In our message on Palm Sunday, THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS III (1 Thes. 5:23-28), we completed our series in the book of First Thessalonians.
In view of our identity in Christ and all we have been promised prophetically, the Lord continues to call us to holiness so we will be alert at His return (1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 Thes. 4:13-5:11, etc.). But here we see an emphasis on God doing the work through us (i.e.… Continue reading
In this week’s message, THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS II (1 Thes. 5:16-22), we continued to look at the Lord’s concluding remarks to us in the book of First Thessalonians.
It is in view of all we have been promised prophetically as God’s children to include:
In this week’s message, THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS I (1 Thes. 5:12-15) we started to look at God’s concluding remarks to us in the book of First Thessalonians.
In way of brief review, the Lord wants our faith to grow and be established in the light of His return for us (1 Thes. 3:2, 5, 7, 10, 13, etc.). Because of this, Paul sent them a helper (1 Thes. 3:1-5); then he sent them God’s Word (1 Thes.… Continue reading
In this week’s message, SAVED! WHETHER ALERT OR ASLEEP (1 Thes. 5:7-11) we looked at a second application of “comfort” to God’s children (1 Thes. 4:18; 5:11). After a brief discussion of “the day of the Lord” which will follow the church’s removal from the planet (1 Thes. 5:1-3), the Lord turned back to the church (i.e. “But you…”) with additional “comfort” and exhortation (1 Thes. 5:4). Not only are Christians as the bride of Christ guaranteed He will return for us removing us from the earth- out of harm’s way- in the rapture and transform our bodies into “immortal” ones like His at that time (1 Thes.… Continue reading
In this week’s message titled, WATCH AND BE SOBER (1 Thes. 5:1-6), we shifted our focus from the moment in time that Jesus raptures (i.e. snatches) His bride/the church off the planet (1 Thes. 4:17, 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Eph. 3:5, 9-10; 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7, etc.) to the days that would immediately follow…
God’s words, “But concerning,” shows a change of subject from the church’s removal and glorification to “the day of the Lord” (1 Thes.… Continue reading
In our 11th message in the book of First Thessalonians we reached its climax- the day when JESUS COMES FOR HIS BRIDE! (1 Thes. 4:13-18). The Gospel is truly good news! (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8, etc.). Jesus is the “firstfruits,” our pioneer who has gone before us- risen from the dead- and one day we will follow with glorified bodies when “death is swallowed up” in life (1 Cor.… Continue reading
In this week’s message titled, BROTHERLY LOVE (1 Thes. 4:9-12), we continued our look at the Lord’s urging and exhortation for us “to walk” in such a way as “to please” Him with our lives today- in the light of His return (1 Thes. 3:13-4:1; Rom. 12:1-2, etc.). Not only does the “law of Christ” “command” us to “abstain from sexual immorality” so we can be more like Jesus, but God inside of us also gives us the supernatural ability to follow Jesus’ command for us to love one another in the way that He loves us (Gal.… Continue reading
Last Sunday in a message titled, OUR SANCTIFICATION (1 Thes. 4:2-8), we continued our look at the Lord’s urging and exhortation for us “to walk” in such a way as “to please” Him with our lives today (1 Thes. 4:1; Rom. 12:1-2, etc.). When a Christian “diligently seek[s] Him,” applying God’s Word to his or her life, it “pleases” God in a present-day sense (1 John 1:9; Heb. 11:6b, etc.).… Continue reading
Last Sunday we had Gideon’s International share about their ministry for the first part of our service and then we started a new message in 1 Thessalonians titled, THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD (1 Thes. 4:1-3).
Chapter 3 showed us it is God’s desire for our faith to be strengthened and grow, right up to the time we see Jesus face-to-face (1 Thes. 3:1-13). When properly taught and taken to heart, the return of Christ motivates us to live a holy life (Titus 2:11-13; 1 John 3:2-3, etc.).… Continue reading
In this week’s message, MAKING OUR JOY COMPLETE (1 Thes. 3:6-13), we saw Paul’s response to Timothy’s report and his prayer for the believers there in Thessalonica.
Paul had sent Timothy to strengthen the Christians there as he was deeply concerned about their “faith” (1 Thes. 3:5). Timothy returned with “good news” that the church there was keeping their eyes on Jesus even though they had lost loved ones around them in the intense persecution they faced from the enemy (1 Thes.… Continue reading
