thessalonians in a rotary
On Sunday, September 13, we begin a new preaching series together through the Biblical book of First Thessalonians. You're going to love it. Below is the frame for the series... study guide and a video intro are to come in the next couple of weeks.
Thessalonians in a Rotary Study Guide
Thessalonians in a Rotary Video Intro
Thessalonians in a Rotary Audio
THESSALONIANS IN A ROTARY
How one loving pastor encouraged his young, despairing church to hope in the Gospel.
A Seven Mile Road preaching series through the Biblical book of Thessalonians.
You are a sixteen year old kid who just got your license.
A few months ago, your dad carefully walked you through the basics of driving. Gas, brakes, left, right, forward, reverse... you took it all in. After mastering the parking lot at Shaw’s, and then safely navigating your quiet side street a few dozen times, you somehow managed to pass the DMV drivers’ exam.
Now, shiny new license in your wallet, keys in the ignition, foot on the gas, you are out on your own for the very first time. And everything is going fine until you come upon…
A rotary.
Your eyes go wide. Cars are suddenly swerving directly at you from all different directions. There are no yellows lines, no street lights and no helpful signs anywhere. Your hands grip the wheel, hard. No one told you about concrete circles filled with speeding cars. No one explained how a rotary works. No one taught you how to navigate such chaos. You are sure that, if you move another inch, you are going to crash and die.
Terrified and confused, you freeze up and despair.
But then, you hear a knock on the passenger door. Somehow, it’s your dad. He jumps in the seat beside you.
“It’s ok buddy” he says. “It’s gonna be ok. You are a good driver. That’s why mom and I let you get your license and bought you this car. We believe in you. Now, this is called a rotary. I’m really sorry I forgot to tell you about these crazy things, but they’re a normal part of driving here in Massachusetts. Now just let me guide you through this, because you can do it. Ready?”
You finally breathe again.
And then, with some timely encouragement and helpful instruction from your dad, you accelerate into the rotary, certain that everything is going to be all right.
---
In 40AD the New Testament church of Thessalonica found themselves staring down a rotary of their own.
The Apostle Paul and some church planting friends had shown up one day in their city preaching the Gospel. Like a good dad, he had carefully walked the Thessalonians through the basics, teaching them about sin and grace and Jesus. The received the message with faith, turning from idols to serve the living God. Miraculously, a church was born.
But then, before anyone knew what had happened, Paul was gone, chased out of the city at midnight by some rabid locals. The young Thessalonian Christians were suddenly on their own, facing intense persecution because of their love for Jesus. Even worse, some had died, and no one in the church really knew how resurrection worked.
Spiritually alone, physically afflicted and doctrinally confused, the Thessalonians were about to freeze up and despair.
But then they received a letter. It was from their pastor-dad, and it was exactly what they needed to hear.
“It’s ok guys,” he said. “It’s gonna be ok. You have been chosen by God to receive His grace. That’s why you received the Gospel the way you did. You are loved by the Father and called to be His people. This suffering that you are facing is a normal element of participation in the redemptive work of God. In fact, even death shouldn’t get you down! I’m so sorry I didn’t have enough time to instruct you about these things, so I am writing these words, in love, to teach you more about the hope we have in Christ.”
Letter in hand, the Thessalonians could finally breathe again.
And then, with some timely encouragement and helpful instruction from their pastor-dad, they accelerated into their future together, hoping in the Gospel.
