“The Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; Ad to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
I. Order in The Church
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
God loves His church, and it is His desire that it functions in an orderly fashion.
1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.
We have to agree to serve Jesus by serving one another and we have to recognize that like every other part of life, there are roles.
II. for One Another
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Healthy churches are churches filled with brothers and sisters in Christ who look out for one another.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
III. Your Life to Christ
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
As we “yield” our lives to God, we give Him the space in which to work “in” us and to bring His “will” to pass.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
A life that is yielded to God will be a life that mirrors the teaching of His Word.
IV. in Fellowship with Others
1 Thessalonians 5:25-28 Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.