1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 — THE LAST DAY OF THESSMAS!

READ THIS: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

These last words of 1 Thessalonians are Paul’s final charge to the people there. His big request to them is to avoid quenching the Spirit! The Holy Spirit is sometimes described as a fire, and that description makes sense since it literally appeared that way in Acts 2. But, like any fire, we can do things that can quench the Spirit if we aren’t careful. This can be things like not being on guard when people teach false things, letting go of the good things God gives us, or allowing evil into our hearts and lives.

After this charge to the Thessalonians, Paul blesses them, kind of like a benediction you could hear on a Sunday morning. He asks that God will continue to give them peace, grow their faith, and make them look more and more like Jesus until He comes back. He also reminds them that God is faithful and answers prayers, then he ultimately asks them to pray for Him and to welcome any believer the way they would greet a close friend or family member. Christians are called to be a community that stays unified no matter what, and that happens through prayer and a heart ready to welcome anyone in.

Lastly, Paul charges the people one last time. He says that this letter must be read to all the people of the Church there… but why? I think Paul wanted to remind the people two things: no one is too good to receive the message of Jesus, and no one is too bad to receive the message of Jesus! Paul wanted to make sure everyone in the Church was going to hear the good news as well as the charge by God to look more like Jesus!

Can you believe it?! Another book already knocked out! Join us tomorrow as we start a new book!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What is something in your life that can quench the fire of the Spirit? How can you learn to let those things go?

2. Why do you think it’s important that everyone hears the good news? Who can it be hard to share the good news with?

TRY THIS:

What is your favorite thing you learned from the 12 Days of Thessmas?! Share it in the comments!

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