When God Makes You Whole

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Navy ministry, CarePortal, Community Groups

FOCUS:

Anchored in sacrificial love

Motivated by unshakeable hope

Marked by holy living

As we wrap up 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28; Today we'll see how the God of Peace is making you beautiful and complete through and through by transforming your life, working through His Church, and empowering you with His grace.

Introduction

"How it started... How it's going" - Instagram Reels Version:

You've seen these Instagram reels - 'How it started... How it's going.' Someone shows their awkward beginning next to their amazing outcome. Sometimes when we start something, we have no idea how it's going to end.

Maybe that's how you felt about church this morning. Some Sundays you wake up thinking, 'Where else would I go?' Other Sundays, if we're honest, it's more like, 'Do I really need to go?' But then you show up and leave blessed, glad you came.

Today we're finishing 1 Thessalonians, and Paul's closing words are the ultimate 'How it's going' moment. He shows us God's beautiful work in progress: the God of Peace transforming us, the Church supporting us, and Grace empowering us.

Your story with God isn't over - it's just getting beautiful.

If you have your Bibles or devices with you, please turn to 1 Thessalonians 5, where we'll read verses 23 through 28 together.

If you are willing and able, please stand as I read God’s word this morning… this is the word of the Lord

Pray… please be seated.

The Work of the God of Peace

God, Himself, is the God of peace. He has many names, but this is one of them. It reminds me of Genesis 1:1-3 where there is chaos as the world was with out form and void. That as the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, he started to order the chaos.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit… it is a charachteristic of God. When we have it, embody it, help create it, we are demonstrating the character of God forming in our lives.

This is what He does, He orders our chaos. Brings peace from the midst of disorder. He is the peace in the boat that calms the storm with a word. Where one is possessed and brings peace and right mind at a mere command.

Paul’s prayer is that God, the God of peace, sanctifies them through and through.

Sanctify: to cause someone to have the quality of holiness—‘to make holy.’ Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 744). United Bible Societies.

So what would be common at one point is then made holy, set apart for a purpose.

Where we might dismiss ourselves, calling, gifting, and the work of God in our lives, Paul is praying that they would see know and understand that God is making them holy through and through. That no area in their life would be untouched by God’s good work.

The result of this sanctifying process is that He keeps our whole self (spirit, soul, and body) blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

REMEMBER: The one who calls you (JESUS), is faithful, and He will do it.

While my incomplete obedience can not attain the righteousness and holiness of God, He is faithful. He will complete the work in which He has started.

My trust is in Jesus, not in me. I need to show up, but He is at work and He is the faithful one.

Practical application:

In moments of overwhelm, remember God specializes in ordering chaos - He's done it since Genesis and He's doing it in your life right now

Instead of trying to control everything, invite the God of peace to hover over your "formless and void" situations

Stop dismissing areas where you see growth or positive change - that's God making you holy, not coincidence. Keep a "sanctification journal" - notice where God is bringing peace, order, or beauty to messy areas of your life.

Replace "I'm a mess" with "God is ordering my chaos"… Instead of "Nothing special about me," try "God is setting me apart for His purposes".

This can be as simple as asking the God of peace to show you where He’s already been at work that you haven’t noticed.

The Work of the Church

Identifiable characteristics of the church:

Prayer

Paul asks for prayer. Paul’s humility and vulnerability is implied here. He’s saying, “I need intercession, I don’t have it all figured out, pray for us… we need God to lead and guide us!” There’s no “super apostle” but humble and meek, he seeks prayer on their behalf. Prayer is our gift given to us to be in relationship with God. It is multifaceted:

We can express our heart (in all of its complexity/simplicity) to God and He hears.

We can listen for His still small voice, the things He might impress on our heart. From this time can come wisdom, peace, understanding, and illumination.

We can intercede for others in any situation.

We were just exhorted to pray without ceasing, this is one way that Paul says, “pray for us”. In that discipline of constant and a life-posture of prayer, pray for us.

Hospitality: What’s implied here is how basically this was how guests were greeted, and since the Christians met in a home some of the customs of family hospitality were carried over into the practice of the Christian assembly, not least because Christians were viewed as a family of sorts, the family of faith. The kiss is to be holy. Witherington, B., III. (2006). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: a socio-rhetorical commentary (p. 176). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Christians were marked by their kindness and hospitality. Hospitality is about serving others and showing Christ's love, not impressing with perfect meals or décor

Focus is on making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for because that is how we are received by Jesus.

It is seen as a radical welcome (following Jesus’ example of eating with tax collectors and sinners); Spiritual discipline as it is a way to practice selflessness and generosity; Community building where authentic spaces are created to build relationship; and we see the sacred in the ordinary viewing simple acts like sharing a meal as holy moments.

Proclaim God’s word: There seems to be other house churches that are springing up in the city and Paul wants them all to receive this letter as well. As the church grew, they didn’t have meeting spaces like we do today, so they would meet throughout the city in various homes and so Paul is saying, “pass this letter around and make sure everyone hears it.”

God’s word is worthy of being shared. Hebrews 4:12–13 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

2 Timothy 3:14–17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Practical application:

Follow Paul’s example of vulnerability… asking specific people for prayer for specific struggles that we’re facing. Requesting prayer, prayer for others, keep a journal and then watch what God won’t do. Don’t forget to take time to listen to God as well, give pause and rest to hear from Him.

Look for ways to be with people, inviting them into relationship. Genuinely greet people as you see them, seeking to remember names and connect with them. Look for those that aren’t connecting and invite them over… who needs an invitation to belong.

Think about the way that we hear from God in His word and share that with others. Share meaningful insights. Pass along good sermons, books, or articles. Use social media intentionally. Read Scripture with others. Ask questions like, “What are you reading in your Bible? Any good verses popping out to you?”

The key is starting where you are, with what you have, rather than waiting for everything to line up into the perfect situation.

The Work of Grace

Grace is defined a winning quality or attractiveness that invites a favorable reaction, graciousness, attractiveness, charm, winsomeness. a beneficent disposition toward someone, favor, grace, gracious care/help, goodwill (BDAG). Grace isn't just God's favor - it's His active power working in you. It's not just that God likes you; it's that His transformative strength is available to you in every moment. Grace is both God's attitude toward you AND His ability working through you.

Paul isn't just wishing them well - he's praying they would live in the constant awareness that Jesus's grace is their operating system. Grace isn't something you earn or lose; it's the very atmosphere you breathe as a believer.

How does that land on us especially as we consider the things that are about us?

Are starting a new school year? Are we venturing out in a new endeavor, job, or project? How does that affect your approach to what you are doing?

The Thessalonican church was living counter culturally to the world around them, this was perceived at times as a threat. If you are living in a way that honors Jesus but is unstabalizing for some, it can be scary based on their reactions. But knowing that we live and move within the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, this is where we can adopt the perspective of the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 54:17 “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.”

"Let this sink in: God is completely FOR you. When life feels hard and you wonder if God is against you, remember—you're here. You care about Him. That alone proves He's working in your life. People who are truly distant from God don't even think about Him. Your wrestling, your seeking, your very presence here is God's fingerprint on your heart."

Practical application:

Daily Grace Awareness: Start each day, “Jesus’ grace is with me today”; when we fail we practice saying, “Grace covers this and is enabling me and empowering me to try again”

New Ventures/Challenges: Replacing “I hope I don’t mess up” with “Grace is my strength for this”; In the face of criticism: we are loved of God, recipients of His grace, and nothing changes that position… that’s what matters most

Facing Opposition: Instead of reacting in defensiveness, we can ask “How can I respond in the grace that I’ve received?” Grace gives us security in our acceptance and not needing to rely on the approval of others giving us permission to be different without being defensive.

Conclusion

As we close our time in 1 Thessalonians, remember that you are being made beautiful through and through. The God of peace is ordering your chaos, the church family is surrounding you with prayer and love, and grace is your daily operating system. You're not who you used to be, and you're not yet who you'll become - but right now, in this moment, God is making you beautiful. Walk out of here knowing: you are loved, you are being transformed, and you are never alone.

Let’s stand together

Before you leave, let me pray Paul's prayer over you: May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless. The One who calls you is faithful - He will do it. You are not an accident. You are not forgotten. You are being made beautiful through and through by the God who specializes in bringing peace from chaos. Walk in that truth.