Coming of our Lord Jesus
- Cornerstone Church
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
This week continues with the letters to the church at Thessalonica, and then the start of the church at Corinth. There are two thoughts in the letters to the Churches at Thessalonica and Corinth that stick out immediately. The Lord Jesus is coming back to establish His Kingdom and Paul is thanking God for the believers. They are suffering persecution externally and/or dealing with internal conflict. Paul uses the theological truth of Christ’s return to encourage them and focus them on the centrality of Christ in their life, work, and relationships. Paul also writes to combat some false teaching or confusion around the return of Christ. This event is something to be looking forward to for the believer, and not to be concerned about. The coming of Christ will be the fulfillment of all Christ has promised, and is the believer’s hope. The opposite is true for the non-believer. The coming of Christ will be the destruction of the wicked who have rejected the message of Christ. Paul is encouraging the churches to follow Christ in their challenging circumstances while hoping for His return, which applies to you today! That is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Week 35
Bible Reading Plan
Daily Prayer Plan
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the books of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, Acts and 1st Corinthians, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
R.E.A.D. - Repeated words. Examine & mark. Ask what I learn about God? Do.
STUDY IT.
What does Paul pray for the Thessalonians in these 3 short prayers in the book? (1:2-3, 3:11-13, 5:23-28)
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10 & 3:13. R.E.A.D. Ask, what do I learn about God (Christ’s second coming in this context)?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. R.E.A.D. Ask, what do I learn about God (Christ’s second coming in this context)?
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10. R.E.A.D. Ask, what do I learn about God (Christ’s second coming in this context)?
Read 1 Corinthians 1:7-9. R.E.A.D. Ask, what do I learn about God (Christ’s second coming in this context)?
SHARE IT.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12. R.E.A.D. Do’s, what are the do’s or commands in this passage that you see? Are there any you find challenging or were surprised by?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22. R.E.A.D. Do’s, what are the do’s or commands in this passage that you see? Are there any you find challenging or were surprised by?
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. R.E.A.D. Do’s, what are the do’s or commands in this passage that you see? Are there any you find challenging or were surprised by?
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. How might you pray for fellow believers and yourself in view of Christ’s return?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. When was the last time you shared the mystery of God with anyone? How might this passage encourage you in your next attempt?
FINAL THOUGHT
Pausing to consider God’s graciousness to sinners will lead Christians to worship and sinners to mock. All Christians were at one time enemies to the Lord Jesus, and yet Christ died for the ungodly. 2 Peter 3 remarks that it is God’s graciousness that also leads Him to delay His return. There will be those who mock Jesus’ apparent slowness as proof that Christ’s return was false. For the Christian, reminding each other of Jesus’ return is one form of encouragement as the world continues to grow cold in love and reject Christ. It is also how the church maintains unity. The risen and returning Lord is the Chief shepherd, and His Word forms all Christians believe.
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