Weariness

Don’t Be Weary In Well Doing! WEARINESS

2Thes 3:11-13

Faith Baptist Church/4 Dec 05/am – FBCW/3 August 2023/am

INTRO: Doing good can wear on a person. Too often weariness comes when we do what is best/good more than when we live like the world. God tells us thru the Prophet Jerimiah “our heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it.” Doing wrong is easy but to do good is hard work b/c it does not come naturally. But we as believers who are in-Christ are commanded to do good and it should come more naturally than it often does and sometimes we become weary in that well doing. Who here today has ever been weary, what I mean is when we are weary/worn out to the bone, not just tired, but feel almost exhausted? I’m sure all of us have, in one way or one time or another. Weariness comes to everyone as a result of several things, emotional stress, physical afflictions, psychological disorders, and in our daily labors, but as Christians we become weary b/c we now attempt to live Christ, to do good. But be encouraged, be patient, for the Bible tells us that we will ultimately reap what we have sown. Weariness is an affliction that comes upon every person, no matter how big or how strong they are, unsaved or saved, but we cannot let it impede the daily living of our lives both temporal and spiritual. Therefore, if we as believers are to have any measure of success against weariness in this life, we must first recognize the obvious:

I. Weariness is our enemy. But do we recognize it as an enemy to our faith and

that we need God’s power/strength, or weariness will bring us down, when we should

be up! As I mentioned earlier:

A. Weariness is a natural occurrence in our lives Jer 17:9 (our natural heart is wicked and doesn’t seek to do good), but weariness doesn’t have to be a constant companion to the believer. Even a man of God suffered weariness from the physical, but we can take steps to keep it away spiritually, yet too often we don’t.

1. Beware, weariness doesn’t just make us tired, but can harm/kill us. 2Sam 17:27-29 (During David’s flight from his son Absalom) David and his men, just as we too, become weary for many reasons, lack of food, water, exercise, raiment, and shelter, mental & spiritual weariness, in all these things they can affect our physical health. Causing us weariness. Look at the Apostle Paul in his sufferings-weariness of his body. 2 Cor 11:22-27, 28 In his good work for the Lord weariness was present.

2. More importantly, it is frequently of the mind and the mind will affect our hearts. When our focus is off from what it should be, we can lose confidence. King David, in spite of a few times, struggled like all men, but when his focus was on the Lord, he was not weary, he was doing well/right. (as a man after God’s own heart) Remember, like David where our treasure is that’s where our heart is at Mat 6:21) Our misplaced treasure can make us weary!

3. As with the wearying of our physical bodies and minds, we must guard against weariness of our soul/spirit. We do that through:

a. Christ - The life-giving water of the fountain of Jesus Christ which is freely and liberally given. To all who will come unto him, He will give rest. Mat 11:28-30 Abide in-Christ, we need not thirst nor long for rest from our weariness of our soul. Jn 4:10-14

b. We resist weariness through the Food/water of God’s Word - Through the meat of the Word of God. 1Cor 3:1-3 (like manna to Jews, it is our food from heaven)

c. By putting on the garment of Christ, taking off the old nature and putting on the new, every day.

d. Through having, A sound mind- Having and exercising/putting to use the Mind of Christ, not the world. (thinking godly, think on heavenly things) 1Cor 2:16, Phil 4:7,8; Col 3:1-2

e. By Arming ourselves - Putting on and using the weapons that God has put at our disposal. Eph 6:11-20 helmet of salvation, belt/truth; shield-faith; shoes of gospel, sword-word of God; breastplate of righteousness.

B. As we must remember that weariness is our enemy and therefore must be combated. We need to fight/against it.

Gal 6:8 “For he that soweth to his flesh, shall reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” 2 Thes 3:11,12

1. Our giving into the flesh and things of this world can affect our spiritual life. Even in doing good and in our ministries.

2. When we are weary in this temporal life, it hurts our daily living.

3. When we are weary of the spiritual things of life, (church, reading, praying, fellowship, giving, serving, etc), it hurts our walk with and for the Lord and hurts our witness for Christ.

C. If our focus is misplaced Weariness can be used against us. 1 Sam 29:10,11; 30:1-6 (The account of David’s home town Ziklag was burned and families were taken, the men became afraid for their families and wearied by war/travel and wanted to kill David)

1. Weariness can make us afraid. Fear can wear a guy out, our minds and bodies become tired, leading to weariness. But we have not been given the spirit of fear/cowardice….” 2Tim 1:7 power, love, and sound/disciplined mind.

2. We may flee when we need to fight. When we are afraid, we may run, and other times, we do nothing, which is worse than running.

3. We are more easily smitten. (we give up easily) When we give up we have lost even when it doesn’t look that way, we are defeated and the enemy knows it. It can create doubt in our minds (am I really doing good). The devil attacks with full fury!

D. Christians can become weary living the believer’s life (a life of righteousness and good). It is hard! It can wear on us.

1. There is so much opposition from the World for doing good, in the eyes of God. (Secular Christmas/holidays, abortion, homosexuality, the Christian lifestyle as a whole).

2. There is always so much to be done. Look here at FBCW there is plenty, especially for those who do more than their share, it can overwhelm and make them weary.

3. There is much ingratitude in the world and even from those we try and do right to, and we often become disheartened/weary.

4. Nevertheless, we must persevere, “faint not in well doing” we are told, for that is what the Lord would have us to do. Eph 3:13 “… I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you….” God desire for us is not to faint & weary!

If we don’t resist the causes of weariness by our own choice, then do:

II. It Dutifully, not to become Weary in well doing. 2Thes 3:13. There are some, Christians who are disorderly-w/slackness (like soldiers not keeping rank/rows) and don’t work at all (sit in the pews at best and live like the world 2Thes 3:11) It causes weariness. Then defeat. It is our duty to do good to all men, but especially the brethren. Gal 6:10 We have a responsibility and duty to do right/good, therefore we must not allow ourselves to grow/become weary of doing good and right. (to know to do good and do it not is sin. Jam 4:17)

A. But weariness is not nor can we allow it to be used as an excuse to not live right nor do right, we are to be orderly/keep rank in our fight for Christ and in our witness for Him!

1. B/c Weariness comes to all, even Jesus, its’ what we do with it that counts. Jn 4:6 “Jesus (In His humanity) was weary and hungry”, yet he thrived on the spiritual food of the Father and did right even when He was weary. Was refreshed and strengthened in God’s Word and will.

a. What do you do when laboring and weariness sets in, do you slow down, cut back, and/or give up?

B. Jesus is an example of doing right/good, even in difficult circumstances because His focus was always on the Father. Mat 8:20 (Even when He had no place to sleep), Jn 4:34 (but does always the will of the Father)

1. As David and his men, after being pursued by Absalom received the required sustenance, they were refreshed and went on, to get the kingdom back, even under terrible circumstances. 2Sam 17:27-29

2. Where would we be if Jesus became weary of his struggles, would He have fulfilled his duty and passion. Heb 12:2-3

C. When we come to Christ, we have enlisted into the Army of God. And as a

good soldier of Christ, it is our duty to do as our commander asks. 2Tim 2:3,4

1. Our enlistment is eternal. NO reserve status, we are on active duty all

the time, in the never-ending battles of life.

2. Weariness will lead to defeat. Don’t forget, the victory is already ours.

3. It requires discipline, so we must discipline our selves. (Disciplined mind)

4. Remember in our fight for the Lord, do good to every man, especially the brethren. Fight the enemy, the devil and our flesh, and the world not each other.

III. Weariness must be combated, that we faint not (that we don’t give up or back off).

A. We must be Patient. Heb 12:1 Run our race of this life set before us w/patience.

1. Resist the sin that so easily beset us. Heb 12:1 We all have at least one besetting sin, we must deal with it daily and never give up. 1Jn 1:9 It takes patience to get the victory.

a. Patiently endure until the end. Mk 13:13 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” It’s worth it.

B. 1Cor 15:58 Be Stedfast, unmovable. Know what you believe and stand on it!

1. As the early believers did when they got saved, then baptized, they

continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine. Acts 2:41

2. Continue in what we have learned. “But continue thou in

the things which thou hast learned…”2Tim 3:14

a. Don’t be like the waves being tossed to and fro.

Eph 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, b the delight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

b. 2Pet 3:17 “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness.” But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

C. Be always abounding in the Labor of the Lord.

1. Keep on keeping on.

2. We have the fruit of the Spirit in us, access it. Gal 5:22-23

3. Give it to Jesus. Mat 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my joke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

4. Acts 20:35 “ I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye

ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord

Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

a. Your labors won’t be in vain, for we labor together w/God.

1Cor 3:9 and our focus is to be on things above not on earth. Col 3:2

D. Be encouraged in your faith. 1Pet 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of you mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” Chinch up you pants so to speak! Get to it, and don’t give up. King David “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” 1Sam 30:6 He had faith in God to take care of him and his family. Remember: The apostle John said “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1Jn 4:4

1. Faith and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 God has given us a mind of faith & power, w/no fear.

a. God has given us a reasoning mind, not a weak one, use it, in the power given by Christ, who promises that we can do all things in Him. Phil 4:13

2. It is through the Word of God that we can be encouraged and not faint. The Word is the great encourager even when nothing else nor anyone else can. It accomplishes whatever it sets out to do.

a. Isa 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and

the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that is may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” It won’t return void/empty or ineffectual.

IV. Weariness can affect the reaping and sowing principle. Gal 6:9 We shall reap!

A. Weariness doesn’t have to keep us from reaping good. Rev 3:11 “Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

1. Don’t let others make us weary, even when they are wearisome.

a. The world and other people will bring you down if your eye is on them and not the Lord. (It needs to be a labor of love)

2. Don’t let yourself become weary and sew by that weariness.

a. Not giving your whole effort or attention.

3. In due season or at the proper time, we shall/will reap.

a. In this life to a degree, and most certainly at the time of judgment.

b. As I have said frequently, the rewards earned today will be paid off in eternity, then it’s too late.

B. An incentive for not fainting, is in the heavenly rewards God has promised us.

1. Even a cup of water done in the name of Jesus is honored and rewarded. Mat 10:42 Do something, do right, do good, that is our duty!

2. Be a good steward. Mat 25:23 “Well done thou good and faithful servant”

3. Whatever good we do to any man, we shall receive of the Lord. Eph 6:8

a. We will be rewarded in doing right to others and the Lord.

C. Our doing well/right is conditional depending on our not fainting or giving up.

1. We will reap a good harvest, but only if we won’t faint or give up.

2. The temptation can be to do only as much as necessary to get by. (Good enough for government work)

a. Or, only enough to get something in return, feel good, recognition, a pay raise, etc.

b. The Bible exhorts us “With good will/benevolence doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:” Eph 6:7

3. If we do not give over/up, it implies that unless a person perseveres in doing good to the end of life, he can hope for no reward.

a. All the good works in past years don’t mean much if in your last years you don’t do anything. No retreat or retirement!

b. Those who become disheartened, or give up; that are appalled by obstacles, or faint on account of the embarrassments thrown in his way, or the person that pines for ease, and withdraws from the field of service and benevolence/doing good, those that have no true attachment to the cause of Christ in their heart nor work in His ministry.

As they faint, in the end they will reap what they sow. Few or No rewards!

c. On the other hand, he who becomes a true Christian, serving and living for the Lord in every way possible, he becomes such for eternity reaping what he has sown in this life.

D. The season, like with harvest time, specific periods in our life, shall be a time of reaping by what was sown in this life, and this season in your/our life.

1. Much or little, Or something in between.

2. He that sows to the Spirit, who follows His leading and cultivates the affections which the H.S. produces. Gal 5:22,23 Will certainly reap the blessings produced.

a. Albert Barnes says: When we die and awake in the resurrection with renovated powers, we will awake to an everlasting service of doing good, as far as we may have opportunity, in the kingdom of God.

b. In other words, It’s good practice today, for our eternal life.

CLOSING: In this life we will never get away from weariness of body and mind, but in Christ, we must most certainly beware of its results. Remember, we have our old bodies which we must put up with, but we have a new nature, and our desires must then be that of our new nature, not becoming weary in well doing for the Lord and mankind. Faint not, the rewards are worth it, they are eternal, but we won’t see them until eternity. We may have much to be weary about, but we don’t have to faint from it.