Encourage: To comfort, to edify one another

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

We know He is the father of lies (Jn8:44). But a very effective tool he has is discouragement. Jesus spoke in a parable that could cover this

Consider Mt13:7 the seed that feel among thorns; Jesus explained Mt13:22 about this

Matthew 13:22 NASB95

22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Worry, doubt, deceit all can be very discouraging.

Satan used those tricks in the garden, and still uses them today. But turn with me to 1The4:13. I will get there in a few minutes

Church of Thessalonica was seeded by Paul, 2nd missionary trip (about 50AD) Act17:1, he was there a short period of three Sabbaths (Act17:2). He writes the letter to this young troubled church in (about 51AD) to encourage them to comfort one another

The church was in infant just founded about a year before. It was being persecuted, some were dying (1The2:14-16) and there are questions that were coming about because many were unaware, uninformed, confused or discouraged by what they had been told, so we get to our passage

The Thessalonian issue at hand

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NASB95

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:1–10 NASB95

1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Quick points:

There was a pending questions about is there a resurrection or not? - Paul wants them to have encouragement, to have hope for without the resurrection there is no hope.

Christ rose, and so will those alive in Christ, as will those who asleep in Christ. For He is going to return (Shout, voice of archangel, and trumpet of God)

You know the day of the Lord is coming, the deceivers are out there, know it, but you, walk in the light not in the darkness.

God has not destined you for wrath, but for salvation through Jesus Christ. (turn to)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV

11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Comfort one another

When there is death, there is need of comfort

Jesus gave His comforter -the “parakaleo” (ref: Jn14:16, 26)

What do you do, what do you say to someone who has lost someone? - Scripture tells us (turn to)

Romans 12:15 NASB95

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Weep with them, be present with them, pray for the Lord to use you as a comforter for the person. You cannot take away their pain, sorrow, grief, but you can help by being there and being a tool, a comforter, consider (turn to)

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

(summary/transition) - Want to be an encouragement in difficult times, just be there!

Edify one another

To edify is to build up, lift spirits, encourage emotionally and spiritually

Greek words combined Oikos- Domeo meaning to construct or to build.

Grace notes says:

“Edification is the process of spiritual growth in a Christian who is living according to the plan of God and who is fulfilling the command to grow in grace and in knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

Support groups, we know of them, but the Church is God’s plan for a support group

The best way we can edify one another is through studying God’s word together (turn to) - — - - if can insert the GNB version of these verses here

Hebrews 10:24–25 GNB

24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. 25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

A Few things we can do to edify, encourage, show love to one another as we gather in Jesus name.

Come early, make the most of the time. Fellowship with one another

Be prayed up: Ask God to prepare your heart to hear others, share with others, encourage and edify others.

Be friendly: meet and greet people, make people feel welcome and important (holy kiss? 2COr13:12)

Compliment others: Can you find something that is true that you can compliment someone about? Do it. That is encouraging and edifying. So, exhort one another (ref: Heb3:13) for don’t want anyone caught up in the deceitfulness of sin.

Encourage one another

We all face hard times and need one another to help one another in them and through them.

It is encouraging comforting, edifying when we know we are a family.

Are you a part of God’s family? (Invitation) (Prayer) (Exit)

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