EFFECTIVE EXHORTATION
1 Thess. 2
Intro.
1. The gospel had borne fruit in Thessalonica - 2:1.
2. Persecuting parties were evidently attacking Paul's credibility - 2:3, 5. Saying he had
duped them / Exploited them…then fled!
3. 1 Ths. 2:1-2 - Elaboration of 1:5. In it, we learn about how the apostle exhorted
others.
4. EXHORT - to urge one to pursue some course of conduct; always prospective,
looking to
the future.] Persuasion.
5. Times when we all need exhortation, & times when we have opportunity to
give exhortation to others. How are we doing? Do we exhort the way the apostle did?
I. AVOID THINGS WHICH KEEP US FROM BEING GOOD EXHORTERS OF OTHERS - 2:1-6.
A. Exhort Without Fear - v.2; cf. Eph.6:19-20.
1. Paul did not allow fears to keep him from exhorting (speaking the
gospel)!
2. Fear can keep us from exhorting! Fear rejection / misunderstood /
difficulties / hurt feelings, etc.
3. Fear hinders effective exhortation! - cf. 2 Tim. 1:7 (Matt. 10:28).
B. Put Away All Evil Motives - v. 3-6.
1. Error - v. 3 (deceit, kjv) - "To go astray, wander about"
(Jude 13).
a. Error resulting from evil intentions.
b. Our exhortation must be w/ truth, not error! - 2 Tim.
4:2.
2. Uncleanness - v. 3 - In thought or conduct.
a. Our exhortation must come from - and reflect - purity -
cf. v.10.
b. 1 Ths. 4:3, 7 - Whenever we are encouraged /
encouraging unclean conduct - not from God!
3. Guile - v. 3 - "A bait, snare;" Lure.
a. Don't exhort in order to "lay a trap" - Take
advantage of people!
b. Approach exhortation with straightforwardness - cf.
Rom. 16:18.
4. Pleasing men - v. 4 (v. 6); Gal. 1:10; 4:16
a. Give exhortation which is needed, not necessarily what
one wants to hear!
b. Don't change exhortation in order to be accepted by
others.
5. Flattery - v. 5 - Using words "not simply as an effort to give
pleasure, but w/ motives of self-interest." Attempt to gain an advantage - Jer. 9:8.
6. Covetousness - v. 6 - Greedy desire.
a. Cloak - A pretext, a false front.
b. Not as a means to a selfish end.
7. By being burdensome - v. 6 - Throwing your weight around (cf. 2 Cor.
13:10).
a. Negative reactions / Resentments.
b. Do best to avoid defensive reactions.
II. MAINTAIN POSITIVE MOTIVES - v. 4-12.
A. Please God - v. 4; Gal. 1:10; 2 Cor. 5:9.
1. v. 4 - God proves our hearts - He knows our motives!
2. Using gospel to persuade holy conduct!
B. Exhibiting Gentleness - v. 7-8; 2 Tim. 2:24.
1. "Mild" - Tender care (Nurse with her child).
2. Our care for the person(s) we are exhorting must come through!
a. v. 8 - Affectionately desirous - Strong yearning.
b. v. 8 - By giving ourselves!
C. Holy, Righteous & Blameless - v. 10.
1. Conduct / exhortation based upon these attributes.
a. Holy - Pure from evil motives.
b. Righteous - Just, upright.
c. Blameless - Above reproach.
D. Exhort In What Is Really Needed - v. 11-12.
1. Father - Provides needed things (Gen. 45:8; Job 29:16).
2. Exhortation from gospel is most needed - v. 2, 4, 8, 9.
Conclusion
1. v. 12 - Goal of our exhortation - Worthy walk in the kingdom &
glory of God!
2. Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:13 - Give ourselves to the work of exhortation!