MESSAGE 11 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:15-17 – VENGEANCE, REJOICING ALWAYS, AND PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING
There is a fair bit of scripture in this message. It deals with vengeance, injustice, persecution and rejoicing and we look at a lot of verses dealing with those matters.
PART 1
{{1Thessalonians 5:15 “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men.”}}
Vengeance is mine. I will repay. This was penned to the Romans by Paul – {{Romans 12:16-21 “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord, but if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink, for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”}}
The thoughts in verse 15 go to motive – not revenge, but seek to make things good and to do good. “for one another” includes fellow Christians and the wider community. How to do that? This is not easy and we are often not too successful. Well for Christians, it is incorporating what Paul has already given in this letter. There is a code of justice that operates for Christians and always among them. For outsiders, we can seek their betterment in trying to improve the lot of others by highlighting injustice and improvements. It means not only addressing the physical problems like working for the homeless, but addressing moral issues like writing to politicians about homosexuality, to give one example.
Christians often find it a difficult matter to get involved in community and national improvement. Politics is dirty. We don’t easily relate to non-Christians and our views are too often considered as right wing, homophobic, and of wowser value. In our Christian community we must be very diligent to ensure that verse 15 is operating. Christians must not defraud one another; they must consider others of more importance than themselves; we attend to the sick and those laid aside.
Injustice in this world is not new. It is as old as mankind is, shown by Cain when he rose up against Abel. The world all goes about with its standard of cheating each other but this is not the Christian way. We must seek God’s help in steering through the world’s injustice like navigating an iceberg field. We have been considering much the injustice that was in Israel and Judah in the Minor Prophets. These prophets spoke out constantly against the injustices of their own people. Here are two passages showing their injustice -
{{Micah 3:1 I said, “Hear now, heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, is it not for you to know justice? Mic 3:2 You who hate good and love evil, who tear off their skin from them and their flesh from their bones, Mic 3:3 and who eat the flesh of my people, strip off their skin from them, break their bones, and chop them up as for the pot, and as meat in a kettle.” Mic 3:4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time because they have practised evil deeds. Mic 3:5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, when they have something to bite with their teeth, they cry, “Peace,” but against him who puts nothing in their mouths, they declare holy war. Mic 3:6 Therefore it will be night for you - without vision, and darkness for you - without divination. The sun will go down on the prophets, and the day will become dark over them. Mic 3:7 The seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be embarrassed. Indeed, they will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God. Mic 3:8 On the other hand, I am filled with power - with the Spirit of the LORD - and with justice and courage to make known to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel, his sin. Mic. 3:9 Now hear this, heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and twist everything that is straight, Mic. 3:10 who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with violent injustice. Mic. 3:11 Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe; her priests instruct for a price; and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.” Mic. 3:12 Therefore, on account of you, Zion will be ploughed as a field; Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins; and the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.”}}
The second passage is from Amos -
{{Amos 5:10 “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks with integrity. Amos 5:11 Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor, and exact a tribute of grain from them, though you have built houses of well-hewn stone, yet you will not live in them. You have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine. Amos 5:12 I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, you who distress the righteous and accept bribes, and turn aside the poor in the gate. Amos 5:13 Therefore, at such a time the prudent person keeps silent, for it is an evil time. Amos 5:14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live, and thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, just as you have said. Amos 5:15 Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”}}
When Christians are hurt by others and the world sets you aside, remember and be glad that you belong to the Lord. The world set Him aside as well, and took away all the Saviour’s rights. Paul would say, praise God that He counts you worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Injustice is sad and it is not pleasant but never think of schemes to get even. When the Lord was reviled, He did not lash out or revile His enemies in turn. Evil in return for evil, is the world’s way. It is the natural reaction of the old nature. Good in return for evil, is the Lord’s way. It is the reaction of the new nature imparted by the Holy Spirit. Let us never seek revenge but seek to do good to all where it is possible to do so.
PART 2 - 1THESSALONIANS 5:16 REJOICE ALWAYS
Here we have 2 words but how we fail, some more than others. My wife is always going on about two men being in a prison cell and one looks up and sees bars and the other sees stars. It is easy to rejoice in happiness but not in adversity; easy when circumstances are good for us, but not when things are opposing us. In the New Testament in a number of places, Paul speaks of rejoicing. Just what exactly does rejoice mean? The dictionary says – “to feel very happy about something, or to celebrate something in a happy way; to express great happiness about something.”
The Greek scholars say the word means “farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail.” In the Greek of the New Testament there is a very close relationship between three words - xaíro and xaris and xará. They are all members of the same family and share the core meaning. xaíro is the word for rejoice; xaris is the word for grace; xará is the word for joy. Rejoicing therefore is being glad, receiving grace from God and showing grace, and being associated with joy. Grace is favour and kindness. Rejoicing is to be glad and greeting, hail. I saw a reference to farewell also, like when you farewell someone it means "be glad, rejoice, joy go with you". Following are some references in the New Testament touching on rejoicing:
(1). Rejoicing in the touches from God – {{Matthew 2:10 “When they saw the star, they REJOICED exceedingly with great joy.”}} Their spirits were so lifted up.
(2). Rejoicing through persecution – {{Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on account of Me. Matt 5:12 REJOICE, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”}} It is nice to say we are blessed, but then it says to rejoice when evil is done to you. That is really hard!
(3). Rejoicing in God’s blessings for others – {{Luke 1:58 “and her neighbours and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her, and they were REJOICING with her.”}} They were momentous times and the Lord was great so there was communal rejoicing.
(4). Rejoicing in the Lamb’s book of life and that God reveals treasures to us, His simple people – {{Luke 10:20 “Nevertheless do not REJOICE in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but REJOICE that your names are recorded in heaven.” Luke 10:21 At that very time He REJOICED greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You hid these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Your sight.”}} Rejoice is used in different ways here but the middle one is so wonderful. Our names (for all of God’s children) are written in heaven. Praise the Lord.
(5). Rejoicing over a lost sheep that is found – {{Matthew 18:13 “and if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he REJOICES over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. (similar) Luke 15:5 and when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, REJOICING? Luke 15:6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘REJOICE with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”}} The last line declares the reason for rejoicing. What was lost has been found. The compassion of God for His own creation is immense, so for one who turns to Him, there is rejoicing in heaven.
(6). Rejoicing in the risen Saviour – {{John 20:20 “When He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples therefore REJOICED when they saw the Lord.”}} What rejoicing this was! Their dear Lord had returned and was truly alive. No wonder there was so much rejoicing.
(7). Rejoicing that we have been appointed to eternal life – {{Acts 13:48 “When the Gentiles heard this, they began REJOICING and glorifying the word of the Lord and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”}} Appointed to eternal life. This should cause humility, and of course, rejoicing.
(8). Rejoicing in the blessed hope we have in the Lord, will make us rejoice together – {{Romans 12:11 “not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit serving the Lord; Rom 12:12 REJOICING in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, Rom 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practising hospitality. Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and curse not. Rom 12:15 REJOICE with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (similar) 1Cor 12:26 If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. If one member is honoured, all the members REJOICE with it.”}} Paul lists a number of things that cause rejoicing and I will not pursue them here.
(9). Now the hard one – Rejoicing in sorrow – {{2Corinthians 6:10 “as sorrowful yet always REJOICING; as poor yet making many rich; as having nothing yet possessing all things.”}} Rejoicing in sorrow is almost like a contradiction and is our opportunity only through the Holy Spirit’s enabling.
(10). Rejoicing is attached as a whole emphasis in finality, a continual emphasis – {{Philippians 3:1 – “Finally, my brethren, REJOICE in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” Phil 4:4 “REJOICE in the Lord always. Again I will say, REJOICE!”}} We do not rejoice in vain things but rejoice in everything connected with the Lord. He is the One worthy of our rejoicing.
(11). Rejoicing in sufferings – {{Colossians 1:24 “Now I REJOICE in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the Church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” 1Peter 4:13 “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on REJOICING so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may REJOICE with exultation.”}} There is only motivation for rejoicing in sufferings and that is what lies ahead in the presence of the Lord in heaven. Present sufferings can’t compare with what’s in store for us.
(12). Rejoicing through the greatest suffering, in the sure and certain hope and with the joy of seeing the glorious Lord - 1Peter 1:6 In this you greatly REJOICE, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 1Pet 1:7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1Pet 1:8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now but believe in Him, you greatly REJOICE with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”}} The joy Peter describes is not often ours I feel. Are we living on a lesser plain?
PART 3 – THE REAL CHALLENGE IN PRAYER
1Thessalonians 5:17 {{“Pray without ceasing.”}}
It does not mean continually like having no stop. It does mean having a prayerful attitude. Being in a mind of prayer. Let us say, “prayer-conscious people”. It is most likely that the success of a church is measured NOT by the number of people who attend a church concert or church lunch, or who turn out to hear some great, famous speaker, or who turn out to hear a visiting speaker, but by the number of church people found in the church prayer meeting.
When you look at the book of Acts, you are no sooner into the book when you read – {{Acts 1:14 “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”}}
A bit after this time, the day of Pentecost came and then we read of the believers – {{Acts 2:42 and they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”}}
How are we to pray? Well, we could answer, “in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit”, or we can say, “With one accord and one mind”. I have noted some of the mentions of prayer in the New Testament and here they are. May we be instructed by these to see the expanse of prayer:-
** We are to pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:44).
** Praying is not to get recognition as hypocrites do (Matthew 6:5).
** Prayer is a two way communication between our prayer and God (Matthew 6:6).
** We are not to use meaningless repetition when praying like some modern songs in church do (Matthew 6:7).
** Prayer can not be adulterated with greed and misuse (Matthew 21:13).
** Prayer is the absolute resort in deep distress (Matthew 26:39).
** Godly service is seen in prayer and fasting (Luke 2:37).
** Much prayer is necessary before life-changing decisions (Luke 6:12).
** Prayer, and losing heart, seem to be opposites – {{Luke 18:1 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.”}}
** Our weak prayers are helped through intercession by the Holy Spirit with deep groanings (Romans 8:26).
** We are to be devoted to prayer as much as to rejoicing in hope and persevering in tribulation (Romans 12:12).
** We must pray for fellow Christians that they may comprehend the whole blessings of God in their lives (Ephesians 1:18).
** In the Holy Spirit we must have all prayer and petition (Galatians 6:18).
Prayers can work miracles (Philippians 1:19).
** Not through anxiety, but through supplicatory prayer, let all requests be known to God (Philippians 4:6).
** We are to devote ourselves to prayer in remembering the outreach of the gospel (Colossians 4:2-3).
** Prayer can be perseverance (1Thessalonians 3:10).
** It is not wrong to pray for the rapid spread of the gospel (2Thessalonians 3:1).
** Prayer, petitions and thanksgivings are to be made on behalf of all men (1Timothy 2:1).
** Prayers for deliverance are correct (Philemon 1:22).
** James sets out the prayer of faith for the sick (James 5:14-15).
** The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous (1Peter 3:12).
Rejoice the Lord is king – hymn.
Rejoice in the Lord always - hymn
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
