We conclude our journey through this wonderful New Testament letter showing us what a church is to be like in living out first love for the Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul brings his letter to a close with a beautiful prayer pointing believers to the glorious work of God in the lives of His people from eternity past to glorification in heaven.

Christianity is relational. From the Garden of Eden before the fall, through the fall, after the fall and eternity, we were created for relationship with God and one another. Through the Gospel, relationships are redeemed. The church at Thessalonica is a model of what Gospel-produced relationships are to be with other believers and the Lord. This Lord’s Day we continue with marks of spiritual maturity in one’s relationship with the Lord – walking in the Holy Spirit by obedience to His Word.

This Lord’s Day we continue with two more high marks of spiritual maturity in one’s relationship with the Lord – pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.

Today we focus on the person of Christ. The blessed Incarnation, Immanuel, God with us. Meditate on the fact of who Jesus is, why He came, and what he did for you. In this is fullness of Joy.

This Lord’s Day we continue with a high mark of spiritual maturity in one’s relationship with the Lord – rejoicing always.

A local church is a community of believers committed to one another in genuine spiritual relationships produced by the Gospel and alive through faithfulness to one another in the Word, prayer, fellowship and breaking of bread. As the Apostle Paul closes out his first letter to the Thessalonian church, he does so emphasizing these relationships. This Lord’s Day, we focus on our relationship with the Lord and particularly the two word command – Rejoice always.