1 Thes'5:1218

1
1 Thes.512-18

• Pauls last words of his first epistle
• Paul gives practical reasons to hope
• He is deeply concerned
• They are new Christians
• They are under attack
• This letter may make the difference
• His conclusion sets safeguards in place (Gods
  hedges)
• Each strengthens the congregation

2
I Elders, 12-13

• 12, recognize understand their value esteem
  appreciate, respect
• labor among you, work hard, toil (Jn.46)
• over you, preside, rule, govern (1 Tim.
  3)
• admonish you, correction, usually by word
  (Ep.64)
• Teaching, counsel, warning
• Christians covet correction!

3
13, esteem them very highly

• (Elders often receive criticism few receive
  praise and encouragement)
• in love, for works sake (1 T.517 Hb.1317)
• be at peace
• Some were disturbing the peace
• Lack of peace hinders edification
• Constantly criticizing leaders is not being at
  peace

4
II The Strong Help The Weak, 14

• 1. Warn the unruly
• Admonish the disorderly, the insubordinate (out
  of line)
• 2 Th.36, out of rank
• Rv.39, divine love
• Rv.319, divine love

5
2. Comfort the fainthearted

• Encourage the discouraged (ASV ESV, etc.) or
  overwhelmed
• Stress (27, 11-12)
• Sorrow (413-18)
• Abram Abraham
• Gideon mighty man of valor
• Simon Peter (Rock)
• Phm.21
• Expectations to live up to

6
3. Uphold the weak

• Help put arm around. 1 Co.922
• The weak may include
• Those who have a tendency toward immorality,
  41-8
• Those who are spiritually immature (there may be
  overlapping). Ac.2035

7
4. Be patient with all

• Bear up under provocation be patient w. people.
  2 Tim.42
• Summary comfort the afflicted, afflict the
  comfortable
• This section requires work of brethren
• When some people die, they leave a big hole

8
III A Renewed Mind Attitude Toward Adversity

• 1. Do not render evil for evil . . . 15
• Those who hurt us in one way can make us hurt
  ourselves in another
• When a deep injury is done to us, we never
  recover until we forgive
• The Christian cannot afford retaliation

9
Ro.1217

• Recently converted Christians have not conquered
  old habits
• One of these is retaliation
• Replace retaliation w. a constant pursuit for
  what is good
• The opposite of evil for evil is . . .?
• Do good to the very person that formerly would
  have received your vengeance

10
2. Rejoice always, 16

• Is this a joke? Always?
• Thessalonians were persecuted
• Rejoicing is not happiness
• Immediate context grudges (15)
• Revenge does not reconcile w. rejoicing
• Even in persecution Ac.1625 Ph.44

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3. Give thanks in everything, 18

• Doesnt say give thanks for everything but in
  everything
• Under all circumstances
• Gn.50 Ph.112-14 2 Co.12
• What virtue is there in thanks when all is well
  w. us?

12
Why give thanks in everything?

• Physical blessings cannot compare to spiritual,
  Mt.1626
• Trials can bless us, Ac.541
• The opposite of thanksgiving is murmuring, 1
  Co.1010. When is murmuring appropriate?
• Even if we lose everything, we still have more
  blessings than we can count, Ja.117