Thessalonica was a melting pot of ideas and cultural influences. A major city on the road from Rome to the East, Thessalonica was influenced in one way or another by nearly every idea known to man at the time. In the midst of a “global community” like Thessalonica, how could one be sure that the path of Christianity is genuine? Paul answers this question in the book of 1 Thessalonians, which is all about believing in what is real — Christ and His way. Each of the five chapters in 1 Thessalonians mentions the impact of Jesus’ second coming on the life of a Christian. 1 Thessalonians argues that the case for Christianity is not just found in its historical authenticity; Christianity is also validated because it provides a superior ethic in a debased world.

The Second Coming Affects Our Faith (1) — Jesus is going to return without notice, “as a thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10), and this truth gives purpose to the Christian’s faith. True faith looks forward to the return of Christ through fellowship (participation, work, labor) with God and other Christians (1 Thess. 1:1-4). True faith focuses on the transforming power of the Gospel (v.5-7). True faith obeys God and becomes a testimony of God’s power throughout the world (v.8-10). Christian, does your faith long for the second coming of Jesus Christ?

The Second Coming Affects Our Character (2) — “Character” is what one does when nobody is watching. The second coming of Jesus gives Christians motivation and desire to live with the right kind of character. Paul was a man of character. He strove to please God, not men (1 Thess. 2:1-6). He ministered with gentleness when he might have been harsh (v.7-9). Paul was blameless before others (v.10-12), and eager to share in the suffering of Christ Himself (v.13-16). How could Paul’s character be like this? He genuinely hoped to be reunited with those of like precious faith at Jesus’ coming (v.19)!

The Second Coming Affects Our Fellowship (3) — Fellowship is more than eating a meal; it includes faith, love, and obedience to God’s will. Because Jesus is coming back, Paul was greatly concerned about the faith of his brethren. He sent Timothy at great personal cost to check on the Thessalonian church’s faith (1 Thess. 3:2, 5-7, 10). Not only that, Paul was concerned that the brethren genuinely loved God and each other (v.11-12). Fellowship also has to do with obedience, and Paul encouraged his brethren to obey God with a view to Jesus’ second coming (v.13). How does the second coming affect your fellowship in the Lord?

The Second Coming Affects Our Growth (4) — That which does not grow is dead. When Jesus returns He desires to find us growing in faith (1 Thess. 4:1-12). The key word of 1 Thessalonians 4 is “more.” God desires that we find in Him more holiness (v.1-8), love (v.9-10), quietness (v.11-12) and knowledge of His word (v.13-18). We can grow because we realize that even physical death does not cancel our hope in Christ. Does the second coming of Christ compel you to grow more like Him?

The Second Coming Affects Our Contentment (5) — Unless we find true contentment in Christ, we will seek it elsewhere! Some in this world live with a false sense of peace about the Lord’s coming (1 Thess. 5:1-11). Christians, however, realize that the second coming is real, and that we are therefore to, “be at peace among ourselves” (v.13). Our patient desire to find peace and unity among ourselves in the church of Christ will lead us to be sanctified by the God of peace (v.23). The reality of Christ’s second coming ought to encourage us to be content in Him. —JB