Henderson Hills Baptist Church

Due to a busy Christmas schedule, I am reposting a previous post from 1 Thessaolonians.  May His Word continue to bless, encourage, and challenge you in your daily walk with Him.

More Encouragement for Today
Part One

"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (1 Thessalonians 5, ESV)

Sometimes I find chapter and verse divisions in the Bible frustrating because they give the impression that ideas are not connected when they are. At other times these divisions can be very helpful and here is an example of that very thing. In chapter 4, Paul was talking about Christ’s coming for His Church to take us to Heaven. In this chapter the discussion goes to the Day of the Lord when Christ returns again to punish sin and establish His Kingdom (Isa 13:6-12; Joel 2:28-32; Zeph 1:14-18). His point here is that we do not need to be concerned for ourselves about that time of judgment that is to come because we are “children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or darkness.” (vs. 5-6). Because Christ took our punishment, the wrath of God has already been poured out against our sin (v. 9). So we do not need to fear this Day that is coming.

In verses 11-23 we find a very helpful list of ways that we can become encouragers of each other. Encouragers are needed today. When some Christians walk into the room it feels like the lights go out. When we see them coming we can almost sense the rain clouds gathering and the sun being obscured. Remember this, that no Christian has ever been given the spiritual gift of DIScouragement. So be careful not to act like you’ve been so gifted.

We are here on a mission from God, to glorify Christ and enjoy God forever. Part of that mission is to act as encouragers for each other. That’s why Paul has given us a list of practical suggestions. Let’s look at that list and make it our goal to act in these ways every day. How is that done? One thing that will help is if we stop being trivial and surface. Sometimes I read updates on Facebook and wonder why in the world my “friend” would want to tell me what he has eaten for breakfast or watched on T.V. How can we use technology today to encourage? And when we meet together, how can we bless each other beyond discussions about the weather?

Here are just a few ideas, I am sure you can come up with more on your own, but let’s start with these:
5:11 Build other Christians up, don’t tear them down.
Watch for the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:18-19) in others and affirm them for it.
Listen for faith and when you hear it, join the other Christian in their trust.
When you see spiritual progress in a person, applaud it.

5:12-13 The next statement is awkward because I have a position of spiritual leadership.
However, to be true to the passage and to encourage the saints, I’ll simply report what it says.
Respect your spiritual leaders (Heb 13:17).
Listen to godly spiritual instruction.
Let me offer a personal note. I’ve been blessed to pastor Henderson Hills since 1992. It has been such a joy for me to do this because of the love and encouragement that I’ve consistently received from our members. I serve as one of a council of elders. We have spiritual leaders, not just a leader. I think that I can speak for all of us when I say that we love being your pastors.

5:13 Go out of your way to be at peace with other believers.
Very few issues are worth disunity and disruption of fellowship, so be careful in your relationships with other believers.
Keep peace.
Refuse to listen to gossip.
Express love and interest in other believers.
Pray for each other.

Encourage someone today. Watch for opportunities to speak a word, offer a hug, share, pray for, and bless someone else.

2 Peter 3:18

Dennis

To read more from Dennis Newkirk click here.