1 Thessalonians 5:11 Lifting Each Other...

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

Introduction...

In a world where people just do not want to get involved. where they will hold their heads down and act like they do not see anything, because they do not want to get involved...

in a world where people are fearful to tell someone when the are wrong but will talk about them when they get home...

in a world where the words are said, I will pray for you but the action never gets completed...

but yet we call ourselves, Christians....

there is a saying, DO UNTO OTHER AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU...but that is also scripture, Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

but the concept was around before Matthew wrote these words, Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

then Jesus comes and teaches us again to love thy neighbor as a commandment… Matthew 22:34-40

Matthew 22:34–40 NKJV

But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”....TALK, PREACH.......

over in Luke, Jesus got asked who is our neighbor and I love His answer..

Luke 10:29–37 NKJV

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”..TALK, PREACH.....

Are we doing likewise??...TALK, PREACH.....

as true disciples, we should know that God loves and cares for us all and that He sent His son as an example for us to follow..

as true followers and true disciples, that are trying to continue the work, trying to be kingdom builders and disciple makers, the ones on the battlefield, we should be lifting someone up every chance we get...TALK, PREACH.......

Making disciples is a journey that not only involves following Jesus ourselves but also helping others to step onto that same path. It’s about sharing our faith, encouraging others, and guiding them in experiencing the love of Christ. 

we are a community of believers that have been giving a task from Jesus himself.Community plays an essential role in making disciples. We are not alone in this mission; we have each other. When we come together as a community, we can support and encourage one another. It’s through our shared experiences, testimonies, and discussions that we grow in our understanding of God and develop our witness. Discipleship flourishes in a setting where people gather to uplift each other, share their joys and struggles, and work side by side to grow in faith. Together, we can fulfill the Great Commission..TALK, PREACH......

and this is what Paul is telling the church Thessalonia and telling the church today...lift each other up...

let’s look at the text...

Story/Text....

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

as believers, we stand on the word of God. we confess that God gave His son a ransom for our sins.

we believe that Jesus will come again for His church...

we believe that, and we should telling others about our living and returning Saviour...

and in the 5th chapter, Paul addresses this to the people..

in verse 4-5, Paul reminds the believers that we should not be overtaken by the Lord’s return...TALK, PREACH, WORK TEXT..

in verses 6-7, Paul remind the believers not to be spiritually asleep or unwatchful...TALK, PREACH, WORK TEXT..

in verses 8-10, Paul instructs on how to be sober and how to protect ourselves...TALK, PREACH, WORK TEXT.....

and finally in our text for the day, Paul is saying that as believers, that we know all of this so we should be comforting and edifying, (uplifting others) so they too can be ready for that great day....

we are to be ministers....we all have a ministry...

but we are to minister by comforting and edifying others. God has delivered us from the wrath and giving us glorious hope of living face to face with Him forever. We should be ready for that day, not drunk, not sleeping but watchful and MAKING SURE OTHERS ARE WATCHFUL AS WELL AND READY TO RECEIVE THEIR INHERITANCE FROM GOD THRU CHRIST...

we should be lifting each other up...making disciples...

Let’s go deeper into the text...

Points...

once again, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Comfort each other...

Paul again tells us not to take comfort, but to give comfort. If all Christians have a heart to comfort each other, then all will be comforted.

the greek word for comfort has a meaning of : to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort ; to receive consolation, be comforted

church there are people in this world, in our homes, in our extended families, that are of this world and they are not ready for the return of Jesus...

there are people that we know, and say we love.… that on the day of resurrection, will make hell their eternal home....and what are you doing about it.....

are you consoling them, are you encouraging them, comforting them, or is like i said earlier, are you walking with your head down, acting like you don’t see it...

but if we are on our mission, faithfully, here is some good news,

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Day of the Lord (5:1–11)

all believers is that their destiny is not wrath but eschatological deliverance through Jesus Christ. Again Paul exhorted believers to comfort one another.

TALK, PREACH…

I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon B. Our General Lifestyle (5:4–11)

This assurance of salvation, of transformation into the image of Christ, should encourage us. As we are encouraged, we must continually talk about it and remind one another of our future so that we do not grow weary or lose heart in the spiritual battles which rage. Every Christian has a responsibility to encourage others in the faith

we should be comforting one another, encouraging everyone to come to Jesus and let Him make the difference...

Edify one another, ..…

after you have encouraged them, now let’s build them up in Christ..

When we have our first interest in building up other Christians, then God will edify us. The idea is of a church full of active participants, not passive spectators.

I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon B. Our General Lifestyle (5:4–11)

While encouragement inspires us to keep on track spiritually, building each other up deals with investing in others. We should add to other people in such a way that they will be spiritually stronger. In this way, we encourage maturity and fortification of character.

How do we add to others by telling them about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...

we build up and not tear down. you need an example, Hey i was a lost sinner, evening though i was baptized and said i had faith and trust. i was lost. My faith was just spoken and not practiced. TALK, PREACH.....

now i understand that others need to hear the word so they can be saved from the wrath to come by placing their faith and hope in the Lord...

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians They Are Delivered from Discouragement (1 Thess 5:11)

And the point of this passage from beginning to end is that our only hope is Jesus. and we need to be telling someone this good news and lifting them up..

now real quickly for the final part,

Just as you also are doing.”

David Guzik states, It wasn’t that there was no comfort among the Thessalonians, or as if no one was edified. But they had to continue to comfort others, and to do it more and more.

i am not saying that you are not doing it but it is my job to keep encouraging you to do more and more...

Paul and His Letters Paul’s Pastoral Advice: Ready for the Lord’s Coming (5:1–11)

It was a thoroughly pastoral concern.

Continue the work, the Great Commission, Lifting each other up and being disciple makers...

Conclusion...

even when they close the door on you, keep lifting..

when they walk away, keep lifting,

when they try scandalize your name, keep lifting...

I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon B. Our General Lifestyle (5:4–11)

They are eternal soul-spirits just as valuable as we are. We have a responsibility to encourage them to remain faithful and growing until the end.

they need to understand that on that great day, if they are not covered in the blood, Hell could be their home...

TALK, PREACH, CLOSE....