Principles for Godly Living
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Cooper P Abrams III
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Principles for Godly Living 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Cooper P Abrams III |
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2. Obey their teaching (Eph. 4:11-12). "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Many people who hear the preaching of the Gospel and the Word of God taught see it as something optional. It seems many feel that God's word has no real hold on them or they have a responsibility to follow God's teachings. Yet, when the word of God is correctly preached and taught...it is the very words of God and the true Christian will see it as such and accept it in their lives. Faithful believers follow God's word. 3. Churches are follow their pastor's examples (Heb. 13:7; 1 Peter. 5:1-3). Yes, there are some unfaithful pastors who set a bad example. They of course are not to be followed, but I wonder sometimes if Christians see their pastor as one to be followed in his example. A godly pastor works really hard to set the proper example in faith and conduct. "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." (Hebrews 13:7) If Jesus Christ is truly our Savior and we truly believe Him and His word...Christians should follow the pastor as he follows the Lord. God gives clear instructions to the pastor: "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:1-5) 4. Submit to their oversight (Heb. 13:17). "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17) It is not popular today to teach this biblical truth. Many people rebel at the thought of obeying their pastor. One reason is pride and rebelling against authority. It stems from a lack of godly humility and respect for others. Sometimes if comes from a lack of trust in the pastor. While it is crucial that the church members submit to the God-given authority of the pastor, we must also emphasize that the pastor's authority comes only from the Bible. If a church leader tries to give instruction contrary to the Word of God, he must not be obeyed. If he tries to correct someone, but has no biblical basis for his judgment, his warnings have no true weight before God. The godly pastor will not "lord" over his congregation, but will set the example by respecting them and leading, not driving them. Each Christian has the responsibility to "prove all things" and to "search the Scriptures daily whether those things are so" Acts 17:10-11 records that the Berean Jews, who had not knowledge of Jesus Christ, when Paul arrived searched the scripture to see if these things were so. 1 Thess 5:21 compel each believer not blindly to follow a man. Churches are to pray for their pastor. Paul repeatedly asked the churches to pray for him and his ministry. A church that prays for its pastor will be one that God blesses. A praying church will have the power of God and its members will grow and mature in the Lord. (Heb. 13:18,19; Eph. 6:18,19; Col. 4:2,3; 2 Thess. 3:1,2) The are to provide for their physical needs (1 Tim. 5:17,18). "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." (1 Timothy 5:17-18) A church that is penurious (stingy) with a pastor violates the Scripture. Rarely does such a church manifest spiritual power or progress. Many a pastor has had to live in poverty in order to serve his church. God will honor their sacrifice, but the church who so mistreats its pastor will suffer spiritual and not be blessed by the Lord. God says give the pastor "double honor" which means respect and adequate support.
2. It goes further than being at odds with the pastor as the unruly are generally at odds with everyone. They are people who are directed by their pride. God says, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5:21) 3. However the unruly see themselves as superior to others and they will not cooperate. They insist others must submit to their desires and wishes. These people can destroy the spirit of a church and the church that allows them to do so will suffer great lost and be denied God's blessings. Often this type of attitude is found in churches that have deacons and put them in authority. Biblically deacons are simply elected servants who do menial tasks in serving the congregation to free pastors to be able spend their time studying and ministering to the people. 4. This verse also says a church comfort the feeble minded. It means those who are "faint hearted" or weak in their faith. We are to be sensitive to each other and uphold each other in the faith. We should be ready to encourage others and help them when they have doubts and are struggling with some problem in their lives which drags them down. A church is made up of Christians banded together to serve the Lord. A church is to support the weak. Many do not see themselves as having that personal responsibility. Often church members think that is applies to the pastor or the church as a whole, but not individually to them. They deny their help to their brothers and sister wanting someone else to do it. They sadly deny God's blessing that comes from being a blessing to others. A part of being a blessing to others is being patient with them. Often it is hard and frustrating to try and help someone who does not respond to sound counsel and help. The immature Christian exercises patience and continues to try an help those in need even when they do not seem to appreciate it or try to help themselves.
2. God gives us a higher standard of living. We are to reflect the love and mercy of the Lord. He loved us while we were in sin and rebelling against Him. He loves us in spite of the fact we desire none of His love or forgiveness. God says, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." (Romans 12:19-20)
There is more at stake than satisfying our pride. Our testimony before others is at stake. 3. Christians are the children of God and should reflect the love and character of God. Our life is to be marked by doing that which is good, both among ourselves (meaning the church) and to all men (meaning the world around us.)
We are to forgive others their trespasses against us as God has forgiven us our sins against Him. 2. When there is bitterness, hold a gurge or an unforgiving spirit their can be no rejoicing. 3. When we are not thankful we are being selfish and not showing God our gratitude. We are living by our power and not seeking God's blessings. Being thankful in everything is a state of constant worship of God, because giving thanks to the Lord is worship. It is God's will that we accept His guide and provision in our lives. God wants to and will bless us, but only if we seeking His provision and accept Him as the master of our lives. 4. God says we cannot have God's peace, joy and ejoicing when we quench the Holy Spirit. God says, "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit'." (Ephesians 5:17-18) Being filled with the Holy Spirit means giving Him the control of our lives. The believer who lets God lead him will live the best live possible. The result of being lead by the Lord is the confidence and assurance we have in that we are pleasing Him and living a life that will reap eternal reward. We know that we are honoring the Lord and truly worshiping Him, giving Him the praise and honor He deserves. 6. If we do not pray without ceasing our minds will be off of God and His will for our lives. When we are not in a prayerful mode we are quenching the Holy Spirit. 7. When we despise the preaching of God's word...we cannot have the resulting joy in our hearts. The word "prophesying" in verse 20 refers to preaching. The word of God is our instruction and it God's way of speaking directly to us. We need to know and learn the ways of God. We do not get God's instructions from the world and human reasoning. God says "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. " (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It should be the goal of every believer to be growing in the Lord. A person who wants to take up some profession and be successful realizes the only way is to go to school and learn all they can. Yet, often the Christian does not set his goal as being a successful and useful Christian and instrument of the Lord to reach other.
9. Sin will rob the believer of his joy, therefore God says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." This statement takes the matter of resisting sin to the highest level. We resist even from the appearance of evil. We have a biblical example in the church which as a Antioch. Gentiles had been saved and they were not under the law and there ate meat sacrificed to idols and with blood in it. By the way...the local meat markets were run by the pagan temples who butchered the animals they sacrificed and then sold them in their market. City people got their meat from each butcher shops owned by pagan temples. The Jews had a problem with it because if violated the Old Testament. Law. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to seek the other Apostles advise and they agreed that the Gentiles were not under the law. Their advise was that the Gentiles should "abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood." The principle even though eating meat from the pagan temple was not a sin, they should avoid offending the Jews. Paul wrote the Corinthians "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9) The principle is that the Christ is not only to abstain from all sins, but even those that someone might be percieve to be sin by anyone.
B. God is faithful to those he calls and will save and preserve the Christian. We can be assured that our sins are forgiven when we believe in Jesus Christ and that He will do what He promises. Jesus said to those who trust in Him alone for their salvation, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:28)
A pastor can fail in his devotion to the Lord and yield to temptation the same as any other man, but the pressure he experiences will be often greater. A church or church member can do not greater service to the Lord than to pray and uplift their pastor. Paul calls them "brethren" which is a term of endearment. The one who have prayed for them and given them so much of himself....only asks for their prayers.
B. He tells them to greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. In oriental society this was the custom. It was a sign of friendship and brotherly love. Today we in the West shake hands and some give hugs to others. Hugging between men and women should be done carefully. It should done modestly and without intimacy as between a man and woman. (V26) C. He instructs them to read this Epistle to all the brethren. Paul understood that his letter was written under the inspiration of God and as such should be distributed and read in all the churches. The wording " I charge you" is strong and means that as an apostle this was a command to be obeyed. Paul saw this epistle as God's authority to be obeyed by God's children. (V27)
Paul ends this letter as it began, commending to them God's grace. (V28) Grace means God's unmerited favor. He had given them proper instructions from the Lord and if followed would bring them peace and joy in their lives. The instructions in the closing statements of this letter are some of the most ignored I believe in the New Testament. They are vital to Christian living and living in the blessings and will of God for our lives. Many stumble at honoring their pastor. That shows a lack of love and respect. Some seek vengeance on others and shows again a lack of the love of God in their lives.
The opposite is also true. Many live by these principles and are greatly blessed in their lives. It is so very good to live one's life being reconciled to God. It is refreshing to not be at odds with the with Lord and know we are pleasing Him. It is so very good to know that God is bless your life and your family. God is faithful......He bless those who are also faithful.
Introduction: This is the last message in the series on 1 Thessalonians. The series of eight messages has addressed various subjects which are important for the believer and the local church. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-20 - The Testimony and Success of a Faithful Congregation and Mission of the Local Church
I. General Instructions to the churches. (1 Thess. 5:12-22)
1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 - The Compassion and Character of a God's Man
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 - God's Assurance in the Face of Persecution
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 - The Testimony that Comes from Testing
1 Thessalonian 4:1-18 - General Instruction to Believers
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Rapture of Believers
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11- The Believer's Preparation for Christ's Return
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28- Principles for Godly Living
A. Honor the church's pastor. (Vs12-13)
II. God's promise to believers. (1 Thess. 5:23-28)
1. Respect and love them. The terms used here are to esteem the very highly in love for their works. Sadly, most churches never really show their appreciation for the work of their pastor and his wife also. (1 Thess. 5:12-13). They never express any gratitude and do anything extra for their pastor. It takes a dedicated man who loves and serves the Lord not to be hurt by a church's lack of honor for their service.
B. Warn the unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak and be patient toward all men. (V14)
1. It is a fact that in many churches there are people who are unruly. The word denotes a rebel and means there are those who will not submit to the leadership of their pastor or the word of God.
C. Do not render evil for evil, follow that which is good among the brethren and all men. (V15)
1. The old carnal nature we all have is steeped in pride and when someone does us evil, we want to get back at them. We want to give them a good measure of what they gave us.
D. Rejoice evermore. (V16) This statement does not stand alone in this passage. It is a part of verses 15 -22. It is misleading the way these statements are listed as separate verses. They are part of one paragraph teaching how we are to have true joy and peace in our lives. True rejoicing comes from a life that is wholly being lived for the Lord and attending to all the principles of God's word.
1. A believer cannot rejoice when he holds resentment toward others. We are to forgive others as God instructs us in the Model Prayer of Matthew 6.
ILLUS: I was ask to teach a men's Sunday School class and there were about six or seven men present. I asked one of them to open with prayer. He turned red in the face and was clearly embarassed. I then ask the next man and they told me only one of them could pray aloud. There problem was as a man and leader in their family and church they should be able to pray aloud, but they did not see it as important or as some to learn.
8. Verse 21 instructs us to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. Dear friends there is no way to prove anything if we are ignorant of God's word. The believer will be tossed to and fro and be immature when they do not know the word of God. That means attending the preaching and Bible studies of your church. God has given you two pastors who are called to teach the word of God. We teach and preach in Sunday School, the morning service, Sunday night service and on Wednesday nights. That means four times a week God is providing you will His instructions. Yet, how many of you will come.
A. God's promise: God is the God of peace. This means the absents of conflict. In other words God desires the Christian to be a peace with Him and to accomplish this God will sanctify the believer. The process of sanctification comes by obeying God's instruction presented in the preceding verses God will set the Christian apart for blessings and service. He promises to preserve both our body and soul holding us blameless of our sins, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a verse that teaches assurance of salvation.
III. Closing of the Letter (1 Thessalonians 5:25-28)
A. Paul asked for prayer. Paul often requested in his letters to the church that they pray for him. A pastor has the same temptations and trials as others, plus the added responsibility of ministering to other believers. In doing God's work and serving others he will also come under the oppression of the devil. (V25)
Conclusion:
Many rarely if ever rejoice in the Lord. It shows a cold heart.
Many do not pray without ceasing which shows they are living by their our means and not really trusting in the Lord.
Many are not thankful and thus do not honor God in their lives. Often they are not satisfied with what God has given them.
Many by allowing sin in their lives and by disobeying the Lord quench the Holy Spirit being able to bless them.
Many are not really interested in God's word...they show by their actions they despise God's word. They are unfaithful in reading and studying their Bible and attending the services of their church.
Many live in their own wisdom and do not prove all things
by God's word.
Many toy with sin and are not really concerned with their testimony.
Many are not sanctified and separated from sin.
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