1 Thessalonians Bible Sketches

To what do you aspire?

 

How do you mind your own business?

 

What is reality?

Aspiration is great; yet, reality hits the moment we struggle with temptation, distraction, weakness, and personal failure. Perfection is over-our-heads to comprehend, let alone achieve. Apathetic, irritating, stubborn and nosy behaviors aren’t helpful. Retaliating wrong for injury happens—if maliciously, unintentionally, out of fear, or by misunderstanding. Unless the spirit of selfless love motivates our actions, the good things we do are tainted by impure motivation. In this broken world, we seem to think we can alter what isn’t ours to fix rather than concentrate on cleaning up our own act. 

Only innocent Jesus did the perfect will of God in order to save us through faith by grace. Because of His great love, God lowered Himself to be born of a virgin woman. God the Father gave up His Only Son to take punishment for the underachieved aspirations of the world. God has defeated the devil at the cross where Christ suffered, died, was buried, on the third day rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven to intercede for us with God the Father—all this to redeem and protect you and me. 

In the faith, His Word supplies wisdom, entrusts and reminds us to

• pray the Lord would fill hearts with healthy desire
• resist selfish quarreling, whining, complaining
• be cautiously alert about evil all around us
• flee from evil
• in good times and bad, act and respond appropriately 
  
• focus on Jesus for hope
  
• initiate and kindly welcome tender, gentle communication
• encourage anyone who is willing to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• pause
• forgive
• confess sinfulness
  
• thank God
  
• appreciate God’s joy and peace
• know the loving Lord is in control
  

Kindness isn’t guaranteed to be received. 

Well-meaning actions might be harshly rejected. Planted seeds may not come up, grow at the rate, nor in the season we expect them to flourish. Our salvation, and that of anyone, is not up to us. We rest upon Scripture’s assurance; it’s the Holy Spirit who connects each individual person to Jesus. In receiving the faith, we’ll grow up to desire God’s gifts. When disappointments show up, by grace, we’ll pray for help and that things will improve. We’ll do our best to take a warm, soft, patient approach to follow the golden rule with ethics of reciprocity (not necessarily treating others how they actually poorly treat us).

Born sinners, we behave badly due to our human nature. 

Sin and its consequences first entered God’s perfect creation in the Garden of Eden. The tempter wanted Adam and Eve to lose faith and everything which is good. Although they knew better, they failed—and our hearts know right from wrong, yet we still make wrong choices. Life gets messy and chaotic when we and others fall for the devil’s lies. Humanity has nothing to offer God because no one does good at the standard of our Lord’s perfect goodness. Thankfully, we may have peace because Christ died for us to cleanse us in body and soul. Forgiveness is available for nearly every sin (Matthew 12:31).

The Holy Spirit does the work to provide faith which protects and helps people grow.

Our Creator welcomes prayers offered by the faith, hope and love which God gives through the Gospel’s power in the Holy Spirit. We are free to ask to be forgiven, for proper work to do, for discernment, plus, for encouragement to treat everyone with dignity as we also forgive and pray for them. We pray for strength, a way out of temptation, direction to address situations and how to proceed cautiously. Our Lord wants us to ask Him to fill us with loving desire to gently restore each other without creating embarrassment and for patience as we live alongside people with whom we disagree.

Aspiring to fulfill the Creator’s purpose for our lives involves receiving the gift of forgiveness He provided at the cross. 

By the means of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense (GRACE), spiritual blessings and gratitude are established within us. Capability to trust the Creator is placed into us by grace. When life gets complicating, the Holy Spirit remains with us in the middle of painful circumstances He allows in order to accomplish His purposes. Mercy we show others flows from God’s mercy for us. Love is bold to genuinely apologize and care; it’s not noisy, manipulative, prideful, deceptive, or greedy for an award.

1 Thessalonians 4:19-11

 

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

Where does inspiration come from?

Inspired by the Bible, God’s chosen people aspire to imitate His Son, our Savior Jesus who perfectly obeyed His Father. The trouble is, we can’t perfectly do this; yet, that does not stop us from trying. Thankfully, there’s a place called God’s House to congregate, worship, receive forgiveness and absolutely leave refreshed and motivated time-after-time. It’s important to find a church that teaches the Bible is the only source of revealed truth—concerning Jesus Christ, faith and salvation—by which the church is governed. God’s Word is for us. It connects us to the faith and fills us with promises to be fulfilled on Resurrection Day. Have you read the book of the 1 Thessalonians in the highly recommended Bible? There’s no end to growing in God’s love blessing all people in the congregation at His House! 

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

 

Why always, without ceasing, in all circumstances?

Why not? Jesus is always there—our only hope—wants our prayers and deserves praise! Our Creator, who cannot fail, became a Substitutionary Atonement: We only live because He died. He emphatically understands our every emotion, trouble, temptation and distress as well as each happy moment. His Spirit enables us to believe, live joyfully, and have peace! 

Our Compassionate Judge expects us to apologize to others and is generously merciful when we approach Him in regret and sorrow. He desires to hear us ask for help to increasingly live life the perfect way He designed for us. Repeatedly and patiently forgiving our failures, He persistently renews us with His grace. No one is alone. God supplies wisdom to spiritual leaders and physical/mental health professionals trained to help as well as Christian friends who share His love.

Life is a process in which Jesus is the way to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances! We do none of these things without the faith and counsel the Holy Spirit establishes in us through His Word. Faith, forgiveness, life, and salvation are gifts received in Baptism—we are united with Jesus’ death and resurrection—regenerated, dying to sin and rising to new life as we remember the gift every day.

The good virtue of patience is learned by experiencing distressing times. 

Like adoption, we become children of God through Baptism; not by the work of our choice or actions, but in Him choosing to set us apart and make us holy. His marvelous Light delivers us from the power of sin and frees us to love Him and one another. 

Mercy and power for us at the Lord’s Table strengthens our endurance and assures us with the peace of His holiness. While we are suffering, we receive His affection, comfort, growth and maturity in the faith. Christ absolves and rescues His brothers and sisters who call out for His help.

We see dimly now. Christ, at any moment, will return to restore believers asleep in the grave and receive those still alive who are guarded by His redemption! Everyone will look up to God who will completely wipe out the sin and tears of those who trust Him! In the everlasting new heaven and earth, all will clearly see the glory of His perfect character!

Good News!

By continuously hearing and experiencing God’s Word, the Holy Spirit feeds the body, mind, and soul with unlimited benefits. Be aware though, there’s a bad news option…

Quenching the Spirit.

To snuff out Divine Energy which keeps us spiritually alive would be to intentionally lose our way and end up dead to God. It is possible to take an option to consciously, continuously reject Him. To not trust Jesus for salvation by our own choice, thinking we must earn our own way or by denying our desperate need for Him—actually choosing to stay away from the church, in effect, ignoring the Holy Spirit’s gifts—is to quench the Spirit, refuse God’s mercy, determine one’s own unsafe path toward the deathly destination everyone deserves by God’s wrath, justly separated for eternity in hell. Jesus did the work to save us and sent us the Spirit which we may reject (bad choice), however, for redemption we must receive it thankfully—not quench it!

It doesn’t seem fair that Jesus took our punishment. 

Christ’s loving purpose for us is to be our Substitute to save us from sin, death and the power of the devil. God’s grace is good for us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s faithful mercy so we have joy in this life and certain hope for paradise everlasting.

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5

In gratitude for being kept completely blameless in Christ, we are privileged to share the overflowing love of God’s Word. As Baptized children of light who study how, when and where the Lord guides us, we seek to take a posture of humility as we encourage and are at peace beside each other. Anchored in the faith given to us, prepared, informed through the Word, as we wait, we’re confidently ready for the unpredictable moment when what will happen when Christ returns happens!

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 28

Check out more links.

• Study pdf
• Study series
• Radio archives
• Podcast, part 2, part 3
• Video summary
  
• Intro summary

Galatians Bible Sketch

Where is freedom to be free?

 

Who keeps every promise?

Where does the good we share come from?

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

God Almighty is pure; the only source of everything trustworthy, good and just. God’s moral perfection—the very goodness of His creation—is His design. The Gospel of Jesus is vital for life eternal. 

God’s commands are extremely helpful in life, yet following His standards perfectly isn’t possible, nor does it earn a ticket out of hell. Explaining sin for what it is, the law portion of the Bible exposes many types of temptations we come up against and defines the magnitude of our failures:

• the good that we fall short of saying, doing and thinking 
• the unhealthy, damaging, prideful things we say, carry out and hold in our minds
  

No fraction of doing it right contributes; it’s not an option. Since we were conceived and born in sin, into a world cursed because of sin, the law was given because of our sin, not the other way around. Scripture serves our just God’s loving purpose to wake us up and give us exactly what we need: escape in Christ. The negative consequences of the curse are hard to bear for all people. Each and every single sin is evil in God’s eyes—He hates evil. The Heavenly Father loves us so much that He designed a Way out from the despair and ruin of being under the weight of everything gone wrong. All who believe, rest in the fact He gave up His Only Son to remove sin, death and the power of the devil.

• Unbelievers, living their best life here and now, later will severely suffer forever. Eternal punishment is real—we can’t ignore hell just because we don’t like the idea of a dark place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Unbelievers don’t confess their sin and ask for forgiveness; they either deny they are sinning or try to make up for it by doing good.
• Believers, redeemed in Christ, have confidence the best is yet to come, eternally. Led by the Spirit, the faith given them is strengthened, as often as they hear the Word, to trust Jesus who lived perfectly, suffered, died in the place of all who cannot be perfect, rose and ascended to heaven; the work God the Father gave His Son in order to lift the curse and free sinners. By grace, undeserving believers can confess their sin, ask for forgiveness and be rewarded life everlasting.

Focusing on the restrictive aspect of the law distorts the Gospel of Jesus. If it were possible we were good enough to earn a relationship with God, which we aren’t, we wouldn’t need Jesus. Saying we have to do something to be saved is like having the audacity to say Jesus didn’t suffer enough.

Who inherits the blessings promised in Christ Jesus? 

The Holy Spirit continually leads those in genuine faith through the Gospel.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”… But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. … for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:13,22, 26-27

How can I confidently believe the Gospel promise?

Being baptized into Christ is to be completely clothed in His righteousness by adoption. The baptismal means of grace through faith that happens to us is the basis for assurance. There’s a unity created in baptism for all sinners. For Christ’s sake the world has been forgiven. Christ justifies by faith through His Word. He bore the curse of the law, in our stead, so that we are free from it. We are certain God deeply loves, knows and sees His baptized children through the lens of His Son Jesus who died to save us. 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father! Galatians 4:4-6

Everyone’s natural inclination is to resist God or think there is more to being saved than simply receiving the gift. It is not us—it’s the Holy Spirit revealing Truth, faithfully creating hope and continually refreshing the life of believers as they are routinely drawn to read and hear His Word; seeing salvation by tasting and having fellowship in The Lord’s Supper.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. … For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5:1,5

What happens when we belittle or discard the Word of God? 

To drop opportunities to seek, trust and draw near God in worship, puts faith at risk of being lost. To reject and refuse Christ is to declare God’s promises null and void for oneself. There’s an eternal penalty for abusing the faith by rejecting the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

How do we compassionately care about people; stop being petty and argumentative about everything?

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Christ’s work on the cross belongs to everyone. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:15-18

Where’s motivation to step into freedom to love which is ours in Christ?

Inspiration is in the Word. Blessings of worshiping together—prayer, listening to sermons, singing meaningful hymns and studying the Bible—bring joy in remembrance that we depend, not on ourselves, but on Jesus who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14)

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

Fruit of the Spirit is catered for you by Christ Jesus—the substitute for sinners.

People claim excellent virtues and demand them from others. However, careful inspection of our own fruit, in light of knowing that even one slip-up or inadequacy separates us from God, makes clear we deserve to be cut off and thrown away. We’re desperately in need of a Savior to make us clean and grow toward the Light. 

Jesus taught people about goodness. He knew we can’t live up to His Father’s expectations. He was born to experience the evils of humanity, die by crucifixion and rise from the grave so that we may also. Perfectly, he said “no” to temptation and “yes” to becoming sin, taking our penalty to remove every mark, bruise and scar we’ve ever caused or taken from another. He finished everything needed to redeem all people of all time. Our Creator’s innocence and suffering at the cross is the center point where He atoned for the sin of the world and provides opportunity for new life made right in connection to faith in Him. You could see it like the stem of bananas connected to the stalk that feeds the fruit to grow and share essential nutrients that enhance heart health, help manage blood pressure, and boost a person’s mood. Our Creator supplies saving faith in His Word. Repentance and all the benefits of the Holy Spirit give purpose to the lives of all who believe and share it. Christ loves to hear from us and bless us with grace. He intercedes for us with our Heavenly Father so that we may be delivered from guilt of all our junk—selfish passion for power, greed, jealousy, impure desire and discontent.

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

How much do I need to do and how do I know I’ve done enough?

Salvation is 100 percent by faith in Jesus (nothing more, nothing less). Although there’s nothing anyone can do to be saved, the faith doesn’t clear us to indulge in whatever sin we want. Being led by the Spirit, faithful believers want to please God and are grieved over sin. Repentance is the freedom Truth supplies.

Living by faith in Christ is blessed by proper focus on the fruit He serves, by grace, now and forever with Him. Trust in God’s promises carries us past the past and through rough terrain, even death. There’s peace and joy in the walk that receives and appreciates pardon. According to God’s Word, we take in Christ’s body and blood for forgiveness and strength to grow, mature and multiply love. 

Faith in Jesus constantly steers us away from temptation to fall from grace by returning to the slavery of self-trust, wrongfully thinking we must earn God’s favor as the way to salvation. Without faith in Jesus, our insufficient best effort results in doubt, shame and division from freedom. 

As tension and hard times come, faith comforts and trusts Christ’s presence in this life. Hope clings to the patience Christ supplies until the Last Day arrives when everyone will see Jesus face-to-face. He promised to return and—separated from unbelievers—believers will remain with Him in the new creation for a great banquet in a house with many rooms, glorifying God, never again to have tears, sin and death. 

Faith which recognizes God’s sole authority to judge, says “yes” to every ounce of His mercy. 

The taste of bitterness is manipulative, punishing, blaming and grudge-holding; puts self above God. By faith, generous measures of repentance and mercy are supplied for each chaotic annoyance, failure and unrecognized sin. Abundant love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruit received from Jesus and gracefully shared. Gratitude enhances the deliciousness God feeds those who receive the Holy Spirit’s sweet faith in Christ’s work to pick up all who’ve fallen to the ground, spoiled rotten. Opportunities grasped by faith’s strength, forgive and pray for the hurting as well as those who hurt others.

Pray for self-control to not let faith go to your head and escape through carelessness. 

The struggle for personal accountability continues daily; so is need to repent and be reminded of God’s mercy. Arrogantly pointing, comparing and bullying others keep us from contentment. Discontent prevents humbly serving God by loving others unconditionally. Self-isolation by establishing estrangement prevents others from sharing God’s love with us.

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3

Justice for sin has fallen on compassionate Jesus. 

Jesus brings undeserved peace. He doesn’t blow-off, trap, complicate, unsettle or hate like people do. By grace, honesty about our own great personal needs invites our Savior to tend and nourish meaningful relationships. Focusing on what Jesus has done for us makes it possible to love, thank and praise God who desires us to be trustworthy and vulnerable about our dependency on Jesus so we can be a light to help others who also struggle. There’s no condemnation for those who cling to Christ. God trains people to gratefully spread their joy which comes from the forgiveness Christ provides.

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Galatians 6:4-6

The Spirit of Truth supports and gently restores believers in Christ from damage and threat caused by fault and failing. Faith encourages being cautious about falling for Satan’s constant lies and temptations to fall from the grace which trusts Christ. Jesus sees and knows every detail of life as a human in this world. He bears our burdens, hearing prayers of repentance as well as prayers of caring for those who hurt us. To release resentment, Jesus draws us close with forgiveness, comfort, protection and peace. Faith motivates moving forward in Truth—thankfully, lovingly, purposely listening—receiving discernment and opportunities to love one another according to grace given.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

Everyone needs the kindness of Christ’s simple and gentle freedom. 

The Holy Spirit opens minds to desire Truth. A humble fruitful way of life means responsibly digging into Scripture for growth and learning to wildly love others. Participating in healthy relationships involves willingness to be loved and receive fruit of the Spirit as well as share life loving each other. Trust not self, things, or others—trust Jesus who has all authority deserving praise and glory. Loving God, all things work together for good according to his purpose.

Go to church and sing it!

Almighty Father, bless the Word
Which through Your grace we now have heard.
Oh, may the precious seed take root,
Spring up, and bear abundant fruit!
Lutheran Service Book‎ 923

Juicy, fruity, tasty food for thought

• Freedom in Christ 
• Concerning Christian Freedom
• Galatians Study Part 1 or Playlist
• Radio Talk
• Discussing Issues
  
• 1517 Resources 
• From Women in Mission 
• Overview Video
• Forgiven Therefore Free: Galatians, Full Page Illustrations to Color
  
• Verse of the Day 
• Free Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther