In his letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians, the Apostle Paul discusses the role of singing in worship,
instructing his readers to sing not only to the Lord but also to “one another” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Well this morning, in several of the hymns we sing, we are actually singing to each other. In O Put Your Trust In God, we encourage each other to commit our ways to God and carry on in “duty’s path,” that all our daily work would be done in His strength. Likewise, in If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee, we remind ourselves to sing, pray, and keep His ways without wavering. Even the psalms we sing this morning, Alleluia! How Blest The Man (Psalm 112) and Blest Is The Man (Psalm 32), are a mutual encouragement to live righteously, taking the daily walk of the righteous man as an example. As we sing, we are following the instructions that Paul gives to the Thessalonians in today’s sermon text, to “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak” (5:14). Lines like “May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe, looking only unto Jesus as I onward go” should be an admonishment and help for us all. For those who may be idle, fainthearted, or weak, I pray that each word we sing to one another this morning is an encouragement. —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Ask, Urge, One Another, Sanctify, Faithful, Grace
Keystone Verse: He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among
yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 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 prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; He
will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.