Closing the Gap

On November 7th we started a new series:  "Closing the Gap."  There always seems to be a gap between where you are and where you want to be...a divide between your dream and your reality.  Many things can contribute to the creation of that gap.  It could be lack of opportunity, lack of education, lack of time or energy, or just a lack of ability.  The question remains:  How can you reach your potential if you can never close the gap from your current situation to your desired future?  What do you do?  Where do you start?  The world tells us to work harder, make adjustments, or get more training.  But these all focus on what we can do.

Take a pause and ask:  Is this even the gap that needs closing?  The bible points out a gap between us and God.  The problem though--we can't close it!  The one who can is Jesus Christ.  He is the closer!  He offers to take our place--be our substitute.  He offers to pay the price we cannot afford--be our redeemer.  Only by putting our faith and trust in Jesus can the gap between us and our Creator be closed.

This seven part series will take us through the book of First Thessalonians.  Each week we will explore a gap, that with God's help, can be closed so that we can reach our ultimate potential and be like Christ in our actions and attitude.

The book will be outlined as follows:

1. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
3. 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
4. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
5. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
6. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

For digging deeper--consider the following resources:

• The Message of 1 & 2 Thessalonians, John Stott
• 1-2 Thessalonians, G. K. Beale