(1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which
is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
[Our responsibilities as "children of
light" and "children of the day"
continue as we now
notice "Our Duty To Those In Need”.
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"
“They continued
stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.”
b. Paul encouraged the
Thessalonians to do the same
“Furthermore then we
beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more
and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”
B. WARNING THE UNRULY...
1. Warning brethren is a
crucial component of preaching Christ
“Whom we preach, warning
every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus:”
a. Paul warned the brethren at Ephesus
“Therefore watch, and
remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night
and day with tears.”
b. He encouraged Timothy to do the same
“I charge thee therefore
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead
at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2. Unruly brethren who
do not heed the warning are to be marked
and fellowship withdrawn
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ,that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,
and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7For
yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves
disorderly among you; 8Neither
did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail
night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9Not
because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow
us. 10For
even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work,
neither should he eat. 11For we
hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all,
but are busybodies. 12Now
them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with
quietness they work, and eat their own bread.13But ye,
brethren, be not weary in well doing.14And if
any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company
with him, that he may be ashamed.15Yet
count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
II. COMFORT THE
FAINTHEARTED (14)
A. IDENTIFYING THE
FAINTHEARTED...
1. The Greek word (oligopsuchos)
literally means "small-souled,
little-souled"
a. Translated
"feebleminded" (KJV), "timid" (NIV)
b. It describes those
who lose heart, prone to dropping out, be
quitters
2. Various conditions
might lead some to lose heart; for example:
a. Persecutions, tribulation
“Wherefore I desire that
ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
c. Lack of immediate results
“And let us not be weary
in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
B. COMFORTING THE
FAINTHEARTED...
1. Such brethren are to
be encouraged, consoled
a. Paul had done this
while at Thessalonica
“As ye know how we
exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his
children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his
kingdom and glory.”
b. He did it earlier in
this epistle
“But I would not have
you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow
not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and
rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
2. Thus we see need to
make a distinction
a. Some brethren (the
unruly) need to be warned, admonished
b. While others (the
fainthearted) may need a more tender
touch, to be encouraged
III. UPHOLD THE WEAK
(14)
A. IDENTIFYING THE
WEAK...
1. The weak could be
those in need
“I have shewed you all
things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to
receive.”
2. But more likely it
refers to those whose faith is weak
b. Who are tempted to
sin
B. UPHOLDING THE WEAK...
a. Not to argue over
things in which they have doubts
b. Nor to despise them
because of their weak faith
2. We uphold the weak by
bearing with their scruples
Romans 15:1-2
“We then that are strong
ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let
every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.”
a. Making an effort not
to put stumbling blocks in their way
“Let us not therefore
judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a
stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
[Brethren who are weak
in faith need time to grow, for their consciences
to become strong. Our duty is for "each of us to please
his neighbor
for his good, leading to
edification".
IV. TOWARD ALL MEN
(14-15)
A. RENDER NOT EVIL FOR
EVIL TO ANYONE...
1. A principle taught by
our Lord
“But I say unto you,
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be
the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on
the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
B. PURSUE WHAT IS
GOOD...
1. For yourselves
(i.e., Christians)
a. Such as things that
make for peace and edify one another
“Let us therefore follow
after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify
another.”
b. Such as
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
gentleness
“But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.”
d. Such as holiness
“Follow peace with all
men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
2. For all
(including non-Christians)
a. Such as things
honorable, and honor itself
“Recompense to no man
evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
b. Such as things that
are good
“As we have therefore
opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.”
c. Such as civil obedience,
kind words, gentleness and meekness
“Put them in mind to be
subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every
good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all
meekness unto all men.”
d. Such as prayers in
their behalf, and a knowledge of the
truth leading to their
salvation
“I exhort therefore,
that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be
saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
**If you would like to give your heart to Jesus today, repeat these words
below:
'Dear Heavenly Father,i come
to in the name of Jesus; Forgive me a sinner and wash me in your precious
blood. Make this heart of stone to be made flesh, so that your word may be sown
in it. Any addictions that i may have, remove them now in Jesus name! I've
accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believe that He died and rose from the
dead! And from this day forward, i commit my life to you and seek for guidance
and understanding in your word, as i walk in your path of righteousness, In
Jesus name i pray, AMEN!!!'
If you have recited these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved
and if the Lord would come today, you will be ready to go to Heaven!! I will
keep you all in prayer, to continue to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ our
Lord. READ, PRAY, SEEK and TRUST in Him and you will overcome this wicked
world! **
I have also provided a link to the Full Gospel Holiness Church below, where
you will find sermons from the word of God (no comprising to sin) but the Full
truth to the Word of God! You can also view our contact information to email us
or call us for prayer. May God bless you!
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