1,2 Thessalonians: What I would say to my own flock

Paul was a great theologian and evangelist, but 1 and 2 Thessalonians reveal that he was probably a great pastor.

I spend quite a bit of my time "pastoring" or shepherding some people--my Sunday school class, and my Young Lives group of teen moms. Consequently, much of what I read in Thessalonians speaks to my feelings about my little flocks.

I read Thessalonians in early November, and was inspired to quote 1 Thess 1:2-3 on a Thanksgiving card to my co-workers in Young Lives: "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." How eloquent; how true.

The text in 1 Thess. 2:8 is a favorite within Young Life, a scriptural basis for that group's method of sharing Christ by sharing lives: "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."  Also, verses 11-12: "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."

Or, I can say along with Paul, "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." (2:19-20).

Paul encourages and admonishes his flock as I would my own: "May [the Lord] strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones" (3:13). "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ" (5:16-18).

1 and 2 Thessalonians are also pretty well known for their passages on death and the eschaton, or end times. Those are never my favorite topics, even though Paul assures believers of a brilliant eternal future in the presence of Christ.

However, I do like 2 Thess. 1:8-9: "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power." Legions of theologians would disagree, but I feel this underscores the view that hell--at least for garden-variety non-believers--is annihilation, as opposed to never-ending burning in the lake of fire (which perhaps is reserved for Satan and his cronies).

I guess I was a little surprised to find how much 1 and 2 Thessalonian resonate with me these days. Some of the sweet things Paul says to his people -- well, I couldn't say them better myself.