Word@Work, Let God's Word energise your working day!

1 Thessalonians

Filter by Chapter Number

Gospel Family Bonds

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

This is a heart-warming passage which reminds us that the gospel creates close family bonds.  As people receive Christ, they are born again – becoming children of God (John 1:12).  Therefore, they are spiritual brothers and sisters to each other (1 Thessalonians 1:4).  These are real relationships with genuine desires to see God's blessing come to each other, to support each other in difficulty and a deep longing to be with each other.  For Paul, his sudden departure from the new believers in Thessalonica, because of persecution, was a personal bereavement.
 

Gospel Concern

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Paul's concern for the growing and persecuted church in Thessalonica was deeply heartfelt and agonised, like that of a devoted parent separated from their child (1 Thessalonians 2:11).  It was not wrong, nor a sign of Paul's lack of confidence in God: it was the evidence of loving responsibility.  The apostle was accountable to God for that church (Hebrews 13:17), and Paul wanted to do whatever he could to support and encourage the believers there.
 

Gospel Encouragement for Leaders

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

All believers need more encouragement than most people think, as they seek to follow Jesus. They look to pastors and teachers in the same way that the early Christians looked to Paul and his apostolic team.  There is often a presumption that because God's servants keep on giving sacrificially to their flock, they do not need any encouragement themselves.  That is far from true (Romans 15:30).  And if their ministry is supported by your gifts, you have not paid them to be your servants, but to be released to be ministers of the gospel of Christ.
 

Gospel Fellowship and Holiness

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

These verses are a prayer, by Paul’s apostolic team (including Silas and Timothy), to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ – for the Christians in Thessalonica.  Paul had longed to meet them in person but had been obstructed by a mob (Acts 17:5-10) and prevented by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18).  Only the Lord could clear the way.  Only He was stronger than violent men and evil demons.  Instead of struggling to work out a plan and push it through by himself, Paul prayed and left the matter in God’s hands.

God's Word Is To Be Believed And Lived

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

These verses are the beginning of two chapters of practical instructions as Paul explains the behaviour-patterns which please God.  He covers intimate relationships (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8), relationships in the church (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10), in the workplace and community (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12), and personal lifestyle (1 Thessalonians 5:1-28).  The context for this teaching is not the rigours and perils of persecution, but the anticipation of Jesus coming again – encouraging them to look ahead to be ready for an eternity with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Practical Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

'Sanctify' is an important practical Bible word with a straightforward meaning: 'to set apart for God's use'.  Everybody who has received Christ is a child of God (John 1:12).  And every child of God is included in His 'family business' (2 Timothy 2:15), to work with Him by drawing strength from Him.  As they grow up in the family, they are being shaped by Him, so that they can serve Him in a way which brings Him glory.  They are all saints, which means people who are being sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2).  But these saints are not yet perfect.  However, they want to be ready to meet the Lor

Called and Instructed

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

The call of God firstly convicts us of our sin (John 16:8) and leads us to Jesus the Saviour.  As we repent and receive Him, we receive His Holy Spirit who leads us into all that is true (John 16:13).  Thereafter, we are continually called to live a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9).  That does not mean some sort of religious ritual.  It means living in a way which demonstrates that we believe that God has the right to command every part of our lives, and we accept the responsibility to obey.
 

Have Loved, Do Love and Must Love

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

Love is not an ecstatic feeling, but a deep desire which leads to selfless activity.  Love urges people to give what they have, their time and energy, to bring pleasure to a loved one.  That is true between individuals, within families and also in the family of faith.  Paul started this letter commending the church for their reputation of turning away from idols to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).  Now he says that they also have a reputation for selfless, sacrificial giving to each other.
 

Get On With Your Work

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Greek culture, into which the Early Church emerged, considered that philosophy and thinking were superior to manual work.  They loved to spend hours debating rather than engaging in productive work – they had slaves to do the menial tasks.  Probably much of the world now thinks the same.  High energy executives may cause great disturbance among the workforce who they instruct to carry out their latest ideas, always seeking a new profitable opportunity.
 

Grieving in Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

Death is the last enemy for all human beings (1 Corinthians 15:26).  It leaves a trail of sadness - even for believers.  Loved ones have gone.  Their company can no longer be enjoyed, their advice is not available, nor can their love be received or reciprocated any more.  Grief can be so disorienting; and yet God has provided us with a promise to help us through.  It does not eliminate the grief, but puts it in context as we look forward to the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:42).
 

Pages

BeaconLight
Word@Work
CrossCheck