1 Thessalonians 5 (7)

Pray Psalm 121.1, 2.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comesfrom the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5.1-23.

Reflect.
1. How should knowing that Jesus is coming again affect our daily life as His followers?

2. God’s grace works in and through us as we work at our sanctification. How does this chapter help us to see that?

Meditate.
Jesus had come to the Thessalonians in power, and He had launched them into a new life with a good beginning. They were people of true faith, mutual love and devotion, fearless witness, and bold perseverance. If the first coming of Jesus had done so much for them, His second coming would do even more.

Against the backdrop of that second coming, Paul outlines the believer’s calling to the Kingdom and glory of God (1 Thess. 2.12). It is one of mutual encouragement and support, growing together as a body of believers, caring for and nurturing one another, maintaining continuous contact with the Lord, living by the Spirit and Word of God, and growing in the grace and peace of the Lord.

1 Thessalonians thus offers solid counsel for us as believers and for our churches. We who have been saved must not be content merely to be forgiven and assured of eternal life with the Lord. We must press on in the faith, excelling still more in grace and love, standing firm in the truth as witnesses for Christ, and working together to build strong communities where the Kingdom and glory of God are increasing day by day.

In his second epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul will review and enlarge on these themes, offering further instruction and clarification concerning the day of the Lord and the duties of our calling as followers of Christ.

Prepare.
1. In which areas of your sanctification would you most like to see improvement? What steps are you taking to achieve that?

2. What is your responsibility in contributing to the wellbeing of your fellow believers and the growth of your church?

3. Why should we make a point of meditating often on the second coming of our Lord Jesus? How can doing so benefit us in the here and now?

“Edify one another,” and “With fear and trembling work out your own salvation.”In this way we will have the satisfaction of seeing the church grow in strength, and you will enjoy more abundant favor from above through the great care you show for your members. God, you know, does not wish Christians to be concerned only for themselves but also to edify others, not simply through their teaching but also through their behavior and the way they live. John Chrysostom (344-407 AD) Homilies on Genesis 8.4-5

Lord Jesus, lead me further into Your Kingdom and glory today as I…

Pray Psalm 121.
Claim the promises of this psalm for your walk with and work for the Lord today.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 121 (Duke Street: Jesus Shall Reign)
I lift up my eyes up to the heights: 
Whence comes my help by day, by night?
My help comes from the Lord above!
He made creation by His love!

God will not let our footsteps fall; 
He will preserve us all in all.
He does not slumber, does not sleep; 
God will His chosen people keep.

You are our Keeper and our Shade; 
You have our debt of sin repaid!
You will preserve us by Your might; 
Naught shall afflict us day or night.

Lord, You will guard our lives from ill; 
You will our trembling souls keep still. 
All our endeavors You will guard; 
Eternal praise be Yours, O Lord!

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you understand the setting of all the books of the Bible, and how they fit into God’s unfolding plan of redemption. Watch the brief video introducing this course at The Ailbe Seminary (click here), then plan to register after January 1 in our Certificate in Kingdom Studies program, featuring Introduction to Biblical Theology.

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).