Monthly Archive for August, 1999

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1 Thessalonians 5:16

Published on August 21, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“Rejoice always…“
 
Paul now turns to dealing with the attitude of the individual Christian. Spiritual responsibilities towards others call for addresses one’s own viewpoint. Paul now prescribes the personal issues that correspond to the fellowship of the saints.
 
This is the shortest verse in the Greek New Testament.
Rejoice
A rejoicing attitude does not tumble into a survival mode toward life. The Holy Spirit commands the believer at Thessalonica to “rejoice” even in duress situations. The Thessalonians were living with deep and daily persecution. Their circumstances did not alter their joy. True joy transcends circumstance. This is not self-hypnosis. Biblical joy rests in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
always
God wants us to rejoice “always,” not just some of the time but all of the time.
Principle:
At the heart of Christianity is the outlook of joy.
Application:
We cannot constantly carry joy in our lives if we look to the circumstances of life. Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances being right. If I get a new car, I am happy. If someone bumps my fender in the parking lot, I am not happy. Joy is inner animation of soul regardless of circumstance. Our joy depends on our orientation to God’s providence and promises.
The foundation for the believer’s rejoicing is in who God is and what He does. There are many reasons why a Christian should always rejoice:
·        God’s presence – Psalm 16:11
·        The God of our salvation – Habakkuk 3:18
·        Answered prayer – John 16:24
·        Our hope — Acts 5:41
·        Our hope — Romans 5:2
·        Our hope — Romans 12:12
·        The Holy Spirit — Romans 14:17
·        The fruit of the Spirit – Ga 5:22
·        The Lord is the source of our joy — Philippians 4:4
·        Tribulation works endurance — James 1:2-3
·        Purpose in suffering – 1 Peter 4:12,13
·        Joy in trial — 1 Peter 1:5-8
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1 Thessalonians 5:15b

Published on August 20, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all“
 
But always pursue what is good
 
Paul now gives the other side of the coin of retaliation. The word “but” is the “but” of strong contrast in the Greek. In contrast to retaliation “pursue whatever is intrinsically good [Greek] for the other person.” “Instead of seeking to injure someone, put great effort in seeking their good.”
 
The word “pursue” in this passage means to follow after, strive for, to pursue the “good.” The idea is to put some earnestness in going after the good of other people. “Don’t be half-hearted when doing them good.” Paul used this term in Philippians.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me…. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).
Paul uses “pursue” in the sense of a foot race in the above passage. “Run after the good. Don’t stroll along after the good for you will not win the race for good. The goal is to win the race, not just participate in it. Chase it down, don’t saunter along.” This takes energy, intense effort, quickness and a definite goal.
The word “always” is an easy word to miss. The principle of pursuing the intrinsic good of other people is not something we do occasionally but something that we must “always” pursue. There are no exceptions.
both for yourselves and for all
The church at Thessalonica faced protracted persecution from the non-Christian community. It would be an easy reaction to retaliate against them but this would not be intrinsically good for the Christian or the non-Christian. Persecution can cause Christians to turn on one another as well.
Principle:
God wants us to put full effort into helping people.
Application:
Many of us put a half-hearted effort into what we do. This always yields half-hearted results. We will revert to type quickly if we are not earnest about pursuing the intrinsic good of other people. Our spiritual reflexes are so poor that if we do not train them to react when the time comes, they will revert to basic instinct. We respond in kind.
People can say some untrue and cruel things about us. This may stab us like a spear. It is not enough to stuff this in our soul. We must deal with it by “pursuing the good.” We cannot be half-hearted about it or we will never make it. We will open our mouth and put our foot in it.
It is tempting to avenge ourselves. “If someone injures me, I injure them. After all, I am justified in doing this because they did it to me first.” The heat of passion can get us into trouble but if we have the idea of pursuing the good no matter what happens to us then maturity will have the upper hand.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? “And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ”Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:44-48).
The law of the jungle is to give evil for evil. When we give evil for evil, we behave like animals. When we pay back evil for good, we function like the Devil. When we give good for evil we conduct ourselves like God.
None of us can get through life without a mountain of unfair treatment by others. How we respond to unfair treatment depends on whether we pursue the good.
“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:18-25).
Eternity is too long and life too short to get into a mode of revenge. If we move into this mode, it will sour our soul. Married folks get into verbal duels that end worse than the beginning. Harsh remarks bring harsh replies. If they do not have the maturity to stop this cycle, they will infuse attitudes of antipathy into their souls. They will begin to hold grudges. Grudge builds on grudge. Someone must become mature somewhere and break the deadlock.
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1 Thessalonians 5:15

Published on August 19, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all“
 
See that
 
In this context, “see that” is a warning against the attitude of revenge. Not only must the church as a whole display longsuffering [5:14] to one another but also they must not pay back an injury with an injury.
 
no one renders evil for evil
The word “renders” signifies to give back, to restore, return, render what is due, to pay, give an account. The New Testament uses this term for paying back a financial debt. It also carries the bad sense to pay someone back for a wrong. The idea in this case is revenge or retaliation.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).
“…not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
to anyone,
Mature Christians do not retaliate against the Christian or the non-Christian, people we like or people do we do not like.
Immaturity repays evil with evil and good for good. Maturity repays good for evil. The mature person can place justice in the hands of God. It is the responsibility of mature leadership to repay good for evil.
Principle:
Vengeance usurps the place of God.
Application:
Some Christians will take nothing lying down. The law of the jungle is kill or be killed. “I will pay you back for this if it is the last thing I do.” This attitude usurps the place of God. The sovereign execution of vengeance belongs to God.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’” (Romans 12:17-21).
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1 Thessalonians 5:14e

Published on August 18, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all“
 
be patient
 
There are two main words for “patient” in the Greek. One means patience with circumstances and the other means patience with people. Our term is the second word – patience with people.
 
“Patient” comes from two Greek words: long and temper. This person has a lo-o-o-ong temper, not a short temper. A “patient” person can put up with people. They can “bear with” obnoxious people because they are long-tempered. They can exhibit patience in spite of difficult people. Patient people are slow to react because there is a delay mechanism built into their attitude.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Hebrew 6:15).
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7).
with all
Everyone knows an annoying person. There is a tendency to show our ire toward these jerks. The difficulty with this attitude is that we are to be patient with “all” people, jerks included.
The word “with” means face-to-face and implies fellowship. It is easy to isolate people we do not like.
Principle:
All Christians need patience from every other Christian.
Application:
Christians must not only bear with people they like but with people they do not like. We are to bear with other people but we must also forbear against reacting tothem. Mature Christians do not retaliate against every wrong against them. Immature people feel that they must take affront at every injury against them. Mature people try to bring stability to every tense situation.
How do you react when someone provokes you? Mature people do not react in the face of provocation. Instead, even in the face of that aggravation, they are there for people, even maddening people. Not only do they not strike back but, to the contrary, help those who hurt them.
It is one thing to show a long temper to our families but it is something else to show it to “all men.” We improve the situation with no exceptions. We do not render evil for evil but, on the contrary, blessing. The patient person goes the extra mile in the face of aggravation. We make the extra effort to help others. Patience is one thing that we cannot borrow from others. That is why we must not run short of it.
God does not ask us to agree with every cockeyed idea that comes down the pike from other Christians. We do not have to share others opinions, but we must free ourselves from resentment toward them. They may snub us, ignore us and treat us with disrespect but God expects us to carry a long temper toward them. We give them the benefit of the doubt. We construe what they say in the best light. This will prevent much heartache.
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1Thessalonians 5:14d

Published on August 17, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 2 Comments
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“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all“
 
uphold the weak,
 
The word “weak” comes from two words: without and strength. A weak person is without strength. These people are immature in their Christian walk.
 
The word “uphold” means to join with and to maintain loyalty to. “Weak” people need someone to come alongside and “uphold” them until they can mature in their faith. People have different weakness in the areas of sexual lust, financial integrity and vulnerability to criticism. Whatever the weakness, strong Christians are to move alongside them and stick to them like glue to carry them through their weakness.
Principle:
Mature Christians are to be there for immature Christians.
Application:
Some people neglect their spiritual lives, so mature believers should stir them to action. There are many Christians who are spiritually weak. Usually, these are people who do not know the principles of the Word of God so that they can apply them to their experience. These people are vulnerable to the slightest enticement. They will quickly wander off into compromise or sensual sins.
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).
There is a proclivity to push the weak away from us in exasperation with their weakness. The mature Christian, however, holds up the weak until they can get on their feet. We do not denounce or desert them. Instead, they need mature Christians to help on the way. God places the strong in the church to help the weak. Maturity can sustain immaturity.
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).
If soldiers fall injured in war, they need someone to come alongside to give support until they can make it to the medic. Mature Christians can transform immature Christians. We have a responsibility to other members of the household of faith.
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1 Thessalonians 5:14c

Published on August 16, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all“
 
comfort the fainthearted,
 
The word “comfort” means to soothe, console, encourage. The “fainthearted” need the stimulation of encouragement (2:11). “Comfort” comes from two Greek words: alongside, with and counsel, advise. Paul is saying, “Come along-side discouraged Christians and stimulate them to move on.
 
“There are always those Christians who lose heart. They need special attention. A despondent person needs consolation. The word “fainthearted” comes from two words: small and soul. A “fainthearted” person is a small soul who discourages very easily. A discouraged person has limited motivation for living up to the goals of Christianity.
“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?” (Proverbs 18:14)
“For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones’” (Isaiah 57:15).
Principle:
Downhearted people need encouragement.
Application:
Fainthearted people require entirely different treatment than the “unruly.” Downhearted people discourage quicker than others do. Such people are of such a makeup that it does not take much to dishearten them. They give up at almost any obstacle in their path. They will throw in the towel at the slightest provocation. They will quit on you. These types need encouragement from other Christians. They do not have the ability to live the Christian life independent from mature Christians.
Are you there for people discouraged from moving ahead in their Christian life? A person of encouragement helps people through bewildering troubles. They know what it means to possess staying strength so they can share it with others who do not have that strength.
“If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’” (1 Corinthians 12:15-21).
Our body is in accord with every individual part of the body. If we hit our finger with a hammer, our entire body feels it. Our eyes look to see the damage. Our other hand reaches for a bandage. That is joint effort. People in the family of God help each other when they are down.
Many people cave into their problems when God wants them to tackle their weakness. There are always those who want to quit and give up. They get their feelings injured easily. We handle them with kid gloves or they take offense at the smallest slight. Mature Christians will not allow them to wallow in sensitivity. They will encourage them to move out of this victim mentality.
The Christian life is full of obstacles and obstructions. We cannot give up at the least resistance. Things do not always go as we think they should. To assume that everything will always go right is a perfectionist mentality. Perfectionism is a self-defeating proposition. There is no such thing as perfection this side of Heaven. Perfectionism is a tool of Satan.
The Devil loves nothing more than to discourage a Christian because a discouraged Christian is a defeated Christian. The evil one will use criticism to discourage you. If politicians quit every time someone criticized them, we would not have any politicians left. If your pastor quit every time someone criticized him or her, you would have no pastor. No one can get through life without criticism. This is part and parcel of God’s plan for our development. It is an over-simplification to quit. God wants us to take on the challenge and face our problems, not run from them.
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1 Thessalonians 5:14b

Published on August 15, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 2 Comments
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“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all“
 
warn those who are unruly,
 
Again, Paul uses the term “warn” meaning to put in mind, admonish. He issues a warning to the “unruly.”
 
The word “unruly” signifies to not keep order. Secular Greek used this term in the military for someone who did not keep rank, an insubordinate. Certain church members did not keep rank in Thessalonica. There is a rank of leadership and these believers did not honor that rank. They carried an insubordinate spirit and knew little about the discipline of following leaders. Some Christians are lawless in the local church.
It is wrong to act disorderly in the local church so leaders in the local church must admonish people who disrupt unity in the church. The context implies that some Thessalonians did not respect their leadership (5:11-12). They were out of step with the vision and goals of the church.
Principle:
It is the responsibility of the mature to admonish those who rebel against the leaders of the church.
Application:
We need to warn those who break rank in the congregation. Leadership must deal with people out-of-step with the direction and vision of a local church. Individual church members must support their leadership in doing this. A good church member follows his or her leadership. Only a person who is in-step can set the pace for others!
Some people will not hold still for correction from others. They reject any authority over them. They emphasize the priesthood of the believer to the exclusion of God-given authority in the local church. If these people persist in breaking rank with the leaders of a local church, we are to withdraw ourselves from them.
“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you…” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7).
If church leaders do not deal with those who gossip and meddle in other people’s business, there will be trouble in that church. It matters not if they do not take kindly to warning. They are out-of-step and they could not care less what others think about it. They expect the detachment to get in step with them. They are not team players. They have the idea that “I am right and everyone else is wrong.” To get back in step with a local church is a humbling experience. It means that we must concede that we were wrong.
It is easy to identify the person out of step in a parade. That person wants to think that everyone else is out of step. The unruly, who do not accept human authority, usually have a problem with God’s authority in their lives. They know better than anyone else does. They will allow no one to rule them for they are a law unto themselves. These people warrant a warning.
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1 Thessalonians 5:14

Published on August 14, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all“
 
This verse shows that there are different strokes for different folks. Different methods apply to different needs. Paul encourages us to use four different methods with four different people.
 
Now we exhort you, brethren,
The word “exhort” carries the idea of appeal to, urge. The entire church “brethren” is to accept the following challenges. Maintenance of order within the church is the responsibility of each person in the church. All believers must exercise a concern for the corporate family testimony.
Principle:
No man is an island; we need each other.
Application:
Will you come to the assistance of helping your church develop a corporate testimony? It is easy to find people who experience spiritual difficulties. You can be either a help or a hindrance.
“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7).
We deal with each person according to his individual need. We find the people catalogued in this verse in every church. People are people wherever you find them. There is no perfect church. If you move to another church, you take your problems with you.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
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1 Thessalonians 5:13d

Published on August 13, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves“
 
Be at peace among yourselves
 
If a congregation respects and loves it’s leaders, it’s members will have “peace among” themselves. Dissension in local churches primarily revolves around disrespect and lack of love for leaders. Churches that respect their leaders are generally free from friction.
 
Peace in the church depends on our perspective of our leader’s office. Peace permits Christians to get along with each other, to co-operate with one another.
“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).
Principle:
Disagreements, quarrels and enmities in the church root themselves in disrespect and lack of love for leaders.
Application:
Are you carrying on a running feud with leaders in your church? Life is too short for that. This will tear your spiritual heart out. Do you avoid your pastor or some other leader? This will cast a pall on your church and inhibit the cause of Christ from moving forward.
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).”Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).
A church not on speaking terms with its leadership will not have answered prayer, win people to Christ or build believers in the faith. These are the bald facts of a church in disarray. Bury the hatchet but not in your brother’s back!
A critical, contemptuous and contentious attitude toward church leaders creates discord and disharmony. Peace within a congregation depends on respect for leadership. Each of us lists our leaders in some pecking order. We have an estimation of their leadership capacities in our mind. We know whether they have an adequate vision, strategy, and goals, or not. We know whether they will keep their word and follow through with their plans. Whatever our perspective on their ability, we give them respect for their office.
If you do not have confidence in your pastor, find a pastor that you can trust. Why undermine a ministry by criticizing its leadership? Get into a ministry where you can give your entire support. Consider giving your full support to your pastor, staff, board and leaders of your church. It is God’s will. A united church has the greatest opportunity to move forward for the cause of Christ.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
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1 Thessalonians 5:13c

Published on August 12, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves“
 
for their work’s sake.
 
No doubt some leaders do not command respect but we must respect them for their “work’s sake” – for their office. Respect and love for leaders are not for their sake personally but for their “work’s sake.”
 
Principle:
Respect for local church leadership is important, not for the individual, but for the ministry of the church.
Application:
There may be no earthly reason to respect your leader except for the purpose of what they do but we respect them for their ministry. The nature of the work of the local church should motivate us to love and respect leaders.
David would not malign King Saul although Saul was an unfaithful king. David understood something about the anointing of kings. Kings had the stamp of God’s authority upon them.
“Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15).
No doubt, many abuse their authority in ministry today. There are biblical ways to deal with this.
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