Church: Be Healthy & Ready

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 ESV

How can we be a healthy church who’s ready for

1. We must have

Reveal Answer

pastors/elders. vv.12-13
a. Leaders are to

in the lives of the congregation
- by engaging as Christlike, faithful

- by providing

for the congregation’s good
- by

instructing, warning, and correcting
b. In response, Christians are to sincerely “

” their leaders
c. Healthy pastors often shepherd

churches

2. We must patiently help all the needy among us. v.14
a. The idle (

) need training and accountability.
b. The fainthearted (

) need comforted and spurred on.
c. The weak (

) need strength to stand.

3. We must choose good in all circumstances. v.15
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom.12:21

4. We must be positioned to thrive in Christ. vv.16-18
Be glad, pray continually, and let gratitude

through you.

“To rejoice always is to see the hand of God in whatever is happening and to remain

Reveal Answer

of God’s future salvation. Without such conviction joy would not be possible in the face of affliction, suffering, and death.” Charles A. Wanamaker

5. We can’t afford to

Reveal Answer

the Spirit’s fire. vv.19-22
Healthy churches know the importance of the Holy Spirit to bring us to saving faith,

us of sin, and

us for service.

*Conclusion: We must be ready when Christ returns! vv.23-*28
May we be a

by faith, love, and hope. 1:3, 5:8-9