What will happen to people who are still alive when Jesus returns? Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 15, “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” Paul is talkingContinue reading “Why I no longer emphasize the rapture (something else is far more important) – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 3”
Tag Archives: 1 thessalonians 4
Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2
Death sucks. I have pastoral colleagues who say they like doing funerals, not because a person died, of course, but because of the opportunity to have spiritual conversations. I’m really iffy about that. When it comes to rituals of the faith, I’d much rather do a wedding, baptism, or lead the celebration of communion. BecauseContinue reading “Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2”
The sleeping kind of death versus the sickness unto death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 1
Have a listen to the Johnny Cash song, “Ain’t No Grave.” What is it about? Is Cash’s song about zombies? Turn in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4. Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like theContinue reading “The sleeping kind of death versus the sickness unto death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 1”
Did Jesus return last year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Preview
I just googled it and found that people are predicting that Jesus will return in 2024, 2030, and 2033. Yes, I mentioned 2024. Yes, I know that was last year. Did Jesus return last year, and I missed it? Remember the hype of Y2K, or the end of the Mayan Calendar, or 2012? Remember rapture-bombing? HereContinue reading “Did Jesus return last year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Preview”
How the quality of your work creates a picture of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 3
This week in our study of 1 Thessalonians, we are learning what the Apostle Paul teaches about work. In the previous post, we studied Paul’s principle of working hard. That principle of hard work, Paul says, is for a very important reason. Notice in verse 12 that working hard and not being dependent onContinue reading “How the quality of your work creates a picture of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 3”
What kind of workers (and retirees) does God want us to be? – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14, Preview
When I was working on my doctoral dissertation in 2020-2022, I began writing about organizations. My goal was to examine what the Bible has to say about organizations. One of my first hurdles was to define organizations. When you think of an organization, what comes to your mind? I think about an organization as aContinue reading “What kind of workers (and retirees) does God want us to be? – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14, Preview”
Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Did you know that there is flowing movement of encouragement? At the end of 1 Thessalonians verse 10, Paul describes a flowing movement of encouragement. The movements starts with the Christians heContinue reading “Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2”
Where true love is found – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 1
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Almost a month ago, my favorite football team, the Eagles won the Super Bowl. And the week following that, there was great big parade to celebrate in the City of Brotherly Love.Continue reading “Where true love is found – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 1”
The Brotherly Shove and the Bible – 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; 5:11, 14, 27
Did you hear that at least one NFL team wants the NFL to ban The Brotherly Shove? The potential of that ban is big news for all you Philadelphia Eagles fans. Given that I live in Philadelphia Eagles territory, I suspect that the Eagles are the most popular NFL team in my church family. It sureContinue reading “The Brotherly Shove and the Bible – 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; 5:11, 14, 27”
What does it mean to be sanctified? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 2
As one who preaches and teaches for a living, I have wrestled with how pushy to be in my sermons. Or in lessons. Or in written communication. And not just in large groups, but also one-on-one. I’ve heard that we shouldn’t guilt people into doing things. I agree with that. We shouldn’t manipulate them, orContinue reading “What does it mean to be sanctified? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 