Living in Peace (Part 2)
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
Pastor Jerry Koller

There are four groups of people that are addressed in verse 14:
· the unruly,
· the fainthearted,
· the weak,
· and everyone.

Paul urges the brethren to respond to these four groups in different ways. Interacting with people in the manners he is urging will help them...

Paul urges the saints to admonish the unruly.

The word “admonish” includes warning with the intention of correcting behavior or beliefs. It carries with it the idea of a gentle but firm guidance in order to bring about positive change.
· The overall goal of their admonition is to nurture spiritual growth and maturity.

The word “unruly” has to do with slack in performance of duty.
· It also has to do with not adhering to established rules or norms.
· The NIV translates this word as “idle.”
· In 2 Thess.3:6-12, we find the word “idle” mentioned 3 times.

The second group that is mentioned in verse 14 are the fainthearted.
· They were to come alongside with helpful instruction and insight.
· They were to comfort the timid.
· They were to console them—to give them moral and emotional strength.

The third group mentioned are the weak.
· “Weak” can be a reference to those who were physically weak, a reference to those who were morally or spiritually weak, and it can refer to those who were lacking the power or ability to perform certain actions or uphold certain standards.

The fourth group is called everyone.

Patience means to endure.
· It carries with it the idea of being long-suffering.
· It includes the idea of enduring during times, or a willingness to endure, hardships without retaliation.
· It includes restraining from anger, especially when provoked.
· It includes being slow to anger and slow to punish.

Patience is an essential element when it comes to living in peace with each other. It is also essential to carry out the admonition found in verse 15: See (or take care) that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. (1 Thess. 5:15)
· The word “see” means see to it, to “take care,” to “make sure.”
Evil is that which is morally or ethically wrong, or harmful.
· Evil can be described as that which causes physical harm, destruction, or misfortune.

· Seek means to pursue, to chase after.
· The word translated “good” has to do with what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God.
· It has to do with what is virtuous and beneficial, especially to others.

· Louann Pranger (Tracy Marshall's mom) continues to recover from a C Diff infection. The new antibiotic is working and she is feeling better. She is still really weak, not eating much, but is on the mend. Please continue to keep her in prayer and especially that she doesn't get it again as it is very easy to get reinfected.
· Derrick (grandson of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) is recovering from a stroke.
· Vasha Ferguson is recovering from parathyroid surgery.
· Curt Bales is admitted to Caretel Inns St. Joseph rehab center as he recovers from a broken knee. Visits, cards and calls (269-214-8023) are encouraged. The address is 3905 Lorraine Path, St. Joseph MI 49085.
· Miriam Bryant is having difficulty with both of her hands being numb, tingly, and extremely painful. Please pray that her doctor can find something to help alleviate the discomfort.
· Vincent Bryant (Miriam's son) is traveling back and forth to Grand Rapids as he is being evaluated for a kidney transplant. Please pray for safety and that he will be approved for a procedure soon. He's been on the transplant list for several years.
· Jeremy Price is scheduled for surgery at U of M Hospital on 3/18 for a spinal infusion and adding a cage to the L5S1 joint in his spine. Pray that surgery is successful, and his pain will be alleviated.
· Beth Bocock continues to recover from ulcerative colitis.
· Cam (18 yar-old son of Tracy Marshall’s co-worker) has mosaic trisomy 3, is having seizures, and a brain tumor was discovered, but they don’t think the two are related so he continues testing.
· Linda Newell · is recovering from surgery for a herniated disc in her lower back.
· Judy Jones (wife of Pastor Grady Jones/friend of Pastor Jerry) is recovering from a successful surgery and doctors believe they removed all of the cancer. She is waiting for biopsy results to decide how to proceed with treatment.
· Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com