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August 11, 2017

1 Thessalonians 5:14-17

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually,

New International Version (NIV)

A bright and beautiful new family has come to our church, married for three months. Nobody should presume to speak for another generation. Because everybody is talking about millennials, I wanted to hear “real, live” millennials talk. I asked them, “What is really important in finding a church?” Without hesitation the young Ph.D. student answered, “Community. We want to find community.” So much for decades of discussion about music and preaching styles. Christians know that we need other Christians to make it through this life.

Aren’t you glad that Paul had so much to say about community? I’ve been highlighting Paul’s thoughts in Philippians in our summer sermon series. He also wrote to the Thessalonians, a group of Christians whom he met and loved for a few weeks before opponents ran him out of town. They knew each other long enough to know that they were brothers and sisters of Paul in Christ, serving the same heavenly Father. In a short series of statements, Paul shows us how to live life together.

First we are to warn the idle and disruptive. Now wait a minute. Christians don’t warn, lest we offend. Paul was not bound by such concerns. In every church someone is disheartened. We encourage that person as we help the weak. We should show patience to each other. What about the “eye for an eye” folks who missed the memo about forgiveness? We don’t allow them to pay back wrong for wrong. First century Christians surprised their world by not only taking care of their own who were in need, but also ministering to the needy pagans. We live with rejoicing. We never stop praying. I believe my new friends: people are looking for community. I know because that is what I am looking for.

Pray with me:

Father, form our community as your glorious body of believers. Make us match the head of the body, Jesus Christ. Help us to so live in community that those you bring our way will not find a church of Teflon which lets people slide off. God make us Velcro! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.

Joyfully,

Duane

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