Building an Unmovable Community in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of being an "unmovable community" as described in 1 Thessalonians 5. We began by discussing the importance of relationships and how they are foundational to our spiritual health. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians serves as a guide for us to live unstoppable lives in anticipation of the Lord's return. He emphasizes that the church, as a spiritual community, is an unmovable object placed by God to maintain order and prevent chaos in the world.
Paul outlines four key areas of relationships that are essential for a healthy church: our relationship with leaders, with each other, with those outside the church, and with God. He stresses the importance of honoring leaders who work hard, care for people, and speak the truth in love. A healthy church also requires everyone to contribute to its well-being, whether by warning the idle, encouraging the disheartened, helping the weak, or being patient with everyone.
Paul also addresses the issue of retaliation, urging us to always strive to do good and not repay wrong with wrong. He then shifts focus to our relationship with God, encouraging us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. These practices help us cultivate an inner life and an eternal perspective, making us more like Jesus.
Finally, Paul reminds us that an unmovable community is dependent on the Spirit of God. We must not quench the Spirit but test everything and hold on to what is good. He concludes with a benediction, reassuring us that God is faithful and will complete the work He has started in us. This message serves as a powerful reminder that God is with us, ensuring our growth and sanctification.
### Key Takeaways
1. Honor Your Leaders: Good leaders work hard, care for their people, and speak the truth in love. Honoring such leaders is not just a sign of respect but also a way to promote peace and unity within the church. Immature people resist leadership, but mature believers understand the importance of following godly leaders. [12:52]
2. Contribute to Church Health: Every member has a role in maintaining the health of the church. Whether it’s warning the idle, encouraging the disheartened, helping the weak, or being patient with everyone, each action contributes to the overall well-being of the community. [17:18]
3. Practice the Presence of God: Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. These practices help us maintain an eternal perspective and cultivate an inner life that is in constant communion with God. This is not about ignoring life's difficulties but about recognizing God's work in all situations. [25:56]
4. Depend on the Spirit of God: An unmovable community relies on the Spirit of God for direction and power. We must not quench the Spirit but test everything and hold on to what is good. The Spirit will never contradict the Word of God, and we must be discerning in our spiritual practices. [38:16]
5. God is With Us: The assurance of God's presence is foundational to our faith. No matter what we go through, God is with us, ensuring our growth and sanctification. This truth provides comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our journey. [42:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - Introduction to Relationship Series
[04:00] - The Unmovable Object
[06:08] - Unstoppable Essentials for the End Times
[07:23] - Purpose of 1 Thessalonians
[08:22] - Signs of a Healthy Church
[09:18] - Relationship with Leaders
[12:52] - Traits of Good Leaders
[16:16] - Relationship with Each Other
[17:18] - Contributing to Church Health
[22:33] - Avoiding Retaliation
[25:03] - Relationship with God
[25:56] - Practicing the Presence of God
[33:10] - Neuroscience and Prayer
[36:23] - Final Instructions
[38:16] - Dependence on the Spirit of God
[42:49] - Assurance of God's Presence
[44:51] - Final Encouragements
[48:52] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (NIV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four key areas of relationships that Paul outlines for a healthy church? ([08:48])
2. According to the sermon, what are the three traits of good leaders that Paul mentions? ([10:18])
3. How does Paul suggest we should respond to those who are idle, disheartened, weak, and everyone else in the church? ([16:16])
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances"? ([25:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of honoring leaders who work hard, care for people, and speak the truth in love? How does this contribute to the health of the church? ([12:52])
2. How can the practices of rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances help us maintain an eternal perspective? ([25:56])
3. What does it mean to "not quench the Spirit" and to "test everything and hold on to what is good"? How can this be applied in our spiritual community? ([38:16])
4. How does the assurance of God's presence provide comfort and strength in our journey of faith? ([42:49])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your relationship with the leaders in your church. How can you show honor and support to them in practical ways this week? ([12:52])
2. Think about your role in contributing to the health of the church. Are there specific actions you can take to warn the idle, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, or be patient with everyone? ([17:18])
3. How can you incorporate the practice of rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances into your daily routine? Share specific examples. ([25:56])
4. Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt the need to retaliate? How can you strive to do good and not repay wrong with wrong in future situations? ([22:33])
5. In what ways can you be more dependent on the Spirit of God for direction and power in your life? Are there areas where you might be quenching the Spirit? ([38:16])
6. How does the assurance of God's presence impact your faith during difficult times? Share a personal experience where you felt God's presence in a challenging situation. ([42:49])
7. Identify one specific way you can encourage and strengthen someone in your church community this week. How can you be a source of support for them? ([20:47])
Devotional
### Day 1: Honor Your Leaders
Theme: Respect and support godly leadership.
Description: In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul emphasizes the importance of honoring leaders who work hard, care for their people, and speak the truth in love. These leaders are essential for maintaining peace and unity within the church. Honoring them is not just a sign of respect but also a way to promote a healthy and thriving spiritual community. Mature believers understand the significance of following godly leaders, recognizing that their guidance is crucial for spiritual growth and stability. Immature individuals may resist leadership, but those who are spiritually mature see the value in supporting and respecting those who lead with integrity and love. [12:52]
Bible Passage: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a leader in your church or community who has impacted your life positively. How can you show them honor and support this week?
### Day 2: Contribute to Church Health
Theme: Actively participate in the well-being of the church.
Description: Paul outlines that every member of the church has a role in maintaining its health. This involves warning the idle, encouraging the disheartened, helping the weak, and being patient with everyone. Each action, no matter how small, contributes to the overall well-being of the community. A healthy church is not just the responsibility of its leaders but of every member. By actively participating and contributing to the church's health, we create a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone can grow spiritually. [17:18]
Bible Passage: "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can contribute to the health of your church this week. Is there someone you can encourage or help?
### Day 3: Practice the Presence of God
Theme: Cultivate a constant communion with God.
Description: Paul encourages believers to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. These practices help maintain an eternal perspective and cultivate an inner life that is in constant communion with God. This is not about ignoring life's difficulties but about recognizing God's work in all situations. By practicing the presence of God, we become more attuned to His guidance and more resilient in the face of challenges. This spiritual discipline helps us to remain grounded and focused on God's promises, regardless of our circumstances. [25:56]
Bible Passage: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks into your daily routine? What specific steps will you take today to practice the presence of God?
### Day 4: Depend on the Spirit of God
Theme: Rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.
Description: An unmovable community relies on the Spirit of God for direction and power. Paul advises believers not to quench the Spirit but to test everything and hold on to what is good. The Spirit will never contradict the Word of God, and we must be discerning in our spiritual practices. By depending on the Holy Spirit, we receive the strength and wisdom needed to navigate life's challenges and to remain steadfast in our faith. This reliance on the Spirit ensures that our actions and decisions align with God's will, leading to a more fruitful and fulfilling spiritual journey. [38:16]
Bible Passage: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:26, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit? How can you be more open to His guidance and power today?
### Day 5: God is With Us
Theme: Trust in God's faithful presence.
Description: The assurance of God's presence is foundational to our faith. Paul reassures believers that God is faithful and will complete the work He has started in us. No matter what we go through, God is with us, ensuring our growth and sanctification. This truth provides comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our journey. Trusting in God's presence helps us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He is always working for our good and His glory. [42:49]
Bible Passage: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence during a difficult situation. How can this assurance of His presence help you face current or future challenges?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The spiritual life is like that as well, that God has put into our world, as our designer of this thing called life, he has embedded, he has encoded certain unmovable objects in the world to make sure that they work according to his design, and one of those unmovable objects is us. It's the church. It's the spiritual community that God is building on earth, and if that spiritual community is removed, if it were to be deleted, there would be absolute chaos in our culture." [04:54] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The church, the people of God, followers of Jesus are called to keep moving forward, not to stand still, not to move backward, but to keep moving forward in the face of adversity, of opposition, of uncertainty, of unpredictability. And this is who, this is who God has called us to be." [06:08] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "An unmovable community knows that God is with them. Wow. Man, if there's anything that I could tell you, anything that I could remind you of, anything I could promise you is a 100% guarantee is that God is with you. I don't know why you're going through what you're going through. Yeah. I don't know why, why whatever's happening, what happened, I don't know why you lost your job. I don't know why. They're trying to push you out. You know, I don't know why you can't get pregnant. I don't know why you lost your baby. I don't know why your wife walked out on you. I don't know why your kids got on drugs, but I do know this, God is with you and he will never, ever, ever forsake you in your time of need." [43:23] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. There's nothing more overwhelming than those handful of words. You're like, are you kidding me? I mean, do you actually know what these words mean? He's like, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. It's almost like, okay, I got a lot of things to say. I'm running out of ink. So here, here, boom, boom, boom. Do these as well. And what he's basically saying to us, he's like, think about your relationship to God and here's what you should do." [25:31] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Everyone needs prayer. Apostles need prayer. Leaders need prayer. Moms need prayer. Dads need prayer. Your boss at work needs prayer. Everyone needs prayer. Everyone needs prayer. Don't stop praying. And then he said, greet each other with a holy kiss. To me, I just hear, everyone needs love. You know, everyone needs love. And a holy kiss in that culture was an expression of, hey, just want to say I love you. In our culture, it might be a fist bump, might be a handshake, might be a hug." [45:28] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "An unmovable community treats their leaders with honor. They treat their leaders with honor. And that's the right thing to do. It's if God has placed you under a leader and they've been given authority over you, if they're a good leader, especially, you should follow them because first, it's the right and loving thing to do. It's a way that you express your love and your trust in Jesus. It's a sign of your maturity. Immature people will not allow others to lead them." [12:52] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "An unmovable community contributes to the health of the church. You have a role to play. You have something that you should actually do to make the church healthy. And this is what he wanted them to know. And he said, there's four categories of people that I want to talk about, but these were not people that were limited to Thessalonica. Okay. They were in Ephesus, in Philippi, they were in Rome, they were in New Jersey, in Kansas City, in Arizona, in Oklahoma. They're in Calvary Community Church and they're in Liquid Church and they're in Christ Community Church and they're in Zarephath Christian Church because wherever there are places, there are churches." [17:18] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "An unmovable community practices the presence of God. That's what these commands are all about. It's all about inviting God into every single moment of our life. It's about cultivating kind of our inner life and also cultivating an eternal perspective because if God is nurturing your soul, if you are growing inside, it's gonna change everything that you see out here. It's gonna change everything that you experience." [26:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "An unmovable community is dependent on the spirit of God. You take the spirit of God out of this community, you have a social club. You don't have any power. You don't have any direction. You don't have anything that God is honored by or glorified by. You've got to stay focused on the life of the spirit of God. But with this gift of prophecy, there were and there have always been abuses." [38:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "An unmovable community knows that God is with them. Wow. Man, if there's anything that I could tell you, anything that I could remind you of, anything I could promise you is a 100% guarantee is that God is with you. I don't know why you're going through what you're going through. Yeah. I don't know why, why whatever's happening, what happened, I don't know why you lost your job. I don't know why. They're trying to push you out. You know, I don't know why you can't get pregnant. I don't know why you lost your baby. I don't know why your wife walked out on you. I don't know why your kids got on drugs, but I do know this, God is with you and he will never, ever, ever forsake you in your time of need." [43:23] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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