God gave us the Bible so that we can make a reason-based decision to have faith in Jesus. He does not expect us believe based "on spiritual apprehension rather than proof." The Good News is backed by evidence, based on reasonable faith, and is free of charge.

As Paul went around telling people the Good News, he made every effort to not invalidate his message by his behavior. He modeled these ten key elements of serving love. Serving love is counter-intuitive, based on the Good News, has integrity, is supremely valuable, and is also a "means of grace."

As we learn to love one another as Jesus loved us, we become a self-giving community of people who love each other under God's leadership.

Even secular studies confirm that God's standard for sexual integrity is the best way to go. The cultural beliefs about sex and marriage are overwhelmingly refuted by research data. The biblical path leads to a God-centered marriage where sexual love is reserved for marriage, where both spouses are growing toward God first , then toward each other.

The Bible affirms that the afterlife is real and Jesus is proof of it. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the source of our great hope, which the world does not have. If you do not have that same hope, why not ask God to reveal this truth to you?

Never before in the history of the world have the conditions for the Great Tribulation been visible as they are in our time. Almost all of the signs God has given to us in His Word regarding the preconditions for the end of days are now upon us. Israel has been regathered from the ends of the earth to their own country. The world populations has grown exponentially. We live in a time of amazing technology, moral anarchy and famine/pestilence. But those who have placed their faith in Jesus will not be destined for the wrath to come upon the whole earth. God will rescue those who are His.

The first key to good body life is to have the proper attitude towards leaders. Leaders are called by God to serve the Body. As members of the Body, we are to called to respect them and be inclined to follow their leadership, and live peaceably with each other.

In this passage of 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives five of eleven imperatives for effective body life. (The first imperative was covered in the previous teaching) Here, he urges all to warn the lazy, encourage the fainthearted, care for the weak, have patience, and practice grace toward everyone. A community that practices these things will grow spiritually and be a compelling witness to the world of God's love and transformative power.

Dennis finishes up 1 Thessalonians 5 with the remaining imperatives of effective body life. He calls all Christians to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks, not quench the Spirit, and have discernment on spiritual matters. It is not up to us to muster the ability to do these things, but for us to depend upon God to bring it to pass.