Respect
 
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over 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.
 
IN this and the remainder of 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul teaches 11 “action commands” to help the church become effective disciples of Jesus Christ. We’ll begin to learn these with Paul’s command to respect those who work hard against you.  
   Respect is a key component for a functioning, loving relationship. For example, Paul teaches love and respect is a vital part of marriage: Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. In this is the inherent understanding that love and respect must be mutual. Likewise, respect is vital in the church and a community to live in peace with one another. It seems, then, that Paul was writing a two-fold lesson: Leaders, respect the congregation. Congregation, respect your leaders.    
   Church leaders, how do  you respect or honor the church you help oversee? First, you consider that you have a special calling. Know God has placed you in leadership for his good and glory. Humbly understand your rule is not on your merit but on God’s choosing. In response, each thing you do must be in consideration of God’s Word and will.
   That means church leaders must have good knowledge of the Bible. Leaders study the Scripture on their own and learn with others. It has often be said that leaders are readers and learners. Their lifestyle and speech must demonstrate wisdom and knowledge.
   Church leaders must use that knowledge to spiritually care for the church. A church’s strength is affected by its leaders use of their spiritual gifts to nurture the church, so it will grow into a close, vibrant relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit. A united relationship with the Holy Trinity will spiritually move the church into a more united relationship with each other.
   At times a leader must even admonish one or several in the church who are disrespectful to God’s law or the church in general. When leaders see a sin, they must address it. How will it look to others in the church if the sin is left alone? There can be no respect for those who ignore God’s rule. Yes, we know that to admonish or reprimand one is difficult. But if done under the Bible’s instructions (See Matthew 18:15-17.), admonishment becomes a life-giving action. Proper rebuke preserves the fellowship of the church with God and with each other. Even more, this is our Lord’s command in Luke 17:3 “So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”
   That’s why a congregation must respect those who admonish you. It is obeying God’s command. To respect leaders is to honor their position as God’s representatives in his church. You are willing to listen to them and obey their guidance because this is the way of an effective church.
   Be a leader and allow others to lead you.
  
    
 

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
 
IF you need some extra encouragement today, dwell for a time on this Scripture. It is the sure hope of your future with Jesus.
   Paul continued to teach the Thessalonian church the knowledge of Jesus is all they need to know regarding his return. He points to the remarkable truth they are children of light. True believers live in the daytime of Jesus’ salvation revelation. Their lives are open without deceit. People can trust the Christian to be who she says she is. The prophet’s words have come true for the world: Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 
   As you know, light is a powerful metaphor of God’s glory throughout Scripture. Jesus often taught the gospel-powered “Light Life” is one of faithful persistent action. Paul makes a point by contrasting the Light Life with those who sleep in the dark. Paul uses “sleep” here to illustrate those who are dead to the light. When he says let us not be like others, who are asleep, he implores the church to be awake in the knowledge of Christ. Unbelief is asleep to truth’s light. Those who sleep in sin do as they please, and they will be unprepared for Jesus’ return.
   In contrast, a Light Life is a self-controlled life. It is constant effort to continually put on faith and love as a breastplate. Jesus’ light protects your heart, the center of your faith. The hope of salvation as a helmet is the enduring knowledge God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
   Then Paul uses “sleep” in its basic definition. He preaches Christ crucified, dead, buried, raised and ascended is our sure hope. Whether the faithful are awake or asleep in bed when Jesus returns, all of his own will live together with him.
   Enjoy a Light Life. Shine Jesus’ light of eternal life. Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. May your church and your home be a Light House to strengthen your Light Life. 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  
 
PERHAPS in each generation since Jesus’ time on earth, there have been people who have said, “The troubles of our world is a sure sign Jesus is coming soon. We are in the last days.” Jesus’ church wants to meet the Lord! We are impatient to know, “When, Lord?” The apostles wanted to know, too, as Jesus prepared to ascend: Acts 1:6-7 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” As much as we’d like to witness this remarkable event right now, we must patiently await the Father’s timing to complete his will to be done on earth. In the meantime, all Christians must continue to work for God’s kingdom, giving hope to one another and warning to the unbelievers.
   These verses are a warning. Throughout the Bible the phrase the day of the Lord refers mainly to the Lord’s day of judgment. This is the day of victory for his kingdom and destruction of his enemies. Paul even compares Jesus to a thief in the night. How is Jesus a thief?
   A thief threatens a household. Jesus’ return as Judge threatens the unrepentant. Destruction will come upon them suddenly. None of God’s enemies will escape: 2 Peter 3:7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
   The Father has a plan to save those he has chosen from eternity past. Jesus promised in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” There are still unreached people groups to receive the gospel. And we don’t know how many generations are still to be reached. Perhaps we are near the end. Maybe not. What we do know is that Jesus has taught the gospel. The Spirit has awakened us to believe the gospel. The Son has commanded us to make disciples of all nations. The warning, the promise and the commandment are sure.
 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
 
PAUL teaches to Thessalonica what Jesus taught him about Jesus’ Second Coming. Paul is confident this teaching is according to the Lord’s own word. Paul spent time in Arabia (Galatians 1:16-17) in study of God’s prophetic Word from the Old Testament. And he had personal time with the risen Savior. Paul is a true apostle who has had a personal teacher-student relationship with Jesus. The apostle taught what Jesus has taught him. According to the Lord’s own word, we should have a clear understanding of Jesus’ coming on the Day of the Lord.
   Here’s what we know from this passage of God’s inspired Word. We know those who have died in Christ are spiritually alive with Christ. We know they will come with him. We know their dead bodies will resurrect and rise to meet their souls in the air. We also know the Christians who are alive on earth will join Jesus and all in the air.
   How can we know? Paul and other writers give four reasons: The first two are Jesus’ death and resurrection. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. Paul reminds the church of the foundation of their faith. To believe and know this resurrection truth is life everlasting.
   Because Jesus died and then lived again, Jesus is in heaven. Here is the martyr’s Stephen’s testimony just before his death: Acts 7:56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  Fourth, we also trust that the soul of each person who dies believing in Jesus goes to heaven be with Jesus. Luke 23:43 Jesus answered (the repentant thief), “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
   These four reasons lead to the end-time prophecy, “So we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
          There are many views of Jesus’ Second Coming. Our only view must be what Scripture tells us. 

          

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
 
WHEN one teaches what ought to be done, it is often in response to what is not being done. As Paul instructed the church on godly work habits, there were some in Thessalonica who were refusing to work and even boasting about it.
    That’s why Paul first wrote make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. One challenge in the early church was many new believers’ anticipation of Jesus’ quick return. Some saw no need to earn income if they would soon be in heaven. Because Paul’s next lesson is on Jesus’ return, this attitude was likely present in Thessalonica. Paul instructed them to live quietly that they would not disturb others with boasting or arguments about their beliefs.
    He wanted them,  instead, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. The Gentiles in the church came from a culture in which only slaves did manual labor. But Paul reminded them that he is a tent maker. He and the others had worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. (1 Thessalonians 2:9b)
    There are two “so that’s” – two reasons – Paul taught these work habits. The first is so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. Work displays humility, service and love. A humble person understands he and she is responsible for certain tasks to support a family, a church and a community. Pride says, “Let them do it.” Humility says, “Let me help.” Work serves others with one’s skills. A Christ-centered community is comprised of many people who respect each other as all work together.
    Work honors and obeys God, who took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Genesis 2:15). Work is God’s design. A humble, service-oriented attitude is an expression of love and respect to those you work for and those you support with your income. It is also a loving expression of thanksgiving to God, who has made you to work.
    The second reason for work is so that you will not be dependent on anybody. For most of us, this makes sense, and it is a primary reason we work. But just as some in the Thessalonica church were too prideful to work, there are many cultures around the world today that settle into dependency. This is a mark of the sin nature. Disobeying God’s commands, one selfishly believes people should serve and support him. God did not design a welfare state.  Hear Paul’s very direct teaching about this in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
    Idleness brings a curse. Work brings reward. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
          Respect and love others. Work for the good of your, so that people will know how to live a godly life.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
 
PAUL shifts quickly from admonition against sinful sexual desires to true Christian love. He compliments the church on their love, too, for all in Macedonia. Apparently, the Thessalonians were demonstrating a Christian love for each other in the church and for their neighbors. Paul writes they have such love because they were taught by God to love each other. In other words, the Spirit had been active in the Thessalonians’ hearts to teach them how to love as God loves. They have heard and followed Jesus’ teachings as the apostle has taught them.
    How would Paul know about their love? Such love is not an unseen emotion but is a visible display of faith. God’s love is an active love. Our Lord does not sit on his throne to say, “I love you.” But he comes into his world spiritually and physically to demonstrate his deep, eternal love for us. The Thessalonians’ Christian love would have been evident in the ways they cared for each other, supported those in need, prayed for others and perhaps sent offerings to other churches in Macedonia. Some members could have sacrificed money or belongings to help those in need. The church may have cared for widows and orphans. Perhaps they corrected each other to stop sinful habits and work toward God’s commands more and more.
    To do so more and more is Paul’s encouragement to the church. Perhaps this can seem harsh that Paul is never satisfied with a church’s faith. But living more and more into Jesus’ love is an essential understanding of sanctification. Once we begin the journey of faith following our Good Shepherd, our walk must continue. Think about it. What happens if we stop walking toward Jesus? We are no longer following the Shepherd. We have stopped seeking him, content to follow our own desires instead.
    Paul knew how dangerous it is to stop your faith walk. He has witnessed this in other churches. Jesus condemned this in Revelation 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You cannot fully love, know and obey God if you stop walking toward him.
          Let’s have a mindset to love God and to love our neighbors now and then learn how to love God and our neighbors more and more.        

Honor God’s Design
 
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
 
AS Paul has written expressed his love and joy for the Thessalonians’ faithfulness, he now writes to urge them to live pure sexual lives. We easily understand how this teaching applies to our culture today.
    One perversion of God’s law throughout history is the various accepted sins against the one man – one woman, married relationship by cultures throughout the world. But God tells us from Genesis 19 regarding Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin to this and other New Testament passages, sex-based sins have immeasurably grieved God.
    And why wouldn’t they? Every form of fleshly evil outside of God’s design is a complete disregard for God and his holy intent for humankind. He created the man. Then he created the woman to be his companion. He commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. This would happen in the joy of the physical relationship God designed. He wanted a man and woman to be married, and then enjoy each other sexually. This is a perfect formula for fruitful multiplication and spiritual intimacy.  
    God takes no pity on those who persist in fornication, adultery, homosexuality and incest because each sin is an insult against his creation. God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was only the beginning of death to those who so disgraced God’s creation. Each of these sins required the death  penalty in the Levitical law.
    This judgment continues in the church. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. Again, Paul is calling the church to live a holy life, a life set apart from the world to live under God’s Word: God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
    How is it that so many “churches” and “ministers” of the gospel describe such sins as acceptable to God? Unholy thoughts have turned their minds to believe God loves all sinners, whether they repent or not. People can do what they like. The only qualification for heaven is to die. Then you go.
    But you don’t. And you won’t if you live under the power of fleshly desires, unrepentant of your sins. If one believes, “Jesus loves me anyway.” there’s no point to the cross. Who would need a Savior if all our sins were acceptable before God? May a holy life in God’s design be your testimony of your love and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.   
 

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
 
THIS is a good model prayer for any church that seeks a deeper relationship with God.
    Paul first prayed that the Father and Son would clear the way for us to come to you. Perhaps our prayer would be: “Father, Spirit and Son, come into my church in such a way that each church member becomes completely aware of your presence. Come, Father, Spirit and Son, to cleanse our hearts, to free our souls from the world, so we may live more faithfully in your Word. Come, Holy God, to your church to expand its ministry, so our neighbors and community will know and love you.”
    Second, Paul prayed the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. We might pray: “Father, cause each person in the church to love you and to love each other with increasing commitment. Help us love each other to submit to one another and to commit to one another. Remind us if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. (1 John 2:5) so we know love is the most essential element of being a church.”
    Then Paul prayed Thessalonica would be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Remember, that’s how Paul described himself earlier in the letter. He wants the Thessalonians to be as he is, set apart from the world, striving to remove sin from their lives. We might pray: “Lord God, help us as your church to be holy and blameless before you as we await your second coming. As we confess you ‘Lord and Savior’ separate our thoughts and hearts from worldly desires. Focus our yearnings on knowing and serving you more faithfully. Help us to put sin aside and live more truthfully in your commands. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
          Everything we do as a church must be to help us live life well in Jesus’ commands, so we will be prepared to meet him on the day of our death or the day of his return. Everything else in our lives must be less than our pursuit of God. 
 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
 
THIS passage first allows us a glimpse into Paul’s character. His words teach us that this anointed apostle and passionate teacher of God’s gospel experienced the many emotions we all face. He was worried the Thessalonians had lost their faith. A great weight was lifted from Paul’s anxious heart: For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. Thessalonica’s firm faith is a great encouragement to the three evangelists. They can live and minister more effectively when worry and fear does not burden their minds. As Paul, Silas and Timothy continued their work in distress and persecution, there would be joy in their hearts because this one church remained safe.
    This reveals a second lesson from this passage: Each church is highly valuable in God’s Kingdom. As we walk into worship each Sunday or drive by a church, do we ever consider how much that church cost?  This is not a cost to build it but the cost for it to be a church. Consider this: The Son of God paid for each Christ-centered church with his life. The church is then built on the foundation of the apostles’ teaching. Each apostle suffered physically and emotionally. Nearly all died terrible deaths. In addition, the church today bears the legacy of many martyrs throughout time. Faithful servants stood firmly on God’s Word when governments, cultures and the ruling “church” tried to silence the gospel. Many faithful saints have endured great physical and emotional persecution. Many more are suffering terribly today because they are willing to pay the cost of a true faith. Each church begins and continues to exist only if its members are willing to bear the cost required to continue a Jesus-centered ministry.
    This is why we must pray most earnestly for the church universal and the church locally. The priceless seed of Jesus’ gospel had been planted and begun to grow. Each step of planting and growing requires a great price in faith, gifts, time and sacrifice. Christians, we must hold the church in high esteem. The Father paid for it with his Son. His church must be of the highest value to us.
 

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you — certainly I, Paul, did, again and again — but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
 
“INTENSE longing” and “every effort to see you” are passionate words. Why might the apostle Paul have had such a relentless desire to see the Thessalonian church? Surely other ministry opportunities were available to him.
    But Paul seems to have had a very personal relationship with the Thessalonians. Reading on, we learn the reason for his concern in 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
    Paul could stand it no longer. He wanted to know if they were still faithful to the gospel. Threatened churches could quickly turn from their faith. As a good father, Paul wanted to protect his children to keep them safe because they are our glory and joy.
    But he didn’t go because Satan stopped us. Does it seem strange Satan could stop the anointed apostle? He ministered in the Spirit’s power. How could Satan stop him?
    We can think back to Revelation and understand God’s permission grants Satan power over the earth. Or we can consider Jesus’ words to Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32) The Bible teaches that God gives Satan permission to tempt and to bring trials to even his most faithful servants. For his own purpose, God granted Satan a way to block Paul’s travel to Thessalonica. Perhaps God wanted the church there to learn more about trusting God in all circumstances. Maybe he wanted Paul to stay in Athens to minister to a very pagan city. Possibly he wanted Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3) 
    As we consider Paul, Silas and Timothy in ministry to Thessalonica, we can learn about being good leaders in our family and in our church. These men were called to proclaim the gospel, then begin churches to disciple new believers. It was only with a passion for God and for God’s people that they could do their work. The same passion must be a force in our lives. We need to teach, train and defend our family. We need to teach, train and defend one another in the church. In some way, each day, God allows tests to our faith. We must be prepared to face the test, small or large, to stand in our faith.