Ladies' Luncheon

1 Thessalonians 4-Part 4
Consequently, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for any one to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.
1 Thess. 4:8-10


LET IT GLOW


Last year, our church started having a ladies luncheon on a monthly basis, most months. In addition, we have  a secret sis exchange. I must say that this has increased our concern and showing love for each other. We send cards and give little gifts. The results is our getting more involved in one another's life, supporting each other, finding out prayer needs. It's not about the gifts at all. It has become quite an encouraging thing. Do you have such a ladies support group at your church? If not, you could start one.

Who taught the Thessalonians to love one another?
In verses 9-10, Paul said that the Thessalonians were showing brotherly love, a principle taught by God, which was so basic that he didn't need to direct them in this area. Their love was exhibited toward all the brethren, including those in Macedonia. It sounded like a commendation, doesn't it?

Did you catch the word love being used twice in verse 9?

According to Liberty Bible Commentary, the first mention, brotherly love, which is in the Greek using the word philadelphia. It is a love for the brethren on our level. The second phrase, love one another, uses the Greek word agapao, which is the highest form of love, and is shown by God. The phrase taught of God is one word in the original and implies that they should automatically know that God expects them to agapao one another.

Jesus told us this was the second greatest commandment, to love our neighbor as ourself (Matt. 22:29).
John told us in his first epistle, several times, to love the brethren. That's how others know we love God.
Jesus said that what we do to the least of these, we've done unto Him (Matt. 25:40).

The question is, do we, do I, love my brothers and sisters in Christ with God's love? If we all did, then squabbles would be eliminated, wouldn't they?


LET IT GROW

Let's look back at verse 8. Paul seems to ellude to what Jesus said in Luke 10:16 KJV, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."

Despise and reject translate the same Greek word. So when a person rejects what we say about the Word, as Paul said to not be unclean or immoral, they are actually rejecting God.

"To reject God's call to sexual purity isn't rejecting man, but God Himself, Who has given us His Holy Spirit.
Despite the petty ways we rationalize sexual immorality, we still reject God when we sin in this way," says David Guzik.

John Wesley said, "God gives His Holy Spirit to convince you of the truth, and to enable you to be holy."

"The Holy Spirit is given to us to arm us against immoral sins and to help us to mortify these deeds in the body, stated Matthew Henry.

Our uncleanness and unrepentative heart grieves the Holy Spirit. Thus He withdraws from us as sin seperates. I don't want to despise or reject God's Word or His Holy Spirit.

LET IT GO

Love God and love others.

Don't reject God's Word and Holy Spirit.

Be sexually pure, even after marriage.

Guard my thoughts.