Paul is bringing this letter to a close. Some translations have the word ‘finally’ and we know that for any preacher that may not actually mean anything!
Here in the NIV we have ‘as for other matters’ and it is giving us an understanding that Paul is wondering what else needs to be said, he knows of course.
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)
- He speaks to a family, ‘brothers and sisters’, v1. The church is family. Over my lifetime I have seen the breakdown of the family. When I was in school there were only a few children who had sadly experienced family breakdown. Now the few are those who haven’t seen a breakdown. I have witnessed it first hand, to special friends, even to my Pastors, no one is exempt from such an attack. What has happened in the community of people’s homes has happened in the community of the church. I have been in the church all my life and I have never witnessed so much division as is what is happening all across the world. The family, God’s family are at war with each other, brothers and sisters are divided. The call must be that the family makes a comeback. That brothers and sisters act and speak like brothers and sisters.
- He highlights the good, v1. His focus is not on what is not happening but what is. The church that you attend is not perfect. The network or denomination you belong to is not perfect. Anyone can point out what is wrong but the church needs encouragement of the good that is happening.
- He has shown them how to live. All disciples need instructing. All disciples need accountability for those instructions.
- He congratulates them for he has heard from Timothy that they are continuing to live the life of a disciple he set out for them.
- He encourages them to continue more and more. Oh that we all would be the encouragers of the church that it will continue! To thank people who willingly and sacrificially volunteer their lives for the church, including those who are called to lead and care for the church.
- He reminds them of who leads the church, v2. This is not anyone’s church but Jesus’ church. There is no authority in the church except that of Jesus. That authority was given by His own blood not anyone else’s. Authority is seen through the cross. Any other display of authority is man’s not of God.
Missions Paul 