1 Thessalonians 1-5: Encourage Each Other

The first letter to the church at Thessalonica was written by Paul along with Silas and Timothy.  Timothy has just returned from visiting the church there with an encouraging report about the faith and love of the Thessalonian church. 

Paul tells the church that he thanks God for all of them and constantly mentions them in his prayers because he knows that in imitating him, they have suffered for the gospel as he has.  For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. - 1 Thess. 2:14-15 NIV

Paul wanted to see this group of believers, that he called his glory and joy, once more but it was not to be.  Instead, he sent Timothy to them, to encourage them so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. - 1 Thess. 3:3-4 NIV

Paul knew that persecution would come, that some had already died for their faith and many more, including he, himself, would do so in the coming years.  And so he spoke to these faithful members of the early church about the promise given to them by Christ himself. 

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. - 1 Thess. 4:13-18 NIV

Encourage each other with these words.  Christ died, but he rose again, and someday he will bring all of those who have gone on before with him to claim his church.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  In spite of nuerous trials and tribulations, that one truth remains.  Nothing, not even death can separate us from God.  Encourage each other with these words.