The True Life Of A True Christian

Message/Devotion

February 2, 2020

1 Thessalonians 5 [ with emphasis on verses 16-18 ]

The True Life of A True Christian

The Reading

5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, warn those who are [f]unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify[g] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this [h]epistle be read to all the [i]holy brethren

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

The Message

When the pastor says: “Let us pray” – or¬- “Bow your heads and all eyes closed” – or - “I invite you to pray with me now”. Just what goes through your mind?

Most likely, we all bow our heads and close our eyes in obedience. Then what? Do we listen intently to the words and meanings of the uttered prayer? Are we just maybe thinking about any one of many thoughts in the back of our minds? Maybe we’d like to just get on with it. OR do we seriously and earnestly listen to every word of the prayer and endorse it with enthusiasm? When we say “Amen” at the end of a prayer we are saying that we are in 100% agreement with the words spoken. Most translations ascribe to amen as “so mote it be” more modern “may it be so!”.

A thought came to mind the other evening in our bible study: Nothing breeds success like success! Does that resonate with you? And so, it is with FAITH. When we pray and have FAITH in God that He will hear and answer that prayer. When He does answer, what does that do to our faith in God and in prayer? Of course, it strengthens it and renews it.

Look at it like this: A family is heavily in debt and cannot see a way out. First of all, nothing is too difficult for God. You either believe that or not. This family decides to pray for God to bless them with a way out. He will! There is no question about it. It may not be quick, it probably will not be painless, but trust and faith say, He will. I believe that He will, do you? In other words, it is a sure thing.

But because we are a hedonistic bunch always looking for the quick fix and immediate gratification, many will put their faith and trust in a lottery ticket. Am I right? What are the odds that the lottery ticket will provide a way out of debt? God is a sure thing. Lottery offers odds at 1 in 13,983,816. That's 1 shot in almost 14 million.