Keep These Things In Mind (2)

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (ESV)

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil. 

The end of verse 13 starts us on the next area Paul wants us to keep in mind: to be at peace with each other. And verse 14 gives practical advice on the matter: first to spur on those who just may be loitering in our midst; next we are to encourage those who fear to make the next step in their journey; and we are to help those who have no strength. On top of this, we are to be patient with all these folks.

Why would Paul include all this? I think because he is addressing our human nature. Instead of spurring on, encouraging and helping we would be judging these folks. We seem to forget our own faults when we start seeing the faults and weaknesses in others (Matthew 7:3-5).

Have you noticed a trend so far? Paul is calling us to what God would have us to do, not what our nature calls for.  This is followed up in verse 15; for us to do what he asks we need to have the indwelling Holy Spirit guiding us: not to repay evil with evil but to always seek to do good to one another and to everyone (Romans 12:18-21). Remember that it just takes a thought to repay evil with evil (Matthew 5:22). I’ve done this, but I’m thankful that I’m learning to hold my peace and not compound the evil. I tell you though, the first reaction or thought is to “stick it” to them; or teach them a lesson. But the more that I yield to God in how I react to situations, the better I am to not repay evil with evil.

The last two days we have learned to respect our leaders, love each other and spur each other on, and not to seek revenge. We know that for the most part this is not our nature: our nature is to rebel, to judge and to get back at our attackers. Paul reminds us that we have a new nature (Ephesians 4:22-25), and its only through this new nature that we can follow “these things to keep in mind.”

(continued tomorrow)

Keep These Things In Mind

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (ESV)

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil. 

Once again we can find some great instructions / reminders in the closing of Paul’s letters.

This section starts out with a plea to respect your pastor/minister (“over you in the Lord”). Remember, ever since Adam, we’ve been rebellious towards God; so is it a far stretch for us to be rebellious towards those who have been called as shepherds and leaders? I mention rebellion because Paul indicates two aspects about leaders that may cause folks to rebel: 1) “are over you in the Lord,” and 2) “admonish you.”

ad•mon•ish

Pronunciation: \ad-ˈmä-nish\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English admonesten, from Anglo-French amonester, from Vulgar Latin
*admonestare, alteration of Latin admonēre to warn, from ad- + monēre to warn.

Date: 14th century

1 a: to indicate duties or obligations to b: to express warning or disapproval
  to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner 2: to give friendly
  earnest advice or encouragement to

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary copyright © 2009 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Though “admonish” is defined as a gentle way to correct others it is not always taken that way: “You’re not the boss of me!!!” Sometimes (and sometimes deservedly), our church leaders are treated like worldly leaders – but if the man is preaching God’s word and as a shepherd trying to lead you to righteous living Paul asks you to esteem him highly in love. We are in a time when folks don’t want to hear the truth nor make choices that lead to righteous living, so they will dog the servant of God to put in someone with a “feel-good” message (2 Tim 4:3-4).

To recap: respect and esteem your pastor in love. I will add pray for him. If you have opportunity, do what you can to enable him to be in the Word of God, to preach the Word of God, and to shepherd his flock.

(will continue tomorrow).

Security that I Can’t Provide

Psalms 61:2 (KJV)

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 

Sometimes one verse can give me much comfort and this is such a case. Just five phrases, but they pack a lot in them:

1. “From the end of the earth” – Wherever I am,
   
2. “Will I cry unto thee” – I can call out to You.
   
3. “When my heart is overwhelmed” – When my heart is in anguish:
   
4. “Lead me to the rock” – Let me find security,
   
5. “That is higher than I” – That is beyond what I can provide.
   

Have you ever heard the expression, “Let go and let God?” I think this says the same thing. We all have our ways of securing chaotic situation, but the best solution is always to go to the Rock that is higher than us.

Love and Don’t Meddle

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (ESV)

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, [10] for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, [11] and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, [12] so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. 

This portion of scripture asks us to do things, to love one another and to mind your own business. We are told to do this so that we may live properly before those who don’t know Christ and that we are not a burden.

This seems simple and straightforward, but think about some major criticisms of Christians. If we don’t love one another, even through the tough times – we don’t show Christ, and we are no different than those without Christ. If we are “busybodies” and “gossips” how do we show Christ in our lives? If we have the ability to work and become a dependant on society – how do we show Christ in our lives? We are showing that we like a free ride.

Be separate! Be a new creature in Christ! Don’t be like everyone else in society, because you are not like everyone else. God has called you to be holy. It is only through Him that we can be holy, but we still need to choose to obey Him. And the obedience that we called to in this scripture is to love and not to meddle.

Called to Holiness

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (ESV)
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. [2] For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. [3] For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; [4] that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, [5] not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; [6] that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. [7] For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. [8] Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

As I read this passage verse 7 really stood out to me. God has called us to holiness and not to impurity. The impurity that is being addressed here is sexual impurity. We, much like the Thessalonians, are submerged in a sexually impure society (promiscuity was acceptable in the Greco-Roman culture). My wife just last night said she saw a bumper sticker during the day that just read “I love porn.” God uses Paul to write to the Thessalonians, and to us, not to give up holiness to be like the society.

I’ve tried to find the major points in this section of scripture:

• ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY
  (Movies; Television; Music; Internet; Talk; Actions; Romance Novels – it’s easy to just go along with society with many things).
• CONTROL YOUR OWN BODY IN HOLINESS AND HONOR
  (Remember Hebrews 4:15; Jesus knows what we go through, and through Him, the victory over sin that He had is our victory too).
• DO NOT INDULGE THE PASSION OF LUST LIKE THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW GOD
  (We have an incredible gift of living life in Jesus Christ; we truly don’t need to engage in the activities of the world to find fulfillment).
• DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER CHRISTIAN ALONG WITH YOU IN THE PASSION OF LUST
  (Justify your actions, by including a brother/sister in Christ).
• IT IS GOD HIMSELF THAT HAS CALLED YOU TO HOLINESS AND NOT TO IMPURITY
  (There are two ways you can view this: High Pressure or Encouragement. God knows that we can’t live up to this call on our own, but He still calls us to holiness. He calls us to rely on Christ so that the world doesn’t separate us from Him. It’s only through Christ, not me, that I can find holiness – pressure gone; encouragement found).

I did wait to use verse 1 until now on purpose. Why is that? Because we need to do exactly what is says: to continue to live for and to please God, and to do it more and more each day. He has called us to holiness because He has set us apart for Himself.

Attitude During Troubles

Psalms 57:7-11 (KJV)

[7] My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 

[8] Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 

[9] I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 

[10] For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 

[11] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. 

The beginning of this psalm has a list of troubles brought before God, but the psalmist ends the psalm in this way. He begins by saying that his heart is fixed or steadfast. The first realization we must have during any kind of trouble is that God still loves us; He will not forsake us.

I’ve seen a friend who at one time would let troubles get him down but now looks, diligently seeks, where God is going to show His glory in the situation. This is praise. If you know that God is going to display Himself somehow and you are in anticipation of that, you are praising the Lord. 

The psalmist realized that God loved him; that God’s mercy surpasses any possible measurement; and that God is true to His word. Though things might seem horrible to us at the time we can be like the psalmist and anticipate how God is going to show His glory (v. 11).

How We Do What We Do

1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 (ESV)

[3] For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, [4] but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. [5] For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed— God is witness. [6] Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. [7] But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. [8] So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 

A desire to please God: with a desire to please God many “potholes” in ministry can be avoided.  Having this desire in any ministry in any capacity keeps the focus where it needs to be and goes beyond any appearance of evil. Why do you volunteer for Sunday School teaching? Is it to look good in front of the pastor or is it a chance for you to please God? 

Do you like being involved with the decision process at church? Why? Because you want to reach the community for Christ and help mature the Body? Or do you just like having some power?

Paul even mentions that he was not doing ministry to gain in money. That is a trap for many full-time ministers. How can they avoid it? A desire to please God is put before everything. When dealing with people, focus on walking with them in Christ. If you love the Lord, share that love with others (and that includes those that are new in Christ and those hurt by people in the church). Matthew 22:37-39 is the key here: Love God and love others. If what you do isn’t out of love for the Lord and others then you are open to the “potholes” in ministry.

Where Do You Find Comfort?

Psalm 56 (KJV) 

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 

[2] Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 

[3] What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 

[4] In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 

[5] Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 

[6] They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 

[7] Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. 

[8] Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 

[9] When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 

[10] In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 

[11] In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 

[12] Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 

[13] For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? 

Though the world may be against me, the Lord is with me. My hope and comfort come from God’s promises through His word. His word is praiseworthy! I will get hurt from time to time, but the Lord takes note and comforts me through His word.

Instead of being occupied with what man can do to me I will turn my attention to the Lord. If my focus is on the Lord, what can man do to me? If the Lord has rescued me from eternal death, will He not protect me in my day to day walk? Praise the Lord who is greater and more powerful than any adversary I have to face – and the Lord loves me.

Guard Your Treasures

2 Kings 20:12-19 (ESV)

At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. [13] And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. [14] Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.” [15] He said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” 


[16]Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: [17]Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD. [18] And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” [19] Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” 


Do you guard your treasures or do you open them up just to anybody? Let’s replace the word “treasures” with “secrets” or “inner thoughts.” Are you quick to lay everything out before someone just because they say they are a Christian? What happens when that person is not who they say they are or just not mature in the Lord? It’s quite possible that your “treasury” will be looted.


We are to love our brothers, don’t get me wrong, but this about being wise with what you share. I personally am sure I can share everything with two men in my life and one woman (my wife). David had Jonathon, then he had “the three,” and after that he had “the thirty mighty men.” (2 Sam 23:8-39). All of which probably had different levels of confidence.


Look at Jesus and the men he surrounded Himself with. I’m sure the closest to Jesus was John the apostle (John 13:23). After John there was James and Peter (Mark 9:2-13 & Mt 26:36-46). And the next level of closeness was the twelve apostles followed by the 120 disciples. 


Jesus did not take 120 disciples with Him when He was praying to the Father over the difficult task ahead of Jesus. Depending on the closeness was what probably determined how much disclosure there was. Fortunately for us, through the scripture, all of this was disclosed to us.


What I’m trying to say is that you can still love your brother without having to disclose everything in your life. You don’t have to confess all of your sins to a human as a way of forgiveness (you may need to ask forgiveness to those you hurt), only God can forgive, and has, your sins. If you must share deep secrets about yourself, make sure it is one that loves you so much that respect for privacy is present and judgment is not. The Father wants us to have love and unity with each other, and though it would be nice that a deep intimacy was present from the get go, we know that the close relationships, like ours with God, come from work, time and loving that other person on a daily basis.