Minister: Rev. Olon M. Lindemood

May 5 and 6, 2012

1 Thessalonians 5: 12-22

12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters,^* to respect those who labour among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; ¹³esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, beloved,^* to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. ¹⁵See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise the words of prophets,^{* 21}but test everything; hold fast to what is good; ²²abstain from every form of evil..

“Do this don’t do that… it is the end of the line”

FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND
"Signs"

And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said "You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that. Huh! Me workin' for you!"
Whoa-oh-oh

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

And the sign said, "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray"
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all, I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign
I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine." Wooo!

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Sign
Sign, sign

The Apostle Paul had a consistent message for all the churches:  Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia,

One big message:  “Please behave!” 

As Christians we want to be faithful to Christ’s claim on us!  It is not about doing the right or wrong thing… it is about living into our faith … Not justified by works, but justified by faith.

Admonish                 the idlers

(1 Corinthians 4.14:

I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.)

Encourage               the faint-hearted

(1 Peter 5 “I write this letter to encourage you)

Help                           the weak

(Acts 9: ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹He gave her his hand and helped her up.)

Be patient                 with all of them

(James 5.8:You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.)

And also in this Thessalonians letter:

Rejoice

Pray

Give thanks

Do not quench

Do not despise

Test everything

Hold fast to what is good

Abstain

ADMONISH: (Mom: Remember to wear clean … socks whenever you go out…)

1.  to caution, advise, or counsel against something.

to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner:

3. to urge to a duty; remind:

(Momma done admonished … not shamed…)

ENCOURAGE:   (Who encouraged you? …)

1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.

2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.:

3. to promote, advance, or foster

(Teacher done motivated us to be better as she encouraged us)

HELP: (How did help come?)

1. to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist: He planned to help me with my work. Let me help you with those packages.

2. to save; rescue; succor: Help me, I'm falling!

3. to make easier or less difficult; contribute to; facilitate: The exercise of restraint is certain to help the achievement of peace.

4. to be useful

(The neighbor offered great help that day when she stopped by with a covered dish)

 BE PATIENT:

6. quietly and steadily persevering or diligent, especially in detail or exactness: a patient worker.

7.  having the capacity for endurance

(It was not hard to wait, knowing that help was on the way)

We were all good until… be patient!?!?!?

TO BEHAVE is to act properly!

Pam Kidd… the big picture (she had a friend named Denver who had been in jail.  He had robbed a bank.  When we got out of prison, we wanted to make amends. He started helping many people… and eventually ran for public office.  In an interview “I am running for Council because I want to serve the people of my community.”  Pam knew him to be a good man, but wondered what others would think … would they do the right thing.  Denver, “people contacted me and said my story inspired them.  There is always a bigger picture Pam.”

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Admonish

Encourage

Help

Be patient