A few years back I went to a mosque. I went as part of a comparative religions class. And so, there were a number of us Christians there - feeling very out of place - standing in the back watching what was going on. At one point we were surrounded by a number of Muslims - all intent on sharing their faith and converting us. It was an interesting discussion. I cannot forget the comment of one Muslim. He said, “I would believe in Christianity if it wasn’t for the conduct of Christians.”

I read this recently, “The most important thing in learning to relate to others is personal honesty. Once you learn to fake that everything else is easy.” Our conduct as Christians cannot be fake because it comes from our hearts. Fake it and in time it becomes obvious. In time it becomes a disaster in people’s lives.

This morning we want to look at our conduct as Christians - victorious conduct that will touch our world for Christ. Please turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24. In his closing instructions to the Thessalonian church, Paul gives us 3 short, concise, uncomplicated truths of how we are to conduct ourselves - living differently - in our homes - offices - in the church - wherever we are called.

First, Paul begins with OUR CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS - specifically in the Church. In verses 12 and 13 he focuses on our conduct towards those who are over us in the Church - those we look up to.

1 Thessalonians 5:12: “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another”

Paul had come to Thessalonica during his second missionary trip. He’d stayed in Thessalonica about 3 weeks before he was forced out of town by a mob. During those 3 weeks - Paul preached the Gospel and many came to salvation. He taught the basic doctrines of our faith - discipled and trained the believers - grounded them in their faith. Imagine, in 3 weeks - starting from nothing - Paul established a dynamic church which was an example to Christians then and even now. (Acts 17:1-10)

Which also means - and its important to see this - that most of the Thessalonians had come to salvation at about the same time.

We know that when we come to salvation in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit gives each of us certain gifts to use in the church. The Holy Spirit working within us calls some to be pastors - some to be teachers - and so on - positions of more noticeable service and leadership. Some the Spirit calls to serve in giving - others to serve with the gift of mercy - and so on - positions of behind the scenes service. All according to the working of the Holy Spirit.

So, now - there in the Thessalonian church - some were saying, “I knew so-and-so before he was saved. And, we got saved at the same time. So, who does he think he is trying to teach me?”

We have this problem today in many churches. The Holy Spirit’s gifting and calling of pastors - teachers - church leadership are recognized but not respected. After all, these leaders are people just like us - with the same struggles and imperfections.

Yet, we need to teachable - to listen and allow God to change our hearts. We can’t discount the message because of the messenger.

Paul writes that those who are leading - preaching and teaching God’s word - need to have the attention - the respect - of the listeners because God has put them in a position over us. They’re working hard - unselfishly laboring in love - so, “esteem them” - appreciate them for what they’re doing.

Then Paul writes, “Live in peace with one another.” There’s an Armenian proverb which goes something like, “If everyone is a prince who will turn the mill?” Partnership in the church works - there’s peace in the church - when each of us - in humility before God - pays attention to our own responsibilities before God and we strive to bring all these together in service to God.

Then, going on with our conduct towards others, in verses 14 and 15, Paul focuses on our conduct towards those under us in the Church - those we’re tempted to look down on.

Verse 14: “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

The great preacher/evangelist Dwight L. Moody, speaking about Moses said, “In the first forty years in Egypt Moses learned to be Somebody. In the second forty years in the wilderness, he learned to be Nobody. In the third forty years, he learned what God can do with Somebody who is willing to be a Nobody.”

Looking at how God works in peoples lives - even looking at our own lives - each of us is a work of God in progress. That’s why Paul says, towards these people, “be patient.”

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1:15, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus, came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

“The unruly” are the undisciplined who never seem to be able to get their lives in order.

“The fainthearted” are those who lack courage - the timid and afraid. Their lives seem to go from one crisis to another. They’re always coming up against mountains too high to climb.

“The weak” are people dominated by something - addictions - habits - spouses - any one of a number of things. They’re too weak to be victorious over these things.

With patience - aware that we wouldn’t be here if God hadn’t put us here - these are the people we are to lovingly admonish, encourage, help - as together we learn to be who God has called us to be.

Verse 15: “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

Our society says: "Do unto others before they do unto you. Do unto others because of what they do unto you."

Paul writes: Do good to those who do evil unto you. That’s radical. But, life transforming - ours and others. Whether we experience jealousy or outrage towards those over us - or irritation and interference from those we’re tempted to look down on - be patient - respond in humility - don’t retaliate - seek what is good for each other.

Second truth about conduct - in verses 16 to 18 Paul writes about OUR CONDUCT TOWARDS GOD.

Verse 16: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

All week long I talk with people who are under tremendous pressure. Struggles in marriage - at work - illness - death and on and on. Recently I had a phone call from a distraught father because he thought his son had committed suicide. Would I go and find out if his son was still alive? Our society is filled with despair and gloom and people who have come to the end.

I’m convinced - looking no farther than my own life - and in talking with so many others - that the only way to live victorious in all of this is to stay focused on God-centered in His will. Our hearts need to be in tune with His.

That’s what verses 16 to 18 focus on. 3 quick commands that focus our hearts - and so our conduct - focus our lives on God:

Verse 16: “Rejoice always”

There are over 230 times where the Bible encourages us to rejoice. The majority of this rejoicing is over the work of God in the lives of His people.

Rejoice! Lift up your heart knowing that God - even in the midst of the worst circumstances we may find ourselves - cares about us so deeply - that He’s already died on the cross showing His love for us - triumphed over the worst of this world - has authority over it - and will be with us through any circumstance that we could possibly go through.

Second command - verse 17: “Pray constantly”

There was a church sign that had these words on it, “If your knees are shaking, kneel on them.” Under pressure and in trouble - be prayerful. Lean on God for the strength we need. Pour out your heart to Him. He’s listening.

Third command - verse 18: “Give thanks in all circumstances”

Paul had everything going for him. By birth, by education, by citizenship he had the best of both the Jewish world and the Roman world. Then God called him and he gave it all up to follow Jesus Christ. Which meant incredible persecution and suffering. The worst of circumstances. Through which God used Paul to change the world.

Paul writes in Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” God turns what is meant for evil into good. When we give thanks we claim this truth. We put our hearts where God can bring good in us and through us - even when we don’t see it.

“This is God’s will for you.” God wants us to rejoice - to pray - to give thanks - to keep our hearts focused on Him. Conduct that is life transforming - ours and others.

Paul’s third area of conduct is in verse 19 to 22 - OUR CONDUCT TOWARDS THE WORKING OF GOD.

Verse 19: “Do not quench the Spirit”

The Apostle Peter had been staying in Joppa at the home of Simon. One day, around noon - Peter goes up onto the roof of the house to pray. While there Peter - in a vision - looks up and sees the sky opened up and a large sheet coming down - lowered right down in front of Peter. On this sheet are all kinds of four footed animals - crawling creatures - and birds. Wildlife that would be unclean. No Jew would ever eat these.

A voice says to Peter, “Get up. Kill and eat!” Peter says, “No, its unclean. I can’t.” The voice says, “What God has cleaned, no longer consider unholy.” This command - this conversation - is repeated 3 times. Then the sheet is taken back up into the sky.

While Peter is bewildered - trying to figure out what all this means - a knock comes on the door. The Holy Spirit says to Peter, “There are three men downstairs looking for you. Go with them.” So, Peter goes downstairs and goes with the men.

They take Peter all the way to Caesarea to the home of Cornelius - a gentile who is seeking salvation. Cornelius tells Peter, “Four days ago I was praying and a man appeared to me telling me that my prayers had been heard. He told me to send to Joppa for you. So, tell us. How can we be saved?”

Imagine Peter’s confusion. A Jew - now in the home of an unclean gentile - asked to share the Gospel. But, clearly God is working. Peter obeys God. He begins by saying, “Now I understand. God is not one to show partiality.” For Peter its a new understanding of a truth found throughout the Old Testament. God desires for all to come to salvation - not just the Jews.

Peter shares the Gospel. Cornelius and his household trust in Jesus as their Savior. Its the beginning of God’s calling of the gentiles - and us - to Himself. (Acts 10)

Sometimes God does things that go against every grain of our understanding of things. Different and uncomfortable for us. But, we’re not to quench - get in the way of - what the Holy Spirit is doing.

God works in waves. Have you ever watched a surfer on the ocean? Waiting patiently. Timing the waves. Paddling to catch the wave. Riding the wave. God sends waves - powerful movements of His Spirit. We need to be alert - ready to ride what God sends to us.

When we quench the Spirit - we miss the wave. We miss the blessing. The joy and privilege of being a part of God’s work. Being carried forward in ways that would never have occurred to us. Being used by Him in the transformation of lives - ours and others.

Paul writes - verse 20, “Do not despise the prophetic utterances.” That is, don’t look down on the teaching of the word of God. “But examine everything carefully.” There are a lot of wacko ideas out there being presented in the name of God. Don’t be taken in.

The Spirit of God will never contradict the word of God. He will always operate in conjunction with the truth He has declared to us. That’s why its important to “not despise the prophetic utterances” - the word of God. Study God’s word. Know God’s word. Examine everything in the light of God’s word. And so, Paul writes, “Hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

Finally, Paul’s benediction - verses 23 and 24 - the promise of God’s victory in our lives. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

In the past several weeks we’ve been looking at the Church Victorious - how we as a church - and as individuals can live victorious Christian lives. We seen that we can be victorious in salvation, in mission, in the word, in prayer, in pleasing God, in death, in judgment, and today, victorious in conduct.