St. Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians by commending them to the God of peace, who alone makes His people holy until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as conversion to the Christian faith is God’s work, so is keeping us in the Christian faith God’s work, and St. Paul expresses confidence that God will do this for the Thessalonians. He asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and his team and to bring his affectionate greetings to the congregation. St. Paul expects his letter to be read by the Thessalonians as the Word of God, and he concludes with God’s saving grace.
Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church–Friedheim, just outside Decatur, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28.
To learn more about Zion in Friedheim, visit zionfriedheim.org.
“Yearning for the Day of Christ’s Returning” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies St. Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians. Although Paul’s time in Thessalonica was brief, he had great affection for the Christians there. His two letters to the Thessalonians show us the joy that God gives us together in the Church and encourage us to live faithfully in expectation of Jesus’ coming on the Last Day.
Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-28
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
