Live In Peace (L.I.P.)Peace through Gratitude

I Thessalonians 5:12-22

Why wait for Peace when you can have it now?

L.I.P

Live In Peace

To Live In Peace (L.I.P.)

An Attitude of Gratitude Brings Peace:To the soulTo our surroundingsTo the church

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but

to live gratitude is to touch Heaven." Johannes A. Gaertner

The Thessalonian Christian could live in peace even though:

• They were surrounded by pagan religions• They were a mixed group of Gentiles and Jews• There was political turmoil• They were afflicted• They were worried that they were living in the

end times and expected the coming of Christ• There were some among them idle because

they were waiting for the return of ChristPeace isn’t dependent on ones circumstances! Peace is an Attitude!

1 Thessalonians 5:12–2212 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Always rejoice, 17 constantly pray, 18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. 22 Stay away from every form of evil.

Paul’s Instructions on Peace

I. Honor Your LeadersII. Shepherd One AnotherIII. Do God’s Will (Individual responsibility)IV. Warnings to the Church (corporate warnings)

I. HONOR YOUR LEADERSI Thessalonians 5:12-13

Honor Your Leaders1 Thess. 5:12–13 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to

acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. – Know your leaders – acknowledge, respect, recognize those that lead

you (we are talking about all leaders in the church: teachers, children leaders, music leaders, etc.)

– Esteem them most highly in love• Why? Because of their work. It’s OK to acknowledge and be acknowledged.

– Be at peace among yourselves “live to promote harmony”• Don’t criticize leaders behind their back• Don’t cause tension in the body over leaders

II. SHEPHERD ONE ANOTHERI Thessalonians 5:14-15

Shepherd One Another14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters,

admonish the undisciplinedAdmonish – Instruct, warn, rebukeUndisciplined - “Unruly” (ataktous) is a military

expression that means “to break ranks, to get out of line.” deviation from the prescribed order of rule. In Greek society: used for those that didn’t show up for work.

Shepherd One Another14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, …

comfort the discouraged,“Comfort” – encourage, console“Discouraged” or fainthearted

Shepherd One Another14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, … help

the weak … “Help” – assist, cling to“Weak” – physically weak, morally weak, unable to

help themselves

Shepherd One Another14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, … be

patient toward all.Patient – exhibit internal and external control in

difficult circumstance, long-suffering, calmBe patient with your leadersBe patient with the undisciplined Be patient with the discouragedBe patient with the weakBe patient with everyone in the church.

Shepherd One Another15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to

anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.Don’t pay back evil for evil to anyone“pursue what is good for one another”“pursue what is good for … all”

III. DO GOD’S WILL (INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY)

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Do God’s Will16 Always rejoice,

Be joyfulBe merryBe cheerfulBe happyGreetings – receive others cheerfully When?

Always!!!!!

Do God’s Will17 constantly pray,

Pray continuouslyPray without ceasing In other words,

Always be ready to prayAlways have an attitude of prayer

Do God’s Will18 in everything give thanks.

When circumstances are goodWhen circumstances are badWhen you have a lotWhen you have littleWhen your health is goodWhen you can help others or need others to help you

For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

IV. WARNINGS TO THE CHURCH

Warnings19 Do not extinguish the Spirit.

Don’t put out the flameDon’t stop the burning

If we do not obey the above instructions We pour water over the Spirit’s work in the Church.

How? Don’t recognize your leaders, Don’t shepherd one another, don’t rejoice, pray and give thanks!

Warnings20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But

examine all things; hold fast to what is good. The Thessalonian Christians were interested in end

time prophesy.Don’t treat them with contempt (despise, look down on,

ridicule) Examine prophetic teachings with Scripture closelyHold tight (possess, continue to believe) that which is

good.

Warnings22 Stay away from every form of evil.

Not just prophetic evilStay away from all misrepresentation of ScriptureStay away from all moral evil.

Peace is an attitude of Gratitude

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but

to live gratitude is to touch Heaven." Johannes A. Gaertner

Know ChristBe Joyous, Prayerful, ThankfulAnd Experience Peace on Earth