How to live with others

How to live with others

On 4^th May 2008, we were privileged to have our new Pastor Terry Tan share with us on the message “How to live with others” from 1 Thessalonians 5 where the Apostle Paul, in his closing instructions to the church of Thessalonica, gave important principles on how to live together peaceably.

Living together is not easy, and in this day and age, reality programs actually bring it out on the camera for all to see. There is envy, backbiting, politicking, scheming and anger. Living together is messy, and it is very difficult to meet God’s standards. We don’t choose our family members. Quite often, there is envy, jealousy and fighting. In fact, we ourselves are difficult to get along with. However, for this morning’s message, the emphasis was on “How to live with others in church”.

Regarding this, Paul addressed three areas, our leadership, our fellowship, and our worship.  

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Firstly, addressing our leadership, Pastor Terry spoke of some people who put pastors on a pedestal, accepting everything they say blindly as right. On the other extreme, some people are also totally against the pastor’s authority, always complaining against the pastors, always overly critical. However, in this context, the passage refers to anyone in any form of leadership, in particular, those who work hard in the Lord, those who are over us, and those who admonish us. There is no place for laziness in the ministry. Still, we need to examine our attitude towards those in charge, whether we love them or respect them.

Our response as taught by Paul should be always to respect our leaders and acknowledge their true worth, and hold them in the highest regard in love, and with the right motivation, not for personal praise or gain.

Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:13b-15

Secondly, addressing our fellowship, we soon realize that there is no perfect church. The Thessalonian church was experiencing tremendous growth, but was filled with people from all sorts of diverse backgrounds. The warning for those who were idle gives the idea of soldiers assigned to military work but abandoning their posts. Similarly there are people who won’t do anything for the church, but expect things to be done for them. The challenge is for us to get back to our posts.

We were also exhorted to encourage the timid and show tenderness. There are those who want to serve but their lives are characterized by brokenness and low opinion of themselves, and we need to help them. We need to be patient and kind to each other, and no one is to pay back wrong for wrong.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Finally, regarding our worship, Paul explains how we should relate to our Lord. Firstly, we need to be joyful always, secondly we need to pray continually in continuous dependence on God and finally, we need to give thanks in all circumstances. Of course, we do not give thanks for all circumstances, but we can always be thankful that God is still there, still working for our good, even when things are bad.

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Paul also further exhorts us not to quench the Holy Spirit, not to become so organized until we box in God’s spirit. The Thessalonians were also disregarding prophecies. We should not disregard prophecies but test it, and biblically discern God’s guidance, examining closely to see if it is true. Some people are disillusioned with God’s church, but sometimes it is good for us to be disillusioned so we do away with illusions, unreasonable expectations. The sooner we realize that church is God’s thing and not ours, the better.

23May 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. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

In closing, Paul prays for our sanctification. Indeed, we need God’s power to press on as a community until Christ’s coming.

May the Lord bless our leadership, our fellowship, and our worship as we serve the Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

God bless,

Jason