## Encouragement

## II Thessalonians 1:1-12

Have you ever experienced a time when you were totally confused? Maybe when you are wakened from a deep sleep, or perhaps it is due to some medication that you have taken. It is a terrible feeling. Sometimes we are confused by wrong information; incorrect directions can create a state of confusion. It is frustrating and discouraging when we are trying to get somewhere.

Now, consider what it must be like to be confused spiritually. Perhaps having received incorrect instruction, but the result is similar. We can become discouraged and frustrated trying to figure out where to go and what to do. This is the condition of the believers in Thessalonica. Paul had established the local church there and had instructed them in how to live the Christian life. But there had been some folks who gave them misinformation. The people were confused.

Some believed that they were living in the time of tribulation; others believed that Christ's coming was so near that they quit their jobs and just sat around waiting on His return. This placed an additional burden on others within the church in caring for their physical needs. There was much confusion and frustration within this local church. So what did they need?

(1 Th 4:1) "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more."

Paul had instructed them on how to live their lives in a manner that would be pleasing unto the Lord. He had given them everything they needed in order to abound in their walk. But like so many of us, they were not abounding…they were struggling. They needed encouragement!

I. The Encouragement of Praise. v1-4

A. Paul practiced what he preached.

1. He could have blasted them for not understanding what he had told them earlier.

2. He never scolded or chastised them at all.

3. He previously had told them, "In every thing give thanks…" (1 Thess 5:18a)

4. Now was his turn to find some way to be thankful for what was going on in this church.

B. All of us need encouragement from time to time.

1. Not flattery…but we need to encourage one another.

2. Eph. 4:15 challenges us to speak the truth in love.

3. That means that we care enough about one another to be honest and to seek to build each other up through encouragement.

C. Paul encouraged the believers in a number of ways here…

1. Their faith was growing…

2. Their love was abounding…

3. Their patience was increasing…

4. Their testimony was helping others.

II. The Encouragement of Promise. v5-10

A. In the midst of suffering.

1. Satan tries to deceive us into thinking that God doesn't care about us.

2. Of course, the opposite is true; suffering is part of God's plan for us.

(Phil 1:29) "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"

3. The way we respond during times of trials proves to others that God is at work in our lives.

B. We often need to be reminded of the promises of God.

1. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God.

a. We are not worthy of heaven because we suffer … we have been made His child by His grace.

b. Our trials demonstrate the grace of God in our lives and God gets the glory.

c. Because it is only through His grace, that we can endure these sufferings.

2. God is righteous.

a. He will 'recompense' or repay the wicked that have persecuted the godly.

b. However, it will be according to His schedule, and not ours.

c. We get into trouble when we try to take God's place in vengeance.

d. God can handle the situation, and He will deal with it all in His time.

e. Note: Ps. 73:1-17

3. Jesus is coming!

a. When He comes, the believers will have rest. (7)

b. When He comes, the unsaved will be punished for their unbelief.

III. The Encouragement of Prayer. v11-12

A. Paul prayed for their worthiness. (11a)

1. Trials do not make the person…but they reveal what a person is made of!

2. When our faith is tried, it reveals our worth.

(1 Pet 1:6-7 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: {7} That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

3. Example of prospectors: they knew they had found gold, but they had to take it into an assayer's office to see the quality and value of their ore. 4. When God tests our faith, how valuable is it to Him?

B. Paul prayed for their walk. (11b)

1. That God would 'fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power'

2. Paul prayed that they might do what God intended for them to do when He saved them.

3. We are not saved just to keep us from going to hell; God has a purpose for our lives.

4. Our obedience to that purpose must be empowered by God.

5. We cannot fulfill His good pleasure unless we are yielded to Him in our walk.

C. Paul prayed for their daily witness. (12)

1. The Lord will be glorified in the lives of His saints when He returns. Note: v10

2. BUT…He should also be glorified in our lives today!

3. Every day we should give witness to His grace, and reveal His glory to those around us.

All of us need encouragement from time to time, but especially when we are going through some trials. We need to encourage one another.

Paul offered the believers in Thessalonica the encouragement of praise, promise, and prayers. What about us tonight? There are only two kinds of people here; those that need to be encouraged and those who need to be doing the encouraging! Which group are we in tonight?

(Heb 3:13) "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."