Marks of a Genuine Church

Opening Question:

What are things that make a group a “team” ?

Today we are looking at and we will look at some defining characteristics of what Christians should look like (what are some things that define Christians

1 Thessalonians 5:12–20 CSB

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies,

Question: What are some things that stand out?

Follow up: Why?

Question: Who are the “brothers and sisters?”

The church at Thessalonica

Question: Who is we? (“Now we ask...”)

Paul, Silas (or Silvanus), and Timothy

Question: Does anything stand out in v. 14?

Warn is -

Others are +

Follow up: If so, what & why?

Warn is - (Negative)

Others are + (Positive)

Question: Do we/you see warning someone as a good thing?

Question: How do you determine when to warn someone (about anything)?

Follow Up: Are you too fast or too slow to warn?

Question: When you see a situation that merits warning, is your end goal restoration?

As Christians we are called to care - Especially for each other

When we see warning as a negative thing we will:

Use it in spite - warn them, not hoping they will change but rather just to say “I told you so”

Be afraid to warn - because it might upset them because warning involves taking a “right/wrong” “Benefit/Hurtful” stance

Question: What does it mean to “rejoice?”

Have & Express Joy

Question: What does it mean to “pray?”

Intentional, thoughtful, communication with God

(not thinking about something or thinking to yourself)

(you wouldn’t call it talking to your spouse if you simply were thinking things that had to do with them)

Question: What does it mean to “give thanks?”

Expression of Gratitude for something or someone

Question: Who are these directed towards?

God

Question: Are these done in isolation?

No - remember “Brothers and sisters...”

Question: When do we do these things?

Always, Constantly, In All Things

Question: Is there a theme in these?

Theme - How often

Theme - That they are outward expressions of inward change

Christians should bear certain marks

These things cannot be faked

They constancy of these things will always reveal the heart when having to express them in tough times (Joy, Prayerfulness, Thankfulness)

Looking for God’s Will? (Demystification of God’s Will)

Start here: if you don’t follow Christ, then start by following Him

If you do follow Christ, then get in community and do these things and watch where that takes you

Acts 17:1–4 CSB

After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.