some of the qualities and opportunities Spurgeon identifies are very tightly tied to the Tabernacle gathering, they raise questions and challenges for every church and each believer as to how we respond to the need of the present hour.

Are you a gospel trumpet? That is the dominant image which Spurgeon employs for his sermon from 1 Thessalonians 1:8 about sounding forth the word of the Lord. The sermon builds to some applications which are very specific to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Spurgeon's time, and we need to take that into account as we reach them. However, they can easily be turned to help us in our own situations, and the principles which lie behind them are broadly true. So, we are urged to consider the trumpeters themselves, the kind of men who make God's word to sound out, with Spurgeon ranging across Paul's description of the Thessalonian believers in his letters to them. This is really a brief study in Christian character. Then we turn to the trumpets, and see how it is that they give forth such a penetrating sound, and here we are in the realm of Christian experience and obedience. Thirdly, Spurgeon insists that there was a pressing present need for just such a trumpet-blast as sounded from the Thessalonian believers, and here the flavour of the hour begins to bleed through, but in a way that I think makes the modern reader add his, "Amen!" to the preacher's assessment. Finally comes the question of whether or not his immediate congregation had an obligation to sound forth that trumpet-note. While some of the qualities and opportunities Spurgeon identifies are very tightly tied to the Tabernacle gathering, they raise questions and challenges for every church and each believer as to how we respond to the need of the present hour.

Hardships, trials, and suffering are a part of life, but how we respond to them reveals what we truly believe about God. In this message, we explore Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonian church as they endured persecution and affliction. Their testimony was not that life became easier, but that their faith grew abundantly and their love increased through every trial. Be encouraged that God is using every test to refine your faith, strengthen your character, and prepare you for the day when Christ returns and makes all things right. Your faith matters most when it is tested.

Today we come to one of the most comforting passages in allthe New Testament. Apparently, the Thessalonian believers had questions aboutChristians who had already died. They believed Jesus was coming again. Paul hadtaught them to expect His return. But some of their loved ones had died beforeJesus returned. So naturally they wondered: “What happens to them? Will theymiss the coming of Christ?” Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13: “But I donot want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep,lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” First,notice that Paul doesn't tell them not to sorrow. Christians grieve. Whensomeone we love dies, it hurts. Death separates us from someone whose presencehas been woven into our lives. Jesus Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Sotears are not a sign that we lack faith. Grief is the price we pay for lovingsomeone deeply. But Paul says there is a difference between Christian grief andthe grief of those who have no hope. We sorrow—but not without hope. Pauluses the beautiful expression “fallen asleep” to describe believers who havedied. He isn't teaching that the soul becomes unconscious. Scripture teachesthat the believer who is absent from the body is present with the Lord. Rather,sleep is a beautiful picture of what death means for the believer's body. Whensomeone goes to sleep, we expect them to wake up. And when a Christian dies,their body is laid to rest with the expectation that resurrection morning iscoming. ThenPaul tells us why we have hope. Verse 14 says: “For if we believe that Jesusdied and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”Our hope is rooted in two historical realities: Jesus died. And Jesus roseagain. Notice that Paul says believers “sleep,” but when speaking of Jesus hesays Jesus died. Jesus experienced death in all its terrible reality. He boreour sin. He endured death. He went into the grave. But on the third day, Hecame out victorious! And because Jesus lives, those who belong to Him will livealso. Jesus said in John 14:19: “Because I live, you shall live also.” Thatis our hope. Our hope isn't wishful thinking. Our hope isn't simply thateverything somehow works out after death. Our hope rests upon an empty tomb. JesusChrist conquered death. And therefore death does not have the final word overanyone who belongs to Him.  Paulthen says something wonderful: “God will bring with Him those who sleep inJesus.” Think about those words: “Bring with Him.” When Jesusreturns, He will not come alone. Those believers who have gone to be with theLord are with Him. That means when a Christian loved one dies, we have not lostthem forever. We have simply been separated for a little while. There is areunion coming. Ihave stood beside many graves through the years. As a pastor, I have watchedfamilies say goodbye to people they dearly loved. And one of the greatestprivileges I have ever had is to remind grieving believers: This grave is notthe end. Because Jesus died and rose again, resurrection is coming. Maybe todayyou are missing someone you love. Perhaps it has been many years, but there arestill moments when the memories bring tears. Those tears are all right. Pauldoesn't say, “Don't sorrow.” He says: Don't sorrow like people who have nohope. Forthe believer, death means absent from the body and present with the Lord. Andone day Jesus is coming again. The graves will open. The dead in Christ willrise. We will be reunited. And, as Paul will tell us in the verses that follow:“So shall we ever be with the Lord.” My friend, wehave hope beyond the grave. Let'spray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful hope we have because Jesusdied and rose again. We pray today especially for those who are grieving andmissing someone they love. Comfort their hearts and remind them that for thosewho are in Christ, death is not the end. In Jesus'name, we pray. Amen.

Timothy's good report brought Paul joy, but Paul kept praying for the Thessalonian believers and wanted help them grow. In 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, his prayer reaches beyond present trouble to stronger faith, increasing love, and hearts established in holiness before Christ. These requests help us pray thoughtfully for the people we care about, whether they are struggling or doing well. Their walking with God matters beyond the immediate problem, and our prayers can lead us toward patient, practical help. Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 1 John 3:18

The Thessalonian church Was ALL in for Jesus, even when life was hard.

Thewords “could no longer endure it” reveal Paul's heart. He had beenforced to leave Thessalonica because of the persecution there. He wanted toreturn, but as we saw yesterday, he said, “Satan hindered us.” So Pauldid the next best thing. He sent Timothy. And notice how highly Paul speaks ofthis young man. He calls Timothy “our brother and minister of God, and ourfellow laborer in the gospel of Christ.” Timothy wasn't being sent merelyto check on them and bring back a report. He had a spiritual assignment. Paultells us exactly what that assignment was: “to establish you and encourageyou concerning your faith.” Those two words give us a wonderful picture ofwhat Christian ministry should accomplish. First,believers need to be established. The idea is to strengthen, support, or makesomething firm. Paul knew these Thessalonian believers were young in the faith.They had received Christ only a short time before, and already they wereexperiencing opposition and persecution. Paul wanted them to have a faith thatwould stand. It reminds me of what Paul would later write in Colossians 2:6–7: “Asyou therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted andbuilt up in Him and established in the faith.” My friend, it is not enoughsimply to begin the Christian life. God wants us to become established in ourfaith—rooted in His Word, grounded in His truth, and growing in ourrelationship with Jesus Christ. ButPaul also sent Timothy to encourage them. Sometimes even strong Christians needencouragement. There are times when we know what we believe, but thecircumstances around us begin to wear us down. The trials continue. The prayersdon't seem to be answered as quickly as we would like. The burden becomesheavier. And we simply need another believer to come alongside us and say,“Keep trusting the Lord. Don't give up. God is still faithful.” That's one ofthe wonderful purposes of the church. We need each other! Paul then tells uswhy this establishing and encouraging was so important: “That no one shouldbe shaken by these afflictions.” The word “shaken” carries the ideaof being moved or disturbed from a settled position. Paul knew that sufferingcould shake these new believers if they were not spiritually prepared for it. Andthat is still true today. Sometimes we get the mistaken idea that if we arewalking with God, everything should go smoothly. But Jesus never promised us atrouble-free life. Jesus said in John 16:33: “In the world you will havetribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Paulsays at the end of verse 3: “For you yourselves know that we are appointedto this.” That's a remarkable statement. Paul had taught them thatsuffering was not necessarily evidence that something had gone wrong. Sometimessuffering comes precisely because we are faithfully following Christ. TheChristian life is not about avoiding every storm. It is about having a faiththat stands firm in the storm. A tree that has deep roots can withstand windsthat would uproot a shallow tree. In the same way, God wants our faith tobecome so deeply rooted in Christ and in His Word that when the winds ofadversity begin to blow, we are not shaken. And maybe that is the messagesomeone needs today. You may be going through an affliction that you didn'texpect. You may be wondering why God has allowed it. You may even feel thatyour faith is being shaken. Remember this: God has not abandoned you. He canuse the very trial you are experiencing to establish you more firmly in yourfaith. AndGod may also want to use you as a Timothy in someone else's life. Maybe thereis someone around you who is discouraged. Perhaps they don't need a sermon or along explanation. They simply need someone to call them, visit them, pray withthem, and remind them that God is faithful. Paul couldn't go to Thessalonicahimself, so he sent Timothy. And today, God may be sending you.

In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul sends Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonian believers so they will remain steadfast in their faith despite suffering and opposition. Timothy returns with an encouraging report of their continued faith and love, bringing Paul great comfort and joy even in the midst of his own affliction. Paul responds with thanksgiving and a desire to continue helping them grow toward spiritual maturity. He closes by praying that their love for one another would abound and that God would establish their hearts in holiness as they await the return of Jesus.

Dan examines Paul's deep pastoral concern for the Thessalonian believers amidst their persecution, highlighting his decision to send Timothy to strengthen their faith. He emphasizes that suffering is an appointed part of the Christian life and serves as evidence of genuine salvation rather than divine abandonment. The preacher illustrates how the report of the church's steadfastness in love and faith brought profound comfort and renewed joy to Paul during his own afflictions. By drawing parallels with John's writings, the message underscores that spiritual endurance relies entirely on standing fast in the Lord rather than human strength. Ultimately, the transcript calls believers to find completeness in God when witnessing others walk in the truth.

Paul says they were waiting “forHis Son from heaven.” The word “wait” does not mean that they were sittingaround doing nothing. Biblical waiting is an attitude of expectation. It meansliving every day with the realization that Jesus Christ could return. Remember,these Thessalonian believers were young Christians. Paul had only been withthem for a short time. Yet one of the truths he had already taught them was thereturn of Jesus Christ. That tells us something about how important thisdoctrine is. In fact, the return of Christ is mentioned in every chapter of 1Thessalonians. At the end of chapter 1, we are waiting for His Son from heaven.At the end of chapter 2, Paul speaks of being in the presence of our Lord JesusChrist “at His coming.” At the end of chapter 3, he speaks of “thecoming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Chapter 4 containsthat wonderful passage where Paul tells us: “For the Lord Himself shalldescend from heaven with a shout…” And in chapter 5, Paul speaks againabout “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So the return of Jesus isnot a minor subject in this letter. It is woven throughout it. But notice Who we are waitingfor. Paul does not say we are waiting primarily for an event. He says we arewaiting for “His Son from heaven.” We are waiting for a Person. We arewaiting for Jesus. The One Who loved us. The One Who died for us. The One Whorose again. The One Who promised, “I will come again.” Paul then remindsus that God “raised Him from the dead.” Our hope in Christ's return isconnected to the resurrection.Jesus is not in a gravesomewhere. He is alive! The same Jesus Who died on the cross and rose from thegrave ascended into heaven, and one day He is coming again. In Acts chapter 1, as thedisciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, two angels said: “This sameJesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner asye have seen Him go into heaven.” My friend, Jesus is coming again. Wedon't know the day. We don't know the hour. But we know Who is coming, and thatshould affect the way we live today. If we really believe Jesus could return,it should encourage us to live holy lives. It should cause us to forgivequickly. It should motivate us to share the Gospel. It should remind us not tobecome too attached to the things of this world. And it should give us hopewhen life becomes difficult. Then Paul closes the chapterwith these wonderful words: “Even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrathto come.” There is judgment coming upon sin, but for those who have trustedJesus Christ, there is wonderful assurance. Jesus has delivered us. Oursalvation rests not in what we have done for Him, but in what He has done forus. He took our judgment upon Himself on the cross. He paid the price for oursins, and because we have trusted Him, we can face the future not with fear,but with hope.  I love how this entire firstchapter fits together. These believers had a work of faith, labor of love, andpatience of hope in verse 3. They received the Word in verse 6. They becameexamples in verse 7. They sounded out the Word in verse 8. They turned to Godfrom idols to serve the living and true God in verse 9. And now, in verse 10,they were waiting for Jesus to return. What a testimony! And what a pattern forus today. Receiving the Word. Living the Word. Sharing the Word. Serving theLord. And waiting for Jesus. My friend, perhaps today would be a good day toask ourselves: Am I living as though Jesus could come today? Because oneday—perhaps sooner than we think—our waiting will be over. Jesus is comingagain!

“For they themselvesshowed of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turned toGod from idols to serve the living and true God.” In verse 9, Paul tellsus what people were saying about them. They were talking about the tremendouschange that had taken place in the lives of these Thessalonian believers. Paul describes theirconversion with three simple words: “turned to God.” I think it isimportant to notice the order. Paul does not say they first cleaned up theirlives, got rid of all their idols, and then came to God. He says they “turnedto God from idols.” They turned to God, and when they did, they were ableto turn from their idols. My friend, that is what genuine salvation does. Christianityis not simply trying to make ourselves better. It is not merely giving up a fewbad habits or attempting to live a more moral life. Salvation begins when, byfaith, we turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we truly turn to Him, somethingbegins to change within us. Remember that Thessalonica wasa pagan city. Idolatry was everywhere. These people had grown up worshipingfalse gods and participating in pagan religious practices. Their idols were notmerely decorations sitting on a shelf. Idolatry was woven into their culture,their families, their social lives, and even their businesses. So when thesepeople turned to Jesus Christ, it cost them something. They were leaving behinda way of life they had known for years. Yet they discovered something fargreater than the idols they left behind.  Paul says they turned “toserve the living and true God.” I love those words: “the living and trueGod.” Their idols were dead. Their idols could not hear them. Their idolscould not answer their prayers. Their idols could not forgive their sins. Theiridols could not give them eternal life.  But now the believers atThessalonica had met the living God! And they had discovered the true God. Wemight look at this verse today and say, “Well, I don't have any idols. I don'tbow down before a statue or worship an image.” But an idol can be anything thattakes the place in our lives that belongs to God. An idol can be money. It canbe possessions. It can be pleasure. It can be a career. It can be anotherperson. It can even be our own plans, ambitions, or desires. Anything thatbecomes more important to us than God has the potential to become an idol. Thequestion is not simply, “Do I have a statue that I worship?” The betterquestion might be, “What has first place in my life?”  Notice also that theseThessalonians did not simply turn from something; they turned to Someone. Sometimeswe think the Christian life is mostly about what we give up. But Christianityis really about Who we receive. We turn from the emptiness of this world to thefullness of Jesus Christ. We turn from darkness to light. We turn from bondageto freedom. We turn from death to life. And then Paul says that they turned toGod “to serve” Him. Their conversion produced a new purpose for living. Before,they had served their idols. Now they served the living and true God. That word“serve” carries the idea of serving as a bondservant—belongingcompletely to another. That is a beautiful picture of the Christian life. Wehave been saved by grace, and because we belong to Jesus Christ, we now desireto live for Him. We don't serve Him in order to be saved. We serve Him becausewe have been saved. That takes us back to verse 3and their “work of faith, and labor of love.” Their service was evidence thatsomething real had happened in their hearts. And my friend, that should causeeach of us to examine our own lives today. What have we turned from? What havewe turned to? And whom are we serving? The Thessalonians had a testimony thateveryone could see. They had turned to God from idols to serve the living andtrue God. May that be our testimony too.

August 16, 2026: Paul's Heart for the Thessalonian Church. Teacher: Cari Jenkins by Platt Park Church

This sermon explores the Apostle Paul's exhortation in 2 Thessalonians 3 to maintain a diligent work ethic while awaiting Christ's return. The preacher argues that work is a God-given mandate and gift, contrasting it with the sin of idleness which leads to disorder and meddling. By examining the context of the Thessalonian church, the message emphasizes that believers must model hard labor, avoid enabling slackers, and practice restorative church discipline. Ultimately, faithful obedience in daily responsibilities brings glory to God and fosters the peace that comes from a right relationship with Him.

“So that you were examples to all that believe in Macedoniaand Achaia.” Yesterday we saw in verse 6 that the Thessalonian believershad become followers of Paul and of the Lord. They had received the Word in themidst of much affliction, but they received it “with joy of the Holy Spirit.”Now Paul tells us what happened next. They went from being followers tobecoming examples. I love that progression. First, we follow the rightexample. Then, as we grow in Christ, we become the right example for someoneelse. Paul says, “So that you were examples to all that believe.” Theword translated examples has the idea of a pattern, a model, or animpression that can be reproduced.  Then in verse 6, they receivedthe Word despite affliction and persecution. And now in verse 7, otherbelievers were looking at them and saying, in effect, “That's what followingJesus looks like.” What an amazing testimony! Notice also how far theirinfluence had spread. Paul says they were examples “to all that believe inMacedonia and Achaia.” Macedonia was the northern region of Greece whereThessalonica and Philippi were located. Achaia was the southern region wherecities such as Athens and Corinth were located. So their testimony had spreadfar beyond their own city. They probably never dreamed that people hundreds ofmiles away would hear about their faithfulness to Christ. And there is a lessonhere for us. You never know how far theinfluence of a faithful Christian life will reach. Sometimes we think thatunless we have a large ministry, preach to thousands of people, or accomplishsomething that receives public recognition, our life doesn't make muchdifference. But that's not how God measures influence. A faithful mother orfather can influence generations of a family. A faithful Sunday school teachercan influence a child who someday influences thousands. A faithful pastor maynever have a large church, but the people he disciples may carry the Gospelaround the world. A faithful Christian neighbor may quietly demonstrate thelove of Christ to someone who desperately needs hope. We may never know on thisside of eternity how far our influence has reached. There is another importanttruth here. The Thessalonians didn't set out to become famous. They simply setout to be faithful. Their influence was the result of their faithfulness, notthe goal of their faithfulness. That is important in our day when so muchemphasis is placed on being noticed, gaining followers, and building anaudience. The Christian life isn't about people noticing us. Jesus said inMatthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see yourgood works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The purpose of ourinfluence is not that people would say, “What a wonderful person.” It is thatthey would say, “What a wonderful Savior!” Paul could tell the Thessalonians,“You followed us, and now others are following your example.” That isdiscipleship. Someone helped us follow Jesus, and now we should be helpingsomeone else follow Jesus. So today, maybe we should askourselves a simple question: If someone followed my example, where would myexample lead them? Would they learn to pray? Would they learn to love God'sWord? Would they learn to forgive? Would they learn to serve? Would they learnto trust God during difficult circumstances? Most importantly, would our livespoint them to Jesus Christ? My friend, you may never stand behind a pulpit. Youmay never teach a Bible class. Your name may never be widely known. But you canlive such a faithful Christian life that someone else sees Jesus in you andwants to follow Him. First we become followers, and then, by God's grace, webecome examples. 

Thinkabout that today. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are loved byGod! The Bible does not teach us that God loves us because we are good enough,religious enough, or deserving enough. God loves us because of Who He is. John3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begottenSon.” Romans 5:8 says, “But God commended His love toward us, in that,while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not wait until wecleaned ourselves up before He loved us. He loved us while we were sinners, andHe demonstrated that love at the cross. ButPaul goes even further. He says, “Knowing, beloved brethren, your electionof God.” Now, the word “election” sometimes becomes the subject oftheological debates. Good and sincere Bible-believing Christians have disagreedover exactly how God's sovereignty and human responsibility work together. ButI think sometimes we can become so occupied with the questions surroundingelection that we miss the wonderful encouragement Paul intended these believersto receive from it. The word simply carries the idea of being chosen to loveand serve God and others. Paul was reminding these Thessalonian believers thattheir salvation was not an accident. God had a purpose for them. God had calledthem to Himself through the Gospel. Andnotice something very important. Paul said, “Knowing… your election of God.”How could Paul know? He could not look into the secret counsels of God ineternity. He could not see their names written in the Book of Life. But hecould see what had happened in their lives. And that becomes especially clearwhen we read the next verse. Verse 5 says: “For our gospel came not unto youin word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”Paul knew something genuine had happened because he had seen the evidence. Rememberwhat we learned yesterday. Their faith was working. Their love was laboring.Their hope was enduring. In other words, their changed lives gave evidence ofthe reality of their salvation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore bytheir fruits you shall know them.”  Weare not saved by our works, but when we are truly saved, there should be a workof God taking place in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it very clear: “Forby grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is thegift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” But we sometimesstop there. Verse 10 continues: “For we are His workmanship, created inChrist Jesus unto good works.” We are not saved by good works, but we aresaved unto good works. That is exactly what Paul was seeing in Thessalonica. Thinkabout what had happened there. Paul had only been with these people for arelatively short period of time. He preached the Gospel to them. They receivedthe Word. They turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Then almostimmediately, persecution came. Yet they remained faithful. Paul could look atthem and say, in effect, “I know God has done something in your lives because Ican see the evidence of His grace.” AndI believe there is a very practical application for us today. What evidence isthere in my life that God is at work in me? Not, “Have I joined a church?” Not,“Have I been baptized?” Not even merely, “Did I pray a prayer sometime in thepast?” Those things may have their proper place, but the question is: Has JesusChrist changed my life? Is there a work of faith? Is there a labor of love? Isthere a patience of hope? Is there a growing desire for the Word of God? Isthere a desire to please the Lord? Is there a love for God's people? When Isin, does the Holy Spirit convict me and draw me back to fellowship with theLord? Do I desire to share Christ with the lost? These are evidences of thework of God within us. 

How should followers of Jesus measure success? Teaching from 1 Thessalonians 2, Pastor Alex explains why Kingdom success is not measured by comfort, recognition, or impressive results. It is measured by faithfulness to God and by helping others stand firm in Jesus. Through Paul's relationship with the Thessalonian believers, we discover that discipleship requires spiritual family, hardship can refine our faith, and people are the true reward. The world asks, “What did you build?” Jesus asks, “Who did you bring?” As you listen, consider two questions: What is your measure of success, and how has hardship affected your faith? Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 Series: The King Is Coming

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 | August 9, 2026 | Pastor Todd SmithIn this final message from the 2nd Thessalonians series, Pastor Todd addresses the timeless issue of idleness and the importance of a strong work ethic. Drawing from 2 Thessalonians 3, he explains that work is not a curse, but a grace gift designed by God to reflect His glory. The Apostle Paul's instructions to the Thessalonian church remind us that waiting actively for Christ's return means showing up with diligence and excellence in our daily responsibilities.How do we balance waiting on God with working hard in the present? Watch this sermon to discover how a purposeful work ethic transforms our daily lives, protects us from the traps of laziness, and serves as a powerful testimony to those around us.Connect with Crossroads Community Church:Website: https://lifeatcrossroads.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossroadscommunitychurchFacebook: https://facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsGive Online:https://lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonlineLicensing Information:CCLI License #2915685CCS WORSHIPcast License #9466Crossroads Community Church holds a CCS WORSHIPcast License, which grants permission to publicly play, perform, and stream musical compositions controlled by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in accordance with CCS License Terms and Conditions.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 | August 9, 2026 | Pastor Todd SmithIn this final message from the 2nd Thessalonians series, Pastor Todd addresses the timeless issue of idleness and the importance of a strong work ethic. Drawing from 2 Thessalonians 3, he explains that work is not a curse, but a grace gift designed by God to reflect His glory. The Apostle Paul's instructions to the Thessalonian church remind us that waiting actively for Christ's return means showing up with diligence and excellence in our daily responsibilities.How do we balance waiting on God with working hard in the present? Watch this sermon to discover how a purposeful work ethic transforms our daily lives, protects us from the traps of laziness, and serves as a powerful testimony to those around us.Connect with Crossroads Community Church:Website: https://lifeatcrossroads.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossroadscommunitychurchFacebook: https://facebook.com/lifeatcrossroadsGive Online:https://lifeatcrossroads.org/giveonlineLicensing Information:CCLI License #2915685CCS WORSHIPcast License #9466Crossroads Community Church holds a CCS WORSHIPcast License, which grants permission to publicly play, perform, and stream musical compositions controlled by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in accordance with CCS License Terms and Conditions.

Notice that he does not introduce himself here as “Paul, anapostle of Jesus Christ,” as he does in several of his other letters. Why? Probablybecause he did not need to defend his apostolic authority with these believers.They knew him. They loved him. Paul had personally brought the Gospel to them. Thenhe mentions two men who had served alongside him: “Paul, and Silvanus, andTimotheus.” Silvanus is the longer form of the name Silas. Silas hadtraveled with Paul on this second missionary journey. He had been there inPhilippi when Paul was beaten and thrown into prison. He was there at midnightwhen they prayed and sang praises to God. And now he had helped Paul establishthis church in Thessalonica. Timotheus, of course, is Timothy. Paul had metthis young man at Lystra and invited him to join the missionary team. Timothywould eventually become one of Paul's most trusted fellow workers. What awonderful picture of ministry. God'swork has always been about one generation passing the truth to anothergeneration. Butthen Paul says something especially important: “Unto the church of theThessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Theword “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which basically means acalled-out assembly. These people lived in Thessalonica, but spiritually theywere in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about that. Geographically,they were in Thessalonica. Spiritually, they were in Christ. Thessalonica was apagan city filled with idolatry and immorality. These new Christians weresurrounded by a culture that did not share their faith or their values. Theywere already experiencing opposition and persecution because they followedJesus. But their environment did not determine their identity. They were in Godthe Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Andthe same is true for us today. We live in a world that increasingly seems to bemoving farther away from God. We are surrounded by temptation. We hearphilosophies that contradict the Word of God. We see values changing around us.But the believer's identity is not determined by the world in which he lives. Weare in Christ. Paul uses that little expression again and again throughout hiswritings. Second Corinthians 5:17 says,“Thereforeif any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” Romans 8:1 says, “Thereis therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Oursecurity is not found in our circumstances. Our security is found in ourrelationship with Jesus Christ. You might say that these Thessalonian believershad two addresses. Their earthly address was Thessalonica. Their spiritualaddress was in Christ. And every believer has those same two addresses. We livesomewhere on this earth. We have a street address, a city, a state, and acountry. But if we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior, our most importantaddress is this: We are in Christ. ThenPaul gives them two wonderful words: “Grace be unto you, and peace.” Wejust finished our study of Philippians by noticing how often Paul begins andends his letters with grace. And here it is again. Grace. Then peace. Noticethe order. Grace comes before peace. We cannot experience the peace of Goduntil we have first experienced the grace of God. Grace is God giving us whatwe could never earn and could never deserve. Salvation is by grace. Forgivenessis by grace. Our relationship with God is by grace. Our strength for each dayis by grace. And when we experience God's grace, we can also experience God'speace. Grace and peace. Their circumstances might change.Their friends might turn against them. Persecution might increase. But theirposition in Christ was secure.  Andperhaps that is the great truth we should carry with us today. Our peace doesnot come from living in a peaceful world. Our peace comes from knowing that weare securely in Christ.

A spiritual battle is taking place in Thessalonica as Satan hinders Paul from returning and through afflictions seeks to destroy the Thessalonian church's faith in Christ. Paul is burdened that the Thessalonians keep the faith and so sends Timothy to strengthen them in their faith. We see from these verses that in every trial God has a good purpose for us—to refine our faith—but Satan has an evil intention too. He aims to destroy our faith. We must be aware of these spiritual realities at play in our lives as we trust in Jesus and go through afflictions.

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, gives thanks to God for the Thessalonian believers, whom He chose from the beginning to salvation, through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth of the gospel of grace. This salvation leads to obtaining the glory of Christ at the Rapture, which is why Paul urges them to stand fast and hold to his teachings they received by word or epistle. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who loved us, have given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Paul prayed that this truth would comfort believers' hearts and establish them in every good work. https://bereanbiblesociety.org/tbg-episode/406-good-hope-through-grace/ Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ofBTtiix4Jw Buy episode on DVD: https://store.bereanbiblesociety.org/shop/dvd-transformed-by-grace-single-episode-1-dvd-402-410/?attribute_pa_episode=406-good-hope-through-grace Buy series on DVD: https://store.bereanbiblesociety.org/shop/dvd-transformed-by-grace-series-comfort-from-above/

Send us a message!We read 1 Thessalonians 4–5 out loud and sit with Paul's straight talk about holiness, hope, and a life that actually pleases God. We wrestle with “God's will” as less of a hidden dot to find and more of a direction to live, then we end with a simple question about rejoicing, praying, and gratitude. • Paul's backstory with the Thessalonian church and why he writes with joy • God's will as holiness rather than a perfect personal roadmap • Sexual integrity as self-control and honor, not cultural rule-keeping • Brotherly love that grows “more and more” through a quiet, steady life • Working with your hands, living decently before outsiders, avoiding needless dependence • Grief with hope because of Jesus' death and resurrection • The Lord's return, the day of the Lord, and why Paul says to encourage each other • Staying alert and sober as people of the light, anchored in faith, love, and hope • Three practices named as God's will: rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, gives thanks to God for the Thessalonian believers, whom He chose from the beginning to salvation, through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth of the gospel of grace. This … Continue reading →

Can your faith remain steady when life feels shaken? In this message from 2 Thessalonians 1, we discover that God never promised His people a life free from hardship—but He does promise to build an unshakable faith in the middle of it. As Paul encourages the Thessalonian church, we're reminded that trials can strengthen our faith, deepen our love for others, and anchor our hope in Christ. Through every season of uncertainty, God invites us to let go of our own plans, remain close to Jesus, and grow in our understanding of His faithful character.

Send us a message!We read 1 Thessalonians 1–3 and listen to Paul's relief when he learns the Thessalonian believers are still standing strong under persecution. We connect Paul's long-distance concern to our own relationships and remember that God, not us, brings real spiritual growth. • Paul's rushed departure from Thessalonica and why it worries him • Encouragement for new believers enduring pressure and affliction • The Thessalonians' faith, love, and hope as visible fruit • Paul's ministry integrity, refusing flattery, greed, and people pleasing • Gentle spiritual parenting, sharing the gospel and our lives • Timothy's role in strengthening faith when Paul cannot be present • Letting go of the pressure to control someone else's growth  At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Paul and his apostolic band's letter to the Thessalonian church begins with a thanksgiving-filled recounting of God's saving work in their lives. Though their initial time of ministry to the Thessalonians was cut short, Paul gives thanks for their powerful conversion, their perseverance in faith through persecution, and witness to Jesus. Their faith, love, and hope in Jesus are sure signs that they are truly loved and chosen by God. The opening chapter of this letter challenges us to model the apostles in remembering first the grace of God in each others' lives with thanksgiving to God and to model the Thessalonians in living out our faith in Jesus in real love for one another without giving the excuse of being to immature or lacking in knowledge to serve others and bear witness to Jesus.

This message focuses on how the early Christian church in Thessalonica serves as a timeless example of a congregation faithfully proclaiming the gospel. Drawing from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians and the historical context of Acts 17, the sermon details how the Thessalonian believers embraced the word of God with both joy and affliction, ultimately spreading their faith so thoroughly throughout Greece that they effectively fulfilled the evangelistic work in their region on behalf of the apostles. The sermon emphasizes that the gospel remains just as powerful today, and it concludes with a practical call to action, encouraging modern believers to be active, Spirit-led witnesses by intentionally utilizing everyday opportunities, personal hospitality, and gentle, respectful dialogue to share the message of Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Paul rejoices over the faith of the Thessalonian believers. This passage demonstrates how Christian fellowship brings comfort, encouragement, joy, thanksgiving, and prayer to all involved. Yet these benefits are not produced by community itself, but by the shared life of Christ, because fellowship is only profitable when believers are living by faith in Him. Join Kelly as he explores God's design for His people to assemble together.www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

Jeff Rowland walks through 2 Thessalonians with one clear focus, why a young church got shaken so fast. In this episode of The Smith and Rowland Show, we look at Paul's letter to the Thessalonians and trace the fear, pressure, and false message that caused real confusion. The teaching follows the passage step by step, using Acts 17 and both Thessalonian letters to show the setting, the urgency, and the difference between the rapture and the day of the Lord. Jeff makes a strong case for reading prophecy with context, not panic. He contrasts street-level reading with a wider view of Scripture, then shows how Paul taught new believers about Christ's return, the gathering of the saints, and the coming day of the Lord. That wider view matters, because a forged word, a false report, or a half-read verse can shake believers who are already under pressure. This message is practical for anyone who wants to understand 1 and 2 Thessalonians, end-times teaching, and how to keep a steady mind when fear rises. It also gives a clear reminder that Scripture interprets Scripture, and that the whole counsel of God gives believers the frame they need. If you want a careful, Bible-based look at Thessalonica, prophecy, persecution, and the hope of Christ's return, this conversation is for you. Watch, listen, and hold onto the context. #TheSmithAndRowlandShow #JeffRowland #Thessalonians #BibleTeaching #EndTimesTeaching

This sermon emphasizes that following Jesus and sharing the Gospel will often bring spiritual opposition, but believers are called to remain faithful, stand strong, and trust in God's authority over every attack of the enemy. Through Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonian church, the message highlights the importance of loving the church, supporting one another, staying rooted in faith, and building strong Christian community through accountability and encouragement. Ultimately, a faithful church becomes a blessing and comfort to others by loving God deeply, loving people well, sharing the Gospel boldly, and growing in holiness and unity through Christ.

Paul celebrates the Thessalonian believers because they didn't just hear Scripture—they embraced it as God's own voice, and it began transforming their lives from the inside out. Pastor Bill ties this to his own ministry, saying that the people shaped by God's Word—their faith, growth, and perseverance—are his joy and crown before Jesus, just as the Thessalonians were Paul's.

Paul celebrates the Thessalonian believers because they didn't just hear Scripture—they embraced it as God's own voice, and it began transforming their lives from the inside out. Pastor Bill ties this to his own ministry, saying that the people shaped by God's Word—their faith, growth, and perseverance—are his joy and crown before Jesus, just as the Thessalonians were Paul's.

The central message of this sermon is that the gospel, when received as the true Word of God, transforms lives and produces enduring faith that withstands persecution, as exemplified by the Thessalonian church. Paul, writing from the perspective of a former persecutor of the church, affirms that the gospel's divine origin is confirmed by its transformative power and the believers' willingness to suffer for Christ, mirroring the persecution faced by the early church in Judea. The sermon emphasizes that Paul's condemnation of unbelieving Judaism is not rooted in ethnic hatred but in the spiritual opposition to God's redemptive plan, while affirming that God's mercy remains open to all, including Jews, as evidenced by Paul's own conversion and his hope for Israel's future restoration. The preacher calls the church to reject both anti-Semitism and triumphalism, recognizing that salvation is by grace alone, and urges believers to pray for the conversion of all people groups, trusting in the gospel's power to transform even the most hardened hearts.

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You! In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonian believers to encourage and build up one another. Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2; Acts 9,22,26; Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:3-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

We're beginning Paul's second letter to the Thessalonian church today, and in this letter Paul speaks a good deal about judgment and the afterlife. The church at Thessalonica was in the midst of suffering hardship and persecution, but Paul encourages them by reminding that persevering through such trials only brings further assurance that they have been counted worthy of God's kingdom. Those who don't obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus will pay the penalty of eternal destruction. Finally, if the church hears rumors that the day of the Lord has already come, they need not worry, for Paul says that day will not come until the man of lawlessness is revealed. Those who delight in unrighteousness will be fooled by this figure and will be condemned by God. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Maranatha: Our Lord is Coming! The Rapture of the Church    In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3) The scene is etched forever in the sacred record of Scripture. It is the night of betrayal. The Passover supper has been eaten. The traitor has gone out into the darkness. The eleven remaining disciples sit in stunned silence as the weight of impending loss presses upon their souls.    Their Master has spoken plainly of His departure. He has washed their feet. He has given them the new commandment of love. And now, with the shadow of Gethsemane already falling across His face, the Lord Jesus Christ turns to address the deepest fear in their hearts. He does not offer vague religious platitudes. He does not speak in the language of uncertainty. Instead, He utters words that carry the full force of divine certainty, words that have echoed down through two thousand years of church history as the unbreakable promise of His personal return.   Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.   These verses stand as the cornerstone of the doctrine of the Rapture of the church, the blessed hope that has sustained persecuted saints, comforted grieving families, and ignited holy urgency in every generation of believers. Yet the full power of this promise is often missed in English translation.    The blazing heart of the passage lies in the Greek construction of the words “I will come again,” and it is there that the exposition must linger with scholarly precision and devotional weight. The verb translated “I will come again” is the present indicative active of the Greek word erchomai—literally, “I am coming.” It is not the simple future tense that one might expect for a distant event.  It is the present tense employed in a manner called the futuristic present tense. This is no grammatical accident. It is a deliberate choice by the Holy Spirit through the pen of the apostle John.    In classical and Koine Greek, the present tense can be used to describe a future action when that action is viewed by the speaker as so certain, so inevitable, and so imminent that it is as good as already unfolding before the eyes. The futuristic present tense does not weaken the promise; it intensifies it. It lifts the event out of the realm of mere prediction and plants it squarely in the realm of divine declaration. Jesus does not say, “I might come someday if conditions allow.”  He declares with the full authority of the Son of God, “I am coming.” The present tense shouts certainty. It breathes imminence.    It carries the weight of a future so fixed in the eternal counsels of the Godhead that the Speaker can speak of it as already in motion.   This futuristic present is not unique to this verse, but its placement here is profound.    The same construction appears elsewhere in the Gospel of John when Jesus describes events that are absolutely assured in the divine plan. The grammar itself becomes a theological hammer, driving home the truth that the return of Christ for His own is not a distant possibility but a present reality in the mind of the Savior.    He is even now, from the vantage point of eternity, in the act of coming. The promise is so certain that the tense of the verb collapses the future into the present. This is the grammatical foundation upon which the entire doctrine of the Rapture rests. The Rapture is not an afterthought in the plan of God.        It is the next great event on the divine calendar for the church of Jesus Christ, an event so fixed and so near that the Lord Himself can announce it in the present tense: “I am coming.”   The Rapture of the church is the personal, visible, and audible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds to receive unto Himself every believer, both living and dead, and to take them to the place He has prepared in the Father's house. It is distinct from the Second Coming, which will occur at the end of the Tribulation when Christ returns to earth in power and great glory to judge the nations and establish His millennial kingdom.  The Rapture is the moment when the Bridegroom comes for His bride before the wrath of the Lamb is poured out upon a Christ-rejecting world. It is sudden. It is secret to the world but glorious to the saints.    It is the fulfillment of the promise given in the Upper Room, and it stands as the great hope of every blood-bought child of God.   No passage of Scripture unfolds this event with greater clarity and comfort than the words of the apostle Paul in First Thessalonians chapter four, verses thirteen through eighteen.    These verses were written by divine revelation to correct the ignorance of the Thessalonian believers concerning those who had died in Christ. The apostle writes: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.   Consider the weight of each phrase. The apostle begins by lifting the veil of ignorance. Death is not the end for the believer; it is merely sleep for the body while the spirit is present with the Lord.    The sorrow of the Thessalonian Christians is real, but it is not hopeless sorrow. It is sorrow anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He died and rose, those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. The dead in Christ are not left behind. They will not miss the Rapture.    Their spirits, already in the presence of the Lord, will be reunited with their resurrected bodies at this moment.   Then comes the heart of the revelation: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord.” This is not human speculation. This is not apostolic opinion. This is direct revelation from the ascended Christ Himself.  The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven. Notice the personal emphasis. It is not an angel. It is not a representative.    The Lord Himself— the same Jesus who walked the shores of Galilee, who hung upon the cross, who burst from the tomb, who ascended from the Mount of Olives—He Himself shall descend. And He shall descend with a shout.    The Greek word for “shout” is keleusma, a military command, a royal summons, a cry of authority that will pierce the heavens and shake the graves.    Accompanying that shout will be the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. The trumpet does not signal judgment here; it signals assembly. It is the signal for the final gathering of the redeemed.   The sequence is precise and powerful. The dead in Christ shall rise first. Their bodies, sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption.    The graves will surrender their prey. Then—and only then—we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them. The word “caught up” is the Greek harpazo, a word that means to seize, to snatch away by force, to carry off suddenly. It is the same word used in Acts 8:39 when the Spirit caught away Philip, and in Revelation 12:5 when the man child is caught up to God.    It pictures a violent, irresistible removal from this earth. No believer will be left behind. No one who has trusted Christ will miss this moment. Living and resurrected saints will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The meeting place is not on the earth. It is in the air, in the clouds, the very atmosphere where the Lord will receive His own unto Himself exactly as He promised in John 14:3.   And then the final, glorious declaration: “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Not for a thousand years. Not for a million years. Forever. The Rapture is not a temporary event.    It is the beginning of an eternal union. The bride will be taken to the place prepared in the Father's house, and there she will remain with her Bridegroom throughout the ages of ages. This is the comfort with which the apostle commands believers to comfort one another. It is not a doctrine for debate. It is a doctrine for consolation in the face of death and for courage in the face of life.   The same apostle who received this revelation also unfolds the mystery of the bodily change that will occur at the Rapture.      In First Corinthians chapter fifteen, verses fifty-one and fifty-two, he writes: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.   This is the mystery that was hidden in ages past but is now revealed. Not every believer will die. There will be a generation of Christians alive at the moment of the Rapture. Those believers will not sleep; they will be changed.      The change will be instantaneous—“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” The Greek word for “moment” is atomos, from which we derive the English word “atom.”    It means an indivisible unit of time, the smallest possible fragment of a second. Faster than the eye can blink, faster than the mind can comprehend, the transformation will occur.  The corruptible will put on incorruption. The mortal will put on immortality. The bodies that have groaned under the weight of sin and sickness will be glorified, conformed to the image of the risen Christ.    The trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised, and the living will be changed. This is the power of the Rapture. It is not a gradual process. It is a sudden, sovereign act of God that will leave the world stunned and the saints transported.   The early church lived in the constant expectation of this event. They faced persecution, imprisonment, and death with the cry of “Maranatha” upon their lips. That single Aramaic word, preserved for us in First Corinthians chapter sixteen, verse twenty-two, carries the heartbeat of New Testament Christianity: If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.   “Maranatha” is not a curse. It is a prayer. It is a declaration. It means “Our Lord, come!” or more literally, “The Lord is coming!”    The persecuted believers of the first century did not merely believe in the return of Christ as a distant doctrine. They cried out for it as the solution to every trial. They lived every day with the expectation that before the sun set, the trumpet might sound and the Lord might appear. That same expectant cry has been the distinguishing mark of every faithful generation since. The futuristic present of John 14:3 fueled their hope. Jesus is not merely going to come.    He is coming. The present tense makes the future certain and the certain future near. Additional passages of Scripture reinforce this truth with unyielding clarity. The apostle Paul describes the Rapture as the believer's “blessed hope” in Titus chapter two, verse thirteen: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is not the appearing of wrath. It is the appearing of the great God and our Savior. It is blessed because it delivers the church from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world.    It is glorious because it reveals Christ in His full majesty to those who love Him.   The apostle also writes in Philippians chapter three, verses twenty and twenty-one: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.   The word “conversation” means citizenship.    The believer's true home is in heaven, and from that heavenly realm the Savior is expected at any moment. The transformation described here is the same as that in First Corinthians fifteen. The vile body—literally the body of humiliation—will be fashioned like unto His glorious body.  The power that will accomplish this is the same power that will one day subdue all things under His feet. Nothing is too hard for the One who spoke the universe into existence.   The doctrine of the Rapture is further confirmed in the closing words of the New Testament.    In Revelation chapter twenty-two, verse twenty, the ascended Lord Himself declares:   He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. And the response of the apostle is immediate and fervent: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.   Once again the language of certainty and imminence rings out. “Surely I come quickly.”    The same Lord who used the futuristic present in the Upper Room now seals the entire canon of Scripture with the promise of His soon return.   This constellation of biblical texts forms an unbreakable chain of truth. The futuristic present of John 14:3 is the grammatical foundation.    The detailed revelation of First Thessalonians four is the doctrinal exposition. The mystery of First Corinthians fifteen is the physiological description. The cry of Maranatha is the devotional response. The blessed hope of Titus two is the purifying motivation. The citizenship of Philippians three is the practical orientation. And the final prayer of Revelation twenty-two is the expectant climax.   Taken together, these passages challenge every believer to live in the white-hot expectancy of the Lord's return. The Rapture is not a doctrine to be debated in academic halls while life drifts on in complacency. It is a command to holiness.  The apostle John makes this explicit in First John chapter three, verses two and three: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.   The hope of seeing Christ and being made like Him is not an abstract idea. It is a sanctifying force. The one who truly believes that Jesus may come at any moment will not toy with sin. He will not waste his days on the trivial and the temporal. He will purify his life with the same purity that characterizes the Lord Himself.    Expectancy produces urgency. It produces separation from the world. It produces devotion to the Word. It produces zeal for the gospel. It produces love for the brethren.  It produces a life lived with eyes fixed on the eastern sky.   The early church understood this. They did not build elaborate systems of prophecy to delay the return of Christ. They did not resign themselves to the idea that the Rapture was for some future generation. They lived as though today could be the day. That same spirit must characterize every generation of believers until the trumpet sounds.    The futuristic present tense in John 14:3 is not a curious footnote for Greek students.  It is a divine declaration that resounds through the corridors of time: “I am coming.” The Lord is coming. Maranatha.    The Bridegroom is on the way.   The Rapture will be a moment of indescribable glory. In one atom of time the graves of the righteous dead will burst open. Bodies long decayed will be reconstituted in splendor. The living saints will feel the sudden surge of immortal power coursing through their veins. Then, together, they will be caught up. The clouds will become their chariot. The air will become the meeting place.  The Lord Himself will receive them. No more sorrow. No more pain. No more death.    Only the eternal embrace of the One who loved them and gave Himself for them. The place prepared in the Father's house will at last be occupied by the redeemed of all ages.    The marriage supper of the Lamb will begin. The church will be presented faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.   Until that day, the Scriptures call every follower of Christ to live in the light of this imminence. The doctrine of the Rapture is not an escape clause for the lazy. It is a summons to vigilance. It is a call to watchfulness.    It is a mandate to occupy until He comes.    The believer who has fixed his hope on the appearing of Christ will order his life accordingly. He will speak the truth in love. He will labor while it is day. He will warn the wicked. He will strengthen the weak. He will lift up the hands that hang down. He will keep his garments unspotted from the world.  He will cry out with the saints of old, “Maranatha—Our Lord, come!”   The futuristic present tense of John 14:3 still echoes across the centuries. Jesus is not planning to come. He is coming.    The grammar itself testifies to the certainty. The supporting texts confirm the details. The early church embodied the expectancy. And the Holy Spirit today stirs the hearts of all who will listen with the same urgent cry: the Lord is coming. Maranatha. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The promise stands. The place is prepared. The trumpet is ready. The Bridegroom is at the door.   Let this truth sink deep into the soul. Let it shape every decision. Let it fuel every act of obedience. Let it purify every motive. The Lord Himself shall descend. The dead in Christ shall rise.    The living shall be changed. The redeemed shall be caught up. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is the Rapture. This is the blessed hope.    This is the promise of John 14:1-3, sealed by the futuristic present tense and proclaimed by the infallible Word of God.    Maranatha. Our Lord is coming. Amen.

At the end of our last reading, Paul called the Thessalonian church his joy and his crown of boasting. As we pick up today's reading, Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica about the history and that he has with the believers in that church. His tone of brotherly affection and longing continues in today's reading, as he recounts sending Timothy to strengthen and encourage the church while he was stuck in Athens. He continues by encouraging the church to keep away from sexual immorality, to continue faithful work in the bonds of brotherhood, and to not grieve as the rest of the world does when a fellow believer dies, for there is hope beyond death for the one who trust in Christ. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Aneirin Glyn - How can joy go hand in hand with affliction? Paul is overflowing with thankfulness for how the Thessalonian believers have been transformed by receiving the word about Jesus. The pattern of their lives is because they are loved by God and chosen by him.

1 Thessalonians 3:1–8 Suffering is inevitable in the life of a maturing Christian. When troubles come, we can either resist them or let them press us closer to Christ. Follow along as Pastor Chuck Swindoll looks at suffering in the life of Paul as well as in the lives of the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 3:1–8). When your comfort zone gets squeezed, learn to see it as expected and essential. Resolve to see adversity as an opportunity to stay firmly committed to Jesus in your trials.

1 Thessalonians 3:1–8 Suffering is inevitable in the life of a maturing Christian. When troubles come, we can either resist them or let them press us closer to Christ. Follow along as Pastor Chuck Swindoll looks at suffering in the life of Paul as well as in the lives of the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 3:1–8). When your comfort zone gets squeezed, learn to see it as expected and essential. Resolve to see adversity as an opportunity to stay firmly committed to Jesus in your trials.