The Big Read – 1 Thessalonians

Powerpoint Picture: Olympic Rings; Exam Hall; Bride walking down aisle; Planet Earth; Endangered Animal

Can you think of something that will happen in the future that affects the way people live right now? [Examples includes: The Olympics; School Exams; Wedding; Global Warming; Extinction of Certain Animals].

In 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul says there is a future event that should affect the way every person lives today.

It’s an event he writes about in every chapter of this letter.

It’s the return of Jesus.

Paul says this future event should shape how we live now.

He writes, “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

We are to be people who are waiting for his Son from heaven – Jesus.

How do we do this?  How do we make sure we are ready for that day?

The first way is by turning to God from idols, that is, by trusting in Jesus.  He is the Saviour who can rescue us from the coming wrath (God’s punishment in hell for our sins) which He did by dying on the cross.

As well as turning to God we should also serve the living and true God, and what this means is what 1 Thessalonians is all about.  In chapters 1 to 3 it’s about the way we help people to hear about Jesus and grow to love Him more.  In chapters 4 to 5 it’s about doing things that please God (things such as loving one another, praying, avoiding evil and so on).  These are some of the ways we can show that we have turned to Jesus and are waiting for His return.

So 1 Thessalonians teaches us about how we can live as people who are ready for Jesus’ return.