I gave this talk at last Campaigners. I recommend reading the verses I reference. This concludes the three part series I’ve done on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24. I recommend going through those before this one.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 So God has set a high standard for Christians in the past several verses. One might even say it’s an impossible standard. And I would agree it’s impossible for a man to live by this standard… on his own strength. But God doesn’t expect us to live this way on our own. He has given us the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is one of the parts of the trinity of God. When you accept Jesus Christ as your savior He sends the Holy Spirit into you. But what does it mean to have the Holy Spirit inside of us? What are the implications? I won’t claim to know much about the Holy Spirit and I’m sure there are many other implications from what I’m about to say.
The Holy Spirit is several things for us. The Holy Spirit is our comforter; the One who brings healing and peace in a world full of hardships. (John 14:26-27) The Holy Spirit is our counselor; the One who knows all is the One who will give the best guidance. (John 16:13-14) The Holy Spirit is (for lack of better terms) our shoulder angel; the One who convicts us of sin and prompts us to do what is right. (John 16:8) The Holy Spirit is our lifesource; the One whom empowers us to continually put to death the self and live for Christ. (Romans 8:10-14)
John 15:5 We must learn to abide in the Holy Spirit; to live for God. Jesus says if we do this we will produce much fruit. He’s talking about the fruits of the Spirit. If we live in the Spirit we will bear the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)
But just because we have the Holy Spirit in our lives doesn’t mean we are abiding in the Spirit or producing the fruits of the Spirit. So what does it mean to abide in the Holy Spirit? To abide means to act in accordance with; to obey. So the first step in abiding with the Spirit is diligently spending time with God in His Word, in prayer, and in worship. Then, we must be attentive to the Spirit. We must be vigilant to listen for it every moment and then do what it says. Spending time with God, especially in His Word, prepares you to discern what is God’s will from what is the will of your flesh.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Often the Holy Spirit prompts us through a “still small voice” or a nudging in a particular direction to do something we might not want to do. Either way it can be so easy to ignore the Spirit and do what is easy or comfortable.
If we continually ignore or restrain the Holy Spirit we won’t be able to live well for God. If we continually ignore that small feeling we will build up a habit of ignoring God. And then if we do want to obey Him eventually we’ll have to work against all our past habits. Obeying will be much harder if we get in a habit of disobeying. Build up a habit of listening and obeying that still small voice.
The Holy Spirit is how God empowers us Christians to live for Him. It is only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that I can humble myself to respect, honor, and appreciate my parents and God. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can patiently instruct and encourage others in love. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can be faithful to stand my ground. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can resist revenge and do what is beautiful to everyone. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can live in continuous joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. If I continually ignore the Holy Spirit I will not be able produce the fruits of the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 It is through living life in the Spirit that Christians are set apart. All people should recognize Christians by this behavior. And it is by living these things out that we become holy. So let’s start becoming holy. God doesn’t expect perfection; but he commands us to strive for it. Rejoice, for God promises to complete this work in us and make us holy in the next life. And again, I say rejoice, for even in our weakness, somehow God views us now, and loves us now, as that completed masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
Family Time Questions:
Do you want to live by this standard? Why or why not? What is your motivation?
This passage calls believers to live by a very high standard. Where do you feel most convicted?
Do you think it’s possible to live by this standard through human strength?
Do you feel connected to the Holy Spirit? How can you connect deeper?
Which calling stands out most to you? How can you improve in this area?
Encouragement
Listen for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit this week. Next week we’ll talk about what you heard.
Spend some time in prayer this week. Maybe once a day. Ask God to help you live up to this standard, especially in the area you feel convicted.
God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way.
