To Wait for His Son: Within, Without, With Him • Kevin Kurzenknabe • March 25, 2018

As a final encouragement, Paul and his companions make a rapid-fire exhortation to the Thessalonian church aimed at how they relate to their church leadership, church community, the non-believing world, and God himself. It may seem disjointed or haphazard, but look carefully how the content relates to the previous sections of the letter. ---- 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12–28 12We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16Rejoice always, 1 pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil. 23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25Brothers, pray for us. 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.