1st Thessalonians (MSOTB)
Most of you know my son, Angel. Tuesday he packed up his books, his Bible, his keyboard and guitar — and headed off to Concordia seminary in St Louis.
Now, as a dad and a pastor, I’m incredibly proud of course. While studying to be a pastor, he’s also going to be serving at a church about thirty miles from the seminary, in Columbia, Illinois — a church that, honestly, sounds a lot like NewChurch. A small congregation with a big heart, figuring out how to worship God and love their community. Called The Way.
I mean, I’m excited for him because I know God has called him to this. But also, it’s crazy that he’s so far away. And it’s scary watching my son step into the unknown.
I’m sure he’ll have a great time but it’s also going to be difficult. Seminary coursework is no joke — Hebrew, Greek, all the books of the Bible, church history, systematic theology —trying to learn and remember 2,000 years of Christian thought. And it’s not just the academics that are going to push him. He’s going to have to deal with professors and fellow students who don’t see ministry the way he does—the way we do. People who might be critical of his less traditionally Lutheran approach, his philosophy of ministry, the way he wants to reach people outside the church—even outside the Lutheran church.
And that’s okay. That’s part of the process. The questions, the challenges, the critics — all those things can deepen our faith and sharpen our theology if we stay rooted in Christ.
So, I hope and pray that he holds on. That he doesn’t just survive seminary but thrives in his faith. That he grows in grace, that he learns the Word of God more deeply, and that he comes out the other side still loving Jesus and His church.
And I’d ask you — as his church family — to pray for him too. And not just for Angel, but for all of our college and post-graduate students—all our young adults. Because the world they’re stepping into — the academic halls, the workplaces, the dorm rooms — none of it is neutral ground. The enemy is waiting for them. The darkness is real. The pressure to compromise is strong. The temptation to give up or to blend in is everywhere they go.
So pray for them. That they hold on to their faith, that they shine the light of the Gospel in those dark places. That instead of being dampened by the darkness, made cynical, jaded—that their hope would burn even brighter.
Because here’s the thing—that tension they’re stepping into—it’s not just their story. It’s all of ours. We face all the same things.
We all know what it feels like to live between two worlds. To have a faith that is supposed to be lived out boldly, but surrounded by a culture that doesn’t make it easy. To believe that Jesus is Lord, while the world thinks we’re crazy if we don’t fall into the party line. To carry the name of Jesus and try to keep His name holy when temptation is around every corner.
And some days, honestly, we wonder if we’re going to make it. Yeah, we worry about whether our kids are going to make it but… Also… How’s the church itself going to hold on in the face of so much opposition, all this craziness, so much distraction.
This is why Paul wrote 1st Thessalonians.
Welcome to Thessalonica
We’ve been working our way through the Book of Acts. Following the apostles from Jerusalem, to Samaria, to Antioch, to the edges of the known world. And a couple weeks ago, we were in Acts 17, where Paul and the boys showed up in the bustling city of Thessalonica.
It was a short stay — probably just a few weeks. They preached in the synagogue, and some people came to faith, including a number of Greeks and prominent women. But then, right on cue, troubles came on like a car crash. The Jewish leaders stirred up a mob, dragged Jason and other new believers in front of the city authorities, and accused them of “turning the world upside down.”
This is what the Gospel always does. It disrupts. It jacks with people. It offends. And because of the riots, Paul and Silas had to slip away at night, heading down the road to Berea.
They left behind a very young church, just getting started, a handful of new believers who were already facing persecution. And Paul — their spiritual father — torn away from them, leaving against his will, worried sick about whether their new found faith and this little church would survive.
That’s the context for this letter. Written around 51 AD — probably one of Paul’s earliest letters — it’s a word of encouragement, instruction, and hope to a brand new church in the thick of it.
And honestly, it sounds a lot like a letter I’d want to write to Angel at seminary. Or to any of our other young adults out there trying to hold on to their faith. Or to you. Or any Christian trying to stand firm in a world that wants to knock them down.
So this is part of our Making Sense of the Bible series, where we do a quick one sermon overview of a book of the Bible. Let’s dig in… Paul begins with gratitude: 1st Thessalonians…
Chapter 1:2
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Faith, love, hope. The central triad of Christianity. Not abstract ideas, but lived-out realities, tangible things—faith that works, love that labors, hope that endures—all rooted in Jesus. Paul is thankful for them.
Chapter 1:4
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction… And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”
God chose them, they didn’t choose God—that’s how this works. There were no recorded miracles in Thessalonica but Paul still says the Gospel came to them in power, by the Holy Spirit. Anytime someone hears the word of Christ and it leads to faith, true belief and true repentance—it’s a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t just hear the Gospel; they believed it, they embodied it, even when it led to suffering. They imitated Paul, their spiritual father, and they imitated Jesus. Even though it immediately brought hard times, they held on to their faith with joy.
Reading through this letter, you can’t help but think of raising your kids in the faith…
Chapter 2:7
“We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children… For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
Like a mother’s tenderness, like a father’s word of instruction — gentle and challenging. Holding and comforting, pushing and disciplining. Encouraging each other to walk in a manner worthy of God. Keeping His name holy. On earth as it is in heaven.
Chapter 2:17
“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly… For you are our glory and joy.”
This isn’t just a letter about theology; he misses his spiritual children. He feels the ache of separation.
Paul was very concerned that his baby church wasn’t going to survive all the pressure, so he sent Timothy to check on them—he’s writing this letter in response to the report he brought back…
Chapter 3:6
“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love… we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”
He found out the church was alive and well, growing and going for it. The news of their rockin’ little church was spreading all over Macedonia—an inspiration to Christians throughout the whole area.
Then the letter takes a little turn and Paul answers some questions and addresses some concerns. First, he wants to encourage them to continue living like Christians—even though the culture around them would tempt them in all the worldly ways…
Chapter 4:3
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor… that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.”
Sanctification means to be made holy. Yes, God does that by faith through Jesus—He makes us holy. But we are also called to do something with that holiness, that faith—to be faithful in how we act towards other people. He will help us, but faith without faithfulness isn’t real faith. It’s dead—faith without works is dead. And God’s will isn’t a mystery, He’s made it very clear in His word. He told us how He wants us to live. We don’t get to make up our own rules. We’re not supposed to just follow our desires and lusts and passions. We’re supposed to do what God told us to do. This is what holiness means. Holiness matters. Sexual purity matters. What we do with our bodies matter. How we treat people is important.
To “transgress and wrong his brother” means to sin against another person by violating their marriage, their dignity, or their purity. For example: Committing adultery wrongs both the spouse and the family. Exploiting someone sexually treats them as an object instead of a person made in God’s image. Living in lust disregards the boundaries God set for love and faithfulness—marriage, the honorable estate between a man and a woman. Sexual sin isn’t just “personal preference” or “private business.” Outside of marriage it hurts others, even if invisibly. This is the building block of Christian society.
And the phrase “the Lord is an avenger” means God Himself will bring justice in these situations. Even if society doesn’t punish sexual immorality—or even celebrates it—God sees every wrong. He does care what we do in the privacy of our bedrooms—no matter what the podcasters say. He defends the wronged and holds the guilty accountable. This is a warning—don’t think you can get away with it.
But, unlike our culture, he says they were doing pretty good with this, he just wanted to encourage them to keep it up. Fight the good fight!
Then it seems like he answers a question they sent to him through Timothy. Something like, “Hey Paul, we know Jesus is coming back but what about people who have died? What about all of us who are still alive? We’re so confused…”
Chapter 4:13
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep… For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command… And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them… and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
This is Christian hope. Not denial of grief, but resurrection hope. It’s always sad when someone dies but we don’t grieve like people who have no hope of ever seeing them again. We believe when Christians die they go to be with the LORD in heaven. This isn’t the final destination, it’s just an intermediary waiting room for the day when Christ returns. On that last day, everything’s going to change. New heavens, new earth. We will all receive resurrected, glorified physical bodies just like Jesus in His resurrection. That’s why he says to not grieve for those who are asleep, not without hope—their bodies will rise again just like His did on Easter morning.
Chapter 5:2
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night… But you are not in darkness, brothers… For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”
The Last Day is coming, the Day of the LORD is coming — it will be sudden and unavoidable. But for God’s people, all who are in Christ, it’s not a day of destruction; it’s salvation day. The Bible says there have been many ‘Days of the LORD’ throughout history—times when God broke in with judgment and deliverance. The prophets saw them through the Old Testament when empires toppled. Jesus pointed to a Day of the Lord that would happen in 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem. They still happen whenever kingdoms and civilizations get shaken and idols come crashing down. God still shakes things up. But here’s the thing—those are just the trailers, not the actual movie. They’re the practice games, the season, not the championship. All those ‘days of the Lord’ point forward to the Day of the LORD—the big one, the final Day when Christ will return, raise the dead, judge the nations, and make all things new. That’s the Day Paul and the early church longed for, and it’s the Day we’re still waiting for with hope.
Here’s what I know about all the “end times” stuff…
People get so wrapped up in their end-times opinions that they forget what the Gospel is actually about. They’re more emotionally attached to their Left Behind books and theories than they are to the Gospel. They read the newspaper like it’s a study guide for the book of Revelation. They soak up podcasts about the rapture, wars, and rumors of wars, convinced the latest headline proves we’re in the “last days.” And they use those conversations to push people away.
Look, have your opinions. Knock yourself out. Just hold them with very loose hands. But never — never — let them divide you from other believers who are following Jesus. Never! Here’s what we actually know: Jesus said He’s coming back when we least expect it. It can happen anytime. It could happen before this sermon’s over. Nothing needs to happen first. Also, it might not happen for another thousand years—we have no idea. We’ve been in the “last days” since the ascension. When Jesus does come back, He’ll sound the alarm and return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead and make everything new. No one knows when — no elaborate charts, no secret codes, no prophetic countdowns. We’re just supposed to stay ready.
And Paul knew this was always on the mind of the Thessalonians, probably because they lived in a city that had cemeteries at both main entrances. You couldn’t come to town without passing through the gates of the dead. Death was literally on their doorsteps. So they sent Timothy with a burning question for Paul: “Hey Paul, we know when Jesus returns the dead will be raised, but what about us if we’re still alive? Will we miss out?” Paul assures them, “You’ll be fine. In fact, you won’t miss a thing. The dead will rise first, and then everyone who is alive will also be transformed and meet the Lord in the air.” This is what people like to call “the rapture” — but it’s not some secret return of Jesus before He really comes back later. When Jesus returns, the ONE TIME Jesus returns, everyone will know it. He will return in power and glory. So this is talking about the resurrection of the living and the dead. The whole church raised to life, reunited with their loved ones, and meeting the Lord in the clouds.
Paul wraps it all up:
Chapter 5:23
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
This is pure blessing. What God has done for us because of Jesus. Not “get it together.” Not “try harder.” But God will do it. He will finish what He started in you. Not to say we don’t have things to do, we definitely have work to do.
Law: The Part We Do.
Paul has a lot of great things to say about the Thessalonians—they kind of seem like model Christians. Paul even says their faith was famous, it “sounded forth everywhere.”
We should probably compare this to ourselves…
They endured affliction; we complain about inconveniences—lose our religion if someone honks at us.
They walked in holiness; we flirt with sin—act like God’s commands are just suggestions.
They grieved with hope; we often grieve like the world—completely fall apart when a chapter of our life comes to an end. Death of a loved one, loss of a career or health.
They encouraged each other; we tear each other down—write each other off. So quick to offend. So easily offended. We forget the main thing Jesus told us: love one another. As I have loved you, love one another. Not like hippies. Not like Care Bears. Like Jesus. Like Christians. Love is patient, kind, being good to each other, forgiving each other, not holding things against each other. Laying down our lives for each other.
And we know — we fall short. We’re idle, distracted, impure, hopeless. Left to ourselves, we’re not ready for the Lord’s return—we’re not even really paying attention.
Gospel: The Part Jesus Does For Us.
But here’s the good news: the One who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.
You are chosen (1:4) — not because you earned it, but because of God’s grace. He picked you. He called you by name and saved you.
You are delivered from wrath (1:10) — because Jesus bore it in your place. He already knew all your weaknesses and failures before He saved you. It’s why He knew He had to save you. He took all that into account before He picked you. That should be encouraging.
You are sanctified (5:23) — the Spirit Himself is at work in you making you holy. Turning your feeble attempts into His activity in the world. Working through your tiny obedience to turn the world upside down for His glory.
You will be raised (4:16–17) — because Jesus died and rose again, on the Last Day, the Day of the LORD, you will be resurrected, changed, alive forever.
The Gospel doesn’t deny our failures; it overcomes them. It makes them into something glorious.
When I think about Angel at seminary, I know he’s going to face challenges. Professors who push him. Classmates who disagree with him. A workload that could bury him. Same for Rebekah, Athan, Bryson, Sam, Chase, Jacob, and all our other young adults out there away from us, at least for now.
But my prayer — and yours too, I hope — is that they stand strong. That they thrive. That they hold onto their faith, and shine the Gospel in every place God sends them.
That’s really what Paul is saying to the Thessalonians. And to us. Hold fast. Stand firm. Live in hope. Because the One who calls you is faithful. He will surely do it.
May the Lord reunite us with those who are away. May He keep them in His grace. And may He fill us with love — love for each other and for anyone He sends our way. AMEN