Question

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REJOICE, PRAY AND GIVE THANKS

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Key Verse: 5:16-18

1. How should the Thessalonians regard their leaders (12-13)? What do the words “acknowledge” and “in love” imply? Why should they do this?

2. What specific instructions did Paul give to all of the Thessalonian believers (14-15)? How would practicing these help them to build up each other? What can we learn here about the responsibility of each member to a healthy Christian community?

3. Read verses 16-18. What positive commands are given to each believer? How do the words “always,” “continually,” and “in all circumstances” encourage and challenge us to practice these commands? What do the words “God’s will for us in Christ Jesus” imply?

4. What specifically did Paul instruct them not to do (19-22)? How are these instructions related to each other? Why is respecting the Holy Spirit’s work so important?

5. What did Paul pray for (23)? When is sanctification completed? What confidence can we have (24)? What were Paul’s final greetings, instructions and blessing (25-28)?

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Attachment

• 1Th 051228.que (1).docx

Message

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Build Up a Beautiful Koionia and Healthy Christian Community

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Key Verse: 5:16-18

There are two definitions for the Christian Church in Greek: ‘ekklesia’, which means ‘assembly’, or ‘called out of the world’, and ‘koionia’, which means ‘fellowship’ or ‘communion’. In the New Testament, the word ekklesia appears 115 times with the meaning of the gathering of the believers. Koionia is well pictured in the book of Acts 2:42 through the fellowship of the believers. Acts 2:42 describes the beautiful koionia in this, “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:46-47 continues, “Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” I believe that our St. Louis UBF church has this picture of koionia. We meet in the Bible house every day for daily devotion, read the Bible, and pray. Some teach the word despite their busy schedules. Last Friday four of our students graduated from high school. Many church members came to congratulate them despite their busy schedules. We are one big family in Christ Jesus. I pray that this beautiful koionia may continue to grow in the love of Christ and increase in number so that God’s kingdom may be expanded through us and among us.

There is an order to the fellowship of the believers and each has responsibilities for our church, for each other, and for themselves. There is no anarchy in the church. Our God is the God of order and the God of peace. So in this chapter Paul gave the Thessalonians final instructions about how to build up a beautiful and healthy Christian community. He taught them what their responsibilities should be in order to build up a beautiful and healthy Christian community. Building up such a community does not come from the effort of a leader only, but also from that of all church members. We all must work together for mutual edification. In today’s passage Paul gave the Thessalonians a few instructions, which are also related to and appropriate to our community.

First, respect leaders. (12-13a) Second, live in peace with each other. (13b) Third, warn those who are idle. (14a) Fourth, encourage those who are weak. (14b) Fifth, do what is good. (15)

First, respect leaders. Look at verses 12-13a. “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.” Here, the verb “acknowledge” is “eidenai” in Greek, which means ‘respect’, ‘honor’, and ‘appreciate.’ Paul asked the Thessalonians to acknowledge and respect their leaders. At that time in the church there were no pastors as we understand the word, but there were elders who oversaw their members. Paul, as their spiritual mentor and shepherd, asked them to acknowledge their leaders so that they might have a unity by keeping spiritual order in the church. Respecting others does not only apply to leaders. Leaders also must show proper respect for their church members. Peter said in 1 Peter 2:17, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” When leaders and members respect each other with Christ’s love, they build up a beautiful koionia and a healthy Christian community.

Second, live in peace with each other. Look at verse 13b, 14b. “Live in peace with each other.” “be patient with everyone.” Christ Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Mt 5:9) Jesus himself became a peacemaker between God and sinners by sacrificing himself as a sin offering. Jesus reconciled God and sinners through his death on the cross so that we could have peace with God through Jesus. Living in peace with others often requires self-denial and long-suffering patience. In order to live in peace with others, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus. (Mk 8:34) Humility is not thinking about others more than ourselves, but thinking of ourselves as nothing for the sake of living in peace with others.

Third, warn those who are idle. At that time there were some believers who didn’t work, who believed that Jesus’ second coming was imminent. They were not responsible in doing their duties and tasks, but went around here and there and made trouble among the believers. Their idleness brought on not only poverty to themselves, but also discouragement to those who were working hard. Paul rebuked those who were idle. Proverbs warns the sluggard to learn from the ant. (Pr 6:6) In order to build up a strong and healthy Christian community, we must learn how to work hard together.

Fourth, encourage those who are weak. Encouraging those who are weak was one of the main Messianic works. Christ Jesus always encouraged those who were disheartened and discouraged. A church is an organism more than an organization. We are all different, but many parts of one body, who is Jesus Christ. Those who think of themselves as strong must take care of those who are weak. Those who consider themselves to be mature must bear with those who are young. Paul said in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Christians share joy and suffering together because we are one big family in Jesus.

Fifth, do what is good. Look at verse 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.” According to worldly consensus, people pay back wrong for wrong. They often show no mercy to those who made mistakes or did wrong. Christians must be different than this. Paul said that no one should pay back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. What is doing what is good? It is forgiving others and bearing their weaknesses. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. …You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt 5:38-44) Those who know the Bible learn spiritual discernment. They know what is right and what is wrong based on God’s law. But instead of judging others based on these measurements, we must learn how to forgive others and bear one another with Christ’s love.

Look at verses 16-18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” These verses teach us our responsibilities to ourselves. In order to build up a strong and healthy Christian community, every person should be spiritually strong and healthy. Each believer should be right in the sight of God by living a life worthy of God’s grace. How can we be joyful in our time of sufferings or trials? We can be joyful when we continue to pray. Prayer takes away all anxieties and burdens from our hearts. Prayer is complete dependence on God and our trust in God’s absolute protection and provision. We can give thanks in all circumstances because we believe that in all situations God will work for the good of those who love him. Because of this faith and hope, we continue to pray, and we can be joyful in all situations. Rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks to God in all situations are God’s will as well as our responsibilities as Christians.

Verses 19-22 teaches the Thessalonians responsibilities for public worship. Look at verses 10-22. “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.” Paul urged the Thessalonians not to put out the Spirit’s fire. In other words, they should not disturb or hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. They should test all spirits and prophecies and acknowledge them the gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit. They should respect worship service and holy meetings. Even though a church is a community formed with God’s love and mercy, there should be order and the law of love. When we respect our community and keep spiritual order in the church and obey the law of love, we can build up a beautiful koionia in Christ.

Paul finished his letter with a benediction of peace and love. He encouraged the Thessalonian saints to keep their whole spirit, soul, and body blameless before Jesus comes again. (23) This instruction was not only for them, but also for us and for all those who live by faith and wait for Jesus’ second coming. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us and help us to build up a beautiful and healthy Christian community among us! “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (24) Amen!

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• A healty Christian community-message-final.docx