Paul closes this letter with what appears to be an arbitrary list of exhortations. However, the list follows a theme, as Paul explains how a church community should treat each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 The Day of the Lord
Paul explains what it means to be alert, awake and prepared for judgment day: have faith. Christians know how the world will end and we do not have to fear it. Jesus died for us so that we might live with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Handling Work
Paul deals with a second issues related to how live as a Christian: work. His advice is strive to follow God, rather than impact the world.
Easter: Why the resurrection is important
On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It matters whether something is real or not. It also matters whether an idea is true or not. The historical fact is Jesus rose from the dead, and it makes a difference that he did.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Handling sexuality
In 1Thessalonians 4, Paul addresses specific questions and issues in the Thessalonian church. First, Paul addresses how Christians should handle their sexuality. Then he tackles work.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 Investing in people
While Paul laments his inability to visit the Thessalonians, he rejoices over their faithful response to the gospel. Paul claims his crowning joy is seeing people like them respond to the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Paul’s example
Paul explains how he conducted himself at Thessalonica and why his message his trustworthy. Today we face the same choice: whether or not to believe Paul.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Faith, love and hope
In their first year of faith, Paul sees three changes that confirm the genuine belief of the Thessalonians: their “work of faith,” “labor of love,” and “steadfastness of hope.”
Thessalonians Introduction
Paul is writing to a very young church of people from different ethnic groups in a city that is intensely hostile to them. Paul wants to encourage them to persevere in the faith and clarify some issues that confuse them.
04 I do or I don’t: Making the decision
In this final section, we offer some advice on how to evaluate your current relationships and what to talk through before you say “I do.”
03 God’s Design for Sexuality
If the cultural view of sexuality, what is the biblical view? Is it just a list of dos, don’ts, and not yets? The question I want to address in this section is: What are you waiting for and why is it worth it? We find those answers in the Song of Solomon.
02 The Relationship Landscape
We compare and contrasts the different kinds of relationships: biblical marriage, secular marriage, friendship, dating, friends with benefits, and an ideal Christian courtship.