Christ Church of Mt Airy Sermons

Paul addresses the Thessalonian church, giving guidance for relating to church leaders and to each other. Today, believers are still encouraged to actively walk together by respecting our leaders, encouraging the faint hearted, admonishing the idle, helping the weak, and praying for patience with all, as we prepare for Jesus’s return.

Paul teaches the Day of the Lord is sure and will bring inescapable judgement on sinners. For those of us who have accepted salvation through Jesus, we are not subject to God's wrath but will have eternal life. As we wait, believers should stay spiritually sober and encourage one other, growing in faith, hope, and love.

Paul assures the Thessalonians that when Jesus returns both those “asleep” in Christ and living believers will be with Him. Our grief and unanswered questions about death pale in the light of our hope. Jesus conquered death, it is no longer final! There is nothing in life or death that can break our union with Him forever.

In the account of Jesus cleansing the temple, we see that God cares about how and where we worship. Today, the house of God is no longer a building-- Jesus is God's temple. The ultimate demonstration of Jesus' zeal was the willing sacrifice of His own life to cleanse His people with mercy and grace.

As you walk with outsiders, aspire to live quietly in the busyness of life, mind your own affairs, and work hard with your mind fully present while carrying out your tasks. Give your energy to what God has called you to do, remembering that Jesus is coming back.

Although God teaches us to love in many ways, it is through the love of Jesus and the Gospel that we most clearly see God’s love for us. As we know God more, we will be transformed by the Holy Spirit, our faith will increase, and we will grow in our love for others.

God created us with the gift of sexual identity and appetite, but our sinful desires often lead us away from God’s will for our sexuality. But because He is good, right, and true, God will strengthen our faith and help us make decisions to live as He wants us to live.

Paul urges us to walk as we ought, living our lives with the singular goal to please God more and more. Because everything Jesus did pleased the Father, only by participating in union with Him, through His power, can we pursue holiness, living free, clothed in His righteousness.

As we consider the instability of life, we must set our minds on the truth that God is our dwelling place--our source of protection, provision, and rest. He will show us the futility of relying on our own strength for our security and joy so that we will be satisfied only in Him, our all loving and powerful God.

Even as other forces work to derail your faith in Jesus, God actively works to establish your faith. Today, we review Paul's benediction (blessing) to the church, which highlights God's commitment to increase our faith.