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
In 1 Thessalonians 3:6-9, Paul shares a deeply emotional response to the news he received from Timothy about the Thessalonian believers. Timothy had just returned from visiting the church and brought back a glowing report of their steadfast faith and enduring love, even amid persecution and hardship. This was no small encouragement to Paul, who had been anxious about how the young church was doing after his departure. Timothy’s report affirmed that their spiritual roots were strong, and they remained loyal to both the message of the gospel and to Paul himself.
Paul’s reaction is heartfelt and almost overwhelming in its tone. He says in verse 8, “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” For Paul, their perseverance wasn’t just good news—it was life-giving. In a world filled with trials, rejection, and personal suffering, Paul found joy and strength in knowing that the gospel had taken firm hold in the lives of these believers. His pastoral heart is on full display, revealing how deeply he identified with and cared for the spiritual well-being of others.
This passage reminds us of the importance of community and mutual encouragement in the life of faith. Paul needed encouragement just as much as the Thessalonians did. When we see others standing strong in their faith, it strengthens us too. Likewise, our own faithfulness can be a testimony and a source of joy to those who have walked with us in our spiritual journey—pastors, mentors, family, and friends.
This passage points us to the sustaining power of God’s work in the lives of believers. While Paul planted the seeds and worried for their growth, it was God who preserved and nurtured the Thessalonians’ faith. And this passage reminds us that our own faith, lived out with perseverance and love, is not just personal—it builds up the body of Christ and brings glory to God. So look around yourself. Who might be strengthened and encouraged because of your faith in Jesus?