Book: 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 1:1 – The Only Source of Grace and Peace
The letter to Thessalonica was a letter that was primarily from Paul, but also written on behalf of his fellow labourers in the Gospel, Silas and Timothy (v.1). Paul was…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5: Paul’s Reason for Thanksgiving
Paul’s life certainly had its ups and downs, but Paul also recognised the need to give thanks for the good things God gave. One of those good things was the…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10: Imitators
What was important about that affliction was not so much the presence of it, but how they reacted. They did not grumble and complain but experienced it “with the joy…
1 Thessalonians 2
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8: Traits of Effective Ministry
Previously in this letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul had emphasised how word of their imitation of him had reached his ears and the ears of many other churches…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12: Eyes on the Goal
In verses seven and eight, Paul described himself as being like a spiritual mother to the Thessalonian church, taking care of them, and showing them gentleness, love, and care. Paul…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16: Not Ordinary Words
The word of God was proclaimed by men. It was written by men too, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:15-16). It did not fall down from the sky,…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5: Showing You Care
Paul’s ministry did not preach a Christianity where trusting in Jesus solves all your problems, but where trusting in Jesus solves your biggest problem – your sin and rebellion against…
1 Thessalonians 3
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10: Growing in Faith and Love
While we long for, and pray for, God to grow our churches and make new converts and disciples, the truth is that biblical faithfulness was the sign of a prospering…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13: Pastoral Prayer for Progress
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, we come across another of Paul’s powerful prayers. It reveals Paul’s view on the power of God, the progress of a Christian’s life,…
1 Thessalonians 4
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: Called to Holiness
The Thessalonian church, like ours today, was called to God’s standard of holiness. As people come to faith in Christ, or grow up in a world of very different standards,…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12: Loving One Another
Because showing love for one another is a vitally important part of being a Christian. For each other, as fellow adopted brothers and sisters of God, and for outsiders too,…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Hope Even in Grief
In this passage, Paul certainly does address the end times – specifically the return of Christ. But he does so with a purpose in mind; to encourage and comfort the…
1 Thessalonians 5
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4: Thief in the Night
From encouraging the Thessalonians to take heart that, whether dead or alive, Christians would rise from the dead or the earth to join Christ in his triumphant return, Paul moves…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8: Children of the Light
We too are children of the light. Being children of the light means being delivered from God’s judgement, and having the sure hope of salvation. It is not something we…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11: Better Days Coming
God calls us to vigilance and discipline against the sinful temptations in the world, as we await Christ’s return. We are to build each other up in faith, hope, and…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: Love Your Leaders
After encouraging us to look forward to Christ’s return with the knowledge that we are no longer under God’s wrath, Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians turns to a series of…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15: Covenantal Community of Love and Care
After encouraging the Thessalonian congregation to love and support their leaders, Paul turned to the way in which individuals in the congregation, and the congregation as a whole, could care…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22: Responsibilities towards God
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 Parents spend a lot of time explaining how children should behave, especially towards other people. Towards their friends and classmates. Towards siblings and wider family. Towards…
- Devotional 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28: Holiness by Grace
Paul’s previous sentences encouraged the Thessalonian Christians in their responsibilities toward God, by living to please God and not quench the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. His…
Other passages
- Sermon Remaining Alert IV: Satan’s snare
We are continuing our series looking at antidotes to bring snoozy or lukewarm Christians. How to hold fast to the gospel and not focus on our comfort. Today there's one…
- Sermon Remaining Alert III: Remember the Cross
We continue our mini-series: making sure we're awake and alert, especially as we enter 2021. It's easy to get complacent. Today we're looking at another antidote to Christian slumber: the…
- Sermon Remaining alert II: How to practice Godly conversation
In our comfortably safe country, we can be tempted to become sleepy Christians. This week we'll look at the second method to stay awake: having good conversation. Why is this…
- Sermon Remaining alert I: Drifting away from God
2020 has been a year like no other, yet there are many temptations to become drowsy as Christians and drift away from God without realising. In this series we'll look…