1 Thessalonians - Wisdom, Understanding, and Instruction

 

Wisdom, Understanding, and Instruction

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Solomon had it right when he told his son to seek after these three things: Wisdom, Understanding, and Instruction. “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you (instruction), turning your ear to (wisdom) and applying your heart to (understanding).” (Prov.2:1-2) (emphasis mine)

We need these in abundance in our daily walk in this world, and Paul knew the value of wisdom, understanding, and instruction from God’s word as well. Paul throughout this letter has addressed the church in godly wisdom, understanding, and instruction. So let’s look at the first portion of the text, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”

Paul knew that there were many outside of the church body as well as a few inside the church body who were promoting their own agendas and misleading the church (Acts 17:5), but Paul also knew the value of

acknowledgement in honoring those who have sacrificed of themselves in humility and service to God’s work in Thessalonica (Acts 17:4,6,9). There were godly men and godly women who were at work serving the body of Christ (Acts 17:4), using their gifting in wisdom and understanding in the daily lives of believers. They were teaching the Word of God daily in the homes and places of worship established in other locations. In the midst of persecution, the church was growing in wisdom, understanding, and instruction in the scriptures revealing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and his work of atonement on the cross, and his resurrection (Acts 17:2-3). 

These who were leaders, like Jason and some jews, God-fearing gentiles, and prominent women who heard the Word and believed, were now the leaders in Thessalonian church, and Paul wanted the church to acknowledge the love and care to these who were given the charge to teach, preach, and care for the needs of the believers as pastors or teachers of God’s flock.

Application - As I stated earlier the teachings of Solomon are essential in the guidance of the church in the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has blessed many in the church with wisdom, understanding, and the instruction from the Word of God on how we are to live and walk in the truth of God’s Word and His Spirit.

The fruit that each life bears is the proof that those who are hearing the Word are doing the Word. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (James 1:22-25, Gal. 5:22-23)

As for the honoring of those who have been given to the work of God in the church, it shouldn’t be a surprise to honor them, but giving thanks to God daily for those who are submitting to the Spirit. There is one body and many members, each fulfilling their part in the operating of the body of Christ. Each should be loved and cared for. 

Next, Paul admonishes the church in living in the light of the Spirit in their daily lives before God the Father who sees everything. Let’s look at the next portion of the text, 

“Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

First and foremost, living in peace with each other was paramount in living a life in the Spirit of God. For He is the Spirit of Peace. Paul knew the need for God’s peace in protecting the mind and heart. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) He also warned them as well to refrain from idleness. There was plenty of work to do for God, no one was to be sitting around. Then he warns them against disruptive agenda, attitudes, and mindsets. There were many who had been in the crowds that had brought Jason and others into court over the teachings of Jesus who Paul taught and they would continue to disrupt the coming together of believers. As well, Paul told the church to be the hands, feet, and voice of God to those who were disheartened, weak in body and spirit. They were to comfort and encourage others with the same comfort and encouragement they had received from God. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” (2 Cor. 1:3-5) All of this was to be done in patience from the Holy Spirit. 

Paul reminds the church of Solomon’s teaching and Jesus’ teaching, “Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” and “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” The believers had seen enough of abuse and self-righteousness. They were to emulate and implement the teachings of Jesus and scripture in their everyday life as a witness to all around them of the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives to bear the fruit of the Spirit. 

Christ’s desire as well as Paul’s was for the church to heed, submit and yield to the will of God and the Holy Spirit. They were to rejoice in everything, good and bad. For it was God’s will that they were living out in their lives. Paul had taught them to pray over every and all things, continually giving thanks in all circumstances. For they understood the unjustness and the evil in the world’s lifestyle and they knew they needed to pray for all the needs of their situations, just as Jesus had taught, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” “...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Lk.18:7-8a, Matt.6:8b) For this is God’s will for them in Christ Jesus.

Application - We need the peace of God in every area of the church, the body of Christ and the building. The peace of Christ should permeate every part of our lives and service to God, so it will penetrate the lives of those who are watching to see if Jesus is genuine in our lives.

Second, in the church there is a mindset to let those paid to work in the church work, but that is not God’s way or his will. We are to serve others not to just be served. Jesus said the greatest in His kingdom is the servant. “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. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 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) We will be known by our actions not just by our words. “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (1 Jn.3:18, James 3:13; Matt. 5:16) 

Third, the golden rule (Matt. 7:12) taught by Jesus should be the way we treat everyone, not just those who are nice to us. It is the flesh that wants to respond in vengeance or retribution, it is the Spirit that teaches us to forgive and to love. For submitting to God’s will is not an option, it is an imperative. If we are to be his disciples, his blameless bride, then we will live and yield to the will of God in everything we do, for it is as if we are serving Jesus. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.; “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Eph. 6:7-8; Col.3:23-24)

Last, Paul knew the Holy Spirit’s power was through the yielding of his life totally. It was in the Spirit that true life was lived. Let’s look at the last portion of the text, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Paul had seen the quenching of the Holy Spirit in the persecution of the preaching of the gospel. He also saw it in the midst of the churches by those who were operating in the flesh. For in the churches, the people were treating the teaching of the Word of God as a way of making money, also the misuse of the gifts of the Spirit, such as tongues and prophecy. God had given Paul guidelines in testing everything by the scriptures. For the Holy Spirit is not a God of disorder, but of order and peace, “Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.” (1 Cor.14:32-33) and the church is to evaluate the words of prophecy, for not all are good, “Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.” “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (1 Cor.14:29; 1 John 1:4:1; Heb.4:12)

Paul continues to admonish the church to sanctification through the Holy Spirit. The believers were to live in the peace of God, that kept the spirit, soul and body blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. They couldn’t do this on their own abilities, it was only through the power of the Holy Spirit they could live blameless lives, sanctified and holy to the Lord. For Jesus is faithful to strengthen and protect that which is his. “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thes. 3:3)

Last, Paul asks for prayer while in Corinth. He tells the church to love one another and to share the letter and the good news. For in this resides God’s favor, his amazing grace.

Application - I’m not against the gifts of the Spirit operating in the church today, but I have seen their abuse in churches as did Paul. I found as I let the Spirit of God work in me and through God’s Word, I’m more discerning of the ways the Spirit of God is moving in the church and how he has been quenched in the church. We are to be Bereans in knowing and holding to the truth of God’s Word and discarding the evil lies of the enemy as Paul said, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”

Second, we are to continue in being sanctified through our walk in the Holy Spirit of God that indwells us. The Holy Spirit is sent to us to be our Helper, Comforter, and Guide. (John 14:16, 15:26, 16:13; Rom.8:9) He is also the giver of the gifts. He alone enables and determines the gifts and their use. (1 Cor. 12) and His presence in our lives will be evidenced by the fruit we bear. (Gal. 5:22-23) It is in the Holy Spirit living in us that we can be blameless as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we  are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) 

Just as Paul exhorted the church to share the letter with other churches, please share this lesson with someone, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. And he wants to empower you with the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second, B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis