How are we to live as God’s people?

1 – They abandoned their idols (vs. 9)

The idols were everywhere then and the same is true for today.

• Yesterday’s idols. See Acts 14. Idols were big at this time. It was a big thing at this time to abandon idols. People were in superstitious dread of idols. If you did not honour the idol then the spirit behind it would punish you.
• Today’s idols. People today are obsessed with money, sex, sports, etc. What is your idol? What is your icon? This idol can become an idol in your life and you can’t leave it.

2 – They turned to the living God (vs. 9)

The idols are dead but God is alive. What is the difference?

• An idol – false, many, visible.
• God – true, one, invisible.

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. We discard the old and put on the new. When we become a Christian we take off the old, dirty robe and put on the new, clean one.

3 – They pinned their hopes on Christ’s return (vs. 10)

The return if Jesus Christ has been forgotten by many in the church. Do you even think about it? They did not become obsessed with things in this life. They looked for the return of Jesus Christ. They did not lose the big picture. They waited with patience.

Categories: 1 Thessalonians