God is Faithful and He will do it - Study 12/9/10
God is Faithful and He will do it
Last week we saw a news video of a California high school athlete (Holland Reynolds) who was running a cross country race. She was in the third position close to the finish line and all of a sudden, her feet collapsed for undetermined reason. She fell to the sideline and then her coach rushed to her side. With some encouragement, she regained strength in her arms and with “excruciating pains” crawled to the finish line. She is being celebrated for finishing the race that qualified her team to compete further in the State Championship. Reynolds said, "I don't remember falling, but then I remember crawling across the line." Now this is grace at work in finishing.
In concluding this wonderful love letter to the Thessalonians whom Apostle Paul loved and introduced (fathered) to faith in the living God, he prays for them, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it”. Are you afraid of making it to the end? Don’t worry, God will do it. The question is what has God called the Thessalonians to? God has called them and us to Himself for “he chose them” to be part of God’s family for His glory and pleasure.
In these final instructions, Paul lays out basic behaviors and expectations in functioning properly in the body of Christ, the family of God, the Church. He instructs the Thessalonians about respect and responsibility for one another. He talks about rejoicing always, praying always and giving God thanks in all circumstances. Remember that is God’s will for you and me. Paul ends letter by praying God’s grace upon the Thessalonians.
What an encouraging word then and for us now. We started the journey by God’s grace and we will end it in God’s grace. Making Christ Lord is our acknowledgment of our inability to live out life in our strength and power. Any other way of living is pride and lack of faith in God. Let’s live life asking for God’s help (His Holy Spirit) on a daily basis. “Ask and it shall be given to you…How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him”? Luke11:9-13.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul is now penning the final words of his letter. Remember that earlier in the letter, we understand how much he longed to be with the Thessalonians but Satan prevented him. He had no other choice than to pray for this new body of Christ and also send Timothy to visit and be with the Thessalonians.
2. In this new body of believers, Paul recognizes that hard work is required in any good relationship. Faith in God and in relating is hard work and people should be respected for their work. “Acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” vs.11 and 13. Note that Paul is not calling for the “worship “of these people (the overseers or pastors). In fact he is saying recognize and acknowledge and say thank you to any who works hard among you. Paul was not emphasizing title in this injunction. These days, there is “pastor worship” and people are taking on titles such as Bishop and General Overseer (GO) and expect others to worship them. They are building disciples unto themselves. If the leaders are truly servants which they should be, we should respect them for their work sake. You are not the disciple of any man/woman but you are the disciple of Christ.
3. In the body of Christ, there is no hierarchy. In fact it is the other way round. The leaders are the servants of all. If you are in the midst of a hierarchical set up, please consider finding a true church and body of Christ. God has given us each his Holy Spirit and there is no "senior or junior holy spirit”. There are gifting to each for serving the entire body of Christ. Your gift does not make you more superior to the other member of the body. We are also all subject to the “admonition” Paul speaks about. No Church leaders are exempt and let’s not buy-in into this misuse of the Scripture “touch not my anointed” an excuse that has led to so many church abuses. We are all anointed (God’s Holy Spirit lives in us) to do what is right. In our natural family, your senior brother/sister cannot feel superior to you and become so unapproachable to the point you need a ticket to see or speak to him/her. Something is wrong with this picture.
4. What exactly is the hard work Paul is referring to? It is the work of diligent study of the word of God and equipping of the body of Christ. It is the caring (visiting the sick and feeding the hungry and etc) that goes on in the body of Christ. It also includes the hard work of mothers caring for the young ones and for maintaining the home. It is implied here that people work hard so that others are helped. In fact this is the work of all in the body and not just the so called “leaders”. It is hard work to admonish. In the Greek, admonish, “Nouthesia is "the training by word," whether of encouragement, or, if necessary, by reproof or remonstrance”. Every one of us needs to be admonished and encouraged.
5. Someone has to do the hard job described in vs.14 “warn those who are idle and disruptive”. Remember Paul already spoke about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:11. There is no place for idleness/laziness in the body of Christ. We all have something to contribute. Who are the disruptive or unruly? Those who are always arguing for the sake of argument and those who disturb the peace of the body by their gossip and “not minding their own business” as Paul had earlier instructed. Of course the first body of Christ, the Church is your immediate family. Are you contributing to the peace of your home or are you idle and disruptive? I have always believed that if the Church, the body of Christ is not functioning in your home, it cannot function outside your home. May we “be” the Church and not just “attend” Church. We are His body and the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore there must we peace wherever we are and dwell (as long as it depends on us).
6. Paul further instructs the Thessalonians to “encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” vs.14. Who are the disheartened or the fainthearted? These are those who are going through some severe trials at the moment as we would all have gone through at some point. We are to encourage them not to give up. I therefore encourage you (my brother or sister) now in your present trial not to give up for this too shall pass. The “weak” are to be helped. Paul is most likely referring to the physically impaired. We are to be patient with all and not some but all people. We often do not understand what people are struggling with and we should pray for them that God will work it out for them. It sounds like there is someone you know who fits one of these categories. If you can’t think of any, I am one so please pray for me just as Paul requested in vs. 25.
7. Keep in mind that the Thessalonians’ Church did not have “professional clergy” as we have today. As such the body of Christ functioned as it should be. People prophesied by encouraging each other but there was a requirement so that God will be glorified in it. Paul thus instructs them “Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil” vs. 19-21. Every one of us should be an encourager/exhorter or prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:3) but we are to always check in with the written word to ensure that what we are saying/hearing lines up with God’s word. We are to hold unto only that which is good and edifying and reject every evil counsel regardless of whom it is coming from. Well meaning people can sometimes give bad counsel. You and I have something to offer and say because you have the Holy Spirit of God. Please do not quench (but test) the Spirit that is in you or that is in the other brother or sister. I would love to hear your take on our studies so please write because I am learning just as you.
8. Did you see who is doing the sanctifying work vs.23 and 24? It is God himself. He has set you and me apart for His glory and God will make sure He gets the glory. “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it”. Our God is faithful. By giving us His Holy Spirit, God has guaranteed presenting us “blameless” when Christ returns. Are you worried of not finishing? You are in “good hands with the Almighty” (not All State Insurance company). God’s grace will enable us to obey all the injunctions of Scripture as Paul penned. By the time we see Jesus the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit will be complete and “through and through” vs.23.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” vs. 28. Paul concludes the letter in his usual manner. As one who has truly received this grace of God (as a previous murdering, blasphemer, persecutor of Christ, chief of sinners), he always prays the same for all. This is the highest prayer for anyone because with God’s grace comes all the enablement to do and please God. God’s word is His grace, so may His grace be sufficient for you and me today and forever. As recipients of His abundant grace, let’s impact grace to all (especially those yet-to believe and come to faith in Christ) for freely we have received and freely we must give. May we be changed forever by studying this first Letter of Paul. What is the one thing that has changed in your life as a result this study of the Letter to the Thessalonians? Please tell someone about it. Thank you for journeying with me. I look forward to our study of the 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians in the new year 2011. May the Lord bless you. Amen.
Last week we saw a news video of a California high school athlete (Holland Reynolds) who was running a cross country race. She was in the third position close to the finish line and all of a sudden, her feet collapsed for undetermined reason. She fell to the sideline and then her coach rushed to her side. With some encouragement, she regained strength in her arms and with “excruciating pains” crawled to the finish line. She is being celebrated for finishing the race that qualified her team to compete further in the State Championship. Reynolds said, "I don't remember falling, but then I remember crawling across the line." Now this is grace at work in finishing.
In concluding this wonderful love letter to the Thessalonians whom Apostle Paul loved and introduced (fathered) to faith in the living God, he prays for them, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it”. Are you afraid of making it to the end? Don’t worry, God will do it. The question is what has God called the Thessalonians to? God has called them and us to Himself for “he chose them” to be part of God’s family for His glory and pleasure.
In these final instructions, Paul lays out basic behaviors and expectations in functioning properly in the body of Christ, the family of God, the Church. He instructs the Thessalonians about respect and responsibility for one another. He talks about rejoicing always, praying always and giving God thanks in all circumstances. Remember that is God’s will for you and me. Paul ends letter by praying God’s grace upon the Thessalonians.
What an encouraging word then and for us now. We started the journey by God’s grace and we will end it in God’s grace. Making Christ Lord is our acknowledgment of our inability to live out life in our strength and power. Any other way of living is pride and lack of faith in God. Let’s live life asking for God’s help (His Holy Spirit) on a daily basis. “Ask and it shall be given to you…How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him”? Luke11:9-13.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul is now penning the final words of his letter. Remember that earlier in the letter, we understand how much he longed to be with the Thessalonians but Satan prevented him. He had no other choice than to pray for this new body of Christ and also send Timothy to visit and be with the Thessalonians.
2. In this new body of believers, Paul recognizes that hard work is required in any good relationship. Faith in God and in relating is hard work and people should be respected for their work. “Acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” vs.11 and 13. Note that Paul is not calling for the “worship “of these people (the overseers or pastors). In fact he is saying recognize and acknowledge and say thank you to any who works hard among you. Paul was not emphasizing title in this injunction. These days, there is “pastor worship” and people are taking on titles such as Bishop and General Overseer (GO) and expect others to worship them. They are building disciples unto themselves. If the leaders are truly servants which they should be, we should respect them for their work sake. You are not the disciple of any man/woman but you are the disciple of Christ.
3. In the body of Christ, there is no hierarchy. In fact it is the other way round. The leaders are the servants of all. If you are in the midst of a hierarchical set up, please consider finding a true church and body of Christ. God has given us each his Holy Spirit and there is no "senior or junior holy spirit”. There are gifting to each for serving the entire body of Christ. Your gift does not make you more superior to the other member of the body. We are also all subject to the “admonition” Paul speaks about. No Church leaders are exempt and let’s not buy-in into this misuse of the Scripture “touch not my anointed” an excuse that has led to so many church abuses. We are all anointed (God’s Holy Spirit lives in us) to do what is right. In our natural family, your senior brother/sister cannot feel superior to you and become so unapproachable to the point you need a ticket to see or speak to him/her. Something is wrong with this picture.
4. What exactly is the hard work Paul is referring to? It is the work of diligent study of the word of God and equipping of the body of Christ. It is the caring (visiting the sick and feeding the hungry and etc) that goes on in the body of Christ. It also includes the hard work of mothers caring for the young ones and for maintaining the home. It is implied here that people work hard so that others are helped. In fact this is the work of all in the body and not just the so called “leaders”. It is hard work to admonish. In the Greek, admonish, “Nouthesia is "the training by word," whether of encouragement, or, if necessary, by reproof or remonstrance”. Every one of us needs to be admonished and encouraged.
5. Someone has to do the hard job described in vs.14 “warn those who are idle and disruptive”. Remember Paul already spoke about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:11. There is no place for idleness/laziness in the body of Christ. We all have something to contribute. Who are the disruptive or unruly? Those who are always arguing for the sake of argument and those who disturb the peace of the body by their gossip and “not minding their own business” as Paul had earlier instructed. Of course the first body of Christ, the Church is your immediate family. Are you contributing to the peace of your home or are you idle and disruptive? I have always believed that if the Church, the body of Christ is not functioning in your home, it cannot function outside your home. May we “be” the Church and not just “attend” Church. We are His body and the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore there must we peace wherever we are and dwell (as long as it depends on us).
6. Paul further instructs the Thessalonians to “encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” vs.14. Who are the disheartened or the fainthearted? These are those who are going through some severe trials at the moment as we would all have gone through at some point. We are to encourage them not to give up. I therefore encourage you (my brother or sister) now in your present trial not to give up for this too shall pass. The “weak” are to be helped. Paul is most likely referring to the physically impaired. We are to be patient with all and not some but all people. We often do not understand what people are struggling with and we should pray for them that God will work it out for them. It sounds like there is someone you know who fits one of these categories. If you can’t think of any, I am one so please pray for me just as Paul requested in vs. 25.
7. Keep in mind that the Thessalonians’ Church did not have “professional clergy” as we have today. As such the body of Christ functioned as it should be. People prophesied by encouraging each other but there was a requirement so that God will be glorified in it. Paul thus instructs them “Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil” vs. 19-21. Every one of us should be an encourager/exhorter or prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:3) but we are to always check in with the written word to ensure that what we are saying/hearing lines up with God’s word. We are to hold unto only that which is good and edifying and reject every evil counsel regardless of whom it is coming from. Well meaning people can sometimes give bad counsel. You and I have something to offer and say because you have the Holy Spirit of God. Please do not quench (but test) the Spirit that is in you or that is in the other brother or sister. I would love to hear your take on our studies so please write because I am learning just as you.
8. Did you see who is doing the sanctifying work vs.23 and 24? It is God himself. He has set you and me apart for His glory and God will make sure He gets the glory. “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it”. Our God is faithful. By giving us His Holy Spirit, God has guaranteed presenting us “blameless” when Christ returns. Are you worried of not finishing? You are in “good hands with the Almighty” (not All State Insurance company). God’s grace will enable us to obey all the injunctions of Scripture as Paul penned. By the time we see Jesus the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit will be complete and “through and through” vs.23.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” vs. 28. Paul concludes the letter in his usual manner. As one who has truly received this grace of God (as a previous murdering, blasphemer, persecutor of Christ, chief of sinners), he always prays the same for all. This is the highest prayer for anyone because with God’s grace comes all the enablement to do and please God. God’s word is His grace, so may His grace be sufficient for you and me today and forever. As recipients of His abundant grace, let’s impact grace to all (especially those yet-to believe and come to faith in Christ) for freely we have received and freely we must give. May we be changed forever by studying this first Letter of Paul. What is the one thing that has changed in your life as a result this study of the Letter to the Thessalonians? Please tell someone about it. Thank you for journeying with me. I look forward to our study of the 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians in the new year 2011. May the Lord bless you. Amen.
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