Pastor’s Notes
For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God.”
In chapter 3, we see the sweet blessing of what it means to have a friend in Christ. The blessing of encouragement! Paul, Timothy and others are amazed to see that the people of Thessalonica are still faithful after a lifetime of lostness and just a short period of time of guidance before they were run out of town. That amazement was not out of shock or disbelief, but out of pure joy and encouragement. They were amazed while the world was confused. Paul was a cheerleader for the people’s faith and continued fight!
Once again, we come back to week one’s question of, “How are these people still faithful?” Not only did they have the saving Word of Jesus and God’s Spirit, but they had the example of godly men along with encouragement from those they respected. We started this study confused ourselves about how these people remained faithful, but now halfway through our book, it’s clear how they had all that they needed.
Let us never forget the importance of encouragement to others in the pursuit of faithful living. We live in a day where the world loves to see us fail. Loves to see us struggle. The world does it’s best to tear down the church and roots against any victories we have in the ways God calls us to live.
So let the church be loud in encouragement in the victories in faith!
Scripture to go along with the message
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. Fast-forward in our study to see the same message reiterated by Paul in chapter 5.
Highlight in your Bible
Highlight verses 6-10 as most of our time will be spent in these verses on Sunday.