Message of the Week

The Little White Community Church

Scripture: I Thess. 5:12-15 March 15, 2026

Message: “Practical Advice – Part I”

by Pastor George Gnade

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6:44

Introduction: 1. Having finished writing the primary message of this book, these last verses – like he did in many of his letters – ends with practical advice for those who are reading it.

2. We will study half of these today and finish this series on I Thessalonians next week. 

A. Let us begin with how Paul told them to treat those who were over them in the Lord.

1. In I Thess. 5:12, Paul asks them to “respect those who work hard among you and are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.”

a. This could refer to their pastors, but it could also refer to other leaders and hard workers. Every church needs leaders and hard workers.

b. The word “pastor, by definition, means to be a spiritual shepherd the flock. Just as Jesus called Himself the good shepherd of God’s sheep, we who are pastors are called to shepherd the sheep in our own flock. But we must never forget we are working under Him and should make every effort to serve Him.

2. But in Romans 12 & I Cor. 12, Paul speaks about other Christians who have other gifts that are also necessary for a church to run effectively. 

a. This includes evangelists, teachers, administrators, and many other kinds of workers like deacons.

b. While pastors are over you in the Lord, they are not expected to lead the church by themselves. 

3. Paul commands those who come to church to respect those who are over them.

a. I think it is helpful to understand that none of us are perfect. We all have strengths and weaknesses. We may not always agree. 

b. But pastors have the greatest responsibility. God holds us “accountable for your souls.”

4. That is why a pastor, as part of his job, is required “to admonish you.”  If we are honest, none of us like to be admonished and told what to do. So every pastor must use wisdom as he admonishes you.

a. That wisdom must be based on what the Bible says. 

b. I believe every pastor wants to please you, but pleasing the Lord is most important.

5. So all of us are called to obey the Lord. But we are also called to respect each other and “live in peace with each other” (I Thess. 5:13). Churches grow and are blessed when people come and sense a spirit of love and peace within the congregation.

B. Secondly, in I Thess. 5: 14, they were told “to warn those who were idle.”

1. Every church has people who are sick or disabled or too old to do what they use to do.  They need our love. 

2. But the Thessalonians had a problem. They believed Jesus could come again any time and some of them stopped working because they were waiting for the Lord to come.

a. Some took this as a sign of their spirituality. And before long, others joined them.

b. Who then was going to feed them and pay their bills? 

3. Paul taught them that everyone who could work should work. Jesus Himself taught us that no one knows the day or hour when He will return. I’m sure none of them ever dreamed it wouldn’t happen for over 2,000 years.

a. So we certainly should live as if it could happen tomorrow. By that I mean we should all stay as close to Christ as possible. Based on the things Jesus told us to look for, I personally believe Jesus could come during our lifetime.

b. But we must also live knowing it may not happen in our lifetime. So we also need to work and take care of our families and earn the respect of those living around us. That way we can also help those who really need our help.

C. Thirdly, Paul instructs them to “encourage the timid.”

1. In chapter one, Paul told us they were being persecuted just as he was being persecuted. 

a. Many people want to be saved and go to heaven, but they are scared of persecution. They are timid. They need encouragement.

b. So Paul encourages us to encourage the timid.

2. A pastor with several children was discussing with his son if he would consider the ministry. He replied: “No! Not me! You are good to so many of them and then they turn on you for stupid reasons. I would never want your job.”

a. Many non-Christians choose not to become Christians for fear of how they will be treated, not just by non-Christians but by their fellow Christians as well.

b. So new Christians must be warned and encouraged to stay faithful to Christ in spite of how inconsistent others may be. Jesus was mistreated and many times Christians get mistreated. He is worth it. Heaven is worth it. He will help us through the hard times if only we will remain faithful.

D. Fourthly, Paul wrote: “Help the weak.”

1. Isn’t that what Jesus did? Didn’t He specialize in helping those who were weak, or sick or hurting?

2. So when we ask ourselves: “What would Jesus do?,” doesn’t it make sense to help those who are weak?

a. That is one value in belonging to a smaller church instead of a larger church. In a smaller church, you are more likely to receive personal attention.

b. In a large church, they may not even know who you are.

E. The next advice Paul gave us was: “Be patient with everyone.”

1. Christians often go through ups and downs. It is always wise to remind ourselves, there go I except for the grace of God.  Praying for each other is often wiser than jumping all over each other. As human beings, we all have the tendency to think we are right and everyone else is wrong.

2. Even if we think we are right, did you ever consider how you might act if you walked in their shoes? Patience is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Learn to ask God for patience, especially when you are helping a fellow Christian.

F. Finally today, consider what it says in vs. 15. Paul wrote: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

1. The law requires an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But Jesus taught us to love even our enemies.

a. Getting even is God’s business. Don’t do His job for Him.  Law enforcement is also needed.

b. But in the early church, love is what drew so many to the Lord. As Jesus put it: “This is how people will know you are a Christian by how you love one another.”

2. May God help us to be more like Jesus. Amen!