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1 Thessalonians 5:11
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“Therefore encourage one
another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
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This week we learn how we are to be
prepared for the the coming of the Lord discussed in last week’s one
another (1 Thess 4:18).
Look at the context. READ 1
Thessalonians 5:4-11. What can we learn here about building up one
another as we await the Lord’s return?
1. “sons of the light”
(5:4-5): we are not in the dark, as those who don’t have the Holy
Spirit indwelling them.
a. be prepared
for the day that is coming (4:16-17). Don’t be caught off guard.
b. “do not
belong to the night.” Night life in a city is very different from
the day life. Crimes and other evils take place, because the
darkness acts as a veil. The same is true in the spiritual realm.
The light of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit reveal the
sin in people. Wicked people shun the light. The darkness of evil
acts as a shroud. We are the people of Christ. We have no business
hanging out in the darkness.
c. walk in the
light and encourage others to do likewise.
2. “alert and
self-controlled” (5:6-7): a growing Christian must be alert and
self-controlled.
a. “alert” is
our defense. You must be awake and alert to remain in the light and
keep from stumbling into the darkness.
b.
“self-controlled” is our offense. This is where the believer stands
out as different from the world. The world lives to fulfill
pleasures of all types. The world seeks anything that brings
fulfillment to the physical body: food, alcohol, sex, drugs,
entertainment, power, etc. We are in the world, though not of it.
We are surrounded by people who live in darkness. They are guided
by darkness, because they don’t have the light. There is a lot of
temptation to join in, but self-control is what helps us overcome.
We can build other believers up by our example of self-restraint,
and also by encouraging them in their own self-control. True
self-control is our responsibility, but strength for its
accomplishment comes from the Holy Spirit. (compare Luke 22:31-32).
3. verse 8 lists some of the
other weapons at our disposal. Faith, love and hope of salvation.
These three are mentioned together in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as well.
How can one fall; how can one not be built up that possesses these
three in increasing measure. (see also 2 Peter 1:5-8).
a. Faith is
taking God at His word. It involves absolute obedience. The more it
is put to the test, the stronger it becomes.
b. Love is from
God, we then must let it flow into us and out again. The more love
you give away, the more you have. “One another's” are all about
sharing God’s love.
c. Hope is the
certainty that God’s promises will come to pass. He never lies.
These three are effective
for building up one another, and in so sharing we build ourselves up
as well.
4. (5:9) We can certainly be
encouraged that God “did not appoint us to suffer wrath.”
5. (5:10) The purpose for
His death was that we may live with Him whether “awake or asleep”
(alive or dead; remember last week’s illustration of the dead in
Christ being asleep).
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