Now That You’re Ready
When we are faced with a lot of instructions at one time or a lot of tasks at one time, we need to deal with the most pressing, troubling ones first, right? That’s what’s happening when we get to this stage in Thessalonians. The Thessalonians needed to know how to build the Church and needed instruction, but first, they had to deal with the concept of the rapture. Now that Paul has addressed their concerns about the second coming, Paul moves on to give them powerful instructions on how to build the Church in Thessalonica.
Now that you’re ready
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 ESV We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (13) and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (14) And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (15) See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (16) Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Those above us in the Lord
In the first verse, Paul speaks about those who labour among them and who are over them in the Lord? Who do you think Paul is speaking about? Why should the Thessalonians respect them?
1 Thessalonians 5:12 ESV We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
1 Corinthians 16:18 ESV for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
At peace among yourselves
Verse 13 goes on to say that the Thessalonians must esteem these people highly and love them. When they do, there will be peace. Why must they esteem them highly and how does that lead to peace?
1 Thessalonians 5:13 ESV and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves
Matthew 10:40 ESV “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
Mark 9:50 ESV Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Instruction for the leaders
Verse 14 goes on to show a strong contrast, from those who are above us in the Lord to those who are “below” us - the leaders in the Church. Who are the idle, the fainthearted and the weak? How must we help them?
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 ESV For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (12) Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Pro 18:14 ESV A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
Rom 15:1-3 ESV We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. (3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Patience is the key
Verse 14 closes by saying that we must be patient with all of these people. Patience is the key, but it’s not easy! How do we get more patience?
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Isaiah 63:9 ESV In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Revenge is a meal best not served
In the world we live in, we’re taught to set right the wrongs of this world on our own. With so much injustice in the world, it is tempting to take revenge when we are on the wrong end of justice. What does Paul tell us to do?
1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
Proverbs 24:29 ESV Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
Downside up
Jesus came and turned the world upside down. In fact, he turned the world the right way up because we have it the wrong way around. We see this in all His teaching, which He revealed to Paul. How are the next instructions counter-culture?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV Rejoice always, (17) pray without ceasing, (18) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Not possible on our own
When you look at the instructions Paul issues in this pericope and really think about them, they are almost impossible to do. Why is this so important to take note of?
Matthew 19:26 ESV But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Prayer
God in Heaven, living King of the universe, Father. Thank you for your word and your continuous instruction on how to be more like Christ, and to build the Church He desires in His spirit. When we think of the tasks you ask of us and the life you call us to lead, it is impossible to do on our own. Father, we beseech you, please give us our daily bread of your Spirit to do the work you have called us to do. To give us strength at times when we’re down and share our strength when we are abundantly blesssed. Please guide all of us at Family Church, to do your will and to build a Church worthy of your being. In Jesus’ faithful name we pray.
Worship
How do I love you Lord
How do I love you Lord
I seek you in your word every day
How do I love you Lord
How do I love you Lord
You sum it up with one word
Obey
I will love you Lord
I'll obey your word
I'll love others
As I've loved myself
Where I fall short
Lord, you will be my help
Serving
This pericope is pretty helpful when it comes to serving. Paul is giving us specific instructions on how to serve the Church… How can you put these instructions into practise at Family Church? Do you know someone who is feebleminded? Do you know someone who is weak? Do you know someone who is idle? How can you apply what you’ve learned to serve these people?