The church has the choice to be involved in what God is doing. Love motivates people to do so, and joy is the result! Together, the church gets to grow in hope with each other for heaven. The logic of this grace follows a pattern: faith (putting trust in God and beginning a relationship with Christ), hope (growing an eternal perspective), and love (learning the joy of giving your life away to others).

Serving love has many roles and and benefits. It involves sharing the good news without deception, selfishness, or manipulation. Serving love is not flattery or for profit or glory. It is nurturing and personal. This is where the root of discipleship relationships is found.

Serving love creates certain dynamics in the life of the church. Paul demonstrates being caught up in the lives of other people at the deepest level, being focused on giving to the other person. Contrast this to other relational dynamics in the world, such as codependency and tribalism.

We contrast two views of sexuality: God's view and our culture's view. We examine the devastating effects of living outside of God's design in this area: a deep emptiness and deteriorating enjoyment of sex. On the other hand, we can experience renewed liberation and a deepening appreciation of sex when we live out God's design for sex. In a God-centered relationship, as we begin to deepen our dependence on God and draw power from Him, we also grow closer to our partner.

Paul contrasts depression and the fear of death with the hope believers have in Christ's resurrection. Death for people who have put their faith in Christ will look much different than the picture many people fear. God has established clues for when the entire planet will reach an end, so believers have evidence that there is an urgency to telling other people about God.

Just like other organizations, a body of Christ/church must have leadership. Though unlike worldly leaders, godly leaders are long-term servants of God who have been recognized as such (not ?made?). Leaders are called by God to serve, provide for the church's needs, protect the members, and supply direction/vision for the church. Leaders are to be involved deeply in peoples' lives; prayerful; and accountable to Scripture and to their co-leaders. The members of the body of Christ are called to live in peace with one another; this entails respecting the church's leaders, who work hard to serve the church.\r\n\r\n

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 we cover five more aspects of ministry that are imperative for a body of Christ to be effective: 1) encourage one another; 2) admonish one another; 3) care for the weak; 4) exercise patience with one another; and 5) continue to show God's grace to each another. A community rich in those traits will thrive: members will grow spiritually and feel an extraordinary sense of belonging; their unity will also be an effective witness of God's love toward non-Christians.

After reviewing verses 11-15, we uncover more imperatives for a faith-centered community (verses 16-24). In a faith-centered community, believers learn to practice the following: 1) rejoice always; 2) pray continually; 3) exercise gratitude; 4) learn to discern prophetic messages from the Lord; and 5) continue to show God's grace.