1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
 
LUKE, the author of Luke and Acts, writes in Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
   Picture this. The Bereans heard a teaching or sermon, and then they met to determine if Paul’s words were true to Scripture - what we call the Old Testament. The Bereans worked to verify the truth of God’s gospel. They did not have an idle “feed me” attitude that infects so many church attenders. When they knew the truth, they held onto the gospel. Their faith was sure, not easily swayed by false teachers. The Bereans devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching (Acts 2:42a) and kept the fire burning within their hearts. They held onto God’s Word, and it changed their lives.
   Paul urged the Thessalonians to be the same. Just as the prophets of old warned against false prophets, Paul and the other apostles continually warned the church to be watchmen for the truth. Satan’s liars – false witnesses and pretend teachers called antichrists – were in all communities. We are easily swayed from the truth when we spend too little time knowing and living it.  
   The truth is the Christian faith and life requires a good deal of mental work. Faith is the beginning of a life set apart by Jesus. Faith sparks a desire to seek and discover God’s Holy Word. We must nurture that desire with regular Bible study on our own and with others. Sermons, teachings, books and articles to help us understand God must be part of our regular routine. Such regular study and understanding is required to keep your hold tight on the truth.
    Devoted pastors do not want to hear, “Keep it light, pastor. We don’t need all the details.” God’s Good Shepherds want the church to come prepared to hear the Scripture and its attending lessons. A pastor enjoys feeing those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Watching a congregation eagerly consume and be filled with God’s Word is very satisfying for a godly pastor.
   Be devoted to the truth. Seek it. Learn it. And hold it tightly in your heart, soul and mind. Jesus was so passionate for the truth he submitted to the cross. Then he sent his Counselor: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17 ) May the Spirit lead you to hold tightly to the truth as you follow your Good Shepherd. 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.
 
LET’S consider the Holy Spirit’s fire in two passages. The first is Cleopas’ and his friend’s response to talking and walking with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus: Luke 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” The Spirit’s power touched their hearts as a fire. They experienced an unexpected connection with God. They did not want to let Jesus leave them.
   The second passage is the Spirit igniting the church on the day of Pentecost: Acts 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The Spirit anointed the apostles to proclaim the gospel. The apostles did not anticipate this or even desire it. Once anointed, though, each would not be stopped. So then, if the Spirit comes with unrelenting power in the Father’s will to convert people into a personal, powerful relationship with God, how then is it possible to quench (extinguish) the Spirit’s fire. How will anyone anointed treat prophecies with contempt? In other words, how can anyone anointed with the Spirit’s fire reject the preaching and teaching of God’s Word?  
   In short, we quench the fire when we disregard what we experience. How often have people been moved by the preaching to answer a call to confess Jesus as the risen Lord and Savior? Hundreds can “come to faith” in a special worship. But how many come back on Sunday? How many come for six months? Nearly 80% of those who “confess Christ” will disappear back into the culture. They have extinguished the fire that was burning within their hearts at a particular time. The once-impassioned hearts allowed old habits and desires to cool the flame.
   Regular church goers can cool the flame with a casual response to worship. The preaching, music and prayer can be widely accepted, enjoyed and praised at the moment. But what happens when one goes home? Does the church give a second thought to what they’ve heard and experienced? Putting our church experience into a one-to-three-hour time slot each week without further thought will keep the embers cool.
   Let’s consider, too, do you live into your spiritual gifts? The fire grows cold when it lacks the fuel of knowing and using the Spirit’s gifts. Realize what special ways such as teaching, music, prayer, encouragement, finances and administration God has given you to help his church. This is God’s way to fuel your faith fire.
          From the time God first raised his fiery pillar in the Exodus desert, he has revealed his will for a powerful, personal intervention with his chosen people. Israel needed to follow God’s fire then. The church must follow God’s fire now. There is no way to go forward into an effective faith if we neglect or minimize God’s gracious gift to ignite our souls to his salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 
GIVE thanks in all circumstances could be the most difficult of Paul’s directives to the church in this chapter. Are we to thank God for even the most terrible situations in our lives? Not necessarily. Let’s read it again. Notice Paul wrote give thanks in all circumstances. He did not instruct the church to give thanks for all circumstances.
   Again, Paul is teaching and encouraging a persecuted church. No church is thankful for persecution in itself. But within such opposition, the church can thank God for ways the persecution will reveal Jesus to the world. For example, the Thessalonian church might pray, “Thank you, Father, that you will guide us through this trial. Use this challenge to help us make your love and forgiveness known to the world.” Or they might pray, “Thank you, Holy God, for helping us see you work for the good out of these difficult times we are experiencing.” They also could pray, “Thank you, Jesus, for each of us you have called to be saved into your glory. Amen.” Each Christian has many reasons to thank God.
   Here’s a verse many cite in times of trial: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This can be very difficult to understand and believe when horrible things are happening around you. Some of you reading this are witnessing a deadly drought and starvation. How is God working good in those circumstances? Can we thank God in these life-challenging struggles?
   We can thank God when we trust God for his eternal plan for our lives. We see this even in Job’s story. In the midst of his suffering, Job uttered this remarkable faith statement: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)
   That’s why we give thanks in all circumstances. We God is redeems us from sin, so we can live with him forever. God has personally come into a world corrupted with sin. He is working everything to the good of those who faithfully give thanks to him within the daily struggles our world endures.
   Each of us around the world are living within a great battle for our souls. We must keep our eyes on God, and see he is the ultimate Redeemer of mankind. One day God will make the world new. We can thank him each day for his eternal plan of salvation. Call on his name with joy, peace and patience. Know the Lord will take his church through the trials and tribulation of a sin-battered world. Through grace, by faith, he has chosen you and established you as his own into his eternal glory. In all circumstances you can thank God that he is Redeemer and will live forever with you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually.
 
PRAYER is certainly a mark of our relationship with God. From Genesis 4:26 when men began to call on the name of the LORD, prayer has been a necessary means to worship God, seek his counsel, call on his provision and reject sin. What does it mean to pray continually?
   Perhaps we can understand this when we examine our own prayer lives. When do you pray? Only in an emergency? When you have a big need? Or do you pray on a regular basis? Are you only praying for things to help  you? Or do you also pray thankfulness and praise to God? Are you praying confession of sins and faith in God’s forgiveness? And do you pray, “Guide me, Lord God, to teach me what you want me to know.” Continual prayer is the means to talk with and listen to God in all occasions. You recognize prayer as essential to your life and not an emergency response to your needs.
   Jesus taught us to always pray with the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. To pray continually is a persistent effort to seek God’s will for your life. You can repeatedly ask him for something you desire that is within Kingdom values. Continual prayer, too, for your family’s care is necessary because so many things threaten us. Pray continually each day, week, month with a regular timetable for particular people.
   Continual prayer is necessary to keep us from evil. Jesus said it this way in Luke 21:36 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” The devil does not quit tempting us. We should continually pray, “Lead me not into temptation but delver me from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)
   Each aspect of our life can be covered in prayer. That’s why God helps us pray: Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. To pray in the Spirit means that the Spirit helps us when we pray and prays on our behalf: Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And the Father, who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. The Spirit makes the Father accessible.
          To pray continually means you have a heart and mind to devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2) Be thankful God has made a way for you to speak to and listen to him whenever you call on the name of the Lord. 

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1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always.
 
JOY is an elusive emotion, even difficult to define. We seem to rarely experience this extra measure of happiness and contentment. A joyful heart is often reserved for certain celebrations that mark achievement. Marriages, team championships, birthdays and surprises are moments of you - that extra heartfelt happiness. Everyday life is too encumbered with challenges to have room for constant joy, isn’t it? How then, do we obey God’s Word to be joyful always?
   Let’s begin to answer this in Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  These are nine separate marks of a faithful Christian life called “fruit of the Spirit”. The singular “fruit” represents a total picture of the Holy Spirit’s heart-changing power. They are a measure of the Spirit’s sanctifying process in our faith life. In other words, developing the traits of the fruit helps us to live as Christ. As we’ve written on patience and peace to this point, we know that growing God’s fruit requires special attention, so the fruit can grow to help us experience its benefits.
   Constant joy, then, is an attitude of the heart that responds to your salvation – not to daily events. The world can keep joy in a dark tunnel if we wait for the perfect moment to express heartfelt delight and happiness. A Spirit-given joy is much more than a moment or day of happiness. God’s joy is a deep understanding your life belongs to Jesus. The world promises many ways to be happy. But there is no way to true joy until God leads you to him.
   Joy is a mindset that all is well in your soul and your eternal life. Joy overcomes fear, sadness, frustration and regret when you live in assurance you belong to Jesus. Joy is knowing Jesus is your Good Shepherd. You realize his commitment to you as he leads you to victory over death. Joy is knowing God is your Father in heaven. He formed your life for his glory. He shapes your life for your good. Joy is trusting the Spirit is your helper, your knowledge and your wisdom. He’s always available to you.
          Paul often wrote of joy as a measure of your faith. You can be joyful always as you continually remember you belong to God. 

1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
 
ALWAYS try to be kind to each other may seem to be a fairly simple command. Most people live with some element of kindness toward others. Yes, there are times when someone may insult us or threaten us. We certainly wouldn’t be kind to such people.
   But this kindness to an “enemy” is likely Paul’s focus here. Jesus said it this way: “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also… But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:39,44)
   Kindness toward our enemies, especially to the extent of loving them and praying for them seems impossible, impractical and even dangerous. After all we must defend ourselves. Yes, we should defend ourselves from physical violence against ourselves and others. Still, a Jesus-centered kindness, especially toward the church’s enemies, was crucial to the strength and development of the early church.
   We must always remember each church of the New Testament was under some form of persecution. As some Christians who live under persecution today, the early believers could be separated from their families. They could lose their jobs, suffer beatings, jail time or execution. For the Jews, they could not imagine the Messiah would teach love and prayer for enemies. They expected a true savior would lead Israel to rise in violent warfare.
   Kindness, though, is the way of the cross. The Father’s kindness has led to our salvation: Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Born in Adams’ sin nature, we are born enemies of God. Jesus’ suffering on the cross is God’s ultimate example of loving those who oppose us.
   This Christ-like kindness has opened the eyes for many of God’s enemies to be reconciled to Jesus. In the early years of the church, baby girls were often unwanted in Rome. Their parents would set them in a place to die. But Christians began to rescue the abandoned children. Eventually this murderous practice ended in the witness of God’s kindness and love. Kind Christians also tended to the sick when a plague infected Rome or other cities. Instead of fleeing the city as most did, Christians stayed to care for the sick. Jesus’ followers kindly loved their enemies because this was Jesus’ command and example. Modeling Jesus’ sacrificial love leads people to God’s salvation kindness.
   The same life-changing kindness occurs in persecuted countries today. Amid suffering and pain, even prison and torture, there are numerous testimonies of Christians responding with kindness toward their persecutors. Many times such acts will transform evil hearts into friends of Jesus.
   Kindness is easy when people are nice to you. But how do you show Jesus’ “cross Kindness” when people are unkind to you?   
     

1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
 
PATIENCE is very difficult for most of us, isn’t it? This can be especially true of leaders. Leaders want to accomplish tasks, and they expect those who help them to have the same eagerness they have. It is especially difficult to be patient with people who ae idle, timid or weak.
   One way we can learn patience is to first see each person as one created in God’s image. Yes, it’s difficult, for example, to see God in idle people. But each human being begins in the mind and purpose of God from eternity past. This grand view of God’s creation can humble one’s heart to consider, “God has decided to create each of us. How do we work together to honor our Father?”
   The first thing he wants us to do is to love him. The second thing he wants is for us to love others as ourselves. Our love for God becomes love for his creation. So then, when you are with someone who may be timid about engaging in the church, weak regarding their faith or idle in light of God’s commands to work, patient love becomes a key to helping that person engage with God and the church.
   Consider then, that patience may lead you to help someone learn to work. You might invite one to help with a project in the church or to volunteer at a local charity. People prone to idleness are generally without purpose. Helping them to discover their own value in God’s sight can change their heart.
   Patience can also give you time to help a timid person become acquainted with people in the church. Inviting one to a Bible study, sitting with them at a church event or inviting them to a meal in your home is a great way to build relationships. Show interest in a person’s life. You will give them value and help them gain confidence when they understand someone is interested in them. A timid person is often fearful of many things. Patience can be a key to unlock those fears to help one become confident in Christ’s love.
   How does one give strength to the weak? Sometimes people are weak because of disability or age. We can patiently help such people to do projects that are easy for us. The spiritually weak need patient teaching and coaching. All of us have some weakness in regard to God’s Word. An effective church strengthens each other to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (As you) put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11)
   Discipleship work is patient work. Consider how the Lord has been patient with us. Be thankful for those God has directed to help, encourage and teach you into a stronger, bolder life of faith. Be patient to help others.