Truthful, Charitable, Thankful

Over the last several weeks we have been in a series entitled “Cultural Drift & Christian Response”, where rather than deciding to ISOLATE ourselves from the culture or COMPROMISE with the culture, we have been challenged to

ENGAGE our culture without becoming ENTANGLED in our culture. We have addressed WHY and HOW a Christian in American culture should vote. We have addressed the tough topics of the Abomination of Abortion & then the Sexual Tsunami & the LGBTQ Agenda.

Today will be a little lighter, but no less important.

Christians have persevered for 2 centuries, during the reign of good and bad rulers, during times of growth and persecution of the church. Through it all, Christians have been known for being TRUTHFUL, CHARITABLE, & THANKFUL. Have you ever known people like that?

Have you ever known people like that?

When it’s easy to be honest, they’re TRUTHFUL. When it’s NOT easy to be honest - they’re still TRUTHFUL.

When it’s easy to be kind, they’re CHARITABLE. When it’s NOT easy to be kind - they’re still CHARITABLE.

When things are good - they’re THANKFUL. When things AREN’T good - they’re still THANKFUL.

In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul writes to encourage folks to be ready for the day Jesus returns. Until then, followers of Jesus are to live lives that are TRUTHFUL, CHARITABLE, & THANKFUL. Let’s dig in.

Let’s set the context.

1 Thessalonians 5:11–13 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now 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. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:14a (NIV) And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive,

Followers of Jesus aren’t supposed to allow brothers and sisters to be idle - to live in laziness or be disruptive among the body of Christ. Christians are to be TRUTHFUL.

In his 2nd letter to the same group of people, Paul writes

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

Paul commands Titus with these words:

Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.

Believers are to be known for living and speaking the truth.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Believers should speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), but we shouldn’t sidestep the truth with fellow Christians nor with our culture.

The apostles of Jesus told people in their culture the TRUTH about Jesus - and urged them to turn from sin and turn to Jesus.

Acts 17:30b–31 ...He [God] commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” 

Some people listened and responded to TRUTH claims about Jesus. Others thought it was foolishness. Telling others the TRUTH about turning from sin and turning to Jesus resulted in significant persecution including being beaten, imprisoned, and even being killed, believers continued to share.

SECONDLY, believers are to be CHARITABLE.

1 Thes 5:14b-15 encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 

To be Charitable means to treat others with kindness and patience, and show that you have their best interest in mind.

Do you know anyone who is disheartened or discouraged? What are you doing to encourage that person?

Do you know anyone who is weak and struggling? What are you doing to help that person?

Do you know anyone who is treated you wrong? What are you doing to do good to that person?

THIRD, believers are to be THANKFUL.

1 Thes 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Is that characteristic of YOU? Are you someone who is known for THANKFULNESS or DISSATISFACTION? - for a SMILE or a SMIRK?

Let’s take a moment and consider what we should be thankful for.

First, how about thanking God for His incredible provision in your life! How many meals have you eaten this week…this month…this year? How about thanking God for the house you live in and the vehicles He’s given you.

Second, are you thankful for your family & friends?

Lastly, and most important, if you’re a follower of Jesus, then how about thanking God for that your sin is fully forgiven!

But our THANKFULNESS isn’t just LIP-SERVICE, Thankfulness is a LIFESTYLE for followers of Jesus - in the good times AND in the bad times.

Let’s look at how this played out for the first followers of Jesus.

As they spoke the TRUTH about Jesus.

They demonstrated what it means to be CHARITABLE - caring for people that others didn’t care about. In fact, it was their willingness to be TRUTHFUL and CHARITABLE that got them into TROUBLE.

And how these first followers of Jesus were THANKFUL - even during tough times.

In Acts 3 Peter and John are walking into the Temple area when they come upon a man who was partially paralyzed since birth. When he asked them for money they gave him something better - by the authority of Jesus - he was healed!

Of course that led to lots of people being amazed that this man was healed (Acts 3:9-10). Watch how Simon Peter is TRUTHFUL & CHARITABLE in sharing the good news of Jesus.

Acts 3:12–15 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus. You handed Him over to be killed [TRUTHFUL], and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 

Acts 3:14-16 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One [TRUTHFUL] and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. 

Acts 3:17-20 Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance [CHARITABLE], as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus [TRUTHFUL & CHARITABLE].

What was the result of all that?

Acts 5:40–42 ...They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

How in the world could they respond that way!?!?

They were reminded of what Jesus had done for them! So, they were TRUTHFUL, they were CHARITABLE towards others, and they were THANKFUL - even during tough times.

FEET2FAITH

Be known for being TRUTHFUL, even if that means getting in trouble. Tell the truth at home, school, work, church.

Have you ever heard these words: “Don’t lie - you’re at church.”

Does your geographical location determine whether or not you’re allowed to lie? Does God care more that you lie in this building or with this group of people and care less about you lying in another building (work, school, home) and with another group of people? Of course not. Tell the truth wherever you are. And tell people the truth about Jesus and their need to turn from sin.

Is that how others view you? Do they view you as someone who is TRUTHFUL or someone whose words can’t be trusted?

Be known for being CHARITABLE, encouraging those struggling, helping the weak; being patient with all; even loving those who don’t love you back.

Someone told me about a couple of our older teenagers who saw a younger student - new to our group - who was sitting alone as during our Student Ministry event called 180 - this past Wed night. These 2 young folks got up and moved beside the younger student - because that person is valuable to God - and they wanted to demonstrate that great truth! I spoke with one of these young leaders and encouraged him. He received that, but very humbly. His goal wasn’t so that I WOULD KNOW. These 2 young folks were CHARITABLE.

Is that how others view you? Do they view you as someone who is CHARITABLE or someone who is harsh, unkind, impatient, & prideful?

Be known for being THANKFUL, thankful for life, thankful for how God has provided for your needs; thankful for family & friends; and thankful for JESUS - and His incredible forgiveness!

Is that how others view you? Do they view you as someone who is THANKFUL or someone who is DISSATISFIED?

As we head into Thanksgiving, will you purposely make time to tell others that you are thankful for how God has provided? How about you take time to tell OTHERS how thankful you are for them! Matter of fact - why don’t YOU lead your family/friends you gather with for a Thanksgiving meal - to pause and allow each person to SHARE around the table what you thank God for.

Finally, come help us on Tuesday as we distribute food to needy folks in our community - AG CENTER from 9am-1pm.

As always, if you need help - WE’RE HERE. Talk to another Christian who loves you.

Call your STAFF.

Call your Deacons & Wives.