Last week, drawing from Acts 9:31, I spoke of the encouragement and comfort the Holy Spirit provided the church, after the Lord turned Saul’s life completely right-side up. I closed by pointing out that this man, now known as Paul, often wrote churches to encourage their encouraging each other. Today, I will look at one of those passages in 1 Thessalonians 5.
10 [Jesus] died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Paul’s stay in Thessalonica was both productive and full of dangerous conflict (Acts 17:1-9). The conflict forced Paul to leave the city before he fully taught them, particularly about the return of Jesus. Yet, the conflict didn’t end with Paul’s departure, as the church continued to suffer persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:4). In addition to the external trouble, some, thinking the Lord’s return would happen any day or even already happened, apparently quit working, causing stress in the church (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).
It is to this stressed church that Paul encouraged encouraging. Opposition from outside, loss of sisters and brothers, financial concerns, and disagreements can contribute to negative and divisive behavior. Yet, it is precisely in these times we most need positive and uniting encouragement.
Today, some seem completely committed to picking fights. Someone on a social media site may say, “Good morning,” and someone may respond, “How dare you call this morning ‘good!’” Off they go, and it’s neither helpful nor healthy. Sadly, I see this among Christians with every scroll through Facebook (as I did moments ago). Perhaps, we want to seem smarter or an authority, but it’s destructive.
On the other hand, Paul is not just singing, “It isn’t any trouble just to S-M-I-L-E.” We are to encourage and build up each other, because Jesus died for us in order that we may be with Him, now and always. The “us” for whom He died, includes the brother or sister with whom we disagree. Our carping criticism assaults Christ, our Mediator, who mediates every Christian relationship.
Paul also mentions supporting and holding in high regard those who work on our behalf. Leadership can become a thankless job, but in Christ, it should not be such. Our congregation is blessed with good folks full of faith and the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to always agree with them, but we do have to always love them, and should as often as possible, thank them! We should always pray for them!
Next week, I’ll speak of church leadership from Ephesians 4. Now I will close by repeating Paul’s words:
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Tim Kelley