What Church Life ought to Look Like - Pastor Dave Klassen

First Thessalonians closes with Paul pressing very practical faith into everyday church life. Paul had only been with the Thessalonians for a short time, about three weeks, and yet God had made that young church rock solid in the middle of horrible persecution. The Thessalonian church had become a model church, not because life was easy, but because its eyes were not settled on this life alone. Eternity was the bigger picture, and that made the suffering of this world lose its power to steal ultimate hope.

Paul begins with social attitudes in the body of Christ. The church is to recognize those who labor, lead, and admonish, and to esteem them highly in love for their work’s sake. Paul does not make leadership a matter of status, but of service, labor, and spiritual responsibility. The church is also called to be at peace, not merely sitting together on Sunday morning, but being one in spirit and love.

Paul then turns to the way believers treat one another. The unruly are to be warned, like soldiers who have stepped out of rank and weakened the whole army. The fainthearted are to be comforted, the weak upheld, and all are to be treated with patience. God gives gifts, talents, money, and responsibilities not so that a person can “get all he can and can all he gets,” but so that the church may serve, help, and strengthen one another.

Paul’s short commands come like a staccato list. “Rejoice always” does not mean painful circumstances are easy or enjoyable. It means the believer’s heart is fixed beyond the rain cloud of this life, toward eternity in the presence of God. “Pray without ceasing” means more than muttering words. Prayer is communion with God, an attitude of surrender and communication throughout the day.

Paul also commands thankfulness in everything. The Charlie Brown rain cloud may hang over a person in dark seasons, but gratitude turns the heart toward God even there. Paul then warns, “Do not quench the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit speaks, guides, strengthens, and convicts, and the believer must not keep resisting until the heart grows dull.

Paul finally says to test all things, hold fast to what is good, and abstain from every form of evil. The Word of God becomes the measure for prophecies, impressions, counsel, conscience, and conduct. Paul leaves no room for bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, or careless living. The church’s relationships, thankfulness, discernment, and moral conduct reflect directly on Jesus Christ before a watching world.