s191-090907

Alêtheia Christian Fellowship ~ September 9, 2007

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 ~ 14We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Leadership ~ or ~ Community ~ or ~ Individual???

How about all three… Chrysostom, (Antioch 349, Bishop of Constantinople-407)

Admonish the unruly

Imperative form of, “Give you instruction.”

“The undisciplined” is ajtakto>v, military term for a soldier who breaks ranks in battle thus jeopardizing the whole unit.

In this context it undoubtedly refers to those who refuse to work. These people needed informed admonishment which demonstrated how such behavior was morally wrong and out of order with the principles of the Scripture.

Encourage the fainthearted

Little-soul-ed, ojligo>yucov, (oligarchy = rule by few)

Help the weak
       Without strength, same word in James translated as      sick

Be patient with everyone
       When one deals with the disorderly, the discouraged,      and the weak, patience or longsuffering is certainly a     needed quality = makroqumew, which literally     means   “long-anger.”

       Resistance, active or passive, to admonition,        exhortation or instruction, imposes a strain upon those     who seek the welfare of the saints, hence the need.

       We must not withdraw or become aloof with those    who try our patience, which is the natural tendency.

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. 
       kako<n ajnti< kakou~

       Gorilla at the zoo      

       The “always” is emphatic. Man’s tendency is to look       for loopholes to excuse the bad behavior of taking    matters into his own hands.

       He did not simply say, “do” or “practice,” but “pursue.”      This is diw>kw, which means “to hasten, run, chase    after, press on, is eager expenditure of all one’s    energies.”

      
Rejoice always
       Attitude based on perspective based on belief

Pray without ceasing
       If we have Joy we will turn to God in prayer

In everything give thanks

       If we pray – entering God’s presence we will become       thankful!

       Thankfulness is based on faith and thanklessness    is based on unbelief – Thankful people look at what’s       right – positive – good – they see God not Satan

       God not Satan behind every bush, in every person and directing every event.

       Who do you see?

1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 ~ 19Do not quench the Spirit; 20do not despise prophetic utterances. 21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil. 23Now 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. 24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 25Brethren, pray for us. 26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

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… Faithful is He who calls you

1     1) work of faith

       2) labor of love

       3) steadfastness of hope

       By the H.S. in our Lord Jesus in the presence of God

2     1 Thessalonians 1:6-7a ~ 6You also became        imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the      word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy   Spirit, 7so that you became an example

       They were living as bondservants in view of the hope of Christ’s imminent return.

3     1 Thessalonians 2:13b ~ when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you        accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it     really is, the word of God, which also performs its      work in you who believe.

4     1 Thessalonians 3:2a-3 ~ to strengthen and        encourage you as to your faith, 3so that no one        would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you   yourselves know that we have been destined for      this.

       qli~yiv is the crucible that tests, refines and proves   faith

5     1 Thessalonians 3:12b ~ may the Lord cause you to    increase and abound in love for one another, and for       all people, just as we also do for you – EXCELL more

6     1 Thessalonians 4:7b ~ God has not called us for the   purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

7     1 Thessalonians 4:11b ~ make it your ambition to    lead a quiet life and attend to your own business    and work with your hands

8     1 Thessalonians 4:13 ~ But we do not want you        to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who       have no hope.

9     1 Thessalonians 5:8b ~ since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 

10   1 Thessalonians 5:12b-13a ~ 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ~ 23Now 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. 24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

hJ ca>riv tou~ kuri>ou Ijhsou~ Cristou~ meq juJmw~n