Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him. That he can spread the gospel message even more. The gospel message is the word of God, and that’s where faith comes from. The gospel message directs us to the love of God. The gospel message gives us the steadfastness of hope, that is, hope in Jesus Christ.

With a word, God created the earth. With a word our Lord Jesus will destroy the lawless one, the wicked, Satan himself. God has chosen those who believe in him to be saved, to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit. It’s our belief in the gospel message of Jesus Christ that allows us to be saved. It is the gospel message that allows us to stand firm in his word. It is the gospel message that allows us to live by the Spirit under grace. It is this gospel message that gives us faith, love, and steadfast, eternal hope.

Ever worry that the Lord Jesus has already come and you got left behind? This was some of the confusion and anxiety that the young Thessalonian church had. Paul explains the coming of the Lord Jesus for those who believe in him, and then the coming of the Lord Jesus again to punish those who do not.

Paul explains to the Thessalonians why they are experiencing troubles, trials and tribulations.

How would you feel like if you thought Jesus had already come and taken all the believers with him back to heaven? The Thessalonian people were thinking this way because times were very hard. They thought the Great Tribulation period was already upon them, and Jesus had already left them behind. Paul distinguishes concerns that the Thessalonians had about Jesus Christ’s coming again. Trials and hardships are there for us to learn from, and require us to depend on our hope in Him. The punishment of God, during the Great Tribulation, will be punishment for the wicked.

Part 2 Podcast- Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonian church regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ.

How would you feel if you thought Jesus Christ had already returned and taken all the Christians to be with him? This is what the church in Thessalonica was thinking. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church explains the second coming of Christ.

A summary of 1 Thessalonians - faith, love, hope. Being chosen in Christ. The word of God comes in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction of truth.

We become examples of Christ. We are entrusted. We become spiritual parents. We become worthy. The fulfillment of all love is Jesus Christ.

We become sanctified by the Holy Spirit. This is the will of God, your sanctification. Love one another. The Rapture, the coming of the Lord. The Great Tribulation, The day of the Lord. The breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of hope of salvation. The 22 Commandments, of Christ. God calls us to be like Christ, To be sanctified, to be holy.

Paul discusses the Day of the Lord, the time of great tribulation. Paul encourages those who believe in Christ to put on the breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of hope for salvation through Jesus Christ.

The second coming of Christ. Part 2