Main Idea - We live in between the resurrection of Jesus and his return. We live with the knowledge of Jesus’ victory, but we are waiting for that victory to come in full upon his return. In the meantime, we live in a world where the effects of sin and the presence of evil are still present. We will struggle, we might suffer, but we must not allow our struggles to cause us to loose faith. The further reality of Christ’s return is the source of our strength, the object of our faith, and the reason for our love in the midst of our struggle. Listen to the sermon audio here.
You can also check out more resources for this series HERE.
Read through the following passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Discuss the questions below with your MC or DNA group.
- In this chapter, Paul is concerned that believers might feel abandoned and unloved by God in their struggles and sufferings. Have you ever felt this way? What helps us in these moments of doubt?
- As a Christian do you expect to struggle and suffer? Should we expect this? What do we struggle with as we live in the “in between” of Jesus’s resurrection and his glorious return?
- Why is it so important that you are honest about your struggles?
- What helps us keep faith in the midst of our struggles? What does it look like for you to “abound in love for one another”?