April 19th Sunday Evening Sermon - Jared McCormick
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Jared McCormick led the April 19th Sunday evening class by first checking in with the congregation’s reading habits before turning to the central theme that God’s Word is both timely and timeless. He cited the NIV Application Commentary’s introduction, which describes Scripture as speaking to specific situations in its original context while also offering lasting power for every culture and era. The teacher then examined Isaiah 40 and guided the group to read 1 Thessalonians 1:2‑10, showing how Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians addressed their afflictions and encouraged steadfast hope, illustrating the timeliness of the message for that first‑century community. Jared connected this to present‑day challenges, noting that while circumstances—such as the pandemic, quarantine, or personal trials—change, the gospel’s relevance remains constant. He also referenced Acts 17 to contextualize the early church’s persecution in Thessalonica, reinforcing that believers today can find encouragement in Paul’s gratitude for the Thessalonians’ labor of love despite hardship. The class concluded with a call to pray in both good and difficult times, to celebrate the work of faith, and to trust that God’s Word continues to empower believers across generations.
Key Scriptures
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and father, your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit. So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.