A description of the course that explains what you will learn and how it will help you grow closer to Jesus
4 lessons
4 lessons
4 lessons
Confident hope in Jesus' return fills us with joy
As they suffered intensely for their faith in Christ, the church in Thessalonica had many urgent questions about when Jesus would return.
Their situation is mirrored today by the underground house church movement in Iran. As Nagmeh Panahi writes in her memoir, "I Didn't Survive," "I know many brave women in Iran who are leading house churches; they have suffered greatly for Christ and have laid down their life for their sheep."
She means this literally: Christian pastors in Iran are arrested, tortured, and executed for their loyalty to Jesus.
In sharp contrast to these situations, I grew up in Atlanta in a time when most people were Christians or at least said they were. In general, attending church was a good way to be seen as respectable and build a better life for yourself. While this still holds true in some circles, it's increasingly the case that identifying as a sincere Christian raises uncomfortable questions.
What price are you paying for your faith?
Your answer to this question might determine how eager you are for Jesus to return.
As Paul pastored the church in Thessalonica, he repeatedly encouraged them that they could count on Jesus to return.
If I told you that completing this Advent devotional would win you a billion dollars, would you be excited about finishing the rest of it? No one would have to encourage you to be happy about writing your answers to each question—you'd do it with joy!
When we are confident that God is near to us now—and will return to be with us forever—we find that we already have the joy we need to be faithful to Jesus.
This Advent, are you counting on Jesus to return? As the God of peace fills our hearts with this hope, joy will come too.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 23-24
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus... Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.
When have you experienced a high cost for following Jesus?
What evidence is there that you are living daily with a sense of eager expectation for Jesus' return?
Download a resource from Open Doors (opendoorsus.org) and pray for persecuted Christians. Let the courage of their costly discipleship inspire joyful endurance in your own walk with Christ.
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