Final Instructions -- June 7th

Today we finished 1st Thessalonians by reading 5:12-28. In it we receive some final instructions of how to treat others and God.

Verses 12-15 talk about how to treat others. Paul tells us to hold others in the highest regard, to love, to live at peace with others, to warn those who are lazy, to encourage the shy, to be patient with everyone, to try and be kind with all, and to not repay wrong with wrong. Maybe you are struggling in one of these areas, set a goal to improve and ask God for his help to treat others better.

Verses 16-18 tell us God's will: Be joyful always, pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. The word joyful is often misinterpreted to mean happy, but it has nothing to do with the emotion but instead means to be at peace or content no matter what because you know that God is in control. When he says to pray continually the word means to pray repeatedly throughout the day, it is to be a very regular practice. Finally it says to give thanks IN all circumstances, not give thanks FOR all circumstances. Even if you are going through a terrible time in your life you can still thank God that he is ultimately in control and can rescue you.

Verses 19-22 have to do with how you are treating God. Paul tells us to not quench the Spirit's fire, to not treat prophecies with contempt, to test everything, to hold on to the good, and to AVOID, not just not do, every kind of evil. How are you treating God in yor actions?

Verses 23-24 tell us that God is willing to sanctify (which means make holy for special service) us through and through and is willing to keep our spirit, soul, and body blameless.

Finally Paul finishes with verses 25-28. In them he tells them to pray for them, to greet each other with a holy kiss, to read the letter to all, and that he hopes that God's grace will be with them all. So remember to pray for those in spiritual authority over you, greeting each other properly, to share what you learn at church with others, and remember that God's grace is with you at all times.

So the big question is: Will you make changes?

I give this morning: B-
Favorite moment: Everyone in class at one point or another saying, "What?"