Not Easy, But Worth It

Not Easy, But Worth It

When God called me to the ministry in April of 1996, I knew very strongly that He gave me a passion for common sense practical disciple-making.  Starts with salvation and continues on with learning to live for Him through His Word in our daily lives.  He continues to affirm that calling.  So, I have a burden for people learning to live for God in their daily life.  The challenge for many believers is not when things are going well, it is when things are difficult.  Today we see in our Don’t Give Up! sermon series that Paul tells some believers that the Christian life is Not Easy, But Worth It

Let’s learn together what the Apostle Paul has to say to believers:

I Thessalonians 3:1-4

We All Need Encouragement

    -when Paul and his companions thought best they sent Timothy

     -Timothy is a fellow brother & God’s worker in the Gospel

   -sent to strengthen & encourage them as to their faith

    “strengthen” = establish; make more firm

     “encourage” = exhort; ask for earnestly; plead

   -didn’t want anyone to be disturbed {moved} by afflictions

     -“afflictions” = trouble; distress; tribulation—away from Gospel

     -part of the destiny!  People will oppose the truth of God

   -Paul tried to prepare them that they would suffer affliction

     -young believers often get discouraged by opposition from the devil

   We ALL need encouragement and strength because afflictions come.

I Thessalonians 3:5-8

We All Must Live By Faith

   -Paul was concerned greatly that they were giving in to temptation

     -concerned that their labor among them was in vain

     EX:  as a pastor—tough to watch people not follow God’s Word

               as you invest your life in theirs

   -on Timothy’s return he brought good news—faith & love are strong

   -the church longs to see them and they long to see the Church

   -knowing they are exercising faith in tough times brings comfort

   -“we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord”—worth the effort

   We ALL must live by faith, even in the rough times.

I Thessalonians 3:9-13

We All Should Trust God More

   -no words can express to God the thanks for how well they are doing

   -they desire & pray God will allow them to return to Thess.

     -their desire is to help them grow—“complete what is lacking”

     -the relationship with God must grow and mature

   -Paul prays:

            -Our God & Father & Jesus direct their way to each other

            -Lord cause their love to increase & abound for one another

               -just as their love increases & abounds for the believers

            -desire to see the hearts established as unblamable before Him

            -He is returning with all the saints

We all should trust God more and live our lives for His return.

Paul tells the believers in Thessalonica:

1.  Don’t Give Up When Life Gets Hard

2.  Live Out Your Faith & You Can’t Be Swayed

3.  Trust God To Have You Ready For Christ’s Return

Not Easy, But Worth It

Don’t Give Up !