Sermon Notes | 7.2.23
Rise Week 10
1 Thessalonians 5:12–28
[12] 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. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.
[23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
[25] Brothers, pray for us.
[26] Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
[27] I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
[28] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (ESV)
HOW TO BE A GOSPEL-CENTERED CHURCH
GOSPEL LEADERSHIP
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
HUMBLE & HARD WORKING
[42] And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [43] But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [44] and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. [45] For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:42-45
GOSPEL COMMUNITY
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
What if we turned our chairs toward each other?
admonish the idle
encourage the fainthearted
help the weak
Throughout the New Testament, God commands us to mutual care in the local church. These “one another” commands are instructions for our family life. Belonging to the church will always increase our obligations and decrease our independence. And this is good. – Megan Hill, A Place to Belong
GOSPEL WORSHIP
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
…worship is the heart of discipleship. Worship is the sacramental center of God’s transforming grace. You might think of worship as the repair station for our erotic compasses. Or, as Calvin suggested, think of the church’s worship as the gymnasium in which the Spirit puts us through the paces of a spiritual workout that restor(i)es our hearts. Some mornings you wake up, and let’s be honest: you don’t want to work out. Your bed is so comfortable and the world outside is so cold and it would be so easy to just stay where you are. But the people of God are not there, and the sacraments of the Spirit aren’t there, and you know that even if you don’t “feel” like it, you need the meal that is the Lord’s Supper, you need the nourishment of the Word. You know the sort of person you want to be and know that immersing yourself in this Story is how the Spirit is going to change your habits. – James K.A. Smith, You Are What You Love
GOSPEL CONFIDENCE
1 Thessalonians 5:23-28
A Prayer for Salvation
“Heavenly Father, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through your Son Jesus I can be more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you that he lived the life I should have lived and paid the debt and punishment I owed. Receive me now for his sake. I turn from my sins and receive him as Savior. Amen.”