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Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8
Listen: 1 Thessalonians 4

And that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 1 Thessalonians 4:6

Even in a challenging discussion about purity and sexuality, Paul calls these believers to a high standard. As believers in Jesus, they are part of God’s family. Their relationships with each other are to look different now. Paul tells them to treat each other as brothers and sisters. Their community must look different than the culture around them. This means instead of looking at someone for what they can do for you, they look at them as a brother or sister in Christ. When people look at their church, they should see a different level of care, honor and respect than what they otherwise experience.

People today should see the same thing when they look at us. As followers of Jesus, we are to treat each other as family. When someone who is hurting and looking for hope interacts with our church community, they should find something different than what they experience elsewhere. Are we different, or are we as messed up as the world they are trying to flee? We should open our doors to those who need hope, welcoming them without endorsing destructive behavior. We are to love them as we share God’s best for them through the gospel. Jesus offers forgiveness, rescue and a new way to live. Our behavior either opens or closes the door to this message.

TODAY: Watch as Ada Bible Worship sings, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” Use the lyrics as the basis for a prayer of gratitude for the love Jesus offers that allows us to live well with each other as a witness to the world.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Ezra 7-8. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Observe Ezra’s devotion to God’s Word. Think about how Jesus is the living Word of God (John 1:1,14).