Thessalonians - The Model Church – Conclusion
1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Finish up this letter we call 1 Thessalonians – it has been such a blessing – love preaching through a book – get a real feel for Paul’s love for the church and the church’s passion to represent God well - it has taught us so much on how to be model church – and that’s what I want for PACOC – never for selfish reasons but to truly be a church that brings God’s love into our lives and into the lives of our community and our world. That doesn’t happen accidently – we must be intentional about being the church God calls us to be
Let’s jump in and finish off this letter.
1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 (NIV) — 9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
I want to focus in on verse 12
A Model Church Wins the Respect of Outsiders
A Model Church Wins the Respect of Outsiders
What we teach is important – class on doctrine. But also important is how we are seen by outsiders / non-believers. A church’s witness to world can be hindered or helped by how we present ourselves in our communities. A model church is admired by the world. How can we insure this?
1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 (NIV) — 9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,
By how we love one another – Philadelphia not agape – agape is I am going to love you but not necessarily like you – Philadelphia carries with it the element of like - we actually care for one another – do that more and more - a church who cares for the needs of its members – a church who enjoys being together – has fun together - treats one another kindly – we don’t talk bad about each other – don’t say that about my brother - the world should see us as a family – brothers and sisters is one of the most common terms used to describe Christians
1 Thessalonians 4:11a (NIV) — 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.
We are people of peace, not chaos – live a quiet life – in our communities we bring peace – in our work places we bring peace – in our schools we bring peace – we our homes we bring peace – online we bring peace – we are not people of drama – we don’t complain – we don’t demean – we live in a world where everyone wants attention – likes, followers – to get that attentio0n we are often tempted to be dramatic – make outlandish claims – we spread gossip – we just life a quiet life
1 Thessalonians 4:11b–12 (NIV) — 11b You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
We work hard – we do a good job at whatever we do – your work is a sacred space – through your work you are proclaiming your faith to those around you – you are on a mission – we celebrate mission but know hat every day at work you are in a mission field – an example is Daniel in the Old Testament – living in a pagan world but works hard and wins the respect of the King – doesn’t compromise on his values – you don’t cut corners – you do things the right way
Let’s move down to the end of the letter - 1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 (NIV) — for some final instructions to this church
1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (NIV) — 12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
A Model Church Esteems Leadership
A Model Church Esteems Leadership
We need to honor and respect those who lead the church – elders not specifically mentioned but would be included – ministers would be included – deacons and ministry leaders should be included – so many people who are gifted and able to do work for the church and a model church holds those people in high regard – personally I thank you for the honor you show me and I think I speak for others in leadership positions – preachers and other leaders cannot survive and thrive in an environment of criticism – they will leave – elders will step down – ministry leaders will give up – we do this well but let’s continue in this more and more – it is so easy to criticize – I am the consummate arm chair quarterback – poor personnel, poor strategy, wrong calls – so easy to take potshots at leadership and that will be the beginning of the end of a church – not to say they are beyond questioning, but a model church holds leaders in high regard
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) — 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive.
A Model Church Admonishes the Idle
A Model Church Admonishes the Idle
This is not a pleasant function of the church but a model church will encourage those who are not using their gits to use them – a church full of pew-sitters may look good on Sunday mornings but will not thrive in ministry – in every church there are people who are not using their gifts – people who are not contributing financially or by their gifts – when you are called to a church you are called to serve – all of us have a function - those who are idle, who are making the conscious decision to simply observe and be served are to be admonished
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) — 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
A Model Church Helps the Weak
A Model Church Helps the Weak
Some people are idle – able to do something but not willing to – others may not be able to contribute because of life circumstances – health, mental or physical – overwhelmed with family responsibilities – I have had people say I need to care for my parents, I bless them – we must not burden people who are already burdened by the difficulties of life – this takes wisdom of course – when to admonish and when to help – a model church knows that here is a difference between idle and overwhelmed – we are patient with everyone
Verse 15 begins a cascade of commands Paul closes out the letter with
1 Thessalonians 5:15–22 (NIV) — 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
Then ends with these words:
1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 (NIV) — 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
God is working through the church. The Local church is God’s vehicle to being his peace, grace, and love into the world and it is so important that we take this responsibility seriously. And Paul, Silas, and Timothy are encouraged by this church – they are a model church but they also want this church to continue to grow – to be even more effective and to shine even brighter the good news of Jesus Christ.
Let me pray over you the words of Paul, Silas, and Timothy and then let us stand for a song. If you are not a believer we want to talk to you more. You are loved by God and God calls you into his family to find love and purpose. To a place where you can participate in his great work.
1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 (NIV) — 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
