Key Verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:5 “…that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God…”

Generally speaking, Paul, Silas, and Timothy were pleased with the Thessalonian church. In their estimation, the qualities of they believers there were “evidence that God’s judgment is right” and they were “counted worthy of the kingdom of God” (v. 5 NIV). What was this “evidence”?

First of all, their faith was “growing” (V.3a). Secondly, their love for one another was “increasing” (v. 3b NIV); and thirdly, their commitment was ongoing (especially in the context of persecution, they were “enduring” — v. 4 NIV). Growing faith, increasing love, on-going commitment — these qualities were the “evidence” that the Thessalonians believers were “worthy of the kingdom of God.”

How does faith grow? Simply by input and output. You digest the word and live the word — you take it in and live it out. In other words, you learn and do.

So how does love increase? You practise what you preach. As you ingest the word and live it, you develop a high view of your neighbour  — you seek his highest good. And the more you choose to do what’s right and best for your neighbour, the more your love increases. The love of God is “shed abroad” from you to others.

And how does commitment relate to all this dynamic motion, this growing and increasing? Commitment is the everyday, day-after-day “track” on which faith and love move. It’s closely related to hope; because you have a hope , you have the perseverance and patience to see that hope realized. You have heaven in view, and you follow through.

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10 “For God did not appoint us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.”

Paul continues his teaching about the return of Christ. He points out the futility of attempting to place a time and date on the Lord’s return. Regardless, there have always been those who have “figured it out” (in terms of attributing numerical values to various Scriptural references arbitrarily, or in terms of some extra-biblical “revelation”), and there have always been those who believe them. History has seen more than a few groups gathered on some mountain top, dressed in white, expecting the return of Christ at a specific time. Every time, they come down off the mountain disappointed and read the Bible. Jesus Himself said we couldn’t  “figure it out,” and Paul says the same thing here. So why do we insist on trying anyway? Jesus will come “as a thief in the night,” says Paul. In other words, it will be a major surprise.

Nevertheless, we are to expect Him at all times. We are to “watch and be sober” (v.6), “alert and self-controlled” (v.6 NIV). Why? Because we are to understand that the Lord’s return won’t be a happy time for all. For those who have not put their trust in Jesus, the Day of the Lord will be a fearful one. If our sin is not covered by the blood of Christ, we will be subject to God’s “wrath.” He is angry at sin, and because He is just and holy, a penalty must be paid — and “the wages of sin is death.”

But for those who are “awake” or “asleep” in Christ, the Day of the Lord will be one of great joy. For we will “live together with Him” — always!

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be cut up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

In the introduction, we saw the the Thessalonian believers were concerned about their Christian brothers and sisters who had died. Would they, by dying before the return of Jesus, be disqualified from the benefits and glories of that Day of the Lord? Paul writes to dispel their fears and the “ignorance” (v. 13) that has caused this concern (vv. 13-18).

On the basis of the historical act of Jesus’ resurrection, Paul says we have cause to believe that all who put their trust in Him will be resurrected too. Those who have died “in Him” will rise with Him and “God will bring with Jesus” all of these resurrected ones on that Day (vv.13, 14). Those who are physically alive on that Day will also participate, but only after the “dead in Christ” have risen first. That Day will be announced with a heavenly command all who believe in Christ (both “deceased” and “alive”) will “be caught up together…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (vv. 15-17). From that point, the Church will forever be “with the Lord.”

This marvellous truth should bring “hope” (v.13) and “comfort” (v. 18) to all who have loved ones dead in Christ, says Paul. For they’re not really dead at all. No, this is not denial of death; this is triumph over death. Our Saviour has risen — and will we. And He will make sure that when He returns we are all there for the celebration.

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 10 “For what thanks can we render to God or you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?”

Paul is speaking like a loving parent here. He obviously gets a lot of pleasure out of seeing a congregation develop, just like all parents do as their baby becomes a walking, talking wonder. Paul had a very high view of churches generally, and especially of his own. Look at 29:19, 20 — “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” He speaks of his “intense longing” to see them (2:17 NIV) and says ‘when he could stand it no longer’ (3:1, 4 NIV) he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to see how the congregation was doing. We often say today, of someone who is committed and caring about a project, that he or she has “as sense of ownership”; that is, they feel responsible and accountable. That’s how Paul felt; although he was a travelling missionary, he had a pastor’s heart.

The local church is still the basic material God uses to communicate His anger at sin and His love in Christ. No church, of course, is perfect — that is why it’s easy to find fault. And let’s face it, for some church members, finding fault is a specialty. I wish these fault-finders could hear themselves. In most cases, they are pointing their finger at themselves — after all, if you want to see a hypocrite, try looking in the mirror.

Constructive criticism, on the other hand, is to be welcomed. Why? because the critic offers him or herself as an answer to the problem. Seeing what is wrong, the responsibly say, “What can I do about it? How can I help?” In this way, the pastor is assisted in perfecting “what is lacking” in the faith of his congregation.