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1-5-2020 New Year’s Message

Meditation of the week: Psalms 1:1-6

Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:8-13

Title: Shall live, if we stand fast in the Lord

           As we begin  new year, we receive the message by Apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit that  exhorted the Saints of Thessalonica. We pray for a new year for our heart  to stand fast  by the power of the Holy Spirit.

            Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians for them to be sanctified by the word of God and the Holy Spirit, for they were persecuted by the Jews because of preaching the gospel of Christ unto them only hoping for the glory of Christ in the day of Christ. He encouraged them be stand fast to live in the Lord.

           Apostle Paul rejoices in them and encourages them to give thanks to God. For this reason he testifies of the reason why he prays interceding for them day and night, that when he sees their faces he wants them to see a perfect image in their faith.

        And the reason that Apostle Paul prayed for them joyfully hoping for the day waiting upon the Lord Jesus Christ coming with all his saints, when they meet the Lord in the air and stand before God the Father. He testified of them standing before the Lord without blemish. He also prayed that God wants their hearts to be firm upon his appearing.

         Apostle Paul testified of what God wanted from them when he wrote to them:

 ” For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. “(1 Thess. 4: 3-7).

         Apostle Paul, knowing that they missed the saints who had died first, then sent a message to comfort them:

” But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”(1 Thess. 4: 13-14).

         He also comforted them that when they appear in the air with the Lord, those who slept would rise first, and those who were living up to that time would also be transformed and lifted up with them into the air to live with the Lord forever. At that time, no worldly thing could comfort them, so they encouraged one another to look forward to the day of Christ.

         Apostle Paul prayed earnestly for them, hoping that they would be spotless in holiness to become the bride of Christ, and that no one would enter into the great tribulation. John the Baptist testified of the Lord’s trial of those who are not raptured before the Great Tribulation:

” I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. “(Matthew 3: 11-12)

         Apostle Paul testified to the Saints in the Corinthian Church about Christians who would be raptured to become grain and brought into heaven’s storehouse:

” If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. ”(I Corinthians 15: 19-24).

         In writing to the Galatians, Apostle Paul testified that those who belong to Christ are holy and unblemished, who are worthy to be brides of Christ:

” And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another..”(Gal 5: 24-26)

          Apostle Paul foretold what would happen to the Thessalonians who eager for the day of Christ:

”  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”(2 Thess. 2: 1-4).

           He also testified that when the day comes, the Saints who will be raptured will not suddenly come before them:

” But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.(1 Thess. 5: 1-6).

           Apostle Paul finally urged Thessalonian Saints how to live byl that day:

 ” And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16Rejoice evermore.

17Pray without ceasing.

18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19Quench not the Spirit.

20Despise not prophesyings.

21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. “(Thes 5:12-24)

Amen! Hallelujah!