Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-28

Daily Duties

Intro.

1. There is a daily life to be lived by the Christian, Eph. 2:10; 4:1.

a. It is a life of faith, a life of devotion, a life of duty, a life of service, a life of giving, a life of growing…

b. Our conduct is to always to worthy of the gospel, Phil. 1:27.

2. We have daily duties in Christ – (cf. 1 Ths. 5:14-28).

3. Consider some of the “daily duties” found in the Bible.

I. GATHER THE MANNA DAILY – Exo. 16:2-4.

A. Daily Labor – 1 Ths. 4:9-12 (Eph. 4:28); Prov. 14:23.

1. Ground cursed, man blessed when he works it – Gen. 3:17-19; Eccl. 2:24; 3:12-13; 5:18; cf. Prov. 19:15.

a. Teaches us to depend on God – Acts 14:17 (cf. Exo. 16:19-20, 23-24) (Matt. 6:11).

b. Teaches us to be thankful to God – Psa. 65:9-10 (1 Tim. 4:4-5).

c. Teaches us to be diligent – Exo. 16:21; Prov. 19:15.

2. Laziness condemned by God (cf. Matt. 25:26).

II. DAILY READING OF THE WORD – Neh. 8:18; cf. 1 Ths. 5:27 (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:14-15).

A. Do Not Quench the Spirit – 1 Ths. 5:19.

1. God’s way of touching our lives is via His word, Jno. 16:8; 17:17.

2. Quench: Extinguish; metaph. to “suppress, stifle”.

a. By ungodly, unrighteous living – Rom. 1:18 (such will not be going to God’s word for truth, wisdom, guidance).

b. By indulging the flesh – Gal. 5:16-18 – Led by the Spirit through the word of God He revealed, inspired & confirmed.

B. Do Not Despise Prophecies – 1 Ths. 5:20.

1. “To make of no account, despise utterly;” consider nothing; hold in contempt.

2. Inspired pronouncements from God (cf. 1 Cor. 14:37).

3. Contains edification, exhortation & comfort – 1 Cor. 14:3-4.

4. Despised when we ignore, belittle, disobey, twist, etc.

III. PERFORM YOUR VOWS DAILY – Psa. 61:8.

A. A Vow Made Before God Obligates Man – Num. 30:2.

1. To be honesty in making it & keeping it.

2. We are to be people of our word – Matt. 5:37 (honesty).

B. Vows are made before God & are to be kept with Thanksgiving – 1 Ths. 5:16, 18, 23 (not with burdensome grief).

C. The Vow of Marriage – Mal. 2:14, 16; Matt. 19:4-6.

1. Husbands, love & serve your wives (Eph. 5:25; cf. Mk. 9:35).

2. Wives, love & submit to your husbands (Tit. 2:4; Eph. 5:22).

3. Maintain moral purity (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5).

IV. DAILY PRAYER – Psa. 88:9 (86:3); 1 Ths. 5:17, 25.

A. Expressions of Faith & Trust in God – 1 Jno. 5:14-15.

1. For ourselves – Phil. 4:6-7 (Matt. 6:11).

2. For others – 1 Ths. 1:2; 3:10 (Eph. 6:18-19).

B. Set the Habit for your Own Life – cf. Dan. 6:10.

V. DAILY WATCHFULNESS – Prov. 8:34; 1 Ths. 5:21, 6.

A. Watch for what is Right & for what is Sin – 1 Jno. 4:1 (Col. 3:17).

1. Be watchful in good things – Phil. 4:8 (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

2. Be watchful against evil things – 1 Pet. 5:8.

VI. DAILY CROSS-BEARING – Lk. 9:23; 1 Ths. 5:22.

A. Sacrifice (forego, surrender, forfeit) Self – Phil. 3:7-8 (Gal. 2:20).

B. Spiritual, Eternal Rewards – Matt. 19:27-29.

VII. DAILY EXHORTATION – Heb. 3:13; 1 Ths. 5:14-15, 26.

A. Always Pursue what is Good for Yourselves & for All (5:15).

1. Exhort: come along side, strengthen by encouraging, etc.

2. Warn: Admonish of sin’s dangers.

3. Comfort: Console (show the incentives of righteousness) to the fainthearted (feeble-minded); the quitter.

4. Uphold: Support (by paying attention to) the weak, lest being exposed to temptations they yield & are lost.

5. Patient (longsuffering): Patiently endure toward all.

Conclusion

1. Meet the challenges of our daily duties & we will daily live in grace of God – 1 Ths. 5:28.

2. Meet your duty today: Become a Christian / restored to Christ.