Encouragement
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Needed: Encouragement
Who needs it?
We all do!
Helps in time of trouble
Serve God of All Comfort
Comfort of the Word (Romans 15:4)
We Are God’s Little Flock
Only a few believe
–Disciples (Luke 12:32)
–Chosen by God
A spiritual family
–Least is greater than John the
Baptist (Matthew 11:11)
We Are God’s Little Flock
A spiritual family
–Least in the kingdom is greater than
John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11)
–“First shall be last and the last first”
(Luke 13:28-30)
–Who would think a thief would be
saved? (Luke 23:43)
We Are God’s Little Flock
Bound together in love
–Without love we cannot be what we
should be (Romans 12:9, 10, 17)
–Genuine love and concern
(Romans 12:13, 15, 16)
We Are God’s Little Flock
Stick together and be encouraging
–“United we stand, divided we fall”
–More than a slogan
–Makes a difference between success
and failure as God’s people
(Ephesians 4:1-3)
We Are God’s Little Flock
You are loved and appreciated
–Don’t think otherwise
–We are a family
–Need every member of the body
(1 Corinthians 12:21, 22)
A Better World Beyond
Must not grow weary
–Means to “succumb to fatigue”
(Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)
–Used of weariness
(John 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:27)
–“Well doing” means doing God’s work
(Ephesians 2:10)
A Better World Beyond
We shall reap
–Discouraging to do what is right
with no word of thanks
–Paul challenged them
–In due time
A Better World Beyond
Better place beyond the grave
–Fix our hope (1 Peter 1:13)
–Paul suffered (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
–Called them a “light affliction”
(2 Corinthians 4:16)
–Better to depart (Philippians 1:23)
A Better World Beyond
Learn from David
–His predicament (1 Samuel 30:1-6)
–David turned to God
(Psalms 18:6; 27:1, 4, 5; 40:1-3)
–We have a refuge (Proverbs 18:10)
–Pray (Luke 18:1; Philippians 4:6)
–He is near (Hebrews 13:6)
Strength From Old Testament
Affirmed in the New Testament
–Give us hope (Isaiah 40:28-31)
–“We are weak, but He is strong.”
–Waiting on the Lord is relying on Him
–Our God is able (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
Strength From New Testament
We have an adversary
–Satan is the source of evil
(James 1:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8)
–God can perfect, or “repair” us
–He will comfort us
–Come boldly (Hebrews 4:15, 16)
Strength From New Testament
God can make us blameless
–Jude wrote to vulnerable people
(Jude 24)
–Encouraged them to be strong
–Living in time of apostasy
–Need not be afraid
–God is able (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
Conclusion
Disappointments will come
We must be steadfast
Someday we will reap