Scripture

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Observation
Christians should not grieve over those who die in the same way as people who have no hope. Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that those who die in Him will come back with Him.

The Lord will come down from heaven with a loud shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet call of God. Then the dead will be raised and the living will go to meet the Lord.

Application
What hope there is for those who trust in the Lord. Those who have no faith have no hope. But those who have faith know that death is not the end of the story.

In the final days we will be united with Christ and reunited with those christians who have already gone before us.

What a joy this is, what comfort to know that death is not the end of life but a new chapter.

Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me that I could enter into eternal life. Please help me to keep this truth as a cause for hope. Amen.

Scripture

For you know that I dealt with each of you as a father deals with his children.

Observation

Paul worked day and night in order to support himself and not be a burden to anyone while he preached the gospel among them.

He was righteous and blameless. He was like a father to the church, encouraging, comforting and exhorting each person to live lives worthy of God’s kingdom.

Application

Paul very much gave his heart to the church at Thessalonica. He describes himself like a mother (v. 7) and now like a father to them.

We all need spiritual fathers and mothers to help us grow into maturity in Christ. The kingdom is totally relational in character, rather than hierarchical or institutional.

Spiritual fathers will give their hearts to us, leading us into places of healing and restoration.

We need to give our hearts to our fathers also, loving and encouraging them in return.

No matter how far we progress in the life of the Spirit, there will always be people who can teach, mentor and encourage us on the journey.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the spiritual fathers in my life. Help me to grow and mature under their care, and to reach out to others who might need me ti be a father to them. Amen.

Scripture

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her children.

Observation

Paul recounts his ministry in Thessalonica. He has come to them with the gospel. His motives were pure, as all he wanted to do was to please God rather than people.

As an apostle he could have been a imposed himself on the church. Instead he was gentle like a mother caring for her little children, sharing his whole life with them.

Application

The mark of true apostles is gentleness. This is not to be confused with weakness, as those called apostles today and in the past, are strong personalities, They are not afraid to correct error but always in love for the church.

Any form of christian leadership or ministry that does not have the fruit of the Spirit manifested in it is false leadership or, at the very least, immature leadership.

Christians must never think the ends justify the means, that is that harming people to achieve a good outcome is allowable. Jesus told us that we must be wise as serpents but gentle as doves. The goals and directions we set must build others up not tear them down.

Prayer

Father, may I be an example to others of what it means to follow Christ. May the Spirit of Christ be obvious in all that I do for you. Amen.

Scripture

We continually remember before our God and Father

     your work produced by faith

     your labour prompted by love

     and your endurance inspire by hope

     in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation

Paul is continually praying for the church at Thessalonica, as he does for many such churches.

The gospel came to them, not just with words but in power, the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

The Thessalonians are legendary for the depth of their conversion from idolatry to serving the living and true God.

Application

What an awesome church this must have been! When Paul came to preach to them, they received the gospel with deep conviction. They repented from idolatry and served the living God. They took the message everywhere. Signs, wonders and salvations were occurring regularly.

This is not to say that the church was without flaws. However, they were deeply committed to following the way of Jesus and many people were impacted.

The challenge for us is to imitate their behaviour, letting the word of our testimony and the power of the Holy Spirit flow out from us to the world.

Prayer

May I be thoroughly converted Lord, with every gram of my being dedicated to you. Amen.