Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Reflect How do Paul’s words encourage you today? Is Jesus dead or alive? This has been a hotly contested question for about 2,000 years. Some people say that His resurrection was impossible and refuse to believe it by creating counter-theories. One theory claims that His body was stolen. But how could it have been stolen

Read 1 Thessalonians 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. Reflect Think about the last funeral you attended. What was the general feeling in the room? I can’t think of anything worse to experience than the death of a loved one. It is devastating and heartbreaking. Death feels so wrong to us. We can’t seem to reconcile the idea of someone being alive and vibrant one minute, bu

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 …and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsides and be dependent on no one. Reflect How can a quiet life be a witness to unbelievers? We know that Jesus said He was coming back soon (Revelation 22:20). But what in the world are we supposed to be doing while we wait? That is what the church at Thessalonica was struggling with. They were so

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more… Reflect What are some ways brotherly love should be demonstrated in Christian communities? If I asked you to name the “City of Brotherly Love,” you’d likely say, “Philadelphia, Pen

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Reflect According to Paul, what is God’s will for our life and how does He help us accomplish it? One of the greatest tragedies in many of our churches today is the rejection of God’s teaching on sexual matters, even from the pulpit. I have seen Christian leaders who take a stand for a biblical sex

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:6 …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. Reflect Who is the ultimate judge? Who decides what is right vs. what is wrong? Why? In today’s verse, Paul was continuing a thought, so let’s look back at the previous verses for context. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 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, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God… Reflect How do God’s commandments pertaining to sex differ from the world’s sexual ethics? It may be difficult, but try to imagine living in a society even more sexually immoral and perverse than our current one. Like I

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. Reflect How has following God’s instructions blessed your life? Are there any instances in your life that would have turned out better if you had simply obeyed the Lord? I’ve heard many people lament that life doesn't come with an instruction manual. In their view, people are all just doing the best they can, trying to figure out life as they go. But here at Back to the Bible, we know

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1   Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.     Reflect   Will we ever spiritually “arrive”? Will we ever be sanctified “enough” to quit growing this side of heaven?     It’s human nature to settle. We work until we think it’s good enough and then we slow down. We get satisfied with the status quo. For exampl