Encouragement

1 Thessalonians

4:13-18

5:1- 28

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 • And regarding the question, friends, that

has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. 14 Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.

• When one of our Christian brothers or sisters physically dies of course we mourn. But we need not carry on in sorrow and mourning as those who loose a loved one who is not in Christ. Christ conquered and over came death so we need not carry on the sorrow. God has promised to bring back to life those who died in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 18• 15 And then this: We can tell you with complete

confidence--we have the Master's word on it--that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they'll be ahead of us. 16 The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise--they'll go first. 17 Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. 18 Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.

• We could be jealous in regard to the ones who have already physically died. They will be raised from the dead and join Jesus in the sky before those who are still living. The living will soon follow the dead in Christ for a reunion in the air.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3• I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the

question of when all this is going to happen. 2 You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. 3 About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other--"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"--suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8• 4 But friends, you're not in the dark, so how

could you be taken off guard by any of this? 5 You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. 6 So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. 7 People sleep at night and get drunk at night. 8 But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11• 9 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection

but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! 11 So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

• We must not be caught complacently doing nothing on that great day when God’s trumpet blasts. Let’s keep awake, encouraging each other as the day approaches. It will come suddenly, when we least expect it, so we must continually watch and look forward to that glorious day.

• Just what should we be doing? How should we be acting? Paul gives some answers to those questions in the following verses.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

• And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. 13 Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

• We must have consideration of those who are appointed to the ministry of the word, and the government of the church of God, and who do their duty.

• That you acknowledge and take them for such as they are, that is to say, men worthy to be greatly esteemed of among you.

• In those things which pertain to God's service: so is the ecclesiastical function distinguished from civil authority, and true shepherds from wolves. (Geneva)

1 Thessalonians 5:13b-15• Get along among yourselves, each of you

doing your part. 14 Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. 15 And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• 16 Be cheerful no matter what; 17 pray all the time; 18 thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

• The duties named in this section are those of the elders especially, but in a lesser sense the duty of all. warn the freeloaders Those who are wayward, inconsistent, and disposed to follow their own will. encourage the stragglers Timid ones, who are easily discouraged by persecution, or cast down by trouble. reach out for the exhausted, Those weak in the faith.

• Be cheerful no matter what; Religion is not sullen and sour, but full of joy; so full that the saint can even be joyous when all the world seems to frown. He has a hidden source of joy, a present Savior, a blessed hope. (PNT)

• pray all the time; - Ye are dependent on God for every good; without him ye can do nothing; feel that dependence at all times, and ye will always be in the spirit of prayer; and those who feel this spirit will, as frequently as possible, be found in the exercise of prayer. (Clarke)

• thank God no matter what happens. There is a silver lining to every cloud. God is with us whatever befalls us. It is God’s will that we find joy in prayer in Christ Jesus in every condition of life. (RWP)

1 Thessalonians 5:19• 19 Don’t suppress the Spirit,

• Wherever it is, it burns; it flames in holy love, in joy, prayer, thanksgiving. O quench it not, damp it not in yourself or others, either by neglecting to do good, or by doing evil! (Wesley)

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22• 20 and don't stifle those who have

a word from the Master. 21 On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. 22 Throw out anything tainted with evil.

• word from the Master Inspired teachings. The prophets were specially inspired men in the early church. They were needed, because as yet it did not have the New Testament Scriptures for a guide. This inspired preaching must not be despised.

• Check out everything, What was spoken they must put to the test, and all that stood the test, they must hold fast to.

• Throw out anything tainted with evil. The meaning is to avoid evil in every form. (PNT)

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

• 23 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together--spirit, soul, and body--and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. 24 The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28• 25 Friends, keep up your prayers for

us. 26 Greet all the Christians there with a holy embrace. 27 And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.

• 28 The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

• make you holy and whole, Make you holy in every respect.

• put you together--spirit, soul, and body--and keep you fit Let the whole man be preserved blameless.

• completely dependable He who has called you is faithful, and if you trust him he will preserve you.

• keep up your prayers for us How often Paul requests this prayer! (PNT)

• We cannot live a blameless, holy life on our own. Jesus is completely dependable and has promised His help. When we lay our whole person, spirit, body, & soul, out for Him to work with and use He will protect us like the Good Shepherd He is.

• Encourage each other all the more as you see the day approaching, knowing on that great day the dead in Christ will come out of their graves to meet Jesus in the air. Then those servants of Christ who are still physically alive will be caught up in the air to join them. What is more encouraging than that? Our Lord, The Son of God is going to take us away from all the imperfection on this earth and lead us to Glory. O what a happy day!