REJOICE AND PRAY AND GIVE THANKS

PROCLAMATION

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins the fifth and final chapter of this letter by stating that he does not have to remind them that the day of The Lord is coming for they are children of the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8)  He encouraged them to build one another up, just as they were already doing.  He also told them to acknowledge those among them who work hard for The Lord and to hold them in high regard. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)  Then he urged them to warn the wrongdoers, to help the weak, to encourage the down-hearted, and to be patient with everyone.  Finally he told them to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks to God in all situations. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  He said that they should hold on to that which is good and reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

 

APPLICATION

We should acknowledge those among us who are doing a good job and warn those who are doing poorly.  We should encourage the depressed and help those who are in need.  Remember the old saying, “There, but for the grace of God, go you or I.”  We should always be patient with others, for at some point in our lives someone was patient with us.  Believers should not walk around with a negative attitude.  We are to rejoice because everything is going to work out in our favor and for our good. (Romans 8:28)  So we should count everything as a joy, even our storms, trials, and tribulations. (James 1:2)  We should have a prayerful attitude and pray often about everything. (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, and 1 Thessalonians 5:15)  We should also acknowledge that God’s hand is in everything (Proverbs 3:6) and then we should thank Him for everything. (1 Chronicles 16:8, Psalm 92:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18)  Everything that happens is either a blessing or a lesson to be learned.

BE CAREFUL KEEP THE FAITH BE COURAGEOUS AND BE STRONG

Proclamation:

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul begins this last chapter with a discussion regarding the collection of money to help The Lord’s people. (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)  He told them that he wanted to spend some significant time with them after he went through Macedonia and after his stay in Ephesus. (1 Corinthians 16:5-9)  He made a special request regarding Timothy’s visit to them and he told them that Apollos would come to them later. (1 Corinthians 16:10-12)  Then he offered them some words of encouragement, telling them to be careful, keep the faith, and stand strong.  He exhorted them to do everything in love.  He also told them to graciously accept new people who were doing The Lord’s work, (1 Corinthians 16:15-18) then he gave them his final farewell greeting. (1 Corinthians 16:19-24)

Application:

As believers we should encourage and build one another up.  Even those believers who are strong in The Lord, and in The Word, still occasionally need a word of encouragement.  All of us go through trials, temptations, and tribulations.  We have no idea of all the things that a fellow believer may be dealing with.  It is not necessary for us to know their personal business in order for us to offer them an encouraging word or to pray for them.  We should make sure that whatever we do or say is done in love.  We should THINK first before we speak or act.  Make sure that it is Truthful, Helpful, Inspiring, Nice, and Kind.

LET US PERSEVERE AND HOLD ON TO OUR FAITH

Proclamation:

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings … Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:22-25 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the unknown human author of The Book of Hebrews under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The author begins this chapter by continuing the discussion of Christ’s sacrifice once and for all and the covenant He made with His people. (Hebrews 10:1-18)  Then he presents a call to the believers to persevere in the faith. (Hebrews 10:19-25)  After this he discusses the implications which could result if they keep on committing the same sin and falling away from God after they have received the knowledge of the truth. (Hebrews 10:26-35)  He ends the chapter encouraging them to persevere and not to shrink back from their faith. (Hebrews 10:36-39) 

Application:

We need to hold on to our faith and exercise it, for The Lord God who made the promise to us is coming back. (Hebrews 10:36-37)  He will not be pleased with us if we shrink back from our faith. (Hebrews 10:38)  Not only are we to keep the faith, we are to encourage one another to do likewise, and to do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24) so that God may be glorified. (Matthew 5:16)  Instead of tearing one another down, we ought to be encouraging one another.  The “Day” is approaching; the end is closer than we think.

COMFORT ENCOURAGE AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER

Proclamation:

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)  The King James Version of The Bible reads: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul to the believers in The Church at Thessaloniki.  Paul told them that they should comfort and encourage each other.  He also said that they should edify one another and build each other up.  Then he added the phrase "even as ye also do" so as not to offend them or to sound as if he was chastising them.

Application:

The Bible says that we are to love one another. (John 13:34, 13:35, 15:12, and 15:17)  We are also to help one another. (Ecclesiastes 4:10)  However, we are also to encourage and comfort one another, and to edify, teach, and build up one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)  We are truly to be our brother's keeper and helper.  We are to promote the welfare of others.  We are to pray for one another. (James 5:16)  We are to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)  Jesus said that as we treat His brothers, which are also our brothers, we are doing it to Him. (Matthew 25:40 and 25:45)  So, we need to be very careful with respect to the way we treat each other.  We need to treat one another with loving kindness, and help others, comfort them, encourage them, build them up, and teach them as best we can.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Proclamation:

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love."  1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth.  Paul was encouraging them to be alert to false teaching, to keep their faith in God, and to be strong and courageous in the face of adversity knowing that they were facing times of trouble and tribulation.  He also told them to do all that they do in love.

Application:

Today, whatever our particular situation, we are to act in a Christ-like manner.  We are to obey The Word of God, have confidence in His power, know that He will keep His promises, and with His strength we will have the victory.  We should always be on guard for the devil and his devices.  We should be unyielding in our belief and our faith.  We should be courageous when we face our problems, trials, and temptations because God did not give us the spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)  With His help and strength we are victorious and more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)  We should always demonstrate loving-kindness, especially towards one another.  That way the world will know that we are true believers in Jesus, The Christ. (John 13:35)  We should always be about doing the work of The Lord, and we should encourage others who are doing likewise. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)  We never really know what others are dealing with and a kind word of encouragement, spoken in love, can help build up who is silently suffering.

IN THIS WORLD BUT NOT OF THIS WORLD

Proclamation:

"You are all children of The Light and children of the day.  We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  So then, let us not be like others ... But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up ..." 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle Paul under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Addressing the believers in Thessalonica, Paul began this chapter talking about "the day of The Lord", judgement day, and reminded them that as children of God they would be raptured beforehand.  Here he reminds them that they are not of this world and that as children of God they should act differently from the worldly people.  He also reminded them that they need protection against worldly temptations.  As believers, they would be spared the wrath of God and that they should be that fact.

Application:
Jesus said, "I am The Light of the world." (John 8:12 & 9:5)  We are sons of The Light.  He also said that He was that He was from heaven above and that He was not of this world. (John 8:23)  Because of the Christ that is within us, we are in this world but not of this world and we should not act like worldly people.  We need to exercise self-control.  We should put on the whole armor of God as we do battle with the world and its temptations.  It is not God's plan for us to suffer His wrath, but to be saved.  Therefore let us encourage each other, better days are coming.  Let us build each other up and not tear each other down.  Let us help, and not hurt; let us give, and not take; let us love, and not hate.