"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT A HEALTHY CHURCH AND A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT A HEALTHY CHURCH AND A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN"

1st Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”

1st Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/9/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

Paul was writing to this very young church, but a very healthy church, and seeking to encourage them in their walk and at the same time defend Himself against false accusations that were being leveled against him. One of the interesting facts of this letter is that the coming again of Jesus Christ is mentioned at least once in each of the five chapters. These two verses are a summary of this church, and a great example for you and I who are seeking to follow Jesus Christ.

1. Believers have turned to God from idols.

1st Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”

Prior to being saved, these people in Thessalonica had worshipped idols.
They were what we would call idolators.
But upon hearing the gospel, they turned to God.

Turning to God is also called repenting.
So, they turned from their idols to God.

These people became saved as they turned to God.
When someone repents and believes, they become saved.

2. Believers can and ought to be serving the living and true God.

1st Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,”

Not only did these people become saved, but they became servants of God.
They had formally been enslaved to serving idols made by hands.

Now they were serving the living and the true God.
Not all christians are serving God.

But all christians are called to and invited by God to serve Him.
It's the most logical thing in the world to do.
To serve the One who has saved your soul.

3. Believers while serving God are also waiting for His Son from heaven.

1st Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Along with having turned to God and now serving God there was something else.
They were waiting expectantly for Jesus to return from heaven.

Jesus Himself said He would return.
He is in heaven at this time preparing a place for us.
He has promised to come back and receive us to Himself so that we can be with Him forever.

4. Believers have been delivered from the wrath to come.

1st Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Here is the wonder of our salvation.
We once were headed for wrath because of our sins.
But we now have been delivered from wrath because of God's salvation.
When we believed we were also delivered from the judgement to come.

Questions:

1. Can you remember when you were changed by God?

2. Do you remember what it was like to go from serving idols to now knowing God?

3. Do you rejoice in the hope of seeing Jesus face to face?

4. Do you know that He is coming again to get you and keep you with Himself forever?

5. And wonder of wonders, do you rejoice in the fact that you will not face the judgement of God, but will enjoy the pleasures of heaven forever and ever?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for sending Jesus. And Jesus, thank You for dying for our sins on the cross. Thank You for rising from the dead and calling us to Yourself. We have made the most important decision we could make. Deciding to receive and follow the very Son of God, the Savior of our souls. Thank You, Lord, for the glorious freedom You have given us, and thank You for the incredible future we have in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia