1 Thessalonians 1
®
Theme: Wait for Christ
Introduction (1:1-10).
Before Paul begins instructing the Thessalonians how to wait for
Christ, he first thanks God for the fruit which is already evident in
their lives: faith, hope, and love (1-3).
They imitated the godly testimony of the missionary team, with joy,
even during a time of "severe" tribulation (6).
They set an example for all the believers in the region (7-8). 2
Cor. 8:1-8
says that in their poverty, they voluntarily gave themselves,
then their
substance, during a time of tribulation, to meet the material
needs of the saints.
They turned to God from idols (9), served Him (9b), and waited
for the return
of Christ from heaven (10).
The fruit they bore showed they were God's elect, and that they
would be saved, by the return of Christ, _from_ (rather than "out
of") the wrath to come
(cf. Rev. 3:10).
--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
______________________________________________
www.faithguard.org
www.twitter.com/faithguard
www.facebook.com/faithguard
______________________________________________