1Th 5:14 -22 “14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.”

Lists! Paul loved lists. In this passage we see Paul’s list. He is like the parent who is in a hurry to leave, but has last minute instructions for her child. “Don’t forget to turn off the lights, take out the dog and empty the trash. Also, call us every night and if you have trouble, use the emergency numbers then get in touch with us…”

This list can be divided into two parts. The first part covers verses 14-15 and the second part verses 16-22. I am going to ask two questions that will lead us into the application of these passages.

First, are you a dot or a circle? A dot is someone who is only concerned about themselves. A circle is someone who reaches out to others.

Most of us are not dots, but our circles vary. We may connect with our families, but not much more. We may connect with family and friends, but that is the extent. We may reach out to family, friends, and our church community. Others find their circle taking them beyond family, friends and church to the community or world around them.

Paul wants the Christians in Thessalonica to be a circle. Notice in this list that he wants them to reach out to others in the church. He wants them to warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. This will require that they move out beyond themselves.

The second question is this. Are you a good apple or a bad apple? We know a good apple by what is inside it and a bad apple by what is also inside it. Paul turns from how we relate to others to the kind of people we are, our attitudes, our actions and our life as Christians. These are all focused on us. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.”

All of these traits are self-focused. We should be people of joy, praying continually, giving thanks, responding to the Holy Spirit, respecting the word of God, testing everything and holding on to the good and discarding the evil. This is what our life should be like.

Bill Gothard once said words to this effect. “If you want to broaden your ministry, broaden the inner man.” The quote may not be exact, but the thought is the same. Be what you should be and God will use you to reach out to the circle around you in a more effective way.

This is all for God’s glory.