Family in Light of the End

Family in Light of the End

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Main Idea: Living in light of the end dramatically impacts how we act as a church family.

I. Instructions for Relationships within the Church (5:12-22)

A. To their pastors (v. 12-13

  1. Labor among you

  2. Are over you

  3. Admonish you

B. To one another (v. 14-22)

“For it is God’s will, he taught, that every local church should enjoy pastoral oversight, but not his will that pastors should dominate and organize everything. They are not meant to monopolize ministries, but rather to multiply them.”

- John Stott

  1. Admonish the idle

  2. Encourage the fainthearted

  3. Help the weak

  4. Be patient with them all

  5. Seek to do good not evil to one another

“Every Christian community must realize that not only do the weak need the strong, but also that the strong cannot exist without the weak. The elimination of the weak is the death of fellowship.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

“In that darkness God’s truth shines most clear.”

- Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)

II. Benediction (5:23-28)

A. Holy conduct (v. 23-24)

B. Wholly conduct (v. 25-28)

1 Thessalonians 5:28: “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

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