Hold On To The Good Series

AMC, 16.01.2022

Theme: Hold on to the Good

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Greetings:

Introduction:

We began this year with the theme: Do well in everything and every place (1 Kings 2:3), then the monthly theme is Do Good (Deuteronomy 12:28). We had meditated on the theme: Always Go Well (Deuteronomy 12:26-32), Do not weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9-10).

Today I would like to share with you Holding on to the Good. My meditation is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 at the end of the epistle, Paul puts certain things to hold on to:

Three good things to hold on to in our lives:

1. Hold pastors in the highest respect

2. Hold on to God’s will

3. Hold on to the Good

1. Hold Pastors in the highest respect (1 Thessalonians 12-15)

Paul urged the believers at Thessalonica to appreciate, value, and esteem Pastors who serve them. Appreciate means being acquainted with your shepherd and their prayer life, understanding their preaching, teaching and noting their exemplary life of sacrifice, humility, care and love of the congregation. Servant of God is appointed to oversee the congregation in spiritual matters. The ministers of God are organisers managers of the corporate affairs of their Church, also spiritual guides to give practical advice to individual Christians. (Ellicott) .

“Labouring,” “presiding,” and “admonishing” are the threefold calling of the Pastoral ministry. (Cambridge Bible for Schools and College). Benson observes there are three duties of a Minister. He labours, presides over, and admonishes the whole flock. Labour by preaching, teaching, catechising, visiting the sick, administering the ordinances. Presiding over and preventing all irregularities, and keeping order in their assemblies, and taking care that everyone, and give admonitions and reproofs necessary to amend the ways of the faulting brethren. Matthew Henry Puts that pastors must bear and forbear, be long-suffering, keep down anger, and must do good to others. John Gill says that the Congregations must love their shepherds exceedingly. The love not out of fear, nor in hypocrisy and dissimulation, not in word and tongue only, but from the heart and real affection.

According to Vincent, the ecclesiastical jargon of the Pauline Epistles is unsettled. The primitive Pauline church was not a homogeneous institution throughout Christendom. They were separate fraternities and were self-governing. The recognition of those who ministered to the congregations depended on the free choice of their members in the early centuries. (Vincent’s Word Studies). But one thing is clear that there existed orders in the Church, such as Clergy and laity with specific duties and authority. (Cambridge Bible for Schools and College).

We need to respect the kingdom workers because they are sent by God (Matthew 9:38). The elders or the presbyters who involve in preaching and teaching, due for respect and love. To recognize their office (1 Corinthians 16:18), and treat them accordingly with reverence and with liberality in supplying their needs (1 Timothy 5:17). Because they are soul winners as wise workers (Proverbs 11:30), kingdom builders, and lead many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3). Paul had the vision, aim and purpose to win as many as possible (1 Corinthians 9:19).

Paul tells them that they should honour in love the one who admonishes them. Servants of God admonish believers to live in peace with each other, warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Teach not to be revengeful and be kind to one another (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15). Paul simply meant the spiritual discipline of the believers. Follow their faith life. Honour them in whatever way you can. You will receive the award from the Lord. This is true with us even today. How we respect and regard those who work among us for the Lord. The full-time ministers, evangelists, Pastors?

2. Hold on to God’s will (1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18)

Illustration:

The stranger approached the pastor after service and said, “I’d like you to pray for my hearing.”

The pastor placed his hands on the man’s ears and said a passionate, earnest prayer.

“How’s your hearing now?” the pastor asked.

Looking surprised, the man said, “Pastor I asked for a court hearing which is on tomorrow.” (Court Hearing)

Paul continued to write and exhort the believers at Thessalonica to be Joyful always, Pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. These three precepts are easy when things are favourable and if everything goes well.

Disciples of Christ must cultivate the practice of the presence of God which leads to an overflow of joy. A wicked man rejoices in his wickedness, a hypocrite in his profession of religion, and the reputation he gains by it; and a legalist in his morality, civility, negative holiness, and obedience to the rituals of the law; for such rejoice in their boastings which are evil.

But rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the greatness, fitness, fulness, and glory of his person, in his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice. Rejoice not in the things of this life, such as for a fitting physical body, for intellectual property, for owning plots and flats, and having riches. But for that, your name is written in heaven, and you are redeemed by the blood of Christ, and called by his grace, and shall be glorified together with him, and shall live eternally (John Gill).