And with that, I'll have you turn in your Bibles to 1st Thessalonians chapter 1.

We'll begin in verse 8 and we'll make it through to verse 10 to the end of the chapter.

I'll ask you to stand if you're able.

You can follow along as I read if not where you're seated is fine.

Really looking forward to this text have been for quite some time

as I think you'll see why here in a moment. Paul is continuing his letter to this church there

in Thessalonica and he says verse 8, the Lord's message rang out from you,

not only in Macedonia and Akei, your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it. For they themselves,

verse 9, report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turn to God from idols to serve the true and living God. And verse 10, my favorite part,

to wait for his son from heaven whom he raised from the dead Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Let's pray. Lord thank you. Thank you so much for your word. And this passage that we have before us today

here in your Word. Lord, would you anoint the teaching of your Word? Would you bless the application of the truths here in your word to our lives?

Lord, would you minister to us? We pray in and through your word. In Jesus' name, Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So I chose to title today's teaching, still ready for Jesus to return and I chose this title

for a couple of reasons chief of which is that this is what characterized

the Christians there in Thessalonica, specifically that of their faith and their readiness for the Lord's return despite severe suffering and persecution.

So to me, the question is this.

What was it about these Christians there in Thessalonica that kept them remaining so steadfast and in this state of the anticipation of the Lord's return. Do you want to know that? I do.

This is one of those places in God's word where you have to ask yourself that question.

The first question that really should be asked is why did God deem it necessary to include

this passage in our Bibles?

In other words, it had to rise to the level of being inspired and it had to be important

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