Brethren

I Thessalonians 5:12-28

One term frequently used by the Apostle Paul when referring to believers is “brethren” which he used 27 times in his letters to Thessalonica. This letter concludes by showing us the way service among the brethren can best be carried forward.

• Through respect towards leaders (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)
  • Without leadership things fall apart quickly
    • Appreciate them
      • There is nothing wrong with honoring faithful servants as long as God gets the glory
    • Accept them
      • Accept the role in which God has placed them
      • Follow them as they follow Christ
    • Love them
      • Hold them in high esteem
• Through partnership with other believers (I Thessalonians 5:14-15)
  • We are called to minister to one another
    • Handle problems
      • The idle, unruly, or disorderly
        • This is a military term and refers to a soldier who would not keep rank, but marched his own way
      • There is a place for individuality, but also a time for uniformity
    • Encourage the fainthearted
      • Those who tend to give up
    • Hold up the weak
      • Don’t let them fall
    • Be patient
    • Be positive
      • Seek what is good
• Through a proper attitude (I Thessalonians 5:16-24)
  • There are positives to follow
    • Rejoice (Acts 5:41)
    • Pray
    • Be thankful
  • There are negatives to avoid
    • Don’t quench the Spirit
    • Don’t dispose of prophetic gifts
    • Abstain from the appearance of evil
  • The result
    • Sanctified
    • Preserved
    • Blameless
    • By God’s grace
• A final word (I Thessalonians 5:25-28)
  • Things to do
    • Pray
    • Fellowship
    • Cling to the Word
    • Receive God’s blessings