Sunday, October 9, 2016 am
OTHERS 2016
Comfort One Another With These Words
1 Thessalonians 4:18
a.
The Greek word,
παρακαλέω (parakaleō), is a word with many meanings.
Its literal meaning is “to call to one’s side” (BDAG).
It is the idea of standing beside someone who is struggling, in
sorrow or distress. Words
associated with this include:
1.
Comfort - To comfort one is to give them emotional strength and/or to
console them.
2. Exhort - to appeal to, urge, or to exhort (BDAG).
3. Implore (cf. Philippians 4:2) or beg (cf. Acts 13:42,
16:15) or urge (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3), etc.
In the New Testament, we find both comfort and exhortation as they
relate to how we address one another in in our conversations and manner
of life. Let us consider
these things.
b.
Another form of this
word, (παράκλητος, paraklētos), is found 5 times in the NT in reference
to the Holy Spirit as Jesus called Him “the Helper” (John 14:16, 26,
15:26, 16:7) and of Jesus Himself in 1 John 2:1 when we sin, we have an
Advocate with the Father…
This gives us some insight into what this word includes.
Think of how the Holy Spirit helped the apostles in revealing the
word and as they stood beside Him (cf. Luke 12:11-12 – as they taught,
the HS would be with them).
Think of Paul at the end of his life in 2 Timothy 4:15-16 – at his first
defense he was alone (no one stood with him, “but the Lord stood with me
and strengthened me…”)
When we think of comforting one another, I want us to consider how Jesus
is by our side!
c.
There are also other
words, with similar meanings that are translated comfort and reflect
what we think of when we use this word.
d.
That we need to consider
this conduct goes without saying.
As we have noted frequently, we are living in troublesome times.
And now, more than ever, we need each other!
EVEN in the best of times, we face individual struggles and
troubles. And we need to be
there for one another with proper attitudes, demeanor and conduct.
ALL OF US become discouraged from time to time.
Some handle it better than others, some hide it better than
others and some don’t handle hard times well and you know it.
Therefore, some need more attention than others as they deal with
whatever it is they are dealing with (i.e. the ones not handling it so
well).
As a whole, these “one another” passages are given without qualifiers.
In other words, they apply regardless of who our brethren are.
In fact, our love calls for us to be willing to go that “extra
mile” for the brother that needs it the most, or the one that might
present a little more of a challenge.
NOTE Philippians 2:1, “if there is any comfort of love…” (Paul is
making rhetorical observations).
e.
Comfort
–
1.
1 Thess. 5:11 therefore
comfort (encourage - NASB), each other and edify one another.
2.
1 Thess. 4:18 –
therefore comfort one another with these words (more on this in our next
point). In BOTH of these
passages, Paul is dealing with our Lord’s return and how we can use that
to strengthen both ourselves and each other.
3.
2 Cor. 1:3-7 – our God
is a God of comfort. He
comforts in such a way that we are able to comfort one another.
Romans 14:5 notes that He is a God of patience and comfort
4.
2 Corinthians 13:11, “Become
complete. Be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace…”
f.
How do we comfort one another?
1.
By simply being there
for each other when needed
– as the word is used in its literal sense.
I think of one who has suffered the loss of a loved one.
When Lazarus died, as Jesus made His way to him and the family we
read of those around – John 11:19, 31 – where many Jews where with Mary
and Martha comforting them.
while there are many times where we can be a help to others (i.e.
Galatians 6:2 – bear one another’s burdens), sometimes all we can do is
be there. But it is so
appreciated.
This is a principle found in scripture – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – two are
better than one…
1 Thess. 5:14 – comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak…
1 Thess. 2:11 – Paul speaks of how he and those with him had properly
conducted themselves properly in their midst – acting devoutly,
blameless, and just as they behaved themselves.
Then we notice, “as you
know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as
a father does his own children.”
2.
By being a proper
example in dealing with struggles
– show those who are young and weak HOW to properly handle difficult
times and situations. Show
them that it can be done WITHOUT surrendering your faith.
Consider the sufferings Jesus endured, yet He leaves us an example – 2
Peter 2:21-24
Paul dealt with all sorts of adversities as he preached the gospel, but
he kept his faith.
Philippians 1:12-14 – in his sufferings he notes all turned out well for
the gospel’s sake – some believed, and among brethren most became more
confident.
MY point, how you handle adversity can be a comfort to others who are
struggling.
3.
With patience
– 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Warn the unruly, comfort the fainthearted,
uphold the weak, be patient with all.
NOTE how patience is called for “‘with all” in a context addressing
struggling brethren. This is
the same word describing how God is longsuffering toward us, not willing
that we perish (2 Peter 3:9).
The same word in 1 Cor. 13:4 describing love.
4.
With our words
- Usually comforting one another involves what we say and the way we say
it.
a.
Comfort one another with these words -1 Thess. 4:18.
God’s word is intended as a source of comfort (cf. Romans 15:4 – what is
written gives us hope). To
the godly it is!
b.
1 Corinthians 14:3 – he
who prophesies speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to men.
In a text dealing with teaching in worship involves revealing
God’s word in a coherent way, we find that it will comfort others.
c.
When brethren are
struggling, remind them of what awaits the godly on the other side of
eternity. TELL them
words of comfort.
NOTE: When someone is deeply distressed, usually the last thing they
need to hear is about your problems!
That is not the time to “pile on” with more adding to their
burdens.
d.
Be reminded that we are
to guard our tongues – Colossians 4:6.
a.
The same Greek word we
are discussing for comfort is sometimes translated exhort.
b.
It is found in Hebrews
10:25 – exhort one another as we assemble together
Hebrews 3:13 calls for us to exhort one another daily lest we be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
c.
IN this, I want us to
think about how comforting one another doesn’t mean we ignore the
problem or offer empty platitudes.
Instead it means with compassion we encourage them in the right
direction. Don’t let someone
who is in sin think they are ok if they remain there!
That may involve some stronger conversation.
BUT let us NEVER forget Colossians 4:6 – let your speech be with
grace, seasoned with salt.
d.
Exhorting one another
also involves “these words” or what we say.
1.
Acts 14:22 – after first
journey, Paul and Barnabas returning through Galatia they strengthened
the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith.
2.
Acts 2:40 – on the day
of Pentecost, Peter testified and
exhorted them to “be saved
from this perverse and crooked generation.”
3.
Acts 11:23, Barnabas,
having heard of brethren in Antioch having received the gospel was sent
by the apostles. When he
arrived he was glad “and
encouraged them all that with
purpose of heart they should continue in the Lord.”
4.
Titus 2:15 – in matters
of denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly,
righteously and godly, Titus was told “speak
these things, exhort and
rebuke with all authority…”
5.
1 Timothy 5:1, “Do not rebuke an older man, but
exhort him as a father…”
6.
2 Timothy 4:2, “reprove, rebuke and exhort
with all longsuffering…”
7.
Finally, 1 Thessalonians
5:14, “we
exhort you
brethren…warn…comfort…uphold…be patient.”
As
we consider one another as brethren, it is imperative that we chose our
words carefully. And this is
not just about what we say, but when we say it and how we say it.
May we strive to be the GREATEST source of comfort to one another
as brethren. Let us be there
for each other so that we are not turning to the world instead of God
for our strength.
Think about it.