How God’s Peace and Faithfulness Impact the Christian’s Life

Introduction

Charles Simeon was a man who wouldn’t give up. In 1783, he was made pastor of a prominent church in England. Some of the wealthy members of the congregation opposed his desire to reach the world with the gospel. This was in the era when many denominations required that people rent pews. Disgusted with Simeon's desire to preach the gospel, many of the members locked their pew boxes so no one could borrow their seats and refused to attend services. When he tried to put benches in the aisles, the church wardens wouldn’t hear of it. This created an awkward situation – the seats were empty, but those who attended were required to sit or stand in the aisles. Despite the opposition, Simeon continued to preach the gospel. And the church grew. Because of his faithfulness, he trained hundreds of faithful gospel witnesses. This is a little picture of God’s faithfulness in a Christian’s life. As 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 says, when He begins the work of salvation, He is going to finish it. Are you locking your heart against Him, or are you working with Him as He makes you more like the Lord Jesus? Study this passage to understand how God’s character impacts the Christian’s life.

Observation

Pray

Before reading and studying today's passage, ask God, who wrote it, to help you understand it and to show you how He wants to change your life through it today.

Read Focus Verses

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 and notice how this wonderful book closes.

Context

The Bible builds on and explains itself. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 to understand what leads up to today's passage.

God's Character

What aspect of God's character is emphasized in verse 23?

God's Role

What two things does Paul ask God to do for these believers in verse 23?

Time Line

What event marks the completion of Paul's request?

Confidence

In verse 24, what gives Paul confidence that His prayer will be answered?

God's Character 2

What aspect of God's character is emphasized in verse 24?

A Request

What request do Paul and his co-authors make in verse 25?

An Instruction

What instruction is given in verse 26?

Who?

Who is to be specifically greeted in verse 26?

A Charge

What charge is given in verse 27?

A Final Prayer

What is the final prayer of this book?

Keyword - God's Character

Marking the two characteristics of God that are mentioned in this passage will help them stand out to you.

God

Mark the two words that describe God, peace, and faithful in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28.

Broader Context

If you have an extra minute, consider listening to the book of 1 Thessalonians. It will give you a fuller picture of what is being summarized in these verses.

Interpretation

God of Peace

God is referred to as the God of peace many times in Scripture. Looking at these passages helps us better understand what God means when He refers to Himself as the God of peace. Notice how similar the prayer to God as the God of peace in Hebrews 13:20-21 is to today's passage.

At Peace with Whom

Romans 16:20 shows that the God of peace has an enemy He will destroy.

Bringing Peace

Romans 5:1-9 tells us how a person can go from being God's enemy to being at peace with God.

In Your Words

What do these passages tell you about the God of peace?

Why Peace?

Why does Paul especially point out that God is the God of peace in His request in verse 23 of today's passage?

God's Will

In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 we see that it is God's will for His people that they are sanctified and part of what that looks like.

Whose Job?

In Leviticus 20:7-8 we see that a believer's sanctification is their own responsibility, but it is also God's responsibility.

Sanctify

Take a moment to consider the definition of the word translated sanctify.

In Your Words

What does it mean to be sanctified, and why is it both your responsibility and God's responsibility?

Establishing You

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 explains part of the way the Lord preserves His people blameless.

Obey

Philippians 2:12-16 explains more of what this looks like.

He Is Able

It is clear from these verses that Christians have responsibility to live blameless lives. Jude 1:24-25 tells us who is powerful enough to do the work.

Blameless

There are two ways a Christian is blameless - the first is in their standing before God they are perfect in the perfect righteousness of Christ which never changes - the second is their life on earth which must be perfect as God is perfect to reflect God's character to the people around them. How do these two positions work together in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?

Inside and Out

Why is this verse so specific that God desires our inside- soul and spirit- and outside- body- to be set apart wholly for God?

Where God Looks

In 1 Samuel 16:7 God tells Samuel that He looks not as people look on the outward appearance, but on the heart.

Avoid Appearance of Evil

1 Thessalonians 5:22 expands on our understanding of this verse.

Full Understanding

When you understand 1 Samuel 16:7 in context of 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23, can 1 Samuel 16:7 mean that God doesn't care what the outward appearance looks like as long as the heart is right?

The Heart

Proverbs 4:23 helps us explain why.

The Heart and the Outside

Based on what Proverbs says about the heart controlling the outside, use Scripture to explain why, when God says He looks at the heart, it doesn't mean He doesn't care about the outward appearance.

Until Then

Perhaps it seems strange that Paul prays for God to keep His people blameless until Jesus Christ returns. 1 John 3:2 explains.

Glorified

This video explains why after Jesus returns Christians will be perfect and won't need to be sanctified any more.

God is Faithful

God's faithfulness is highlighted so many times in Scripture. Read what He says about it in Deuteronomy 7:9-8.

God's Faithfulness

In Lamentations 3:22-23 we read the lines about God's faithfulness that inspired the beautiful hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

Faithful to Save

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 is very similar to today's passage and also relates God's faithfulness to salvation.

He Who Began

Philippians 1:3-7 relates God's faithfulness to the surety of salvation. Notice especially verse 6.

In Your Words

Why is God's faithfulness as it relates to His work of salvation so important to the Christian?

Why?

In 2 Corinthians 1:11, Paul explains why he so often asks Christians to pray for him.

In Your Words

What reason does Paul give in 2 Corinthians 1:11 for asking people to pray for him?

Why Pray?

Many people wonder, if God is in control of everything, why does He want us to pray? How could you use what 2 Corinthians 1:11 teaches us about God wanting us to pray so that we will praise and thank Him when He answers to help you answer that question?

Greet

Take a moment to look at the warmth implied in the word translated greet in verse 26.

All

Why do you think God specifically uses the word all in verse 26?

Share

In Colossians 4:16 Paul similarly instructs the church to have other Christians read it. Some of the books like Galatians and James were written to multiple churches.

For Others Also

How does knowing that even the human authors of these books understood that they were for a broader audience impact our doctrine of (belief about) the Word of God?

Benediction

All of Paul's Epistles (letters) in the Bible close with a request for God's grace to be with the believers he wrote to. Notice the first one in Romans 16:24

Opening

Many of Paul's Epistles also open with this blessing of grace. Notice this in 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Grace

God's grace is when He gives us good things through Jesus Christ that we don't deserve. This webpage explains God's grace briefly.

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In Your Words

Why does Paul open and close this letter (and the others) with a prayer for God's grace to be with these Christians?

Amen

The book closes with a single affirmation - Amen. God is affirming the truth of all that He has said in this book and invites us to join His affirmation - Amen! Take a brief look at this little word.

Application

Sanctification

If you are a Christian, are you trusting the Lord to finish the work He's begun in your life? Are you living a pure and holy life as He desires? How does God want you to trust and obey more today?

Prayer

Are you praying for other Christians and thanking God for the answers? How does God want you to grow in this area?

Scripture

Do you believe that the Lord is pleased with the way you are reading and prioritizing His Word? Are there things that need to change in your life to make room for God's Word?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has helped you understand how God's faithfulness and peace give a Christian hope, and has challenged you to work with Him in your sanctification.

Feedback

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