Uflourish Church elder, Ed Wade, wraps up the series in Thessalonians looking at Paul's concluding instructions to the church in Thessalonica. As they embrace the reality of awaiting the return of Christ, Paul calls them to neither grow idle in their work nor weary in doing good.

Pastor Kurt takes a deep dive into 2 Thessalonians 3:1-9 where Paul urges the church to persevere under pressure by praying for the gospel to spread and trusting God’s faithfulness to strengthen and protect them. Then he calls them to follow godly examples, rejecting disorder and imitating his hardworking, non-burdensome life so the church stays unified and credible.

Pastor Kurt takes a deep dive into John 20:19-29 expounding on how in the midst their fear and uncertainty, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors and yet, Jesus came and stood among them. He entered their fear, not after it was gone, but in the middle of it. Then, Jesus confirmed He is alive. He showed His wounds and met Thomas in his doubt, offering proof and peace.

Dr. Kimara Ellefson returns to finish preaching through chapter two of 2 Thessalonians. After Paul finishes giving attention to the specific subject of "the man of lawlessness", he zooms out on the broader conflict taking place between "the lie" and "the truth" - highlighting both Satan's methods to draw people into the lie by taking advantage of our human nature and, by contrast, how followers of Christ are called to stand firm and hold fast to what they've been taught in Christ. Kimara upacks the characteristics of each side of this battle, and then encourages us to be equipped to stand firm through the application of the armor of God as seen in a similar writing from Paul in Ephesians 6.

Lay minister and Uflourish congregant, Dr. Kimara Ellefson, delivers a message of hope from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8. The Thessalonians' numerous trials, persecutions, and the pains of living in a world affected by evil may have prompted many questions for them regarding the return of Christ and what will become of these evils. And yet, Paul's writing calls both them and believers today to remember the teachings of Christ - that God is in control, he will decisively bring an end to evil one day, and his patience in refraining from immediate action is actually a mercy for us - giving time for more people to be drawn to him and experience his love.

Pastor Kurt takes a deep dive into 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 where Paul thanks God that their faith is growing and their love is increasing even while they endure persecution. Their perseverance isn’t wasted as it’s evidence that God is righteous and will ultimately set things right, bringing relief to the afflicted and justice to those who reject the gospel when Jesus is revealed. Paul then prays that God would make them worthy of their calling, and that Jesus’ name would be glorified in them.

Ed Wade, an elder of Uflourish Church, preaches from Paul's concluding thoughts in his first letter to the Thessalonians. Paul calls the Thessalonians to a practical submission to the ways of Christ in their daily living - that their loving relationships, peaceful community, and joy in all circumstances would radiate the light of Christ to the watching world.

Pastor Kurt takes a deep dive into1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, where Paul reminds believers that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, so we must watch with wisdom. While the world rests in false security, we are children of the light, called to stay ready. Yet we also wait with confidence, knowing God has not destined us for wrath but for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Chad Ellefson, one of our Uflourish Church Elders, continues the series through Thessalonians as Paul turns his attention to the Thessalonians' concern about what will become of those who have died before Christ's return. Navigating the complexities of what happens when we die, and what we can know about Christ's return, Chad calls the church to live in hopeful anticipation of our coming Savior - an anticipation that transforms our everyday approach to how we use our time, money, and energy.

Pastor Kurt takes a deep dive into 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12, where Paul calls believers to please God by walking in ongoing holiness. But holiness is not merely avoidance of sin; it is the soil in which we practice love—refusing to harm a brother, abounding in brotherly affection, and living responsibly before others.