Pastor Josh concludes our Advent series by preaching from 1 Thessalonians 5.12-14. In this text Paul continues to encourage the church to live in anticipation of Christ’s return. The certainty of Christ’s return should shape how we live today. In this text, we’re specifically called to three duties: 1) to respect and honor our leaders, 2) to live in peace with one another, and 3) to actively care for those struggling in the faith.

This Sunday we look at 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11 as we continue our Advent series. This December we’re specifically thinking about the final or last advent. Just as the OT saints looked forward in anticipation of Christ’s first coming, the church should be looking forward to Christ second coming, and advent is a reminder that Jesus will come back for his church. In our text we find two ways that the church can prepare for the final advent: 1) we need to continue growing in spiritual discernment and 2) we need to continue growing in spiritual sobriety.

For the rest of December we’ll take a break to focus on Advent, specifically the second advent of Christ. Here in 1 Thessalonians 4.15-18, we consider three important aspects of the final advent: 1) the return of the king, 2) the resurrection of the dead, and 3) the reward of the saints. It’s the kuleana of every Christian to help others live in anticipation of this final advent.