June 5, 2016
Evening Service

Tonight we close Paul’s first letter he wrote to any of the churches.  So far he has commended them for their growth in the face of persecution;

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, welcoming the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  (8)  For from you the Word of the Lord sounded out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to speak anything.

• Not only did they grow during the persecution, but also displayed themselves to be an example for other believers to look to in their times of trial.

 

He challenged them to “walk worthy of God who calls you into His kingdom and glory.”

 

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12  (11)  even as you know how we exhorted and comforted and testified to each one of you, as a father to his children,  (12)  that you should walk worthy of God, who has called you to His kingdom and glory.

 

He was encouraged himself with Timothy’s encouraging report of their progress.

 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-7  But now when Timothy came from you to us and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us (as we also you),  (7)  then, my brothers, we were comforted over you, through your faith, even in all our affliction and needs;

 

In chapter 4, he encouraged continued growth and gave them hope to comfort one another and what to look for by revealing to them a revelation of what the end days hold.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (16) For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.  (17)  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Tonight, Paul closes his letter in a flurry of instruction, encouragement and exhortation much like a coach giving a pregame speech would do.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13  (12)  And, brothers, we beseech you to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and who admonish you,  (13)  and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

·         The New Testament church has been set up with a specific leadership or authority.  We are to be a Pastor led fellowship with a group of deacons surrounding him to support and advise him in his leadership.

·         There are many of those decisions that seem extremely large and some that seem very small, but all must be acted upon in the right manner and with the right Biblical perspective.  Some are easy and some are difficult, but they have to be made.

·         Paul here is encouraging them, and us, to recognize those who “labor among you and are over you in the Lord.”   We are not to take the leadership of the church for granted, but to “esteem them highly in love for their work’s sake.”  It can be a very tireless and thankless job at times, yet also the most rewarding.  Pray for our pastor and the men who surround him.  Try to offer encouragement at every opportunity and make yourself available to serve.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

·         Paul now seems to address the leadership and remind them of the responsibilities they carry.

·         Warn those who are not walking the right path; accountability.  Comfort and support those who need a helping hand. Be patient with all realizing we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none gives evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.

·         Paul told the Corinthian church that “everything had to be done with love.”  Our flesh wants to return evil for evil, but the Spirit calls us to overcome the flesh and let love prevail because “love never fails.”  To pursue means taking action.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always.

·         This should be easy for us IF we keep the proper perspectives.  God is in control and we are on the winning team!  To know that in the end we win should have us to rejoice regardless of our circumstances.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

·         How much should I pray is a good question?  The answer is “without ceasing.”  We should be in constant communion with our Father through the Holy Spirit that lives within us.  That Spirit will even pray for us when we are at a loss of words.

Romans 8:26-27  Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  (27)  And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

·         Our communication with God is to be one that never ends, but is just continued.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

·         Who has given you more to be thankful for than Jesus?  Who has ever given you a greater gift?  He paid the debt we could never pay and opens the door for us to spend eternity with Him by simply believing in Him.

·         Paul sums up these three habits (rejoicing, praying and be thankful) to be our standing orders.  He says “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  We all wonder on a big picture if we are in God’s will.  We can now simply look at our life and see if these three things are abounding or are lacking.

 

 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (19) Do not quench the Spirit.  (20)  Do not despise prophesying.  (21)  Prove all things, hold fast to the good.  (22)  Abstain from every appearance of evil.

·         Do not hinder (quench) God working in our midst.  How?  By sin, traditions, man-made rules, disunity, and jealousy just to name a few.

·         Prophesying here refers more to preaching of God’s Word.  We are not to despise that, but be hungry for it and allow it to fulfill its purpose and mold us into what God has planned for us.

·         Prove all things refers to being like the Bereans Paul had encountered.

 Acts 17:11  And these were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see if those things were so.

·         We live in an age that is running rampant with deception.  Things never seem to be how they sound.  We must run everything through the filter of our Bible and be sure it agrees with what we are taught there.  If it doesn’t measure up, toss it out.  Read your Bible and ask the Spirit to aid your understanding.

·         Our quest for holiness is also to include the very appearance we display.  We need to examine our actions and be sure they in line with what we believe.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 (23)  And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (24)  Faithful is He who called you, who also will do it.  (25)  Brothers, pray for us.  (26)  Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.  (27)  I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.  (28)  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

·         Paul knows how to close a letter.  He prays that God be the one that “sets us apart” to be blameless at His return.  Allow Him to sanctify you.

·         He also reminds us that we do not have to trust in ourselves, but trust in God who called you and will carry you through.  Doubt yourselves but never doubt God.

 

I said at the beginning that this will come at us in a flurry and it certainly did.  Go back over these verses and ask God to show you if there is any areas that need your attention.

 

Lord, may we be found to be in Your will in all these areas and if not give us the courage, strength and resolve to change.