1 Thessalonians 5:14-18. This is the last lesson in our series going through 1 Thessalonians. Rather than focusing on every verse to close out ch. 5, this lesson places all attention on those 5 verses. You could say today’s text is full of “rapid-fire, short impactful statements.”

How are we growing spiritually from year to year? There may be small, subtle changes in our spiritual growth, but if you take a look at our lives in chunks of 5-years at a time, how have we grown? One way to measure our spiritual growth is to examine ourselves with 1 These. 5:14-18.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (NRSV)

12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

25 Beloved, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers and sisters[h] with a holy kiss. 27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.