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Remain Steadfast and Faithful until Christ’s Return (1/18/26)
Many students of the Bible think that 1 Thessalonians is the first book written for the New Testament. Some even pin it down as early as 51 AD. That would be about two decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus. And, already these believers are looking forward to the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
It is interesting that this early New Testament book is already teaching about the doctrine of the Trinity, God in three persons. The authors greet the Thessalonians in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:1) and then proclaims all that has been done by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6). It is almost like a trinitarian doxology!
Many in the church in Thessalonica had been pagans, worshipping idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). But check out Acts 17:1-4 and see that Paul also went to a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica and preached in a way that converted some of the Jewish community. The folks in the Thessalonian church brought differing backgrounds to their journey with Christ.
Does your congregation reflect that kind of welcoming hospitality for differences? I got to thinking about the church that I attend. Of course, I do not know everyone’s life story, but I think over the pews and I see life-long members; I see a friend who was baptized at age 50; I see other colleagues who grew up in other faith traditions; I see couples who once would not have a place at the Table because of their sexual identities; I see one fellow who is still much in a searching mode; I see a youth who comes because he was told to; I see a first-time visitor who does not seem to be comfortable following the order of service; I see a family with one member who grew up in a non-Christian community outside the United States; I see one whose native language is not English; I see a couple who escaped a Communist takeover in their native country; I see a woman who appears to be a street-wanderer looking for help…well, you get the idea. Differences, but now sharing in the life of the Church. Look around your pews. I am thinking that God has done some remarkable assembly work there too!
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By NC Conference of The UMCMany students of the Bible think that 1 Thessalonians is the first book written for the New Testament. Some even pin it down as early as 51 AD. That would be about two decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus. And, already these believers are looking forward to the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
It is interesting that this early New Testament book is already teaching about the doctrine of the Trinity, God in three persons. The authors greet the Thessalonians in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:1) and then proclaims all that has been done by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6). It is almost like a trinitarian doxology!
Many in the church in Thessalonica had been pagans, worshipping idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). But check out Acts 17:1-4 and see that Paul also went to a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica and preached in a way that converted some of the Jewish community. The folks in the Thessalonian church brought differing backgrounds to their journey with Christ.
Does your congregation reflect that kind of welcoming hospitality for differences? I got to thinking about the church that I attend. Of course, I do not know everyone’s life story, but I think over the pews and I see life-long members; I see a friend who was baptized at age 50; I see other colleagues who grew up in other faith traditions; I see couples who once would not have a place at the Table because of their sexual identities; I see one fellow who is still much in a searching mode; I see a youth who comes because he was told to; I see a first-time visitor who does not seem to be comfortable following the order of service; I see a family with one member who grew up in a non-Christian community outside the United States; I see one whose native language is not English; I see a couple who escaped a Communist takeover in their native country; I see a woman who appears to be a street-wanderer looking for help…well, you get the idea. Differences, but now sharing in the life of the Church. Look around your pews. I am thinking that God has done some remarkable assembly work there too!