Living For God Series

Living for God

Jeffery Anselmi / General

Thessalonians- Faith In Uncertain Times / Walk; Faithfulness / 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24

INTRODUCTION

• In the last couple of weeks, we have covered what 1 Thessalonians tells us about the issue of the Second Coming of Jesus.

• I am glad Paul gave us the information so we can know how things will go when Jesus returns.

• Remember, how the events of the Second Coming would play out was a deep concern for the church at the time since they were expecting Jesus to return at any moment, even to the point that some had quit working and were waiting for Jesus to return.

• The overarching concern was what would happen to those who died before the Second Coming.

• Paul offered what he wrote to help ease the tension folks were experiencing as a result of not knowing the fate of those who had already died.

• Today, folks are so fixated on the logistics of the Second Coming that if we are not careful, we can forget what is truly important for all of us to grasp: what to do until He does return or we pass away.

• Some people may become fixated on finding out the specifics of God's will, plan, and timetable, especially regarding the topic of Jesus's Second Coming.

• But Jesus Himself warned us that no one other than God knows the day or the hour of his return (see Matthew 24:36).

• However, we can still know God's will for us, with passages like this one clearly indicating what God desires from us in every time and season: godly living.

• The way the Second Coming happens is of little consequence if we are not READY for Jesus to return.

• Paul understood this concept, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he shared with us what God's will for us is while we anticipate the coming of the Lord!

› Big Idea of the Message: We might not know the day or time of Jesus's return, but we can always know God's will for us is to live godly lives of faithful obedience.

• Our passage today will give us an idea of what living a godly life looks like.

• Let's begin by turning to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

1 Thessalonians 5:12–15 (NET 2nd ed.)

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

SERMON

I. Living for God while living with others in your life.

• Paul reveals God's will for us concerning how to live with others; the main focus of this teaching centers around how to live with your brothers and sisters in Christ, your church family.

• Paul begins with how those in the church are to live with their church leaders.

• In verse 12, he tells us to acknowledge them.

• This section also shows the leaders' obligation toward the flock.

• Church leaders are called to labor hard on behalf of the flock.

• Church leaders are called to preside over the flock and admonish the flock when needed.

• The word PRESIDE denotes one who has authority and to care for others by doing good works.

• The word ADMONISH means to give instruction.

• Church leaders are called to labor hard, lead, and instruct.

• Doing those things can be upsetting to people at times.

• It is not always an easy job.

• I find it interesting that Paul starts the end of his letter admonishing us to appreciate our leaders.

• Why do you think Paul did this?

• A leader's job is tough; it can be a thankless job sometimes.

• This is one of the reasons that the first qualification for Elder found in 1 Timothy 3 is the desire to do the work.

• It is easy for people to take shots at leaders in business or church.

• Often, people who want to lead but do not want any responsibility will be very critical of church leaders.

• Our responsibility to our church leaders is to acknowledge them.

• The connotation here is that believers must know their shepherds deeply and respectfully and value their service.

• Such knowledge is much more than the mere recall of their names or the general awareness of some facts about their personal lives.