CARE AND ADMONISH – Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; James 1:22; Thessalonians 1:2-3

1. Connor began today by sharing that the opening verses (verses 12-13a) of this introductory passage are a bit uncomfortable for him to preach because they suggest a focus on ‘the paid staff’ or the ‘professionals’, and as Connor said, “seems a bit self-serving.” And while that is part of what Paul is saying here, as we’ll see in a moment, there are other folks involved. What do you see in this first verse and a half? Paul is calling upon the congregation to respect those who both ‘work for your well-being’ (NIV says, ‘care for’) and ‘admonish you’…do you see this? What does he mean by this? What does ‘admonish’ mean in this context? Why is that important? Is this a typical pattern for Paul to various churches? How so?

2. And in the next section of this passage, starting in 13b, Paul begins to tell them exactly what this caring and admonishing looks like in the body of Christ…it begins with living in peace with one another, but also includes additional caring and admonishing actions, and note that Paul is telling them that this is their effort as well. As Connor noted for us, Paul is basically telling them that, “They will honor the leaders by responding to their investment by being responsive in their faith.” Do you see this? How so? Another way to say it, from James’ letter, is that they are to be ‘doers of the Word’, not just passive hearers of it. And in the verses up through verse 15, what is Paul ‘urging’ them to do? Do you see that actions are involved? What are they? And to whom are these actions directed? Why is this so important to Paul for this church? And is this for us today? How so?

3. And Connor reminded us that in the opening Chapter of this letter, in verses 2 and 3, Paul acknowledges that they are an active church, not a passive one, doing good work, so his encouragement is to strengthen them in their efforts…do you see this in verses 1:2-3? Connor shared Paul’s urging this way: “If you want to honor your teachers, don’t waste your time.” Does this ring true for you? How so? And Connor shared with us that he and the staff are incredibly grateful to the EAC congregation for the love and support expressed, and also for the willingness to be on mission together, and he thanked us for all of that.

NOT JUST FOR LEADERS – Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

4. So, as we continue in the next set of verses – as we see more urging from Paul – what do you see him encouraging them to do in 16-22? And Connor then asked us a basic question that we must answer: “Who is supposed to do all this stuff?” Is it the leaders? Or the paid staff? For Paul with this church in Thessalonica, and for us now at EAC, it’s ‘all the saints’ – all of us who follow Jesus – that is, all of us! As Connor said, “Sometimes it’s the little things, like setting up tents or tables. But it also includes missionaries that need to be sent, non-profits that need to be launched, pastors that need to be trained, ‘tables’ that need to be built, money that needs to be given, neighbors that need to be witnessed to, young men and women that need to be mentored, kids that need to be fostered and adopted, and on and on the list can go…” Does this ring true for you and your involvement in ministries? How so? Ephesians 2:10 says it well for us too, yes?

5. Connor summed it up this way: “Ministry is not just for leaders…ministry is for followers of Jesus.” And with folks checking us out at The Taste of EAC lunch gatherings, we say, “EAC is a community that wants to activate everyone.” And so, in the Ephesians 4 passage, we see that the role of leaders is ‘equipping’ all of us to be on mission together for Jesus, yes? And Paul describes it another way in his first letter to the church in Corinth…what does this passage say, and how does it apply here?

6. But sometimes, as Connor shared, churches in the West in recent years have faced the challenge of a simple, but wrong, formula that goes like this: ‘Let’s give some money to the leaders; let’s cheer on the leaders; so they can go and do ministry.’ It’s not Paul’s notion at all, and not the intentions of God for His children either, correct? So, it’s not just for leaders, yes?

START WHERE YOU ARE – Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

7. And so, we come to the final question Connor posed for us that some of us are now asking: “Okay, where do I start?” And Connor suggested to us that “You start where you are. Start with the people right in front of you. Start in your current orbit, your current sphere of influence. Start with your family, your coworkers, your neighbors, people in your church. Friends at school. Kids or grand kids.” Does this make sense? Do folks come to mind for you?

8. And for practical places to start, re-read verses 14-22…just with the first three of Paul’s ‘urgings’, we likely know folks who have these needs, and we can be God’s hands and feet in their lives. As Connor suggested for us, think of it this way: “Simply be prepared to do the next right thing.” It may be little, or big, or in between, but be active and alive in the lives of others. Connor shared a quote from C. S. Lewis from Mere Christianity: “Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.” Do you see this? How so?

9. Connor closed our worship today with a time of song reflection and prayer, and then as a benediction, used the closing verses of this letter as our closing praying. Read verses 23-28 – it was Paul’s prayer for this church as well, and is for us today as surely any of God’s Word is…Amen? Amen!

Prayer: In prayer this week, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to your calling for His mission in this world, starting with what you can do and be as a follower of Jesus at EAC and right with your circle of folks…what is the next right thing that He has for you? Pray over verses 5:23-28 as your daily guide this week. Pray that your openness to His guidance and direction would be fuller and more complete as time goes by, and that by being a child of God, He will give you wisdom, courage, and discernment to meet Him on mission on a daily basis. And as always, pray that the Holy Spirit would give you ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to respond to His call to you, in order to be His hands and feet in this world, doing the next right thing, all for God’s Glory! Amen.

Sermon Discussion Questions July 12, 2026