THESSALONICA: EXCEL STILL MORE

Living In Peace -- 1 Thess. 5:16-28

Thessalonica

Jesus Will Return Some Day

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strength your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” -- James 5:7-8

3 Positive Behaviors While We Wait

• Vs. 16 – “Rejoice always…”

• Psalm 2:11 – “Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling.”

Psalm 40:16

• “Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified.’”

Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

Pray Without Ceasing

• Vs. 17 – “Pray without ceasing….”

• 1 Peter 3:12 -- “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”

Hebrews 5:7

Jesus did! “In the days of His

flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.”

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to

prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

Doesn’t mean constantly praying all day long – but having a regular habit of prayer.

In Everything Give Thanks Vs. 18 – “…in

everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let the requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 50:14

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgivingAnd pay your vows to the Most High….”

3 Positive Negatives

Vs. 19 – “Do not quench the Spirit…”

Romans 8:5-6, 9

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

1 Corinthians 12:7

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Galatians 5:16-17 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”

Do Not Despise Prophetic Utterance

Vs. 20-21 – “Do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good….”

Not Future Telling – But Preaching

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Abstain From Every Form Of Evil

Vs. 22 – “…abstain from every form of evil….”

2 Timothy 2:19 -- Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

1 Peter 2:11

“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.”

1 Corinthians 5:8 -- Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Benediction and Valediction

Vs. 23-24 --  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Prayers, Kisses, Sharing and Grace

Vs.25-28 Pray for us Greet all the brethren

with a holy kiss Read this letter to all the

brethren “The grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ be with you.”