Scripture

And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven – Jesus whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgement.

Observation

The word of the Lord, Paul says, was ringing out from this church in Thessalonica to people everywhere.

Paul says that wherever he goes, people tell him about the Thessalonians. They welcomed Paul and turned away from idols. Now they look forward to the coming of Jesus, for He is the one who rescued them from judgement.

Application

Our faith and our life are ultimately about the goodness of Jesus. The Thessalonians were famous everywhere for their testimony.

Any testimony worth it’s salt involves a telling about the past. What did Jesus do in your life that made a difference?

But a testimony must involve the present. How are you living now because of Jesus?

Then there is a future dimension as well. Jesus will return one day. We will go to heaven at some time. How does this knowledge give you hope for your destiny?

Most people are rushing towards watch Paul calls “the terrors of the coming judgement.” We have been rescued from that because Jesus paid the price to set us free from sin.

Hallelujah! What’s a Saviour!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the excellent testimony you have given me. May my church become like that in Thessalonica which was a testimony that was heard everywhere. Amen.

Scripture

When we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.

Observation

Paul, Silas, and Timothy are writing to the church in Thessalonica.

They thank God constantly and pray for the believers. They remember their faithful works, loving deeds, and their hope in Jesus Christ.

God loves them and has has chosen them to be his own people. When Paul brought the Good News to them, it wasn’t just in words, but the Holy Spirit gave them assurance of the truth of the message. They received the message with joy, even though it brought them suffering.

Application

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not empty words, the clever words of skilful speakers. No, it is life and light brought to us through the power and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

People are hungry for relationship with God and reconciliation through Christ. But they are living in deception and darkness. Unless the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin, they will not hear the Good News.

Praise God for the Holy Spirit who gives us this assurance that the gospel is true. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of our spirit so that we can see the light.

Every preacher of the gospel, and every hearer needs the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fall afresh on me. Remind me of the power of the Good News. Fall on my friends who do not know you yet, so that they can receive your gentle conviction regarding sin. Amen.

Scripture

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

Observation

Paul thanks God for the church at Thessalonica. They give him great joy whenever he prays, day or night.

Paul prays that the Lord will bring him to them soon. He prays that the Lord will cause their love for one another to increase and overflow. May their hearts be strong, blameless and holy.

Application

Paul’s prayer for the church of Thessalonica is that the Lord will make their love for one another and for other people to increase and overflow.

The hallmark of any true christian community should be love. God is love, so His followers should be growing in love for one another and for people outside the community of faith.

There is a sense in which love is commanded, and is therefore something we can do. “Love one another as I have loved you,” is the new commandment that Jesus gave to His disciples.

But equally, love is a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Love comes as a natural result of living in the Spirit.

Sometimes we find ourselves growing in love without any thought or action on our part. Other times, the Holy Spirit convicts us of attitudes or actions which might need to change.

The true christians community will be marked by three loves – love for God, love for other christians, and love for unbelievers.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the grace to love other people. Please grow this in me so that, like Paul, I overflow in your love. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1.16-24

Scripture

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

Observation

Paul tells us to rejoice always, pray constantly and be thankful in all circumstances. This is God’s will for us.

We must honour the Holy Spirit and His gifts rather than scoffing at them. We should test every prophecy and hold on to the good stuff.

Application

Many churches and individuals stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in many ways. They claim to be faithful and true to the word of God, but they fail at this point.

Some push the line that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for today. If we believe that then every prophecy will be denied and every gift rejected.

We can squash the Holy Spirit in less obvious ways also. We can ignore the promptings of the Spirit to pray or speak to someone. We can dismiss a personal prophecy as irrelevant without asking God.

Often christians can ascribe more power to satan than to the Holy Spirit. “Stay away from that stuff,” they sat, “You might be deceived.” It is true that some people are led into error by a wrong use of spiritual gifts but do we really believe that the lies of satan are stronger than the truth of God?

We can also squash the Holy Spirit by assuming that we have all the answers. It is surprising how often christians fail to even pray about decisions they make, much less look for a divine answer.

Let us make every effort to hear God and stir into flame the measure of the Holy spirit that God has placed in us.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. Help me to hear you whether it is in the still small voice or through the spoken word of prophecy. May I never quench your work in my life. Amen

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+2.1-8

Scripture

God was pleased to trust us with his message. We didn’t speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.

Observation

Paul relates how he had come to Thessalonica without hidden motives. He wasn’t trying to trick or fool anyone or to please people.

As an apostle, he could have demanded that they support him. Instead he chose to be like a mother nursing her baby, prepared to give his life for them as he gave them God’s message.

Application

As social creatures we all have a need for the approval of other people. We want to be liked by other people and to fit in.

But for the child of God, this is not always an option. To be faithful to God means that we may need to suffer the enmity of people.

This is the way it was for Paul who was imprisoned, beaten, stoned and otherwise mistreated on many occasions. It is the way for millions of christians around the world today.

As western society runs at break-neck speed away from the christian values that have underpinned it for centuries, we have to expect opposition even from our friends and family members.

We must be God pleasers, not people pleasers. We must be determined to stand up for Jesus even at the risk of losing friends or being publicly mocked.

Paul responded to opposition by doubling down on love. He was like a mother to his new converts and was prepared to die for their sake.

In a society increasingly hostile to the gospel, let us respond with the love of God.

Prayer

Help me Lord to please you in all my endeavours. May I always be a God pleaser not a people pleaser. Amen.

Scripture

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

Observation

The apostle Paul is filled with joy because of the Thessalonian believers. He prays night and day that he will be able to see them face to face to restore whatever is lacking in their faith.

Paul concludes this chapter by praying that the Lord makes them increase in love for one another and for all people; and that they will be strengthened in holiness to be found blameless on the day of the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Application

Paul is passionate in his love for the church of Thessalonica. He is filled with joy over them and prays for them day and night.

The local church should be a source of joy for each of us. That’s not always true of course. We can take our faith community for granted. Perhaps people don’t meet our expectations. Some churches, like some families, are abusive or toxic.

Regardless of the state of the church, we have a duty to pray for it “day and night” as Paul did for the Thessalonians. Pray for God’s grace for the pastor and leaders; pray for the mission of the church; pray for the really annoying people.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for my church and for the joy I find in the people you have brought into my life. Amen

Scripture

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Observation
This section is headed “Final Exhortations” in my bible as if they are tacked on at the end of the main body of the letter. On the contrary, they are vital to christian living.

We are to rejoice, pray and give thanks at all times. This is God’s will for us.

The Holy Spirit must not be quenched nor prophecies scoffed at. Rather we must test every word and hold on to what is good.

Application
Life in the Spirit is meant to be both joyful and realistic.

The joy is not happy-clappy plastic smiles covering over a life of disappointment or tragedy. It is the steady hope that comes from faith in Jesus- even in the mists of tragedy or suffering.

The realism is that while we are supposed to be open to the Holy Spirit, Paul recognises that sometimes we get it wrong so that flesh is manifested not Spirit. When that happens we just evaluate what a person is saying. If it is from the Lord, receive it and if not then ignore it.

Whatever we do, we must not quench the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is given to draw individuals and whole congregations closer to the Father, so let’s exercise that ministry.

Prayer
Lord, grant me your joy, that confidence that knows nothing can separate me from your love, and let your Holy Spirit flow out of me to lead others to you. Amen.

Scripture

You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Observation

Paul does not need to talk about the dates and times for the Lord’s return because they know that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

We should not be surprised. We are children of the light not of the night. Therefore we need to life as children of the light.

God did not appoint us to wrath but to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that we can live with Him.

Application

We don’t know when Jesus will return and we should not obsess about looking for signs and working out timetables.

We need to be ready to meet with Jesus at any time. That means ensuring that our hearts are right with him and that we are living as children of the light.

A life of obedience and surrender to Him are the kind of readiness He is looking for.

Prayer

Father is today the Day, or tomorrow? Only you know. Help me to live every day as if it is the day for Jesus’ return. Amen.