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1 Thessalonians Chapter Five

 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To note the unexpected nature of the coming of the Lord, and how we
 should prepare for that event
 
2) To see what our responsibilities are toward those who are over us in
 the Lord, and what responsibilities we have to one another
 
3) To appreciate what the will of God is for us as it relates to joy,
 thanksgiving, and prayer
 
SUMMARY
 
Continuing his apostolic instructions, Paul knows he does not need to
write to the Thessalonians concerning the timing of the Lord's coming,
for they know full well that He will come as a thief in the night and 
with sudden destruction catch many people unexpectedly (1-3). Such 
should not be the case for Christians, however, for they are "sons of 
light" and "sons of the day"; therefore they should watch and be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and having as a helmet 
the hope of their salvation (4-8). Knowing that God has appointed them
to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ, they know that whether dead
or alive they will live with Christ. Through such hope they should
therefore comfort and edify one another, just as they were doing
(9-11).
 
A series of exhortations follows. First, to recognize and esteem those
who labor among them and are over them in the Lord, and to be at peace 
among themselves (12-13). Then, exhortations related to our concern 
for one another, along with a call to rejoice always, to pray without 
ceasing, to give thanks in everything, to quench not the Spirit nor 
despise prophecies, yet testing all things, holding fast to what is 
good and abstaining from all that is evil (14-22).
 
Paul concludes his epistle with a prayer for their sanctification as it
relates to the coming of Christ, a reminder of the faithfulness of God,
a plea for prayer in his behalf, and final instructions concerning 
greeting one another and having the epistle read to all the brethren. 
He signs off with a prayer for grace from the Lord Jesus in their 
behalf (23-28).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. WALK IN LIGHT (1-11)
 
 A. FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT (1-4)
 1. Concerning times and seasons, Paul did not need to write to 
 them (1)
 2. They understood that the day of the Lord will come as a thief
 in the night (2)
 3. It will come unexpectedly upon many, and such will not escape
 (3)
 4. But they are not in darkness, so that day would overtake them
 as a thief (4)
 
 B. FOR WE ARE TO BE SONS OF LIGHT AND SONS OF THE DAY (5-8)
 1. We are not to be of the night or of darkness (5)
 2. Therefore we must watch and be sober, unlike those who sleep
 and get drunk (6-7)
 3. Those of the day are to be sober, and properly attired by 
 putting on... (8)
 a. The breastplate of faith and love
 b. The hope of salvation as a helmet
 
 C. FOR GOD HAS APPOINTED US TO SALVATION (9-11)
 1. He did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation 
 through Jesus Christ (9)
 2. Who died for us, that whether dead or alive, we should live
 together with Him (10)
 3. Therefore we need to comfort and edify one another (11)
 
II. WALK IN OBEDIENCE (12-22)
 
 A. WITH RESPECT TOWARD THOSE OVER US (12-13)
 1. To recognize those...
 a. Who labor among us (12c)
 b. Who are over us in the Lord (12b)
 c. Who admonish us (12c)
 2. To esteem them highly in love for their work's sake (13a)
 3. To be at peace among ourselves (13b)
 
 B. WITH CONCERN FOR ONE ANOTHER (14-15)
 1. Exhorted to...
 a. Warn those who are unruly (14a)
 b. Comfort the fainthearted (14b)
 c. Uphold the weak (14c)
 d. Be patient with all (14d)
 2. To render not evil for evil to anyone (15a)
 3. To always pursue what is good for yourselves and for all (15c)
 
 C. WITH JOY, PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING (16-18)
 1. Rejoicing always (16)
 2. Praying without ceasing (17)
 3. Giving thanks in everything (18a)
 -- Which is God's will for us in Christ Jesus (18b)
 
 D. NOT QUENCHING THE SPIRIT, BUT STILL TESTING ALL THINGS (19-22)
 1. They were not to quench the Spirit, nor despise prophesies
 (19-20)
 2. Yet they were to test all things; holding fast to that which
 is good, and abstaining from all forms of evil (21-22)
 
III. CONCLUDING REMARKS (23-28)
 
 A. A PRAYER FOR THEM (23-24)
 1. That the God of peace sanctify them completely (23a)
 2. That their whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless
 at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (23b)
 3. Reminding them that the One who calls them is faithful, who 
 will also do it (24)
 
 B. A REQUEST FOR PRAYER IN HIS BEHALF (25)
 
 C. FINAL CHARGES (26-27)
 1. To greet all the brethren with a holy kiss (26)
 2. That this epistle be read to all the brethren (27)
 
 D. FINAL BENEDICTION OF GRACE FROM THE LORD JESUS (28)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Walk in light (1-11)
 - Walk in obedience (12-22)
 - Concluding remarks (23-28)
 
2) Concerning what did Paul feel no need to write to the Thessalonians?
 (1)
 - Times and seasons related to the coming of the Lord
 
3) What did they already know? (2)
 - That the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
 
4) What will people being saying when the Lord comes? (3)
 - "Peace and safety!"
 
5) What will come upon them when the Lord comes? Will they escape? (3)
 - Sudden destruction
 - No
 
6) Why will the Day of the Lord not overtake Christians as a thief?
 (4-5)
 - They are not in darkness
 - They are sons of light and sons of the day
 
7) What is our responsibility as "sons of light" and "sons of the day"?
 (6)
 - To watch and be sober
 
8) What are we to put on? (8)
 - The breastplate of faith and love
 - The hope of salvation as a helmet
 
9) To what has God appointed us? (9)
 - To obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ
 
10) Why did Jesus die for us? (10)
 - That whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him
 
11) What is our responsibility to one another in view of such things?
 (11)
 - To comfort each other and edify one another
 
12) What is our responsibility to those who labor among us and are over
 us in the Lord? (12-13)
 - To recognize them
 - To esteem them highly in love for their work's sake
 - To be at peace among ourselves
 
13) What six charges did Paul give concerning those around us? (14-15)
 - Warn those who are unruly
 - Comfort the fainthearted
 - Uphold the weak
 - Be patient with all
 - See no one renders evil for evil to anyone
 - Always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all
 
14) What three things does Paul say is the will of God for us in Christ
 Jesus? (16-18)
 - Rejoice always
 - Pray without ceasing
 - In everything give thanks
 
15) What five admonitions does Paul give related to the Spirit and
 prophecies? (19-22)
 - Do not quench the Spirit
 - Do not despise prophecies
 - Test all things
 - Hold fast what is good
 - Abstain from every form of evil
 
16) For what two things does Paul pray in behalf of the Thessalonians?
 (23)
 - May the God of peace Himself sanctify them completely
 - May their whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at
 the coming of the Lord
 
17) What assurance is there that God will do this? (24)
 - The God who calls them is faithful (dependable, trustworthy)
 
18) What two final admonitions does Paul give the Thessalonians?
 (26-27)
 - Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss
 - To have this epistle read to all the brethren
 
19) What is Paul's final benediction? (28)
 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Preparing For Christ's Coming (5:1-11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In our previous study we saw where Paul discussed "The Comfort Of
 Christ's Coming"...
 a. How we ought to be comforted by the facts and events of His coming
 b. Especially as it relates to loved ones who have died in the Lord 
 - cf. 1 Th 4:13-18
 
2. Of course, "The Comfort Of Christ's coming" presumes that we are
 prepared for it...
 a. Whether we are among those who have died prior to that great event
 b. Or we are among those who will be alive when He comes
 
3. Are we prepared?
 a. Will He find us ready when He comes?
 b. Will we be ready should we die before He comes?
 
[As we come to the final chapter in Paul's first epistle to the
Thessalonians, we find him telling how Christians can be "Preparing For
Christ's Coming" (1 Th 5:1-11). Proper preparation for the coming of
Jesus takes into account that...]
 
I. HE SHALL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT (1-4)
 
 A. FOR SOME, BUT NOT FOR OTHERS...
 1. The Lord's coming will be a surprise for many, as the "thief in 
 the night" motif clearly indicates - 1 Th 5:2; cf. 2 Pe 3:10
 2. But for those who heed the warnings of Scripture, the "Day" 
 will not overtake them as a thief - 1 Th 5:1-2,4
 a. Because they will be ready for His coming, though we don't 
 know when it will be
 b. Because they will have taken to heart the admonitions we 
 shall consider momentarily
 
 B. FOR SOME, AN INESCAPABLE DESTRUCTION...
 1. He will come when people are saying "Peace and safety!" - 1 Th 
 5:3
 a. Not in troublesome times, but in peaceful times
 b. Yet many Christians seem to think He is coming whenever 
 there is tribulation
 2. When He comes, it will be with "sudden destruction" - 1 Th 5:3
 a. Just as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman
 b. There will be no time nor way to escape this destruction,
 described in more detail in the second epistle to the 
 Thessalonians - cf. 2 Th 1:7-10
 3. This "Day" will be one of glory for those who are ready - cf. 
 2 Th 1:10
 a. For those who now "sleep in Jesus" - cf. 1 Th 4:13-16
 b. For those prepared for His coming when He does descend - cf. 
 1 Th 4:17-18
 
[What will this "Day" mean for us, when the Lord comes "as a thief in
the night"? A day of destruction, or a day of delight? It depends upon
whether we are prepared for His coming, and proper preparation means...]
 
II. WE SHOULD LIVE AS SONS OF THE DAY (5-11)
 
 A. WATCHFUL AND SOBER...
 1. We are "children of light" and "children of the day" - 1 Th 5:5
 a. Because we follow Jesus, the "light of the world" - Jn 8:12;
 12:35-36
 b. Because we are now in Jesus, and walk in the light - Ep 5:8; 
 1 Jn 1:5-7
 c. Because we cast off works of darkness, and seek to walk 
 properly - Ro 13:11-14
 2. We are to be watchful for His coming - 1 Th 5:6
 a. For no one knows the day nor hour - cf. 1 Th 5:2; Mt 24:36,
 42
 b. Watchfulness includes prayer - cf. 1 Pe 4:7
 c. Watchfulness includes repentance, and strengthening what we 
 have - cf. Re 3:2-3
 -- On the other hand, "sleep" in our text refers to spiritual 
 laxity - 1 Th 5:6-7
 3. We are to be sober - 1 Th 5:6-8a
 a. The word "sober" means to be temperate or abstinent, 
 especially in regards to wine
 b. It usually used in a more general sense to be sober-minded,
 watchful, circumspect - Barnes
 c. Note how Jesus relates this to watching for His coming in 
 Lk 21:34-36
 -- We should certainly take the promise of Jesus' coming 
 seriously, not frivolously
 
 B. ARMED AND WAITING...
 1. In all soberness (seriousness), putting on "the armor of God" 
 - 1 Th 5:8
 a. Such as the breastplate of faith and love
 1) Faith and love protect our hearts from much evil
 2) Faith comes from the word of God, and love comes from Him 
  who is the Word - Ro 10:17; 1 Jn 3:16
 b. Such as the hope of salvation as a helmet
 1) Our hope of salvation protects our mind from much fear 
 and doubt
 2) Hope also comes from the word of God - cf. Ro 15:4
 -- Compare this description of "armor" with one more detailed 
 - Ep 6:11-18
 2. Encouraged to wait because God has appointed us to salvation 
 - 1 Th 5:9-10
 a. He has not appointed us to wrath
 1) A day of wrath is coming - cf. Ro 2:4-11
 2) Yet Jesus has come to deliver us from that wrath - 1 Th 
 1:10
 b. He has appointed us to salvation
 1) Through the blood of His Son - Ro 5:8-10
 2) So that whether we "wake or sleep" (live or die), we live
 together with Christ! - cf. 1 Th 4:14,17; Ph 1:21-23
 
 C. COMFORTED AND EDIFIED...
 1. We are to comfort one another - 1 Th 5:11
 a. With the comfort we each receive from God - cf. 2 Co 1:3-4
 b. With the comfort of our hope we have in Christ - cf. 1 Th 
 4:18
 2. We are to edify (build up) one another - 1 Th 5:11
 a. A goal we are to pursue - Ro 14:19; 15:2
 b. The primary work of the church is edification - Ep 4:11-12,
 15-16
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Will we be prepared when Christ comes? It all depends...
 a. Are we watchful? Are we serious about His coming?
 b. Are we putting on the armor of God?
 1) With faith and love as a breastplate protecting our hearts?
 2) With the hope of salvation as a helmet protecting our minds?
 c. Are we actively engaged in comforting and edifying our brethren?
 -- If so, then we are truly "sons of light and sons of the day"!
 
2. Note what is absolutely necessary for us to be doing these things...
 a. The Word of God
 1) Which builds faith and hope
 2) Which provides comfort
 b. The Church of God
 1) Where love is to be expressed among members
 2) Where comfort and edification is to be experienced by members
 
"Preparing For Christ's Coming" cannot happen without diligent
application of God's Word and active participation in the Lord's church.
 
Have you been added by the Lord to His church (cf. Ac 2:41,47)? Are you
continuing steadfastly in fellowship with a local church (cf. Ac 2:42)?

Edifying And Comforting One Another (5:11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. To be prepared for the coming of the Lord, Paul exhorted Christians
 to be "sons of light and sons of the day" - cf. 1 Th 5:4-7
 a. Which necessitates putting on the armor of God - cf. 1 Th 5:8
 b. Which also includes edifying and comforting one another - cf. 1 Th
 5:11
 
2. This last charge to edify and comfort one another is just one of many
 "one another" passages in the New Testament; here are some of them:
 a. Love one another - Jn 13:34-35
 b. Be affectionate to one another, and honor one another - Ro 12:10
 c. Serve one another - Ga 5:13
 d. Bear with one another - Ep 4:2
 e. Submit to one another - Ep 5:21
 f. Be kind to one another, and forgive one another - Ep 4:32
 g. Exhort one another - He 3:13
 
3. These are based upon the principle that we are "members of one
 another" - Ro 12:5
 a. Implying an interdependence where we need one another
 b. An interdependence felt and expressed most keenly in the local
 church
 
[In this lesson, I wish to focus our attention upon the charge to
"comfort each other and edify one another", especially in our
relationship as members of the same congregation. We note first the
command...]
 
I. COMFORT EACH OTHER
 
 A. THE WORD "COMFORT"...
 1. The Greek is parakaleo
 2. Lit., to call to one's side, call for, summon
 3. Hence, either "an exhortation, or consolation, comfort"
 (Vine's)
 -- The picture is one where someone walks alongside of another,
 providing comfort, even exhortation
 
 B. SOURCES OF COMFORT...
 1. Each member of the Godhead is a source of comfort
 a. The God of all comfort - 2 Co 1:3; Ro 15:5
 b. The Lord Jesus Christ - 2 Th 2:16-17
 c. The Holy Spirit - Ac 9:31
 2. The Word of God is a source of comfort
 a. Such as the Old Testament writings - Ro 15:4
 b. As well as New Testament promises - 1 Th 4:18
 3. Our brethren are to be a source of comfort - 1 Th 4:18; 5:11
 a. As Paul expected Tychicus to do for both the Ephesians and 
 the Colossians - Ep 6:21-22; Co 4:7-8
 b. As others had done for Paul - Co 4:10-11
 -- We are blessed to have so many different sources of comfort
 available to us!
 
 C. RECEIVING THE COMFORT GOD INTENDS...
 1. We must as individuals be in a right relationship with God 
 - 1 Pe 3:12
 a. Which involves doing the Father's will - Mt 7:21-23
 b. Which involves keeping the Lord's commandments - Jn 14:21-23
 2. We must as individuals feed upon the Word of God - Ja 1:21
 a. The source of much comfort - Ro 15:4
 b. Comfort that comes from the joy and peace it gives - Psa 1:
 1-3; 119:165; Jer 15:16
 3. We must as "members of one another" comfort one another - 1 Th 
 5:11
 a. With the comfort we each have received from God - 2 Co 1:3-4
 1) Each of us receive comfort through our individual 
 relationship with God
 2) Each of us receive comfort through our relationship with 
 one another
 b. Can we not see the importance of involvement in the local 
  church?
 1) Unless we are active members, comforting one another...
 2) We miss out, and brethren miss out, on the comfort God 
 offers His people!
 4. God intends for us to receive comfort from two angles:
  a. Horizontally, through our relationship with Him
 b. Vertically, through our relationship with one another in
 the local church!
 
[Why deprive ourselves of the great blessing of comfort from God? Why
shortchange ourselves when God desires us to have comfort "coming and
going"? We hurt not only ourselves, but also our brethren! Don't
forget Jesus' words in Mt 25:41-46. Consider now also the charge to...]
 
II. EDIFY ONE ANOTHER
 
 A. THE WORD "EDIFY"...
 1. The Greek is oikodomeo
 2. Lit., to build a house
 3. Used metaphorically, in the sense of "edifying," promoting the
 spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by
 teaching or by example (Vine's)
 -- Each person is undergoing a spiritual construction project, 
 aided by the efforts of those around him or her
 
 B. THE IMPORTANCE OF EDIFICATION...
 1. Building up one another is something to "pursue" - Ro 14:19
 2. We need to be careful not to "destroy the work of God" - Ro 
 14:20
 3. We must be willing to bear with one another if it means 
 edification - Ro 15:1-3
 -- Building each other up is an obligation that has been placed 
 upon all Christians!
 
 C. ACCOMPLISHING THE EDIFICATION GOD INTENDS...
 1. It is done through the church, which Christ designed to edify 
 or build up its members - cf. Ep 4:11-12; 1 Co 14:26
 2. It is done through the working of each individual member, doing
 his or her part - Ep 4:16
 3. It is done through kind and graceful words to one another - Ep 
 4:29
 -- The key point is this: edification (like comfort) takes place
 through our involvement with one another in the local church!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. To the Thessalonians, Paul was able to follow-up his command to
 comfort and edify one another with this statement: "...just as you
 also are doing." - 1 Th 5:11
 a. They were already comforting one another
 b. They were already edifying one another
 -- Yet like the command to love another, there is always the need to
 abound more and more - cf. 1 Th 4:9-10
 
2. Could Paul have said the same of us as a church? Of you as a
 Christian?
 a. Are we engaged in the ministry of providing comfort and 
 edification to our brethren?
 b. If you are not an active member of a local congregation, how can
 you?
 -- May this command of God motivate us to examine ourselves and our
 relationships with our brethren in the congregation where we work
 and worship!
 
If Paul could have written the same to us ("...just as you also are
doing."), then keep up the good work, and remember the words given to
encourage another congregation:
 
 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
 abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not
 in vain in the Lord."
 - 1 Cor 15:58

Our Duty To Those Who Serve (5:12-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As "sons of light and sons of the day" (1 Th 5:5), we have a duty to
 comfort and edify one another - cf. 1 Th 5:11
 
2. This duty is true of all us who are members of the body of Christ 
 - e.g., Ep 4:15-16
 a. Each member has a part in which he or she does their share
 b. When all are working, the body grows through the edifying of 
 itself in love
 
3. Yet the Lord has also blessed His body with those who edify the body
 through their service in certain capacities - cf. Ep 4:11-12
 a. Such as evangelists, pastors, teachers
 b. Whose purpose is for the equipping of the saints for the work of
 ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ
 
[In the text for our study (1 Th 5:12-13), we are told of "Our Duty
Toward Those Who Serve" us by their function in the church of Christ.
Observe that we are commanded...]
 
I. TO RECOGNIZE THEM
 
 A. THOSE WHO LABOR AMONG YOU...
 1. This would include those who serve as:
 a. Elders (also known as pastors, bishops), whose duty is to
 watch and feed the local congregation - Ac 14:23; 20:17,28; 
 1 Pe 5:1-2; 1 Ti 3:1-7; Ti 1:5-9
 b. Deacons, who minister to the needs of the congregation - Ph
 1:1; 1 Ti 3:8-13
 c. Evangelists, whose ministry is to the Word of God, 
  proclaiming the good news to both sinner and saint - Ep 
 4:11; 2 Ti 4:5,2; 1 Ti 4:16
 d. Teachers, who provide instruction in the doctrine of Christ 
 - Ep 4:11; Ac 13:1-2; 1 Co 12:28-29; Ti 2:3-5
 1) Such as those who teach our children
 2) And those who teach the lost in our families and 
 community
 2. There are others who labor among us in other areas...
 a. Those who minister through exhortation, giving, showing 
  mercy (such as in visiting the sick) - Ro 12:6-8
 b. Those who use their talents to do good deeds, as did Dorcas 
 - Ac 9:36-39
 c. Those who keep up the facilities in which we meet to worship
 1) Cleaning the building, preparing the communion
 2) Pruning the yard, maintain the baptistery and other 
 aspects of the building
 -- In every active congregation, there is much labor going on; do 
 we recognize those who often labor quietly for our benefit?
 
 B. THOSE WHO ARE OVER YOU...
 1. "In the Lord"
 a. This has particular reference to the elders (pastors, 
 bishops)
 b. They are the only ones given authority "over" us in the Lord
  - Ac 20:28; 1 Pe 5:1-2; cf. He 13:7,17
 2. "And admonish you"
 a. The duty of elders often require them to admonish and warn 
 - Ti 1:9
 b. That is why they must be qualified to teach - 1 Ti 3:2
 -- Any congregation with men qualified to serve as elders should
 certainly be careful to recognize them as such, and respect 
 their God-given duty
 
[While the context may have special application to our duty toward those
who serve as elders, I believe we are not amiss to apply it toward
those who serve in other capacities as well. Certainly it is 
appropriate regarding those who serve us in any role...]
 
II. TO ESTEEM THEM
 
 A. VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE...
 1. To hold them in high regard, to honor them
  a. We are to prefer all brethren in honor - cf. Ro 12:10; Ph 
 2:3
 b. How much more those who expend their time and energy in 
 serving us!
 2. To do so in love
 a. We are to love all brethren - cf. 1 Pe 2:17; Jn 13:34-35
 b. How much more those who expend their time and energy in 
 serving us!
 
 B. FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE...
 1. Certainly the work of elders is worthy of high esteem
 a. They feed us, they watch over us, they provide examples for 
 us - 1 Pe 5:1-3
 b. They must give an account for our souls - He 13:17
 2. So also the work of all who serve their brethren
 a. The work of deacons is worthy of high honor - 1 Ti 3:13
 b. Indeed, those who are serve are to be considered great in 
 the kingdom of God! - cf. Mt 20:25-28
 
[We have a duty to esteem those who serve, to hold them in high regard. 
Not just because of who they are, but what they do! Do we both
recognize and esteem our brethren for their work?
 
Finally, note that in "Our Duty To Those Who Serve" we are...]
 
III. TO BE AT PEACE
 
 A. AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES...
 1. Peace among brethren, like unity, is a wonderful thing - Psa 
 133:1
 2. It is a mark of heavenly wisdom, and provides the atmosphere in
 which much righteousness can be sown - Ja 3:17-18
 3. It is certainly something we all should pursue - Ro 14:17-19; 
 He 12:14
 
 B. TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD OF THOSE WHO SERVE...
 1. Those who serve (especially elders) have a heavy burden - e.g.,
 He 13:17
 a. They watch for our souls
 b. They must give an account for our souls
 2. We can make their load lighter - cf. He 13:17
 a. Make their work a joy, contributing to peace through
 obedience and submission
 b. Avoid adding unnecessary grief, which would not be good for 
 us (what an understatement!)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. As we wait for the coming for the Lord, we are blessed not to wait
 alone...
 a. The Lord's church is here to comfort and edify us
 b. There are individuals who labor among us, and are over us in the
 Lord
 1) Some meet our needs, making it easier for us to grow
 2) Others watch over us, and admonish us as necessary
 -- For such blessings we ought to be thankful!
 
2. But we can do more than just be thankful...
 a. We can recognize those who labor among us, and are over us
 b. We can esteem them highly in love for their work's sake
 c. We can be at peace among ourselves
 
Indeed, this is "Our Duty To Those Who Serve". May God grant us the
strength to give what is due those who give so much of their time,
energy and love to us!

Our Duty To Those In Need (5:14-15)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. We have noted earlier in our study of 1st Thessalonians that Paul
 describes Christians as:
 a. "the children of light"
 b. "the children of the day" - 1 Th 5:5
 
2. As such, we have various responsibilities and duties...
 a. To watch and be sober - 1 Th 5:6
 b. To put on the breastplate of faith and love, with hope as a helmet
 - 1 Th 5:8
 c. To comfort and edify one another - 1 Th 5:11
 
3. In our previous study we noted "Our Duty To Those Who Serve"...
 a. To recognize them - 1 Th 5:12
 b. To esteem them highly in love - 1 Th 5:13
 
[Our responsibilities as "children of light" and "children of the day"
continue as we now notice "Our Duty To Those In Need" (1 Th 5:14-15).
Both in the church and out, there are those in need of help from
Christians. Some may not even be aware of their need, yet our duty
remains. For example, we have the duty to...]
 
I. WARN THE UNRULY (14)
 
 A. IDENTIFYING THE UNRULY...
 1. The Greek word (ataktos) means "disorderly, out of ranks"
  a. Used often of soldiers who fall out of line
 b. Deviating from the prescribed order of rule
 2. The unruly Christian is one who does not abide by the teachings
 of the apostles
 a. From the beginning, faithful Christians "continued
 steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - Ac 2:42
 b. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do the same - 1 Th
 4:1,2; 2 Th 2:15
 
 B. WARNING THE UNRULY...
 1. Warning brethren is a crucial component of preaching Christ
 - cf. Co 1:28
 a. Paul warned the brethren at Ephesus - Ac 20:31
 b. He encouraged Timothy to do the same - 2 Ti 4:1-2
 2. Unruly brethren who do not heed the warning are to be marked
 and fellowship withdrawn - e.g., 2 Th 3:6-15
 a. In an effort to save the unruly
 b. Also an effort to keep the church pure - cf. 1 Co 5:1-13
 
[For those who are unruly, their need is to be warned. We should never

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