Living In Peace -- 1 Thess. 5:12-15 Thessalonica

 “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” Jimi Hendrix

1 Thessalonians 5: “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

Those who diligently labor …and have charge over you …and give you instruction Elders only???

 Greek indicates those who get fatigued working so hard….

Those who have charge over you… Greek understood as… Those who stand before you Those who preside over you Those who rule over you Those who are charged with maintaining Elders? Preachers? Others?

 Who put things in your mind  Who admonish you  Who instruct you  Who gently reprove and warn you

 Elders  Deacons  Preachers  Teachers  Evangelists  Older men  Older women  Those who influence you well for Christ.

 Greek meaning: Know them!  Mark them as noteworthy  Respect them  Honor them

 Three words in the Greek  EGEISTHAI = Esteem  HUPER = a lot  EKPERISSOU = super abundantly

 Romans 14:19 – “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:14 -- We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

 Provide them with proper warnings  Gentle admonition  1 Thessalonians 2:7 – “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

 The “little spirited”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”

 As Paul encouraged the elders at Ephesus  Acts 20:35 – “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Colossians 3:11-13 – “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:15 -- See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.