In the first three chapters of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul joyfully reminds the church of their foundation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we come to chapter four, we see a very direct appeal to not just know the Gospel but to also live the Gospel. Those who are truly born again will…
One can never underestimate the importance of the local church. It is through local churches all around the world that God carries out His purposes in the world today. The church is the vehicle through which God’s Kingdom purposes are advanced. As Paul expresses his love for the church at Thessalonica we learn how Paul…
There is nothing more glorious than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther said, “The true treasure of the church is the most holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.” Paul states that the church at Thessalonica is his ‘glory and joy’. Why does he make such a statement? It is because…
I have served in full-time ministry all of my adult life and grew up in a pastor’s home. There are many things that I have experienced, witnessed, and learned over the years. One interesting thing that has always dumbfounded me is that most problems that a church faces very seldom originate from attacks outside the…
There are many things throughout our lives for which we have been trusted. We all have various responsibilities and people that we are accountable for. However, as important as our responsibilities are, there is no greater task to be entrusted with than the task of preaching the Gospel and helping believers grow in their…
The term ‘Christian’ basically refers to a follower of Christ. It should be the desire of every believer to follow Jesus. As Paul continues to express his thankfulness for the believers at Thessalonica, he highlights what it looks like to truly follow the Lord. Like the Thessalonians, are you known as one who follows the…
Everything we are as believers in Christ is defined by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is all-encompassing. Everything hinges on the Gospel. The Gospel is the good news of Jesus revealed to us through the written Word. The Bible does not just contain the Gospel; the Bible is the Gospel. Genesis through Revelation,…
We all have those days of reminiscing various seasons of our lives. We remember special occasions and specific people. Those who have impacted our lives in a special way may often flood our memories. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to a church that was dear to his heart. He starts the letter by…
Do you feel dirty? Shameful? Undone? Do you feel the weight of guilt on your shoulders? David said in Psalm 51 that his sin was always before him. He was constantly aware of his sinfulness and his sinful tendencies. The apostle Paul himself proclaimed in Romans 7:15-25, “For what I am doing, I do not…
Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Relationships can often be a sticky subject. We all have relationship issues from time to time. We have experienced thriving relationships and we have experienced broken relationships. When it comes to being…
Pastor Chris Noland 