Trouble Wrapping it Up

Paul has covered a LOT of ground in this rather shot letter

Seems like he has some thoughts left over that he doesn’t take the time to fully flesh out for them

He then ends with some somewhat standard closing remarks

Interesting note that the text starts by asking; switches to urging; moves to some direct imperatives

We’re going to quickly dissect the passage, then apply the passage to our lives/situations today

Respect

Underlying word has a sense of knowledge of a person

That’s tough in a megachurch; not so tough in a smaller body

For those in authority in the church—elders, pastors (subset of elder), deacons

He notes those who labor—leans toward wearing themselves down

We have a responsibility over the congregation—even to admonish—warn against wrongdoing

Followed by esteeming because of love…sense of following the leadership

Being at peace is something of a bridge between 12-13 and 14 ff

If all are actively following and supporting the same leadership they should more easily...

Linguistics suggests a never-ending behavior; keep on doing this

Remain

For the most part, imperative in form—DO IT/ DON’T do it—pre and proscriptive writing

…faithful to the path Paul had taught them

Be at peace—should be a major mark of all believers, in all times, all circumstances

Admonishing the idle; possibly reference to the once who were lazing around waiting

…or those who were just lazy; Paul did warn that if you don’t work you don’t eat (2 Thess. 3)

Encourage the faint-hearted—many of the day grew weary, under the pressure of the politics, the daily oppression and discouraging situations

Help the week—everyone is stronger than someone—being patient with them

Don’t repay evil with evil…seek to do good

Rejoice is a separate heading

Don’t quench the Spirit—don’t be a nay-sayer when the Holy Spirit is at work in someone, some group

Don’t despise prophecies—forth-telling, not fore-telling (caution on a comment of last week)

Abstain from every form of evil

…if God calls it sin, don’t do it!

…if God leads you away from something, don’t go there

…stay clear of the edges

Rejoice

This is the happy part—sort of

Always; God is good, all the time and all the time, God is good

We have the Biblical precedents…among the most clear are in Daniel

3 men in the fire; Daniel and the lion’s den

The apostles singing hymns in the middle of the night while in prison

Giving thanks in all circumstances follows; Paul expressed that with his comment to the Philippians 4:11-13

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

There was no hint of complaint, only that God was good

Remember

It is God who will ultimately sanctify…we’re in process now, ultimately God will finish that

He will be with us—working that process in us

He is faithful

Psalm 37:25 ESV

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

He will bring us through this

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Spread this word—don’t hold it for yourself or a small group of “special” believers

Don’t forget that God’s grace is with you…His undeserved favor…His goodness to you by granting salvation

A Final WITFM

On the matter of respect

Let’s keep that respect and esteeming as a priority in our minds

In our context, it’s pastors and deacons

…unless you’re in the position, you have no concept of the workload

NOTE: each of our current deacons fulfills the requirement of being an elder

We can stretch the principle to our other officers, trustees, clerk, treasurer…but there is no Biblical warrant to do so, also no requirement for having them…or qualifications for the position

Remember the components of knowledge and following

…confusion and lack of trust can come when there is poor communication

>>If you have questions about direction of events/policies…ask

To complain, or buck the system is sinful; address conflicts with leadership in an open and orderly fashion

On the matter of remaining

Largely a matter of simple Biblical living, itemized pretty carefully

…good place to start a discipleship lesson

Having Biblical standards; worldview

…filtering all through the grid of God’s Word

>>we have to know the word to do this

Psalm 119:105 ESV

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:130 ESV

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

In our relationships with others follow

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

In our relationship with God and His Word, being open to the Spirit

Jesus sent Him to be our helper, to dwell in us, our body as His temple…act like it

In staying pure—abstaining from evil—remember

James 4:7 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

On the matter of rejoicing

Not as easy as it sounds…may take more discipline that some of the others

If we live in an attitude of prayer, continually being thankful, that’s a good start

Heard this from a dear friend just this week:

The Lord is good! I'm still in the hospital, still don't feel good, and the doctors still don't have answers. But God is still good! This time next week, if I am back in class and have answers that are pleasant, we will say "Aint God good?". But if I have no answers or a really bad answer, or even if I'm in a casket, these words will still be true, "The Lord is good."

He recalls the Psalms

Psalm 100:5 ESV

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 106:1 ESV

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1 ESV

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

On the matter of remembering

Keep working on sanctification; the Spirit provides the power to do so; we add the will and the actions to make it happen

Pray for your leaders—your pastors, deacons especially

…unless you have experienced the workload, don’t be critical

Greet others warmly—being cognizant of Covid-19 realities

…the kiss was cultural and certainly not to have any suggestive overtones

Share the Word that you know; don’t keep it to yourselves

…words of comfort, encouragement, correction, even rebuke

Be visible in living the Gospel—don’t keep it hidden; be the light…and the salt, the world needs

This is the outworking of God’s grace through Jesus Christ the Lord