I trust you've been encouraged and challenged in the book of Thessalonians over the past couple of months. Let's review, shall we?
1 & 2 Thessalonians give us some beautiful models for how to be ready and stay ready for Jesus' return. We are shown:
A Model for Waiting. As we are introduced to this church (see Acts 17:1-9), we see that they are living with full expectation that Jesus is returning, but they are doing it in motion. Their lives are marked by obedience to Christ's commands.
A Model for Authenticity. Paul, Silas, and Timothy show the church what it means to be real, to live without a mask. It's anchored in the fact that your true self is who you are in Christ.
A Model for Joy. Perhaps it's too often forgotten or overlooked, but joy is found in the family God.
A Model for Holiness. In all things, especially when it comes to sexual ethics and morality, the call is to live in order to please the Lord.
A Model for Readiness. Since we are children of the day and of the light, we are not to be surprised by (asleep to) the coming of Christ. In fact, we're meant to encourage one another with this incredible, inevitable truth.
A Model for Church Life. How we care for one another in the body of Christ matters immensely. We must watch these interactions and the attitudes of our hearts closely.
A Model for Justice. God is perfectly just and righteous and is asking His people to live rightly and act justly to reflect His heart and character.
A Model for Steadiness. With all of the voices vying for our attention, followers of Christ must hold onto the truth that lines up with the Word of God and not be moved from it, testing everything against it.
A Model for Work. Working and being productive in the world matters to God and displays His glory.
What a journey! Just eight short chapters with so much for us to learn and apply with the help of the Spirit.
For the next six weeks we're going to have some fun with a handful of the farming and agricultural metaphors that Jesus used in His teaching. It seemed appropriate during the growing season! The speaking team is looking forward to diving into that with you... I'll be starting in Mark 4:26-29 this Sunday.
It's great to be on this journey of growth in Christ with you all.
See you on Sunday,
Pastor Tracy
THIS SUNDAY
SUNDAY, July 27@ 10am
FARM TO TABLE
The Mystery of the Farm
Tracy Dunham
Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!
10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+Church Online)