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Pastor's Blog February 3, 2022
"Are You Ready?"
As we enter into 2022, I thought it would be good to spend this year talking about how to prepare for Jesus' second coming. Many of you have expressed to me an interest in getting ready for the return of Jesus, and there is no better place to find such preparation than in 1 Thessalonians. Paul spends most of his time telling the Thessalonians about the second coming; in fact, the endings of the first four chapters contain key references to Jesus' soon return, and the fifth chapter is entirely devoted to the second coming. And 1 Thessalonians 1:9 presents the first way to prepare for the second coming of Jesus: "For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (NIV).
It's not exactly clear what in this verse is giving a report about the Thessalonians. It could be the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit who are broadcasting the believers' faith throughout the region (verses 4-6), or it might be the Thessalonians' faith in Jesus itself that is doing the reporting (verse 8). Either way, what IS clear is that the best way to be ready for Jesus' second coming is to "turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God." This language evokes Isaiah 2:1-4, which talks about God wooing the nations and gifting the Gentiles with the desire to leave their idolatry, so God can teach them his ways and empower them for service.
Friend, what idols is Jesus graciously calling you to turn away from today? How has the living and true God led you to serve and trust him? Take courage and keep turning to the God who has saved you.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
