Jesus' resurrection from the dead is attested to in the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Those gospel accounts bear the marks of historical accuracy because they cohere to the historical data. Therefore, we have confidence to believe that Jesus' resurrection as recorded in the gospel accounts actually happened.

The Day of the Lord is the day when Jesus returns to bring both judgment and salvation. Paul reassures the Thessalonians that while that Day will happen unexpectedly and that it will be inescapable, they have nothing to fear because they are safe in Christ. And so, in light of that coming Day, Christians are to maintain situational awareness by knowing what time it is and they are to exercise self-control by holding on to faith, love, and hope.

Death is a heartbreaking part of life in a fallen world and it stirs up grief. But for the Christian, grief is always accompanied by hope. Christians can grieve with hope because they look forward to a guaranteed resurrection that is secured by Jesus' resurrection, a joyful reunion with fellow believers, and an eternal relationship with Christ.

Death is a heartbreaking part of life in a fallen world and it stirs up grief. But for the Christian, grief is always accompanied by hope. Christians can grieve with hope because they look forward to a guaranteed resurrection that is secured by Jesus' resurrection, a joyful reunion with fellow believers, and an eternal relationship with Christ.

As the Apostle Paul continues to provide practical instructions, he now turns to the topic of how Christians are to love one another. Christians should love one another because we belong to God's family as brothers and sisters in Christ. Practically, such love refrains from playing the comparison game and also pursues responsibility in order to bless others. Loving one another in this way provides a powerful testimony of God's love to a watching world.

Paul provide some further instructions and exhortations for the Thessalonians to pursue further Christ-like character. He begins with a call to turn away from all sexual immorality and to pursue holiness. Paul notes the significance of the consequences of sexual immorality in that it deteriorates self, hurts others, and dishonors God. But in the end, there is both sanctification and power given by the Holy Spirit to pursue holiness.

Paul provide some further instructions and exhortations for the Thessalonians to pursue further Christ-like character. He begins with a call to turn away from all sexual immorality and to pursue holiness. Paul notes the significance of the consequences of sexual immorality in that it deteriorates self, hurts others, and dishonors God. But in the end, there is both sanctification and power given by the Holy Spirit to pursue holiness.

The Apostle Paul mentions Satan's schemes to disrupt his ministry through discouraging opposition and relational obstacles. In response, Paul engages in the ministry of encouragement and the ministry of celebration. Underlying all of his responses is the vital practice of prayer, which leads him to Jesus who has ultimately defeated Satan. While we might tend to brush off spiritual warfare as either being irrelevant or only occurring in extreme instances, it is a daily reality that does impact our lives. Thus, we need to courageously engage in spiritual warfare as we stand confident in Jesus' victory.

The Apostle Paul presents a model for how all Christians are to engage in active, relational discipleship. We are to be mothers and fathers in the faith, who sacrificially give of ourselves for others and who wisely apply the Gospel to others. While discipleship can feel discouraging and overwhelming at times, we can take heart because we ourselves are being discipled by Jesus, who fully gave of Himself so that we would grow in the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul presents a model for how all Christians are to engage in active, relational discipleship. We are to be mothers and fathers in the faith, who sacrificially give of ourselves for others and who wisely apply the Gospel to others. While discipleship can feel discouraging and overwhelming at times, we can take heart because we ourselves are being discipled by Jesus, who fully gave of Himself so that we would grow in the Gospel.