Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
! Greet all God's people with a holy kiss.
I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
!
Well, what a mishmash of commands and instructions.
We need God's help, so let's pray and see what God will do amongst us this morning.
Let's pray.
Father, we thank you for this ancient letter written hundreds of years ago to a church just like this.
Your word written down to instruct us, to encourage us, and help us.
And so we ask that by your spirit, you would be our teacher and you would build us up today,
build us up in Christ, and encourage our hearts.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
So what are we to do with all these instructions?
Rejoice always.
Don't treat prophecies with contempt.
Greet each other with a holy kiss.
What are we to do with them?
What are they?
Well, I think what Paul is doing is giving us a picture of a healthy church.
We saw that in verses 12 to 15 the last time we looked at this together.
You see, the local church is like a family.
Have a look at verse 12.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters.
Verse 14.
We urge you, brothers and sisters.
And down at verse 25.
Brothers and sisters.
You see, we are brothers and sisters united in Christ for the encouragement and support of each other.
It's all about relationships.
Healthy relationships between God's people.
And what he's instructing us and encouraging us here is to say,
I need you and you need me.
And we all need one another.
So in verses 16 to 28, we are shown what our Christ relationship looks like in practice.
And there's two ways in which brothers and sisters in Christ help each other.
Two very simple things we're going to look at together,
which I think summarises this last section of the letter.
We're to speak to God about each other.
And we're to speak to each other about God.
Speak to God about each other.
The prayer of one another.
And to speak to each other about God.
Speaking his word.
So first, we speak to God about each other.
Let's look at verse 16 to 18.
Rejoice always.
Pray continually.
Give thanks in all circumstances.
So here we have three different kinds of prayers
that we can always be praying for each other.
The first one is to rejoice always.
When we see each other, as we gather together like this,
we are to be joyful,
filled with spontaneous praise to God.
Have a look back at chapter 3, verse 9.
Chapter 3, verse 9.
How can we thank God enough for you
in return for all the joy we have
in the presence of our God
because of you?
When Paul thinks of the church,
he's filled with joy.
He's rejoicing that this church
is continuing to work or to walk with Christ.
Every news report that he gets,
there is a love for Christ
and a love for each other.
And he's overflowing in praise to God.
As we gather together,
even now,
look around at one another.
These are your brothers and sisters
that God has given to you
to rejoice over.
And as I look out
this morning at each one of you,
I am filled with joy
because you are here,
you love Jesus,
and you continue to walk with Jesus.
So let us always rejoice
over our brothers and sisters.
Pray continually
is the next one.
We need to pray for each other.
Just in the next verse,
chapter 3, verse 10.
He says,
night and day,
we pray most earnestly
that we would see you again
and supply what is lacking in your faith.
You see,
none of us is perfect.
None of us
has the Christian life sorted.
We come today
with all kinds of struggles and issues,
overwhelmed with pressures,
some grieving,
some hurting.
Well, God has placed us
into the family of this church
amongst people
who are here to pray for you.
You see,
life can be so hard sometimes
that we just don't know what to pray.
And sometimes we can't even pray ourselves.
So we need one of our brothers and sisters
to come alongside us
and say,
tell me your story.
Tell me how your week is
and I will pray for you.
Pray continually
for one another.
And his third prayer was,
well, let's give thanks
in all circumstances.
There's always reasons
to be giving thanks to God.
In fact,
that's how the letter began.
Look at chapter 1
and verse 2.
We always thank God
for all of you
and continually mention you
in our prayers.
But what gives him such thanks?
Verse 3,
we remember before our God and Father
your work produced by faith,
your labor prompted by love,
and your endurance inspired by hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your work for God,
your love for others,
the hope that you have in Christ.
You,
and I am talking about you
here today,
all of us,
you have been faithful,
committed,
persevering.
You have been here
at certain times
to speak a word of comfort
to a brother or sister
who's been grieving.
You've been here
committed
to help
when people have been low.
Give thanks
for your brothers and sisters
who have stood with you
through thick and thin
and are still here with you today
because they love you.
Let's go back to chapter 5
of Thessalonians.
So here we have
three kinds of prayers,
verse 16,
that we can speak to God about.
Rejoice over one another.
Pray continually.
And give thanks
in all circumstances.
Now this isn't just
the optional extra
for the very keen.
Do you see what it says
at the end of verse 18?
This is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus.
This is God's design.
This is his best for you
that we pray
for one another.
In fact,
Paul saw the necessity
of prayer.
Verse 25.
He reaches out
to the church
and says,
Brothers and sisters,
pray for us.
I cannot do ministry.
I cannot continue
in the Christian life
unless you are
praying for me.
Well, if Paul needed prayer,
how much more
are we in need of prayer?
Think of it like this.
When you go on a flight,
the stewards go through
all the safety rules,
don't they?
Directing you
to where the doors are
in case of emergency.
But then they also say,
well,
if the cabin pressure
reduces,
you're to pull down
the oxygen mask
and the parent
or adult
is to place
the oxygen mask
on the child.
because without
the intervention
of the adult,
the child
can't breathe.
Well, think of prayer
like that.
Sometimes
we find life
so difficult
that spiritually
we are finding
it hard
to breathe.
We're finding it hard
to walk with God.
Well, our brother
and sister
is there through prayer
to put on that
oxygen mask,
to breathe
that life-giving
work of God's
spirit
into our life
so that we can
keep on going.
God has placed you
in the family
of this church,
brothers and sisters,
to pray to each other
to God.
Well, before we move on,
we're given an example.
You may be thinking,
well, what should I pray
for my brothers
and sisters?
Well, we have a prayer
for the church
and it's the most
wonderful prayer.
Look at verse 23.
May God himself,
the God of peace,
sanctify you
through and through.
May your whole spirit,
soul and body
be kept blameless
at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Don't know what
to pray for each other?
Look at verse 23.
This is what we can
speak to God about.
Look at the beginning,
that God would
sanctify you
through and through.
That God would
change you,
transform you,
make you
more like Jesus.
What a great
encouragement
that through
our prayers
for each other,
our prayers work,
they connect
with God the Father
and by his spirit
he works
in our life
so that we
become more
like Jesus.
More and more
beautiful.
More and more
precious.
But not only
that he would
work sanctification
in our life,
the second part
of verse 23
is there
that God
would keep you.
May your
whole spirit,
soul and body
be kept blameless
at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One day
Christ will come.
One day
we will die
and we will face him.
Are we ready
to meet him?
Well,
God has given
you
to one another
so that we
can be ready
for when
Christ comes.
Through our
prayers
we strengthen
each other's
hearts
to go on
walking
and trusting
to be ready
to meet Jesus.
so wondering
what you
should pray
to God
about?
What should
I rejoice
over my
brothers and
sisters about?
What should
I continually
pray for?
What should
I continue
to give
thanks for?
Verse 23
thank you
praise you
Lord
for what
you are
doing
making them
more like
Jesus.
And would
you please
continue that
work
and keep
them
to the
very end.
So first
a healthy
church
will always
be speaking
to God
about each
other.
It's a
wonderful gift.
Here's the
second way
brothers and
sisters can
relate to
each other
and help
each other.
We speak
to each
other
about
God.
Verse 19
Do not
quench the
spirit.
Do not
treat
prophecies
with contempt
but test
them all.
Hold on
to what
is good.
Reject
every
kind
of evil.
So
what are
prophecies?
Well
prophecy
is a
word
from
God
about
his
son
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
spoken
by
a
prophet.
That's
simple
isn't it?
A
prophecy
is a
word
from
God
about
his
son
Jesus
Christ
spoken
by
a
prophet.
Let's
have a
think
about
this
because
it
can
be
confusing
because
many
people
claim
to be
a
prophet.
So
what
do
we
mean
by
that?
Well
first
we
want
to
think
about
prophets
in the
capital
P
sense.
So
think
of
prophets
in the
Old
Testament.
People
like
Moses,
Isaiah,
Jeremiah,
when they
spoke
the
words
they
could
say
hear
the
word
of
the
Lord
or
God
has
said.
They
spoke
as
representatives
of
God.
Primarily
they were
speaking
of the
coming
King,
the
coming
Messiah,
Jesus
Christ,
God's
ultimate
prophet.
But
there
weren't
just
prophets
in the
Old
Testament,
there
were
also
prophets
in the
New
Testament
in the
early
church.
So
have a
look
with
me
to
Ephesians
chapter
2.
So
go back
to
Ephesians
chapter
2.
It's
another
letter
to a
church
and
Paul
is
the
author
again.
Ephesians
chapter
2.
And
we'll
pick it
up
in
verse
19.
So
here
he's
speaking
about
the
church.
Brothers
and
sisters
who've
been
brought
together
in
Christ.
They've
heard
the
gospel
about
Christ
and
they've
been
united
together.
Verse
19.
So
consequently
you are
no longer
foreigners
and
strangers.
You're
not
outsiders
but
you're
fellow
citizens
with
God's
people
and
also
members
of his
household.
You're
now
part
of
his
family
built
on
the
foundation
of
the
apostles
people
like
Paul
and
prophets
New
Testament
prophets
with
Christ
Jesus
himself
as
the
chief
cornerstone.
In
him
the
whole
building
is
joined
together.
That
is
the
church
is
brought
together
by
Christ
and
they
are
built
together
by
Christ.
So
these
prophets
of the
Old
Testament
the
apostles
and
prophets
of the
New
Testament
were
people
who
spoke
on
behalf
of
God.
Their
words
were
God's
words
about
Christ.
And
that
is
the
word
that
we
now
have
before
us
that
we're
reading
and
looking
at
which
is
written
down
for
us
in
scripture.
So
that's
why
we
might
call
them
prophets
with a
capital
P.
We
should
never
ignore
or
sideline
or
turn
away
from
God's
word.
It
is
the
foundation
for
our
lives
and
for
our
church.
So
there's
prophets
with a
capital
P.
Then
there's
prophets
which we
might say
come with
a
small
p.
Because
it seems
there were
these
kinds
of
prophets.
So
in
Ephesians
chapter
4
verse
11
we
read
this.
It's
been
talking
about
Christ
who
gives
gifts
to
his
church.
Verse
11
of
chapter
4
So
Christ
himself
gave
to
the
church
the
apostles
the
prophets
there
what we've
just
looked at
in
chapter
2
verse
20
the
apostles
prophets!
The
evangelists!
The
pastors!
and
teachers
and
what
are
they
to
do?
To
equip
his
people
for
works
of
service
so
that
the
body
of
Christ
may
be
built
up.
So
Christ
gave
to
his
church
gifted
men
and
women
who
could
teach
and
apply
God's
word
to
the
church
who
like
evangelists
could
reach
out
to
others
with
the
good
news
of
Christ.
They
take
what
God
has
said
in
scripture
about
Christ
and
they
teach
it
and
proclaim
it
to
those
who
do
not
know.
So
preachers
and
teachers
are
in a
sense
prophesying
in a
little
p
sense.
That's
what's
happening
now.
As I
am
teaching
as
we're
preaching
God's
word
we are
encouraging
and equipping
the church
so that
it is
built up
in
Christ
and we
are
drawn
closer
to
Christ.
And
that
means
that
there's
a
difference
between
those
who
spoke
God's
written
word
and
those
who
preach
and
teach
God's
word.
Let's
go back
to
Thessalonians.
There's
a
difference
between
those
who
wrote
it
and
those
who
may
speak
it
today.
Let's
go back
to
Thessalonians.
And
that
difference
is
and
we
pick
it
up
in
verse
19
chapter
5
verse
19
and
20
do
not
quench
the
spirit
do
not
treat
prophecies
with
contempt
but
test
them
all.
You
see
that's
the
difference.
The
word
of
God
scripture
doesn't
need
to
be
tested
against
anything.
It
is
its
own
authority.
But
the
words
that
we
speak
the
preacher
speaks
needs
to
be
tested
against
scripture.
And
that's
what I
think
Paul
is
saying
the
church
needs
to
do.
Everything
they
hear
all
that
they
speak
needs
to
be
tested
against
God's
word.
So
look at
1 Thessalonians
chapter 2
verse
13.
Keep
following
along
with
me
it'll
all
be
clear.
1 Thessalonians
chapter 2
verse
13.
So
he
says
and we
also
thank
God
continually
because
when
you
received
the
word
of
God
which
you
heard
from
us
you
accepted
it
not
as a
human
word
but
as it
actually
is
the
word
of
God.
So
as
Paul
spoke
he
claimed
that
his
word
was
God's
word.
We
see the
same
in
chapter
4
verse
2.
For
you
know
what
instructions
we
gave
by
the
authority
of
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ.
So
what
he
said
came
with
the
authority
of
Christ.
And
what
he
claimed
to
be
his
word
what
he
said
was
the
authority
of
Jesus
Christ
he
now
writes
down
for
people
to
read.
So
look
at
chapter
5
verse
27.
Chapter
5
verse
27.
He
says
I
charge
you
before
the
Lord
to
have
this
letter
read
to
all
the
brothers
and
sisters.
It's
a
command.
It's
a
charge.
You
must
read
this
word.
Now
I
can
prepare
a
sermon
and
send
it
round
to
you
but
I
can't
say
I
charge
you
must
read
every
word
of
this
sermon.
I
hope
you
would
but
it
doesn't
come
with
the
same
authority.
Everything
that I
say
everything
that we
say
in
terms
of
speaking
God's
truth
must
be
tested
against
scripture.
So
verse 20
again
do not
treat
prophecies
with
contempt
but
test
them
all
against
God's
written
word
and
if
it
is
of
God's
word
hold
on
to
it
because
it
is
good
it
will
bless
you
it
will
encourage
you
but
if
it's
not
of
God's
word
reject
it.
Now
in
another
sense
and I
want us
all to
be
clear
on
this
we
should
all
be
prophesying
to
one
another.
We
should
all
as
God's
family
brothers
and
sisters
be
taking
God's
word
and
speaking
it
into
each
other's
lives.
It's
something
we
can
do
and
we
should
all
do
because
chapter
5
verse
19
not
to
do
so
not
to
speak
God's
word
is
quenching
the
spirit.
You
see
Christ
has
given
his
Holy
Spirit
to
his
church.
He
has
given
his
word
to
us
and
the
word
and
the
spirit
working
together
does
a
powerful
work
in
God's
life.
So
if
you
are
a
brother
and
sister
in
Christ
today
let
me
encourage
you
to
take
the
word
of
God
which
is
about
his
son
Jesus
Christ
and
speak
that
truth
into
the
hearts
of
one
another
and
trust
that
as
the
spirit
is
prompting
you
and
working
in
your
life
a
word
may
come
to
mind
for
a
particular
person
that
you
might
go
to
them
and
say
here's
what
God
is
encouraging
me
to
say
to
you
today
to
bless
you
God
has
given
us
his
spirit
to
one
another
to
build
one
another
up
in
the
faith
as
we
teach
God's
word
to
one
another
that
in a
sense
is
what
he
has
been
encouraging
the
church
to
do
so
look
at
chapter
4
verse
18
he
says
therefore
encourage
one
another
with
these
words
what
words
well
he's
just
been
talking
about
the
resurrection
hey
everybody
the
Lord
Jesus
is
coming
again
he's
been
raised
from
the
dead
and
if
you're
trusting
in
him
too
he
is
going
to
raise
you
and
there's
going
to
be
a
wonderful
reunion
of
all
God's
people
so
whatever
you
are
going
through
today
remember
the
Lord
is
risen
can
we
speak
words
of
encouragement
to each
other
like
that
of
course
we
can
it's
a
little
bit
like
the
bumblebee
I
had
in
my
bedroom
this
week
when
I
found
her
she
was
weak
and
unable
to
fly
so
I
got
a
teaspoon
of
sugar
and
a
little
bit
of
water
and
carefully
put
the
bumblebee
onto
the
spoon
and
there
was
her
tongue
!
like
up
all
that
sweetness
and
goodness
and
then
all
of
a
sudden
it
just
buzzed
flew
into
my
face
practically
took
off
flying
renewed
restored
strengthened
well
sometimes
we're
like
that
weak
bumblebee
and
we
need
someone
to
bring
the
sweet
nectar
of
God's
word
speaking
that
truth
into
our
life
so
that
we
take
off
flying
as
God's
people
don't
treat
prophecies
with
contempt
!
Don't
quench
!
the
Spirit's
work
speak
the
word
about
Christ
to
one
another
and
we
will
see
the
church
built
up
now
before
we
move
on
you're
wondering
what
could
I
possibly
say
well
there
is a
word
for
the
church
and
it
comes
in
verse
24
after
the
prayer
here's
the
word
the
one
who
calls
you
is
faithful
and
he
will
do
it
the
one
who
calls
you
is
faithful
and
he
will
do
it
maybe
there's
a
brother
or
sister
today
struggling
with
sin
wondering
if
God
has
actually
forgiven
me
maybe
doubting
if
God
loves
me
fearful
that
I'm
never
going
to
make
it
that
somehow
I'm
going
to
lose
my
salvation
well
brother
or
sister
if
that
is
you
if
God
called
you
to
faith
God
will
keep
you
in
the
faith
he
will
not
let
you
go
what
wonderful
words
of
encouragement
that we
can
speak
God
will
keep
you
he
is
faithful
so
second
then
a
healthy
church
speaks
the
word
of
God
to
each
other
and
finally
don't
forget
to
kiss
I
hope
you
had
a
wonderful
welcome
as
you
came
in
the
door
today
I
wonder
how
many
of you
got
a
kiss
please
don't
answer
verse
26
greet
all
God's
holy
people
with
a
holy
kiss
well
if
you
are
from
Latin
America
a
kiss
on
either
cheek
is
quite
normal
when
I
was
there
it
was
quite
normal
to
come
into
the
church
and
an
older
man
or
an
older
sister
hermano
in
Cristo
mwah
well
if
you
are
in
an
Asian
country
it
might
be
a
respectful
bow
for
others
it
might
be
a
good
handshake
well
I'm
not
encouraging
you
all
that
we
should
all
start
kissing
each
other
that's
not
what
the
text
is
saying
but
I
do
think
it's
saying
how
we
greet
one
another
as
brothers
and
sisters
is
really
important
because
our
greetings
are
more
than
just
a
polite
formality
it
expresses
so
much
more
verse
26
it's
a
command
greet
God's
people
with
a
holy
kiss
!
handshake
or a
holy
hug
you
see
holy
is that
heart
motivation
behind
the
greeting
holy
means
to be
set
apart
so
as
I
greet
you
as
we
gather
together
what
I'm
saying
is
I'm
for
you
I
am
with
you
I
am
speaking
to
God
about
you
and
I
am
speaking
God's
word
to
you
our
prayers
for
one
another
as
we
greet
one
another
is
a
reminder
that
their
prayers
for
me
is
like
that
oxygen
enabling
me
to
breathe
again
spiritually
those
words
that
you
speak
to
me
are
like
the
sweet
nectar
enabling
me
to
fly
and
it
all
starts
with
a
kiss
bump
or
however
you
like
to
greet
one
another
I
am
for
you
I
am
with
you
I
need
you
and
you
need
me
God
in his
wonderful
design
has put
us
together
to
see
each
other
through
to
the
end
to
become
more
like
Christ
and
so
verse
28
the
grace
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
be
with
you
Amen
well
let me
pray
for us
before
we
sing
Father
God
how
good
and
pleasant
it
is
to
gather
together
as
your
people
I
thank
you
Father
for
the
gifts
of
one
another
people
who
stand
by
us
and
pray
for
us
and
who
speak
God's
truth
into
our
life
Father
may we
do
so
more
and
more
and
we
thank
you
for
the
work
you
have
done
and
are
doing
in
our
lives
in
Jesus
name
Amen
well
we're
going to
sing
I want
to draw
your
attention
first
I'll
read
this
second
verse
it
says
beneath
the cross
of Jesus
his
family
is now
my
own
once
strangers
chasing
selfish
dreams
now
one
through
Christ
alone
how
could
I
now
dishonor
the
ones
that
you
have
loved
beneath
the cross
of Jesus
see the
children
called
by God
that is
what we
are
God's
children
loving
one
another
as we
help
each
other
along
let's
stand
together
as we
sing
voy
Thank you.
We continue together as God's people, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we remember the
death of Christ in this simple meal that is set before us.
Please turn to God's word, 1 John, just before the very end of the Bible, 1 John chapter 4.
1 John chapter 4.
As you're looking that up, just a reminder that, well, this is a family meal, isn't it?
A family meal.
And as we gather as we are renewing our love for Christ.
And we are renewing our love for one another.
Saying, I am here for you.
I am your brother and sister.
So if you are trusting Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, welcome, welcome to this meal.
And if you consider those around you who are trusting in Christ to be your brothers and sisters.
Welcome.
Let's hear God's word.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
And this is how God showed his love amongst us.
He sent his one and only son into the world so that we might live through him.
This is love.
Not that we loved God, but that he loved us.
And sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
This meal, the bread and the juice, speak of the body and blood of Christ.
The ultimate sacrifice who gave of his life for us.
Taking the wrath of God on our behalf.
So that we might become his children, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Verse 18.
There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear.
Because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
You see, brothers and sisters, as we come to the table, as we remember Christ.
If we are trusting him, there is no fear because he has taken the punishment.
And we can come and say thank you and rejoice and celebrate in what he has done for us.
I'm going to ask Nick and Trish to pass the bread around.
For the Lord Jesus on the night that he was betrayed, he broke the bread.
As we think of Christ's body broken for us.
Given for us.
So that we might have life in him.
Our practice is, is that you would just take a piece of bread.
Hold on to it.
And then when we're all served.
We will eat together.
As the bread is being passed around, just use this time in a personal, quiet time of confession.
Confessing our sins.
Knowing that he forgives as we confess.
Please, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving, if you are serving
Thank you.
Let us pray and give thanks.
Our Father God, thank you so much for sending your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ,
to be that sacrifice for us, taking the blame for all the wrong things that we have done.
Thank you that we can now come to you without fear, but with joy and thanksgiving and celebration,
because you have forgiven us.
Let us eat together in thanksgiving.
Let us pray.
That through the blood of Christ, we are forgiven.
We are sealed to him forever.
So as the juice is being passed around, please drink as you receive.
As the juice is being passed around, please give thanks to God for what he has done.
As the juice is being passed around, please give thanks to God for what he has done in your life.
Pray for your brothers and sisters.
Pray that God would make us more and more like Christ,
and that Christ would keep us and make us ready for him.
Let's pray that for each other.
Let us pray.
Thank you.
Just to read some words as we close our time together.
1 John chapter 4, verse 19 to 21.
Thank you.
Let us pray.
as we go into the week
let us remember these words
and may God give us grace
to follow out these words
verse 19
we love
because he first loved us
whoever claims to love God
yet hates a brother or sister
is a liar
for whoever does not love
their brother and sister
whom they have seen
cannot love God
whom they have not seen
and he has given us this command
anyone who loves God
must also love their brother
and sister
thank you father for
my brothers and sisters
for one another here today
father encourage us
that we may go on
speaking to God
about one another
and speaking to one another
about God
amen
please do stay behind
for tea and coffee
do catch up with Amy as well
she's here for a brief time
her words are precious
thank you Trish
thank you very much
thank you
Thank you.