Every-Day Disciples

Marc Reynolds

1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

1 Thessalonians 5:12–28

Discipleship

Everyday

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Everyday Disciples live out their faith between Sundays;

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1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 NASB95

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. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 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. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

INTRO: Are you a disciple? Coming to church on Sundays is easy… I mean, sure, there’s that whole getting ready, getting the kids going, and such, but let’s be real- you do that every other day for work, school, and doctor’s appointments. So, when you think about it, coming here and joining in worship does not require a lot from you physically.

But being a Christian- a disciple of Jesus Christ, is more than a worship service. And that is where people tend to struggle the most…

What does it look like to live for Christ between Sundays?

Some of you might not think much about this- you have all kinds of things going on to fill your schedule and your mind during the week.

But I want you to consider your everyday life and answer, “How do you live out your life as a disciple of Christ?”

What does it look like? Maybe you are reading Scripture regularly and praying daily. Good.

But I submit to you today that being a disciple is even more broad than having a few disciplines. There are 24 hours a day. If you sleep 8 hours a night, that leaves 84 hours of consciousness each week, over 4300 hours each year. It would be silly for us to imagine that the Christian life is limited to a couple hours each week in the church building and maybe some time with a Bible App or devotional book.

You and I are relational beings; we live with others, work with others, do commerce with others, etc. So, we need to look at how we this life really looks- how we interact with others, how we learn and grow, how we take an all-encompassing look at everyday life.

In the final paragraphs of this letter to the Thessalonian Church, we will see the Apostle Paul lay forth some instructions for our relationships as disciples and disciple-makers. If you picked up a bulletin, you can find a helpful sermon guide located on the inside flap. Also, some discussion questions for further study. Let’s learn together then, 3 relationships of Everyday Disciples.

The first relationship we see is

Every-Day Disciples are Looking Up to Others (12-13)

READ V 12

The word translated as “appreciate” here literally means “to know” and the context here builds upon this. Here is what Paul is saying:

There are people among you who are truly laboring in Gospel work. They are teaching, serving, witnessing, and striving for holiness. In Thessalonica, Paul is identifying those who, because of this, are leaders in the church.

You can look around and see that there are those in this church who are genuinely laboring in the Gospel work. I hope that you take notice of these. Some are teachers, some are deacons, life-group leaders, etc.

Now, Paul makes this statement in v. 12 with the understanding that others in the church were looking up to them. They had surrendered their life to Christ, and therefore under the leadership and counsel of those who are spiritually mature.

And here is the implication- that the Thessalonians would come to build relationships with one another is such a way that the less mature would pursue the mature in order to learn from them.

ILL: If you know me, you know that in my life I have intentionally pursued relationships with men who are wiser and more seasoned in ministry than I. I did not just wait for them to come to me- that might not happen. No, I’ll tell you- I have intentionally and persistently made these connections. I have to make sacrifices in my calendar to spend time with them. Look, I know that I need people to model the Christian walk for me and to pour into me so that I can continue to grow. Being a disciple of Jesus means that I have to take some personal responsibility in my own growth and make these relationships.

That’s why Paul says to “know” them. To value them. I need people to look up to and so do you. And once you find people to look up to, you need to work make that relationship fruitful.

Look here at v.13. Paul says to esteem them and love them.

You know, I’ll never be able to repay the men who have helped me grow. The wisdom they have shared with me and how they put up with all my questions and bull-headed-ness is priceless. But, I can love them. I can appreciate them and speak well of them. You see, I don’t always agree with my mentors. They are imperfect people. But, I hold them in high regard because of their heart for the Gospel. I know they love Jesus and I value their input and perspective even when I disagree.

Paul says here that we are to look at those who are leading us and discipling us with love and respect- living in peace with one another.

So, take notice of those who are doing gospel work and pursue a relationship with them so that you can learn in everyday settings. These people can give you input and wisdom as to how you live out the Gospel in your own life. They can model for you how to pray, how to study your bible, how to have conversations with others. There is great value in these people and relationships!

Everyday Disciples are looking up to others. Are you?

Discuss: Who are you looking up to? Have you identified someone who is authentically living out their faith in order to pursue a relationship with them?

Every-Day Disciples are Investing in Others (14-15)

This is not a new concept for us, nor was it new for the Thessalonian church. But I want you to notice the emphatic language of the Apostle Paul- “We urge you”- this is more than a request or suggestion. Paul is calling them to this practice of investing in the lives of others.

He uses a few terms that we will note:

Admonish the unruly- that is to warn those who are undisciplined.

This is likely those who are especially young in the faith and need correcting and teaching in how they ought to walk - “in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His Kingdom” (2:12)

Encourage the fainthearted- these are those who are discouraged or weary.

Weep with them, pray with them, listen to them.

Call them, write them, text them, REACH OUT

Help the weak - That is, the weak in faith

Literally, the text reads “hold fast to the weak”

These may not have the strength to hang on, but friend, you hang on to them! Don’t let them sink!

Romans 15:1 NASB95

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

Paul wraps up this sentence with “Be patient with everyone”

And you know what, I confess that sometimes I wish this was not in here! Patience, though, is a fruit of the Spirit. And, as we walk out our lives- making disciples and growing ourselves - we are going to have the opportunities to practice being patient with people… Paul says everyone!

Does he mean your neighbor? Yes.

Your teenager? Yes

Your parents? Yes

Your pastor? Yes. (Don’t look at me like that!)

Ultimately, Paul sums up this investment in v. 15- (READ)

We must be willing to model and teach love for our neighbor.

“Seek that which is good for one another and all people.”

When we think about investing in others, we must recognize that discipleship often begins before a person comes to faith in Christ. When we are in our community and modeling love- working to bring about human flourishing and demonstrating the goodness of God, we are making an eternal investment.

That’s love; that is denying yourself. That is seeking God’s best for others.

We should have people in our lives who are farther along in their spiritual journey, and those who are not as far along as we are. Everyday Disciples are looking up to others and investing in others.

Discuss: What are you doing to invest in the lives of others? Who can you begin to pour into this week?

Finally, we see that

Every-Day Disciples are in Constant Communion with God (16-22)

V. 16-18 give us a great picture of this constant communion with God. We could spend a great deal of time in just these verses, but Paul highlights his point at the end of v. 18- “This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

That is to say, In Christ Jesus, the disciple has constant reason to REJOICE!

Friends, everyday you and I can rejoice in the VICTORY of our salvation! Nothing can take that away! Not persecution, not a corrupt government, not a rebellious teenager…

You don’t have to always sing or shout, but we should be rejoicing; tell people about the new life you have in Jesus. Live like you are loved by the Creator God! Worship God by focusing your thoughts on His goodness and mercy!

In Christ Jesus, v. 17, we have constant contact with the Almighty God!

This echoes what Paul tells the Philippian Church

Philippians 4:6 NASB95

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

I think Paul is conveying not only our constant connection with God, but also highlighting our constant dependence on Him.

Friends, we cannot live this life of a disciple on our own. We need to be constantly connected to the Lord of all in order to produce this fruit- just at Jesus taught in John 15 - “I am the vine, you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing!”

As we pray without ceasing, we are in essence remaining in Jesus… leaning on the “everlasting arms” of our Lord.

In Christ, (v.18) we have constant reason to give thanks.

“In everything” - no matter the circumstance, no matter the pain or sorrow… as Paul wrote

Romans 8:18 NASB95

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

It’s easy to lose perspective in this life. The Thessalonians were facing persecution and so was Paul, but the reality is that God has given us GREAT reason to be grateful.

Paul gives a final encouragement in 19-22.

These verses work in a parallel of sorts- let me read them again.

Let me try to give you a bottom line: God is as strong as He has always been. The Gospel is as transformative and powerful as it has always been. The good news of Jesus is just as good as its always been. And the Holy Spirit has not stopped His work to bring about change and growth in the lives of people.

So, church, let us not downplay the power of Jesus. Let us not brush over the commands of God. Let us hear His voice and respond!

When God prompts you to talk to someone, do it! When God prompts you to repent of your sin, do it! When God places someone who is hurting along your path and prompts you to help them, friends do it!

You and I have been set apart by God for the work of the Gospel. He has given us new life so that we would be the light that shines in the darkness. It’s bigger than you and me. It’s greater than any event or hobby. This life of being a disciple and disciple-maker is all-encompassing. This isn’t a part-time job or a side-hustle.

And church, Jesus is calling out to you today. As Paul writes in v. 24

1 Thessalonians 5:24 NASB95

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

His Spirit is moving here today. Will you respond?

Discuss: What does your ‘everyday’ look like? Are you rejoicing? Grateful? Communing with God?

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