Series Summary
anticipation – noun /an-ti-sə-pā-shən/ – A feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen in the future; the visualization of a future event or state.
Paul’s visit to Thessalonica is described in Acts 17, but his stay there was short due to the jealousy of the Jewish leaders, who incited a mob. Paul moved on to Corinth, where he wrote a letter back to this church that he loved. Because of their persecution, they were looking forward expectantly to the return of Christ, with expectant anticipation for what the future held. This letter is filled with encouragement and insight about growing in godliness and faith, and how spiritual growth should be motivated by their hope in the ultimate return of Jesus Christ.
Although a brief letter, 1 Thessalonians is centered on Paul’s message of hope, encouragement, and preparation for the return of Christ. This epistle, one of Paul’s earliest letters, addresses a young church facing persecution and uncertainty. Paul commends their faith, love, and endurance, but also exhorts them to grow in holiness and remain steadfast as they await Christ’s return. The overarching theme of anticipation provides both a source of comfort and a call to action for believers as they navigate the tension between present challenges and future hope.
Paul begins the letter by expressing his gratitude for the Thessalonians’ vibrant faith, love, and hope in the gospel. He reminds them of how the gospel came to them not only in word but in power, and how they became examples to others in their faithfulness. This sets the stage for the theme of anticipation, as their faith points forward to the ultimate hope of Jesus’ return. Paul emphasizes that the promise of Christ’s return gives meaning to their perseverance and fuels their mission to live as witnesses of God’s transformative power.
The theme of Christ’s return is explicitly addressed in every chapter, culminating in Paul’s detailed description of the second coming in chapter 4. His words are encouraging, and issue a call to live as people of the light, avoiding complacency and spiritual lethargy, and to be watchful and self-controlled as we await the Day of the Lord.
To do so requires the pursuit of holiness and love in our everyday lives as we look for Christ’s return. Anticipation of the second coming is not an excuse for passivity but a motivation for active faith and obedience. Believers are to live with the awareness that their actions have eternal significance, striving to please God in all things.
Anticipation. We live with the same sense of expectancy. Paul’s letter of 1 Thessalonians challenges and encourages Christians to embrace a forward-looking faith that transforms the present while eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ.
Sermon Summary
Faith is where we begin to encounter God’s mercy. It is through believing in Him that we come to understand His immense love for us. However, it is not our faith alone that saves us. Salvation is ultimately the work of His mercy and grace, poured out freely to those who believe. It is God’s grace, his unmerited favor, that reconciles us to Himself and grants us eternal life. This transformative grace is revealed to us through the gospel.
Paul shares how the gospel, as the message of Christ, came to the Thessalonian believers in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5. First and foremost, the gospel comes in word, offering the truth of salvation and the promises of God. These words carry divine authority, illuminating the path to reconciliation with God. Yet the gospel is more than just spoken or written words; it comes in power, demonstrating the reality of God’s work.
The gospel comes through the Holy Spirit, bringing life and understanding. The Spirit convicts hearts, opening them to the truth of God’s love and leading them to repentance. This conviction is deep and full, leaving no room for doubt about the reality of God’s work in and through His Word. Finally, the gospel comes by example, as it is lived out through the lives of those who believe. Our conduct is a reflection of the gospel’s transformative power, drawing others to Christ through their love and integrity.
In all these ways, the gospel works to bring people to salvation, fully revealing God’s mercy and grace. And Paul expresses his gratitude that this gospel came to the Thessalonian believers. This same message of hope and redemption is at the center of our faith, continually pointing us back to the unfathomable mercy of God.