Paul tells the Thessalonians of his great desire to return to see them in person and notes that Satan is the one who hindered such a joyful reunion. As Paul looks forward to the Last Day, he knows that the Thessalonians are a source of great joy. That led him to send Timothy to them to check on them, even when Paul couldn’t go personally. His purpose was to help the Thessalonians remain steadfast in persecution. Still today, Satan seeks to keep Christians apart from each other, making it urgent for Christians to resist the temptation to forsake gathering together. As we come together now, we receive strength from the Lord’s Word and the fellowship of the Church to remain faithful to the end. 

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5. 

To learn more about St. John's in Topeka, visit stjohnlcmstopeka.org.

“Yearning for the Day of Christ’s Returning” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies St. Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians. Although Paul's time in Thessalonica was brief, he had great affection for the Christians there. His two letters to the Thessalonians show us the joy that God gives us together in the Church and encourage us to live faithfully in expectation of Jesus’ coming on the Last Day. 

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org