Responding to Jesus by Giving Thanks – Week 1
“In All Things”
It is my privilege and honor to be able to bring the message today that I believe God has given me to share with you, His beloved children. Let’s stand for the reading of God’s Word as we turn to our passage today:
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle (undisciplined), encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18(ESV)
I am thankful to be working with Pastor Jerry as we serve this body of believers here at FBC. I am thankful for a group of elders and trustees that have come around us that have joined in this partnership to lead this church. I am thankful for Jody and Kevin as the ministry directors as they work with us in leading the NextGen ministries. I am thankful for the volunteer leaders that serve in the various ministries, for without them, we could not do or offer these ministries. And most of all, I am thankful for the people of FBC who love and support all of us!
As I was reading through this first letter to the church of Thessalonica, it could have been written to our church here in New Castle. In the first 3 ‘chapters’ of this letter, Paul was thanking God for what was happening in the church even after he had left. He was encouraging them to keep being faithful, letting them know he was praying for them. He also was encouraging them to keep spreading the Gospel until Christ’s return by living out their faith in their daily lives so that others would see the message of hope being ‘fleshed out’ in front of them.
He precedes these words with how we can do it, and then proceeds to tell us why. So let’s look at those together more intently (or intensely, as the case may be)
1. HOW?
“…who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work…”
-over you in the Lord (led by the Spirit)
-admonish you
DEFINITIONS OF ADMONISH:
to indicate duties or obligations to;
to express warning or disapproval to, especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner;
to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to;
to say (something) as advice or a warning
Expositor’s Bible Commentary says:
“admonish” means correction administered either by word or deed. It implies blame on the part of the one admonished. Naturally, this process arouses resentment, since discipline is never pleasant. Still the apostle presents admonition as necessary for the congregation and requires respect for those who exercise it.
Esteem in love: This is a part of respect that has been lost or forgotten In this day and age of “my rights” and “me first”, we have pushed love out of the picture.
encourage the fainthearted
help the weak
be patient with them all (Jerry quote)
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil…” (v15a)
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
“always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”(v15b)
Hebrews 13:16
“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God
-Always joyful…in all ways…full of joy
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!”
~What could he mean by that?
Expositor’s Bible Commentary:
“Intimately related to constant joy is incessant prayer—the only way to cultivate a joyful attitude in times of trial. Uninterrupted communication with God keeps temporal and spiritual values in balance. “Continually” does not mean nonstop praying. Rather, it implies constantly recurring prayer, growing out of a settled attitude of dependence on God. Whether words are uttered or not, lifting the heart to God while one is occupied with miscellaneous duties is the vital thing. Verbalized prayer will be spontaneous and will punctuate one’s daily schedule.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Philippians 1:3-4
“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy.”
2. WHY?
BENEDICTION:
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24(ESV)
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
You can listen to the message here.