The Church As A Family

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

“Brethren”

Usage

Used 18 times in 1 Thessalonians

Used 98 times in all letters of Paul

The Church is a family of believers

related by the blood of Jesus Christ

one Father in heaven

Paul addressed three (3) key elements in the church family:

the leadership

the partnership

the worship

Main Points

The Family’s Leadership

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NASB95

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Accept them

As the church grows towards maturity, some of us will manifest their God-ordained gifts and calling.

Whatever their background may be, we must accept them for what God is doing in their lives.

Example: out of the first 7 deacons of the church in Jerusalem came forth preachers and evangelists.

Three types of “elders” will appear in our midst:

elders - they are simply those who are older among us

elders that rule - those who mature in age and in spirit, and manifest leadership and ability to preach and teach

elders that rule well - those who do exceptionally well

1 Timothy 5:17 NASB95

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 5.17

Appreciate them

“know them” (NKJV)

grk. oida - acknowledge; to accept to be what is claimed

there is nothing wrong with honoring faithful leaders, so long as God gets the glory.

Leaders who work hard to feed and lead are always tired, and vulnerable to temptations, and loneliness.

The church family should reciprocate their labors with prayer, cooperation and appreciation.

Love them

“esteem them very highly in love”

grk. hegeomai - consider

Obey them

Hebrews 13:17 NASB95

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13

the church’s obedience to the leadership helps the minister to do his work smoothly and more efficiently.

The Family’s Partnership

1 Thessalonians 5:13–15 NASB95

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 NASB95

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

The church family becomes more efficient in ministry when everybody helps.

Some family members need more attention

the unruly

careless; out of line; not submitting to discipline and order

admonish the unruly - urge, reprimand, warn

the fainthearted

these are the quitters; those who look on the dark side of things; easily give up when the going gets tough

encourage - comfort; give emotional strength

the weak

weak in the faith

Romans 14:1 NASB95

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

Romans 14.1

Romans 15:1–3 NASB95

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

Romans 15.1

those who fall into sin

Galatians 6.1-2

Galatians 6:1–2 NASB95

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

help the weak - take charge, manage, deal with

Paul provides wise counsel to those who minister

be patient with everyone - people don’t change overnight, nor at the same time

watch your motives - seek the good of others

rejoice always - keep a joyful heart at all times

pray without ceasing -

give thanks in all things -

1 Thessalonians 5.13-16

The Family’s Worship

1 Thessalonians 5:16–26 NASB95

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:19–26 NASB95

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 NASB95

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5.16-

1 Thessalonians 5.19-26

Worship is the most important activity of a local church family. Ministry must flow out of worship, otherwise it becomes busy activity without power and heart.

1 Thessalonians 5.19-22

Do not quench the Spirit

quench - to stifle; put out out the fire

make way for the Spirit of God move among you in worship

Do not despise prophetic utterances

Examine everything carefully

examine - grk. dokimazo, scrutinize

hold fast to that which is good.

Abstain from every form of evil.

abstain - to refrain from doing

Conclusion

Paul’s parting words:

1 Thessalonians 5:23–28 NASB95

1 Thessalonians 5.23-24

Having said all these things, Paul commits them into the hand of God.

only God can really and truly keep the church sanctified and preserved blameless until the Lord’s return.