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 1 Thessalonians 5 - So Let it Grow!

        So Jesus will return.  It’s true.  It’s good news, spectacular news.  This amazing chapter gives clear instructions for how we Christians ought to live.  It’s a good compare and contrast against the modern church - and I believe an admonition for us to get it right.

        We are prone to forget God’s grace.  We are prone to pride.  Understanding who Christ is and humbly recognizing that everything is His - not ours - is contrary to our human nature.  But make no mistake.  That is not an excuse.  We need to get it right.

        We see ourselves and the truth about human nature in Scripture.  When the Prophet Isaiah confronted King Hezekiah about pridefully showing off all the kingdom treasuries to the Babylonians we see a sense of entitlement.  It is no different than the modern entitled Christian aristocracy.  Those who fly first class using other peoples' money - or beyond that - on private jets.  Those who could give a rat's ass about the poor.

        King Hezekiah said, “I showed them everything I own - all my royal treasuries” (39:4).  Hezekiah thought all the treasure was his.  Through Isaiah God made it clear that not only would Hezekiah and the kingdom soon be bankrupt, but that even the king's sons would become eunuchs and slaves.  And Hezekiah still didn’t get it.  Life was too good for him.  Too easy.  He had a mansion and all the accompaniments.  He thought God’s judgment and curse was good (39:8).  Crazy.

        Such is the fate of the self-centered.  Deconstructionists today will play on your heartstrings.  They allege God is not good.  They say God is not fair because of hell.  The Bible tells a much different story.  God is Good indeed.  God is completely fair and just.  God is patient and kind.  God sent prophet after prophet.  And eventually, He even sent His Son.  Every man born of a woman gets ample opportunity to choose the kingdom of light.  It was true for the Jews (Isaiah 43:23), it was true for the apostles who lived at the end of the old covenant (the end times: Acts 2:16-17, 1 Peter 1:20, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 1:2, James 5:3b, 1 John 2:18a, 1 John 2:18b), and for those of us who live in the new times under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).

        So clear the way for God and His Kingdom.  Jesus will return in the fullness of God’s patience and mercy.

        In the meantime, God’s Kingdom grows.  We, His dear children, are fed and cared for by the Good Shepherd himself.

        God needs no counsel.  God needs nothing at all and yet God chooses us to tell of His great love for all people.  God does not want any person to perish and go to hell.  God chose His church to display His power, might, faithfulness, glory, and wisdom.

        Christians, let’s take this 1 Thessalonians message to heart and encourage each other.  Let’s eagerly look forward to the new year with confident hope in God.  God will return, but let’s pray He uses us for the good works He planned long ago - to build His Kingdom.

        I look forward to Jesus’ commanding shout.  The Bible says we will rise from our graves.  I will receive a new body.  It will be like Christ’s resurrected body.  So will you.

        And yet the Bible also calls this Good News event of Christ’s return from heaven a disaster (5:3).  It is a disaster for the children of the kingdom of darkness.  A terrible day of reckoning.  A miserable realization of the triumph of truth and righteousness.

        As children of the Kingdom of the Dear Son, those who walk in the Light of the Holy Spirit, we must live clearheaded - not drunk or confused or misguided.  We must be and we will be, protected by the armor of faith and love - like those from Thessalonica - wearing the confidence of salvation.

  • We must provide godly spiritual guidance to each other.  And to live peacefully with each other.
  • Honor servant leaders who work hard amongst believers and who give spiritual guidance.
  • Warn those who are lazy.
  • Encourage those who are timid.
  • Take tender care of those who are weak.
  • Be patient with everyone.
  • Never pay back evil for evil.
  • Always try to do good to each other and all people.
  • Always be joyful.
  • Never stop praying.
  • Be thankful in all circumstances.
  • Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
  • Do not scoff at prophecies.
  • Test everything that is said.
  • Hold on to what is good.
  • Stay away from every kind of evil.

        Lord Jesus, please give us your peace and make us holy and blameless.  We know that You are faithful and that You are growing your Kingdom.  Please use us today and help us to live out your instructions.  Amen.




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