'1 Thessalonians' Tagged Posts
BARNABAS, THE ENCOURAGER
Barnabas, known as “son of consolation” or “son of encouragement” was at the side of Saul as he went to Jerusalem. Because of what the disciples had heard of Saul and not believing that he had been converted, they were afraid of him but Barnabas was there to reassure that Saul (Paul) indeed had seen the Lord on the Damascus road and had been called by the Lord to do His work. There are times I’m sure that we could’ve used a friend like Barnabas, one who would stand by us when others doubted our integrity and questioned our motives. Barnabas, the encourager! How about you? Are you an encourager? Can you think of someone right now that may feel deserted and alone? Step out of your comfort zone and be a Barnabas!
SORROW WITH HOPE
In these verses I see three reasons why we can trust that the bodies of every believer that has died will be resurrected at the rapture. First, Jesus rose from the dead proving once and for all that he is who He said He was. Second, God who cannot lie said so and it is recorded in His word. Third, God is not relying upon someone else to receive us, He is coming himself! Therefore, we have great hope and comfort knowing that one day all saints will be reunited in the air to be with the Lord forever.
THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION
The word hope means expectation, confidence, or faith. Apparently, the believers at Thessalonica were not settled on their understanding of the bodily resurrection of the believer, thus they had the same type of grief over the death of a Christian as unbelievers. So the apostle Paul under inspiration of the Holy Ghost wrote to them affirming without a doubt that when a Christian dies the grave is not the end of the road for them or their body.