In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-19, we are encouraged with the prospect of the rapture of the church. The Apostle Paul challenges the Thessalonian believers to not mourn as those who have no hope. If our loved ones know Jesus as their Savior, they are in the presence of the Lord and one day there will be…
The term ‘angel’ in its most simplistic form is defined as ‘messengers.’ The messengers of Christmas include the angel that appeared to Mary, the angel that appeared to Joseph, and the angel that appeared to the Shepherds. Though we are not angelic beings, for we are much more since we are created in the image…
One of the most fascinating accounts in the Christmas narrative is when the angel appears to the shepherds. The fact that a messenger from God would appear to shepherds is most interesting indeed. For you see, the shepherds are like you and me. They represent sinful man. The New American Commentary says, “One should not…
The Gospel of Matthew provides a perspective on the birth of Christ unique from what we find in Luke’s Gospel with a focus on Joseph, the ‘step-father’ of Jesus. In chapter one of Matthew we see the genealogy of Christ. This provides proof that Jesus is indeed of the line of David and the rightful…
Christmas time is filled with wonder and excitement as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. R.K. Hughes writes, “Without a doubt we could spend our lives searching the literature of the world for a story as beautiful as that of the Nativity and never find it. The narrative of Christ’s birth is especially piercing…
As followers of Christ we are encouraged to not only walk in holiness, in love, and honesty; but we are also to walk in hope. To have hope is to have a confident expectation. We are to live with the confident expectation that we will be reunited with believing loved ones at the return of…
Years ago when I was in middle school, I had a teacher that made us write 1 Thessalonians 4:11 repeatedly as a punishment. Needless to say, 1 Thessalonians 4:11 is a verse that I know all too well. The exhortation that we are given in these verses is to walk in honesty. In verse 12…
“The early Latin writer, Tertullian of Carthage, declared that the one thing that converted him to Christianity was not the arguments they gave him, because he could find a counterpoint for every argument they would present. But they demonstrated something I didn’t have. The thing that converted me to Christianity was the way they loved…
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…
Pastor Chris Noland 