Scripture

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and make your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Observation

Paul concludes the letter with some benedictions and final instructions.

He blesses the Thessalonians with holiness and blamelessness of spirit, soul, and body. He assures them that God will make this happen.

He instructs them to greet one another in Christian love and to read the letter to all the brothers and sisters.

Application

We cannot walk the Christian way in our own strength. Christ calls us to be perfect as He is perfect.

However, God gives us grace to be holy and blameless in every part – body, soul and spirit.

God call us to live holy lives. But he doesn’t do this through legalism. He shows us the pattern of life and gives us the grace to live that way.

This is a lifelong process. We can always find some aspects of sin in our lives. We must not grow discouraged when we fall into sin. We confess and ask for more grace to be more like Jesus.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the fact that you do not condemn us for falling short. You give us grace to overcome sin. Amen.

Scripture

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

Observation

We must honour those who lead in the Lord’s work. We should show them respect and love.

We should rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. We must not stifle the Holy Spirit nor scoff at prophecies. Instead we must test what is said and hold onto what is good.

Application

There are people who, with no scriptural foundation at all, assert that the spiritual gifts ended when the New Testament was completed.

Here Paul tells us to not stifle the Holy Spirit nor scoff off at prophecies. This means that we should welcome all the works of the Holy Spirit, including those that make us feel uncomfortable.

We, that is leaders in the church, must work at making people feel comfortable in using the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12. If we hem these gifts in with too many rules and regulations, or criticise people, then we are stifling or quenching the Holy Spirit.

When a person prophesies, they are claiming to speak God’s word. We need to listen carefully, swallowing the meat and spitting out of the bones. When a person is speaking by their own spirit, or worse still, an evil spirit, then the church needs to be ready to correct what is wrong.

All of this does not mean we should abandon prophecy. No, we need to hear and discern the words of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, please forgive us for rejecting your gifts when they do not come in the package we expect. Help us to grow in your gifts and facilitate them in our meetings. Amen.

Scripture

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him for ever.

Observation

We do not need to know when Christ will return. He will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Disaster will all on those who deny the truth of Christ’s return.

We are children of the day and of the light, not of the darkness and of the night. We need to be alert, and live as children of the light.

Jesus saved us so that, whether we are alive or dead when He returns, we will live with him forever.

Application

The good news is that we will live with Christ for ever. Whether the day of his return is today or another thousand years away, we will all be raised to live with Him.

Nobody who loves Jesus will miss out on the resurrection. For this reason, we should not worry too much about “end times” teaching. It is far more important that we live as followers of Jesus in the present.

If we are faithful to Christ, He will be faithful to us. If we follow him all the way to our death, then we will join Him in eternal life.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this wonderful promise that every believer will join you and live with you forever. Amen.

Scripture

The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. First the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

Observation

The Thessalonians don’t need to be taught about loving one another because they already do it.

They should live a quiet productive life. that way, non-Christians will respect the way they live.

The believers who have died will be raised to life. When Jesus returns, those who are dead will rise, and the Christians who are still alive will be caught up to be with the Lord forever.

Application

This passage (vs. 15-17) is often used to justify the erroneous doctrine of the Rapture.

This is not about a snatching up of the Christians prior to the Great Tribulation. No, this is the Resurrection of the Saints. When Jesus returns to the earth, all the Christians – both those wo are dead and those who are alive – will be lifted up to be with Him forever.

This is our hope. Regardless of where we and our loved ones live in the time frame of history, we will live forever in heaven, in the presence of God.

This is a physical resurrection in the same way that Jesus’ resurrection was physical. We will have a new body that is incorruptible and untouched by sickness or death.

What a happy day they will be!

Prayer

Come, Lord Jesus, come. May I be ready to meet with you on that day. Amen

Scripture

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

Observation

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to continue living lives that please God. it is God’s will for us to be holy, avoiding all sexual sin.

We need to learn to control our own bodies and not give in to lustful passions like the pagans do. We should not cheat a christian brother by violating his wife.

God wants us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

Application

Holiness is not the same as sexual Purity. But in hypersexualised cultures such as those of the Roman Empire and our current western culture, sexual purity is a big deal.

God wants us to be holy. We are set apart for God’s purposes. Anything that violates God’s will for our lives is to be avoided – whether that is immorality, greed, or drunkenness.

We are not saved for the sake of being saved. We are saved to be holy. This life is a preparation for the next life, so christians need to see themselves as being moulded for eternity.

The christian sexual ethic is simple to state – sexual relationships are only for a man and a woman in a permanent marriage.

If we fall, there is grace. Stating a goal does not condemn those who fall short.

Having said this, we must not settle for the world’s “anything goes” approach to sexuality.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please give me the grace to live by your standard in all aspects of my life. Amen.

Scripture

It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

Observation

Paul says that he is encouraged by the reports that the Thessalonians are standing firm in their faith. In fact, this news gives hi new life. He thanks God for them whenever he enters God’s presence.

Now Paul prays for them, and for us. May the Lord grow them in love for all people, making their hearts strong, blameless, and holy..

Application

People who are genuinely anointed by God for the equipping, or five fold ministry – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers – have a love for the church that other people seem to appreciate but not understand.

Like Paul, I get excited when I see the people in my church making progress and overcoming opposition that seeks to undermine them. I get excited to hear that people read books that I recommend, especially those who don’t read comfortably. These people want to grow in their faith and that excites me.

Paul received so much encouragement from the Christians at Thessalonica that it feels like new life to him. We might say it gives him motivation to get out of bed.

What motivates or encourages you in the Lord?

Prayer

Father, I thank you for people who motivate me and encourage me by their own walk with you. Please help us all to grow in this ministry of spurring one another on. Amen.