Faith, hope, and love are the three New Testament values which demonstrate how what we believe, what we long for, and how we live intersect. All of this is based on the message of the gospel. The natural result of these things for the Thessalonians was to spread this message to others.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul describes the way that he loves the church. He explains how the gospel reveals God's amazing love for us that is far beyond our limited conceptions of love. The example Paul gives is of one who loves in a tender and nurturing way like a mother, but also one who loves with the toughness and instruction of a father. We should seek to embody both the toughness and tenderness of Biblical love.

The Bible presents the Word of God as distinct from the ideas of people. God's Word has the unique capacity both to answer fundamental questions about life and to transform our lives. All of us should become truth-seekers who dwell and act on truth.

According to the Bible, Satan has a role in hindering our unity and therefore our witness to the watching world. The triumph of God's grace is the basis for which we have hope for all things, including good relationships. The prize of the Christian life is not personal glory, but the joy of ministering to others.

For Christians, affliction is a product of the spiritual war in the world. It can often leave people disturbed, tempted, disappointed, or with negative habits. Responding well to affliction requires preparation, encouragement, and an outward focus. Responding well to suffering can take a proud heart and teach it humility and brokenness.

Agape is a Greek word that refers to the unique love of God demonstrated in Christ and practiced by His people. This often runs in contrast to eros, which refers instead to the kind of erotic love so valued by our culture. Under God's paradigm of agape love, sexual ethics exist to protect people from hurting themselves and their families. Brian Gardner spoke about his victory over sex addiction.

Many wonder what happens after death, where the future is heading, or when history might end. For a believer, hope for the future is rooted in the past reality of Christ's resurrection. All Christians have the promise that they will be caught up with Christ and live a transformed life with him forever. Those of us who have this hope should allow it to shape our priorities and guard our hearts, even as we encourage others.

According to the Bible, Christ will return to bring with him both the blessings of salvation and accountability for human sin. The signs that will precede this include a receding spiritual climate, a man of lawlessness opposed to Christ, and an increase in war. Living with this end in mind means maintaining an active and informed faith, pursuing love that stands out from our culture, and holding on to hope for this future transformation.

An important part of a spiritual community is the leadership appointed by God. Spiritual leadership means leading as a servant, being directive, and remaining centered on truth. All believers should desire the maturity and the blessings that come with spiritual leadership. The whole church is called to follow leaders by responding to them, recognizing the importance of their office, and seeking peace over needless rebellion.

In every relationship, Christians are to treat others with the same grace that God has demonstrated toward us. This means forgiving people instead of seeking payback and showing patience to everyone. It also means having difficult conversations with people, encouraging the discouraged, and moving compassionately towards those who are vulnerable.

A heart of prayer includes rejoicing, where we get excited about the things of God and offer praise to Him. It also means praying continually as we trust that He is faithful in any situation. Finally, it involves practicing gratitude in any circumstance.

An important feature of a healthy spiritual community is zeal: the irrepressible desire for the things of God. We are called not to quench the Spirit and to avoid a critical attitude that is insensitive to God's Word or His Spirit. Developing zeal includes searching for a word from God, joining in with the praise of others, and taking risks.

God's Will for all people has to do with the process of sanctification. Our problem is that we have broken desires, relational alienation, dying bodies, and true moral guilt. Through the cross, God offers justification and complete transformation in this life and in the next. For those who pursue sanctification, security in Christ is the key to perseverance.