Never Give Up!

2002044

Topic # 1141 (encouragement)

Introduction:

A. Acts 17:1-4 – establishment of the church at Thessalonica.

1. Seemed to be a large congregation.

2. Jews took notice – stir up trouble – create a mob. See 17:5-10. Paul & Silas sent away by night.

B. What kind of people made up this church?

1. Jews: who believed in Christ.

2. God Fearing Greeks. These were Greeks who renounced idols – who regularly attended the worship of the synagogue.

3. Females of elevated rank. Had some standing in the community. These were probably connected with distinguished families.

4. Also people who had been engaged in idolatry were converted in large numbers.

C. These were Christians who wholeheartedly embraced the gospel & one another.

1. 1 Thess. 1:3, 5-7, 9, 2:13

2. They also made the good news known to those around them – 1:8

3. 4:1, 9-10 – brotherly love was evident. Told to excel even more! Take their Christianity to the next level.

D. 2 Thess – Paul writes back to them. Highlights: 2:15-17

1. Chapter 3 contains final admonitions.

a) 4-6 – withdraw from everyone who did not walk according to the traditions received from the apostles.

b) 13- Finally, they were not to grow weary in doing good.

2. Note admonition to keep on keeping on. Stay the course; don’t give up!

E. What’s the point of going through the early history of the church at Thessalonica?

1. Many Christians today wholeheartedly embrace the gospel.

2. Share with others the gospel of Christ.

3. Work hard in building relationships w/brethren.

4. labor in the work of the local congregation

5. Then…burn out; slow down; progress wanes; stagnation begins to set in.

F. Today we’ll talk about ways we can lose heart & how to combat that. Col. 2:6-7 needs to be our goal!

I. The failure of others can cause us to lose heart.

A. 2 Thess. 3:10-13.

1. Nothing more discouraging than to see people serving the Lord in mere pretense. Seems that was going on here. Note 3:10-11

2. Perhaps we might be tempted: no one else cares – why should I?

3. Seen in work environment. Low standard; no care; contrast to high standards. Expectations.

B. 2 Tim. 1:15- how discouraging was it for Paul for all who were in Asia to turn away from him?

1. Know nothing more of Phygelus & Hermogenes except that they were probably prominent persons from whom Paul would expect some sort of attention from.

2. Can you imagine the ONLY record being made about you is that you turned away from a friend; or forsook the true path of religion?

3. Demas – 2 Tim. 4:10.

C. Paul never quit. He never gave up. See 4:6-8

D. In reality – it doesn’t matter what everyone else does – but what we do individually!

1. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10

II. Constant temptation can cause us to lose heart.

A. Temptations come from within. Devil seeks to destroy our soul. Constant attack on lusts of flesh.

1. Long for day when temptation will be over. Long for heaven; rest; where I will not have to labor against sin/devil. He’s hungry. Looking for everyway to trip us up.

2. Long for a day when he will not hammer our weaknesses.

B. Here are some verses to help us as we battle temptation so we will not lose heart.

1. 1 Cor. 10:13 – remember – there is a way out. But we must choose to go that way!

2. Remember- we make decision to act upon temptation.

a) That’s why we individually responsible for action & why we stand individually before God on judgment.

C. But…there is help. Make turn to Christ! Look to him!

1. Heb. 2:17-18

2. We can get through it! We can be the conqueror instead of the conquered – through Christ! 4:14-16

III. A lack of faith can cause us to lose heart.

A. We are maturing in Christ- or should be!

1. There are times when our faith will be lacking.

2. Sometimes we lack the want to totally rely upon God.

1. Too great a temptation to look just at self.

B. Faith is – Heb. 11:1, 6. It is necessary to please God! w/o it we’re sunk!

C. Faith involves keeping our eyes on Jesus. Peter literally learned this! Mt. 14:28-30

1. The journey in this life compared to many things such as a journey across a sea.

2. Sometimes storms of life blow hard! Don’t know how going to get through. Can’t see the other side!

3. That’s where faith comes in! That’s where we must trust in Jesus and not lose heart!

IV. A lack of visible results can cause us to lose heart.

A. Efforts to spread gospel. Little visible results – why try?

B. Think of Elijah – 1 Kings 19:4, 10, 14-18

1. Saw no visible results – depressed. Lost heart. Sitting down in the wilderness.

2. 19:18 – still 7,000 in Israel who had not left God.

C. Here’s what we must keep in mind.

1. God is mindful of our work.

2. Still expects us to do work – even w/little visible results.

3. Why? Because he gives the increase – 1 Cor. 3:6

4. God works on his timetable. We must sow the seed. That’s our job!

5. Never give up! Believe in power of God & in the power of the gospel! Rom. 1:16

Conclusion:

A. Galatians 6:9-10

B. Must not give up! Must not lose heart! Think about Thessalonians who were doing so much for the Lord. Think about many here who are doing so much for the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58

1. Don’t give up! Never quit! There is nothing more precious than the reward of heaven!

2. Mt. 16:24-26

C. Keep your focus upon Jesus! Phil. 4:13

6. Everything for our continued spiritual success will be supplied! Just ask!

7. Jesus says: its here for the taking!

D. Not a Christian? Can we help?

1. Begin your Christian life today!

2. Obey the gospel.



Never Give Up! 2002044 Topic # 1141 (encouragement) Introduction: A. Acts 17:1-4 – establishment of the church at Thessalonica. 1. Seemed to be a large congregation. 2. Jews took notice – stir up trouble – create a mob. See 17:5-10. Paul & Silas sent away by night. B. What kind of people made up this church? 1. Jews: who believed in Christ. 2. God Fearing Greeks. These were Greeks who renounced idols – who regularly attended the worship of the synagogue. 3. Females of elevated rank. Had some standing in the community. These were probably connected with distinguished families. 4. Also people who had been engaged in idolatry were converted in large numbers. C. These were Christians who wholeheartedly embraced the gospel & one another. 1. 1 Thess. 1:3, 5-7, 9, 2:13 2. They also made the good news known to those around them – 1:8 3. 4:1, 9-10 – brotherly love was evident. Told to excel even more! Take their Christianity to the next level. D. 2 Thess – Paul writes back to them. Highlights: 2:15-17 1. Chapter 3 contains final admonitions. a) 4-6 – withdraw from everyone who did not walk according to the traditions received from the apostles. b) 13- Finally, they were not to grow weary in doing good. 2. Note admonition to keep on keeping on. Stay the course; don’t give up! E. What’s the point of going through the early history of the church at Thessalonica? 1. Many Christians today wholeheartedly embrace the gospel. 2. Share with others the gospel of Christ. 3. Work hard in building relationships w/brethren. 4. labor in the work of the local congregation 5. Then…burn out; slow down; progress wanes; stagnation begins to set in. F. Today we’ll talk about ways we can lose heart & how to combat that. Col. 2:6-7 needs to be our goal! I. The failure of others can cause us to lose heart. A. 2 Thess. 3:10-13. 1. Nothing more discouraging than to see people serving the Lord in mere pretense. Seems that was going on here. Note 3:10-11 2. Perhaps we might be tempted: no one else cares – why should I? 3. Seen in work environment. Low standard; no care; contrast to high standards. Expectations. B. 2 Tim. 1:15- how discouraging was it for Paul for all who were in Asia to turn away from him? 1. Know nothing more of Phygelus & Hermogenes except that they were probably prominent persons from whom Paul would expect some sort of attention from. 2. Can you imagine the ONLY record being made about you is that you turned away from a friend; or forsook the true path of religion? 3. Demas – 2 Tim. 4:10. C. Paul never quit. He never gave up. See 4:6-8 D. In reality – it doesn’t matter what everyone else does – but what we do individually! 1. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10 II. Constant temptation can cause us to lose heart. A. Temptations come from within. Devil seeks to destroy our soul. Constant attack on lusts of flesh. 1. Long for day when temptation will be over. Long for heaven; rest; where I will not have to labor against sin/devil. He’s hungry. Looking for everyway to trip us up. 2. Long for a day when he will not hammer our weaknesses. B. Here are some verses to help us as we battle temptation so we will not lose heart. 1. 1 Cor. 10:13 – remember – there is a way out. But we must choose to go that way! 2. Remember- we make decision to act upon temptation. a) That’s why we individually responsible for action & why we stand individually before God on judgment. C. But…there is help. Make turn to Christ! Look to him! 1. Heb. 2:17-18 2. We can get through it! We can be the conqueror instead of the conquered – through Christ! 4:14-16 III. A lack of faith can cause us to lose heart. A. We are maturing in Christ- or should be! 1. There are times when our faith will be lacking. 2. Sometimes we lack the want to totally rely upon God. 1. Too great a temptation to look just at self. B. Faith is – Heb. 11:1, 6. It is necessary to please God! w/o it we’re sunk! C. Faith involves keeping our eyes on Jesus. Peter literally learned this! Mt. 14:28-30 1. The journey in this life compared to many things such as a journey across a sea. 2. Sometimes storms of life blow hard! Don’t know how going to get through. Can’t see the other side! 3. That’s where faith comes in! That’s where we must trust in Jesus and not lose heart! IV. A lack of visible results can cause us to lose heart. A. Efforts to spread gospel. Little visible results – why try? B. Think of Elijah – 1 Kings 19:4, 10, 14-18 1. Saw no visible results – depressed. Lost heart. Sitting down in the wilderness. 2. 19:18 – still 7,000 in Israel who had not left God. C. Here’s what we must keep in mind. 1. God is mindful of our work. 2. Still expects us to do work – even w/little visible results. 3. Why? Because he gives the increase – 1 Cor. 3:6 4. God works on his timetable. We must sow the seed. That’s our job! 5. Never give up! Believe in power of God & in the power of the gospel! Rom. 1:16 Conclusion: A. Galatians 6:9-10 B. Must not give up! Must not lose heart! Think about Thessalonians who were doing so much for the Lord. Think about many here who are doing so much for the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58 1. Don’t give up! Never quit! There is nothing more precious than the reward of heaven! 2. Mt. 16:24-26 C. Keep your focus upon Jesus! Phil. 4:13 6. Everything for our continued spiritual success will be supplied! Just ask! 7. Jesus says: its here for the taking! D. Not a Christian? Can we help? 1. Begin your Christian life today! 2. Obey the gospel.