“Responsibilities Toward One Another”

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-15 “Responsibilities Toward One Another”

2. When we come together… • It is for worship • It is for fellowship • Nevertheless, that coming together is not always “trouble-free”  • Let us consider this hour Paul’s admonition to the saints in Thessalonica so as to ensure we are functioning together – 1Thessalonians 5:8-15

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Comfort” G3870 παρακαλέω parakaleō par-ak-al-eh'-o From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray. -Strong’s

4. “Comfort each other” • Romans 12:6-8, In the 1st century , some were especially good at encouraging others. • Paul led by example… • “After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece” - Acts 20:1-2 (NKJV)

5. “Comfort each other” • 1Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;” • Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” • Romans 15:30 “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,”

6. Comfort the “fainthearted” G3642 ὀλιγόψυχος oligopsuchos ol-ig-op'-soo-khos From G3641 and G5590; little spirited, that is, faint hearted: - feebleminded. -Strong’s

7. Comfort the “fainthearted” • 1Thessalonians 5:14… • 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12, Paul led by example on how to do this as well.

8. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “edify one another” G3618 οἰκοδομέω oikodomeō oy-kod-om-eh'-o From the same as G3619; to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm: - (be in) build (-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden. -Strong’s

9. 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “uphold the weak” • Romans 15:1-2, The duty of the strong is to “support” the weak by means of building them up. • Supporting & helping the weak does not mean choosing the easiest path for them to follow, Hebrews 12:8-13

10. 1 Thessalonians 5:12, “recognize those who labor among you” • We should acknowledge the men who have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints -1 Corinthians 16:13-18 • We are to hold men in high esteem who busy themselves with the work of the Lord - Philippians 2:25-30 • Good elders are worthy of honor - I Timothy 5:17

11. 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “warn the unruly” • 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, examine everything carefully • 1 Timothy 4:1-2, Some brethren will be persuaded to follow error. • 1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone” • 1 Peter 3:8-12

12. “Be at peace among yourselves” • Hebrews 12:14 “Pursuepeace with all people,and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” • James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” • Ephesians 4:3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit inthe bond of peace.”

13. When we come together… • It is for worship • It is for fellowship • Nevertheless, that coming together is not always “trouble-free”  • Let us be motivated in our working together for the same common goal of getting to Heaven TOGETHER… and taking as many souls with us as we can!