Churches don’t drift toward unity — they drift away from it. And drift happens fast when we stop thinking about our mission.
Paul knew this when he wrote to the Thessalonians. In chapter 5 of his first letter, he transitioned from eschatology to something much more practical: how the household of God actually behaves on a Sunday morning. His concern wasn’t whether they understood the end times — it was whether they were living out the mission of the local church together.
God’s mission for the local church is plain: we are a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). We lift up the truth so the world can see it. We defend the truth by living it. And a huge part of living that truth is how we treat each other within the church walls.
That’s exactly what Paul addresses in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22. And his answer to the question “how do we stay on mission together?” has three concrete answers.
1. We Stay on Mission with Our Thoughts
Verse 13 says to respect those who labor among you and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Notice the word choice — respect and esteem. These are not natural responses. They require intention.
The Greek word for “respect” (eidos) means to perceive, to notice, to discover someone. And the best way to respect someone is to know them. Not just know their name — know their story. Understand their situation. Pray for them specifically. That only happens through relationship, not casual observation from the pew on Sunday morning.
2. We Stay on Mission with Unity of Purpose
3. We Stay on Mission with Involvement in Each Other’s Lives
- Admonish the idle. Not as punishment, but as restoration. The word pictures someone gently coming alongside someone who is undisciplined or headed the wrong direction and saying, “Here’s the right path.”
- Encourage the faint-hearted. When someone is carrying a heavy burden, the church is supposed to be the place where they hear: “You’re not alone. I’m here with you.”
- Help the weak. Serve without agenda. Support without keeping score.
Putting It Together
Scripture References
- 1 Timothy 3:15 — The Church as Pillar and Buttress of Truth
- John 17:20-23 — Jesus Prays for Unity
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 — How the Household of God Behaves
- Galatians 6:2 — Bear One Another’s Burdens
Message from Grace Bible Church of Phoenix | August 11, 2024