SCRIPTURE: 1 THESSALONIANS 5
BIBLE VERSES:
“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)
“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. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)
“ Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)
Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When that time comes, they cannot escape from the destruction. They will experience like the labor [pains of a pregnant woman. However, those who are in Christ are sons of light. Paul told them to be alert and self-controlled by putting on faith and love as breastplate and the hope of salvation as helmet. They should encourage and build each other up.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS (vs. 12-28)
- Respect and love those who are over you in the Lord who work hard and admonish you (v. 12)
- Live at peace with each other (v. 13)
- Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak and be patient with everyone (v. 14)
- Do not pay back wrong for wrong. Try to be kind to everyone (v. 15)
- Be joyful always (v. 16)
- Pray continually (v. 17)
- Give thanks in all circumstances (v. 18)
- Do not put out the Spirit’s fire (v. 19)
- Do not treat prophesies with contempt 9v. 20)
- Test everything. Hold on to the good (v. 21)
- Avoid any kind of evil (v. 22)
- Pray for us (v. 25)
- Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss (v. 26)
BENEDICTION:
Paul blessed them with God’s peace. He asked the believers to keep their spirit, soul and boy blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
LESSONS:
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S COMING – By Warren Wiersbe
- Be Watchful in how you live (vs. 1-11) – Live like sons of light be being self-controlled. Put on faith and love as breastplate and hope of salvation as helmet because Christ’s coming will be sudden and unexpected like a thief in the night.
- Be Respectful to spiritual leaders (vs. 12-13) – Respect your spiritual leaders and express your appreciation on how you have been helped by their leadership. Thank them for their ministry in your life, Support them with love and unity.
- Be Mindful to one another (vs. 14-15) – Each member must be sensitive to other’s need for encouragement and offer support with words and actions. Each must use his gift for the good of others and for the glory of God. Treat others with patience and love without returning evil for evil.
- Be Thankful to God (vs. 16-18) – Christian who walks with the Lord will be able to be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.
- Be Careful in worship (vs. 19-21) – It is necessary to test the messages in wroships ervice. Avoid going overboard in emotional abuses by the Spirit nor quench the Spirit by rejecting the supernatural works of the Spirit.
- Be Cautious in daily conduct (vs. 22-28) – Hold on to the good and avoid every kind of evil. Yield to God and let him build you up in holiness.