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Scripture Reading:  1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

 

BECOMING BETTER EXHORTERS

 

Intro.

1.     We all need exhortation/encouragement in the faith.

    a.     God expects us to exhort one another – Heb. 3:13; 10:25.

    b.     God expects us to receive exhortation – Heb. 13:22.

2.     Exhort (parakaleo) – “To call to a person…to call on, entreat…to admonish, to urge” (Vine, 217); “to console, to encourage, to strengthen, to instruct, to teach.”

3.     1 Ths. 2:1-12 – Right & wrong ways to exhort.

4.     1 Tim. 4:13 (15); Rom. 12:8 – Want to be better exhorters.

 

I.  WHAT WE MUST USE TO EXHORT ONE ANOTHER.

    A.    Source of Our Exhortations:  The Gospel – 1 Ths. 2:2-4; 2 Tim. 4:2 (word, sound doctrine, truth); 1 Cor. 14:3.

    B.    Effective Exhortation Does Not Come From:

        1.   Fables (fictitious, invented stories) – 2 Tim. 4:3.

        2.   Error – 1 Ths. 2:3.

        3.   Flowery oratory, wisdom, philosophy or tradition of men – 1 Cor. 2:1, 4; Col. 2:8. 

 

II.  THE PURPOSE OF EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER.

    A.    Instruction – Acts 13:15; 15:31.

    B.    Persuasion – Acts 13:43 (continue); 2:40 (save yourself!); 11:23 (purpose of heart); 2 Cor. 8:4 (urgency).

    C.    Strengthen – Acts 14:22; 11:23.

    D.    Comfort (consolation, encouragement) – Phil. 2:1; 2 Cor. 1:3-7 (to help endure, 1:6-7); Heb. 6:17-18 (strong consolation).

 

III.  RIGHT & WRONG WAYS TO EXHORT – 1 Ths. 2:1-12.

Wrong

Right

1. Error, 2:3

1. Truth (2 Tim. 4:2)

2. Uncleanness, 2:3

2. Purity (2:10)

3. Deceit, 2:3

3. Honesty (2 Cor. 4:2)

4. Pleasing men, 2:4 (2)

4. Please God (2:4; Gal. 1:10-12)

5. Flattery, 2:5 (Prov. 26:28)

5. Straightforwardly (Acts 14:22)

6. Covetousness, 2:6

6. As father (2:11; 2 Cor. 12:14)

7. Men’s glory, 2:6

7. From God (2:12)

 

IV.  TRAITS OF THE EXHORTER (Example:  Barnabas)  Acts 11:22-24.

    A.   The Exhorter Considers His Brethren – 11:22.

        1.   Cares for, gives of himself, looks to needs of others – Phil. 2:3-4; cf. 2 Cor. 11:28-29.

        2.   Heb. 10:24 – Thoughtfully & clearly perceives his brother’s case.

    B.   The Exhorter Assesses the Situation & Praises Whenever He Can – 11:23.  (cf. Barnabas glad to see their progress.)

        1.   Effective exhorter will assess (1) the need, (2) the present condition of person, (3) best approach to use when exhorting.

        2.   2 Tim. 4:2 – With longsuffering (restraint & mercy).

    C.   The Exhorter Avoids Hypocrisy – Acts 11:24.

        1.   Good:  “upright, honorable,” and therefore, helpful.

        2.   Matt. 7:1-5 – Effective because he/she lives consistently with the exhortation being given.  (cf. Timothy – 1 Tim. 4:15-16)

    D.   The Exhorter is Full of the Holy Spirit – Acts 11:24.

        1.   Full of the Holy Spirit:  Under the control of the Spirit – cf. Acts 6:3; Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:16, 18, 22-25.

        2.   Wise counsel comes from one who lives in fellowship with God!

    E.    The Exhorter is a Person of Faith – Acts 11:24 (2 Cor. 5:7).

        -We can/will only exhort to the same level of faith we possess – Rom. 12:6, 8.

 

V.   ACCEPTING EXHORTATION (What we must do with it).

    A.   Assess It:  Is it the Truth? – cf. Acts 2:40-41; 17:11-12.

        1.   Give the exhortation a fair hearing!

    B.    Receive it & Use it to Grow Stronger in Christ – Acts 11:24, 26; 1 Ths. 4:1-2.

 

Conclusion

     1 Tim. 4:13 – Resolve to become better exhorters and to more readily accept godly, scriptural exhortation when it is given to us!