1. Sunday February 7, 2016

2. Tuesday, February 9 th ?

5. Lent

6. “Doing” church right in a world gone wrong! Final message next Sunday!

7. Lent A special sermon series for the five Sundays leading up to Easter – designed to help us renew our walk with Jesus Christ! Beginning February 21st

8. Five Commitments that Define a Christian Sunday mornings beginning February 21 st follow Jesus!

9. “Doing” church right in a world gone wrong! 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

10. A “dysfunctional” family?

11. The two ingredients of a healthy church family 1. Healthy relationships (vv. 12-15) 2. Personal devotion (vv. 16-22)

12. The two ingredients of a healthy church family 1. Healthy relationships (vv. 12-15) The leader–follower relationship

13. The leaders (i.e. Pastors/elders) 1 Thessalonians 5:12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you...

14. The leaders (i.e. Pastors/elders) “admonish” = “to put in mind” It is the responsibility of the pastors and elders to remind the church of truths and realities that they have either forgotten or are in danger of forgetting. Easy to do in our noisy world in which so many voices are calling out for our attention and affections!

15. The leaders (i.e. Pastors/elders) 1 Peter 5:3-4 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

16. The leaders (i.e. Pastors/elders) Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

17. The people 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

18. So the pastors and elders are called to give their best to take care of the people. And it is for this work they do … even though not done perfectly … and even those these leaders themselves are not perfect … but it is for their work … these leaders of the church should be respected, esteemed and loved.

19. The two ingredients of a healthy church family 1. Healthy relationships (vv. 12-15) The leader–follower relationship

20. The two ingredients of a healthy church family 1. Healthy relationships (vv. 12-15) People-people relationships

21. 1 Thessalonians 5:13b Be at peace among yourselves. In our relationships with one another, we must pursue peace!

22. People-people relationships 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. In our relationships with one another, we must reach out to the needy among us!

23. People-people relationships 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. In our relationships with one another we must say “NO!” to retaliation and “Yes” to blessing others!

24. People-people relationships Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

25. The two ingredients of a healthy church family 1. Healthy relationships (vv. 12-15) -Leader-people relationship -People-people relationships

26. The two ingredients of a healthy church family 1. Healthy relationships (vv. 12-15) 2. Personal devotion (vv. 16-22)

27. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances...

28. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances...

29. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a REJOICE ALWAYS, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances...

30. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances...

31. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances...

32. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks...

33. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks;...

34. Personal devotion 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks;... “lifestyle!”

35. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 1. We will be joyful in outlook (v.16) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

36. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 2. We will be steadfast in prayer (v.17) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

37. ESV Study Bible note: “Pray without ceasing suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day.”

38. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 3. We will be grateful in attitude (v.18) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

39. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always rejoice, 17 Without ceasing pray, 18 In all circumstances give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

40. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 4. We will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit (v.19) 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.

41. MacArthur Study Bible Note: “The fire of God’s Spirit is not to be doused with sin. Believers are also instructed to not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), but to be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and to walk by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16).”

42. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 5. We will be obedient to Scripture (v.20) 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Do not despise prophecies...

43. Now when Paul wrote this letter (50-51 AD) – the New Testament as we know it did not exist. Only Paul’s letter to the Galatians had been written of the 27 books of the New Testament had been written before 1 Thessalonians.

44. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 5. We will be obedient to Scripture (v.20) 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Do not despise prophecies...

45. What we do know is that when a church neglects the teaching and preaching of God’s Word … spiritual malnutrition is the result. And just as a person is hindered in “doing life” when physically malnourished … so the church is hindered in “doing” church when it is biblically malnourished.

46. If we are truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ... 6. We will be committed to discernment (v.21-22) 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 But test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

47. “For the believer, all of life must be viewed through the lens of Scripture. Before making any decision, accepting any teaching, choosing any course of action, or setting off in any direction, the first question that every Christian must ask is, “What does the Bible say?” Those things that prove to be “good” must be embraced. Those things that prove to be “evil” must be rejected.” (Mark Howell)

48. Today’s Takeaways Does God see Grace Church full of healthy relationships? Elders – Are we truly being the shepherds God calls us to be and Grace Church needs us to be?

49. Today’s Takeaways Does God see Grace Church full of healthy relationships? People – Are you respecting, esteeming and loving the pastors and elders here because of their work?

50. Today’s Takeaways Does God see Grace Church full of healthy relationships? Both elders and people – Are we all pursuing peace? Are we reaching out to the needy among us … the idle, the fainthearted, the weak?

51. Today’s Takeaways What about our personal devotion to Jesus Christ? Is it lacking or is it present and growing in its depth and breadth? Are you … Joyful in outlook? Steadfast in prayer? Grateful in attitude? Sensitive to the Spirit? Obedient to Scripture? Committed to discernment?