Sermon: "A Model for Daily Living - Part 2"
This week we are going to look at our fifth and final lesson from the book of I Thessalonians. The first three chapters gave us three good models to follow.
In chapter one we saw a good model for the local church here at Five Forks. If we follow that model we will be …
- An Energetic church – serving the Lord by serving others
- An Elect church – serving the Lord knowing he has chosen us
- An Exemplary church – setting a godly example
- An Evangelistic church – by our example and by our words telling others about Jesus
- An Expectant church – looking forward to the return of Jesus
In chapter two we studied Paul’s model of being a servant of God. We saw that a servant of God should …
- Expect and accept persecution
- Be a positive role model
With your words - and - By your life-style
- Be as gentle, comforting and encouraging as a loving mother or father.
In chapter three we looked at Paul’s model for Christian Brotherhood. That model looks like this …
- We must desire to be with our brothers and sisters
Get involved – reach out – leave your comfort zone
- We must be concerned about their spiritual welfare
A concern that prompts us to act to deny self
- We must rejoice over their spiritual victories
- We must pray for them
Last week in chapter four we began looking at Paul’s model for daily living.
Paul didn’t “beat around the bush.” His instructions are very clear and go right to where we live on a daily basis.
Paul says we are to live to please God and then to do it more and more. He says we can do that by …
- Being holy and pure
- Loving our Christian brothers and sisters
- Minding our own business
- Being diligent in working
and
- Encouraging one another with the truth of the second coming of Jesus.
As we saw last week, Paul was not someone who had much sympathy for those who make excuses for not living in a way that was pleasing to God.
If you professed to be a Christian and were not living to please God you could expect to be “called on the carpet” by the Apostle Paul.
Called on the carpet means … to be scolded or reprimanded.
Do you know where the saying “called on the carpet” originated?
The origin goes back to earlier times when carpeting was extremely rare. Many companies had only one office that was carpeted and that was usually the boss’s office! A worker who the boss wanted to talk to (usually bad news) was called into his carpeted office. Thus, the phrase grew to mean anytime someone in authority wants to scold you, whether a boss, or someone else.
If you are a follower of Jesus, Paul says you are to live to please God and then do it more and more. If you don’t, Paul will call you on the carpet.
You can live in a way that is pleasing to God as you wait for Jesus to return by following Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians.
Let’s look at …
PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAILY LIVING
His first instruction in chapter five picks up where he left off in chapter four, where he was discussing the second coming of Jesus. He tells us to ….
A. BE READY FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS
I THESSALONIANS 5:1-3 – 1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Paul brushes aside those who would try to determine the time when Jesus will return. Jesus will return but no one except our Heavenly Father knows when that will be.
He tells us what will happen to the ungodly -- destruction will come on them suddenly ... they will not escape.
Paul then goes on to tell us how comfortable those who are serving Jesus should be concerning the second coming of Jesus.
I THESSALONIANS 5:4-5 – 4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
However, while we do not have to fear or dread the second coming of Jesus, we are to be doing certain things while we wait for that day.
First – we are to be watching for that day.
I THESSALONIANS 5:6-7 – 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
Second – we are to put on the armor of God each day.
I THESSALONIANS 5:8 – 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.
In other words, each day our lives should demonstrate self-control (in language – emotions - spending – habits – actions), faith in God, love to God and others, and a hope to spend eternity in heaven.
Paul then tells us why we should live in such a manner.
I THESSALONIANS 5:9-10 – 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
We don’t have to fear either the second coming of Jesus or our own death because Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin and it doesn’t matter whether we are dead or alive when he returns, for in either case we will spend eternity with him.
Finally, Paul says we should encourage each other by sharing these wonderful truths.
I THESSALONIANS 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
So if we are going to live to please God we need to be ready for the return of Jesus and we need to …..
B. BE RESPECTFUL
Paul wrote …
I THESSALONIANS 5:12-13 – 12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
As believers in Jesus we form a spiritual house or body. We need to love and respect one another. I know that some of you do not like the fact that we place a lot of importance on unity, but we do it because the Bible teaches the importance of unity among believers.
Paul doesn’t say we are to “get in the face of our brothers and sisters.” Paul doesn’t tell us to try and “stir the pot” in order to get people worked up. He says “live in peace with each other.”
That sounds so easy, but we are constantly tempted to do just the opposite. Satan loves to get God’s children attacking one another.
Let’s determine to be respectful to one another and then do it more and more. Next Paul tells us to …
C. BE HELPFUL TO OTHERS
I THESSALONIANS 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Notice the various ways we are to be helpful:
- Warn those who aren’t working that they are heading for trouble.
- Encourage those who are timid to stand up for what they believe.
- Help those who are weak in faith or weak in body (sick or disabled).
- Demonstrate patience with everyone. Yes, even whose who try your patience.
Paul’s instructions hit us right where we live. He doesn’t pull any punches. Next, he says we are to …
D. BE MERCIFUL
I THESSALONIANS 5:15 – Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
This is one of those instructions that is really difficult to obey. Our old nature wants to get even. If somebody wrongs us we want to retaliate. Paul says, “No you don’t try to get even, instead be kind to the person who wronged you.” Here’s how he said it in the book of Romans.
ROMANS 12:21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Remember, Paul doesn’t want to hear your excuses. He tells you to be merciful and doesn’t give you a back door that allows you to give any reasons for not extending mercy to those who have wronged you.
Up to this point the instructions Paul has given us have come rather slow and with some explanation, but now he is going to fire off some instructions rapid fire. First comes …
E. BE JOYFUL ALWAYS
I THESSALONIANS 5:16 – Be joyful always.
Paul practiced what he preached. He was joyful in the midst of some very difficult circumstances.
Paul would say, “quit moping around, stop complaining, don’t look at what you don’t have, focus on what you do have and be joyful.” Next comes …
F. PRAY CONTINUALLY
I THESSALONIANS 5:17 – Pray continually.
This may mean that we should pray every day or that we don’t give up on prayer or that we should be in an ongoing state of prayer. Most likely Paul had all those things in mind.
Of this we can be sure. If you have not disciplined and trained yourself to pray and Paul were here you would be called on the carpet. Next Paul says …
G. GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
I THESSALONIANS 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Notice Paul does explain why we should do this … because it is God’s will.
Again Paul is very direct. We should be thankful in every condition, adversity as well as prosperity. This thankful attitude prevents us from complaining to or about God.
Paul’s instructions are not easy to obey, but they are what separates believers from unbelievers.
If more Christians would truly follow Paul’s instructions we wouldn’t have so many unbelievers saying, “I don’t see that Jesus makes any difference in a person’s life,” or “Christians are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.”
Well Paul’s on a roll, so let’s stay with him. Next he says …
H. DON’T QUENCH THE HOLY SPIRIT
I THESSALONIANS 5:19 – Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.
God has given us his Holy Spirit to guide, counsel, empower and comfort us. As fire goes out when the fuel is withdrawn, so we quench the fire of God’s Spirit when we live our lives as if he doesn’t exist.
If your heart is cold toward God; if you are not excited about being a Christian; there is a good chance that you have not been depending on God’s Spirit to guide you. If that describes you, you need to seek God’s forgiveness and sincerely look and listen for the leading of God’s Spirit. That leading may come through God’s word, through the words of another person, or through your own spirit. Next Paul says …
I. DO NOT TREAT GOD’S WORD WITH CONTEMPT
I THESSALONIANS 5:20 – Do not treat prophecies with contempt.
Some understand this to be the scriptures, others would say it includes preaching and teaching, and still others would say it includes the prophecies given by some Christians.
Certainly you are on solid ground when you love and honor God’s word as given to us in our Bibles. We should not take God’s word lightly. Paul goes on to say …
J. BE CAREFUL OF THE THINGS AROUND YOU
I THESSALONIANS 5:21 – Test everything. Hold on to the good.
We live in a fast moving world. New thoughts, new ideas, and yes, new religions come at us like a fast moving train.
Paul says, “Be careful! Be wise! Don’t accept everything, but don’t throw out everything. Keep what is good.”
That takes real effort. It applies to thoughts presented in books and on television. It applies to the clothes we wear. It applies to how we use our computers, i-pods, cell phones and televisions.
Test everything and only keep the good that each offers.
His last instruction covers anything he missed in all his previous instructions.
K. AVOID EVERY KIND OF EVIL
I THESSALONIANS 5:22 – Avoid every kind of evil.
Following this instruction will save you and your family a lot of heartache and pain. Don’t mess around with people or things that are evil. Why try drugs or alcohol when you see the trouble they bring. Why go to a party where you know God will not be honored. Why be friends with people who cheat or steal. Why get involved with pornography when you know it does not please God.
If Paul were here I think he would say something like this, “Don’t play games with me! You know right from wrong! Just walk away from what you know is not pleasing to God.”
Paul closes his letter with a prayer for his friends and a request that they pray for him.
I THESSALONIANS 5:23-28 – 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
25Brothers, pray for us. 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
CONCLUSION
To close this morning I am going to review the instructions Paul gave us both last week and this week.
PAUL’S MODEL FOR DAILY LIVING
- Be holy and pure
- Love your Christian brothers and sisters
- Mind your own business
- Be diligent in working
- Encourage one another
- Be ready for the return of Jesus
- Be respectful
- Be helpful too others
- Be merciful
- Be joyful always
- Pray continually
- Give thanks in all circumstances
- Don’t quench the Spirit
- Do not treat God’s Word with contempt
- Be careful of the things around you
- Avoid every kind of evil
PRAYER … (We need a prayer at this point to give them time to turn off the power point and load the video.)
This morning we are going to close by watching and listening to a music video called “I Then Shall Live.” When the video ends rise and greet those around you and then go and do these things more and more and you will please God.
I THEN SHALL LIVE
I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven.
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father.
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother.
The law of love I gladly will obey.
I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion.
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving, too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges.
I dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment.
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.
Your kingdom come around and through and in me.
Your pow’r and glory let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor.
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor.
And may You feed a hungry world through me.
Amen, amen, amen.