Sermons

October 18, 2026 - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Pray

How can we tell how old a tree was? Count the rings.

If we are at a birthday party, what might we count to tell how old a person is? Birthday candles

What about this one… How do you measure, measure a year? Five hundred twenty-five thousand and six hundred minutes? In daylights and sunsets, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

There is no question we have many ways to mark or to be aware of the passage of time. One last question… How do we know how old a book in the bible is? No rings or candles to count, no original manuscripts to carbon date. Instead, we look for references to historical events. We search for quotes, if Matthew Quotes Mark than Matthew is written after. For much of the New Testament we can plot out the Apostle Paul’s visits to various cities. Here is your bible trivia fact of the day: All of these clues lead the vast majority of scholars to believe that 1^st Thessalonians is the oldest book in the New Testament. Put another way before there were any Gospels, many decades before Revelation is written. Before there is any New Testament scripture for churches to read at all. The apostle Paul and some friends write a letter to a community of Jesus followers in Thess-a-lonica roughly in the year 50.

Today you and I join a conversation from 2,000 years ago. After beginning with a greeting, Paul and company give thanks to the Thessalonian church for their perseverance in the face of persecution. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy have apparently already visited here and received a warm welcome. The new church is doing a stellar job imitating Jesus and setting an example for others to follow. We can also surmise that this group is predominantly made up of gentiles or non-Jewish folks, since the letter references turning from idols to following the living and true God.  However, it’s verse ten that gives me heartburn, “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

The wrath that is to come… Some details I think every Christian ought to know as we combat the evil ways passages like this have been used to stoke fear, manipulate behaviors, and empty wallets. As the oldest book in the New Testament, we get a sneak peek into the mindset of the first generation of Jesus followers. They were certain, certain that Jesus was going to return any day. But this church that sets an example for others has a big problem. Folks are starting to die…and Jesus still isn’t back. Into this angst Paul promises rescue.

Yet, many ignore or twist this promise. Passages like this one get used by certain branches of Christianity to sell the idea that we ought to fear God. Do not allow charlatans and snake oil salesmen to mislead or misinform you. Rather let us be informed by scripture.

In the Old Testament we see God’s wrath when folks break their covenants with God and yet God never gives up or abandons. Or we read of God’s wrath when those in power are abusing the widow, the child, and the poor. Later, in Romans, Paul describes wrath as the consequences of sin and brokenness that causes harm to our neighbor and dishonors God.

Remember this is a pastoral letter. Paul is trying to provide comfort to those who are anxious. He is reminding folks, hey God in Christ has got you. For Jesus rescues. God in Christ does not destroy us but is the one who saves. These are people living under Roman oppression. The letter has already referenced persecution. Of course, wrath is coming. But its wrath directed toward evil empires, those who oppress. Today we might say God’s wrath is over violence in schools and the powerful who say nothing can be done. Wrath over indifference to thousands of dead children in Gaza. Perhaps, even wrath for our own self-destructive ways. Wrath, or God’s righteous anger shows that the creator is not indifferent to the cries and pain of this world. Have you ever seen news that made you feel great anger? A sign you care, a sign God cares.

If we keep reading, we will find that Scripture brings hope to those who are weary. A wise fish once said, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” Those of us who are exhausted of wars, of struggling to make ends meet, of corrupt leaders, so weary of violence in the news, we just might need to encourage one another with the words, “Just keep reading. Just keep reading.”

Just continually reading is what my mom would do every family vacation. A book or two or yes even three a day was not unheard of. But sometimes as a child I would do a double take, it might only be breakfast and she was somehow already at the end of the book. Mom, how is that possible?! Oh, she would say, “I am starting with the ending.” She loved to read but didn’t love suspense so she would read the end of the story first. Do you know anyone else like that? In a way this is all of us gathered here this morning.

Church let us not forget we have a huge benefit the Thessalonians did not have… the rest of the New Testament. There is more to the story than one passage, or one letter. We are a post Easter people. We know that God’s judgement looked like the cross and the empty tomb. Evil seeks to stoke our fears and wants you to forget about the promises of Easter and about a God in Christ who would rather die, than rescue using the tools of the empire. Siblings in Christ, this does not mean we will never encounter suffering but it does mean we are never left behind or left in suspense. We know that the story ends with rescue, saving, deliverance, love, grace, and mercy.

We need not worry that we do not measure up. We do not need to attempt to count the years until Jesus returns. Together we celebrate the love of God that has already set us free. How do we measure, measure God’s Love? The Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.