A Letter Of Encouragement- Be An Example Series

Series: Action [#52]

A LETTER OF ENCOURAGMENT- BE AN EXAMPLE

1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Introduction:

Paul continued to encourage the Church at Thessalonica. God uses people to bring the Gospel to the lost; but He also uses people to help mature the babies in Christ. Their growth was evident by how they endured persecution. Paul tells us how to be a godly example.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

You can encourage other Christians by…

1. Helping them grow.

You help them grow by being a…

* Faithful steward.

Paul had been “entrusted with the gospel”. It was not a message that he made up or that he received from men. Paul looked on himself as a steward of God’s message. A steward owns nothing; but possesses and uses everything that belongs to his master. Every steward 1 day must give an account of his stewardship. If he is found unfaithful, he will suffer. The message of the Gospel is a treasure God has entrusted to us. We must not bury it; we must invest it so it will multiply and produce “spiritual dividends” to God’s glory. Some Christians think that the church’s only responsibility is to protect the Gospel from those who would change it; but we also must share the Gospel- Otherwise, we are protecting it in vain.

This was not an easy ministry in Thessalonica to get started. Paul assures them that this is the only true Gospel. It is possible to preach the right message with the wrong message and this was the accusation of some against Paul. Paul wanted them to know there was no “hidden agenda”. Paul did not try to lure or trick anyone into Christianity. Paul’s method was as pure as his motive- He presented the Word of God in the power of the Spirit, and trusted God to work.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

You help them grow by being a…

* Loving mother.

The emphasis of the steward is faithfulness. The emphasis of the mother is gentleness. As an Apostle, Paul was a man of authority; but he always used his authority in love. The babies in Christ sensed his tender loving care as he nurtured them. He was indeed like a loving mother who cared for her children. Paul had patience with the, nourished them, and protected them.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

You help them grow by being a…

* Concerned father.

Paul considered himself a “spiritual father” to these believers. The Spirit of God used the Word of God in Paul’s ministry, and many people in Thessalonica were saved; but he also cares for them. As he defended his own work against false accusations, Paul pointed out some of his duties as the spiritual father to the Thessalonians.

The father works to support his family. Paul was making tents to support himself. No one could accuse Paul of ministering for the money. Paul had to work day and night in order to accomplish what he did.

Fathers must live so that they are good examples to their children. Paul’s life was holy which means in the Greek to “carefully fulfill the duties God gives to a person”. His life was righteous which refers to integrity and good behavior. Paul’s life was also un-blamable. Literally, this word means “not able to find fault in.”

A father must not only support the family by working and teaching the family by being a good example; but he must also spend with the family members. Paul dealt with each believer personally- He made time for them. Paul encouraged the new believers. This is what a father does. Children are easily discouraged. New Christians are also easily discouraged. Paul comforted them.

1 Thessalonians 2:12

You can encourage other Christians by…

2. Helping them with growing pains.

It was not easy to be a Christian in Thessalonica because of the persecution. Even while they were suffering, they had joy. There is growing pains for Christians. Paul gives us some solutions for this.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

God has given us…

* His Word.

They appreciated the Word. They did not receive it as the word of men, but as the Word of God. These believers not only heard the Word; but they took it into their hearts and made it a part of their lives. They applied the Word.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

God has given us…

* His people.

Paul encouraged the suffering Christians by assuring them that their experiences were not new or isolated. We need each other as a source of encouragement during tough times.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

God has given us…

* His glory.

Don’t give up- God wins; and as His children we will experience His glory forever.