11th Sunday after Pentecost - August 21st, 2022
"Let's Keep Talking" - 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-24
Let it be known that “we are where our conversations have brought us today. We will be tomorrow where our conversations take us.” So, let’s keep talking! Because it’s easy to think that (as individuals) we haven’t got the influence to make a change or something of value to offer… so let us appreciate the worth of our ideas and the impact of our input. Let us be patient and steady when there is a loud voice in the room, and let us be of good courage and know that we are loved.
Let us not underappreciate the impact of fellowship among believers and small conversations. What seem like “trivial things” (Fellowship and Small Conversations) have the propensity to shape big ideas. Staying connected through fellowship and talking to each other is a small action; however, together, it does have an impact that propels the kingdom of God.
In chapter VIII (“Change your world, by John Maxwell” Page 176) and in our scripture for exploration (1 Thessalonians 5: 12-24), both authors want us to pay attention to:
Those inviting us to the table,
Urging us to be weary of laziness
Encourage those who are timid
Take care of those who are weak, and
Be patient with everyone, including ourselves (without indulging in laziness)
In addition, both authors are calling us to:
See that no one pays evil with evil, but always try to do good to all people
Always be joyful
Never stop praying
Be thankful in all circumstances
Do not stifle or restrain the power of the holy spirit
Do not scoff or brush off prophecies
Test everything that is said and taught
Hold on to what is good, and stay away from every kind of evil
I know all this sounds like a daunting task… an easier-than-said message. So, let me simplify it for the sake of practice. Life on the side of “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 – “That is where we find abundance and opportunity. It’s where I become a better and bigger self. The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity. So let us say yes whenever we can,” because we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us.
How we see things determines how we say things, and how we say things always influences—and often determines—how they turn out.
Living on the side of Yes; on the side of I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength, means that: you believe in the possibilities, have hope in Christ (not on your own strength), and choose (YOU CHOOSE) to speak positively because your hope is out of this world.
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