EncouragementEncouragement

2 Corinthians 1:3-72 Corinthians 1:3-7

Needed: EncouragementNeeded: Encouragement

Who needs it?Who needs it?

We all do!We all do!

Helps in time of troubleHelps in time of trouble

Serve God of All ComfortServe God of All Comfort

Comfort of the Word (Romans 15:4)Comfort of the Word (Romans 15:4)

We Are God’s Little FlockWe Are God’s Little Flock

Only a few believeOnly a few believe–Disciples (Luke 12:32)Disciples (Luke 12:32)

–Chosen by GodChosen by God

A spiritual familyA spiritual family–Least is greater than John the Least is greater than John the

Baptist (Matthew 11:11)Baptist (Matthew 11:11)

We Are God’s Little FlockWe Are God’s Little Flock

A spiritual familyA spiritual family–Least in the kingdom is greater than Least in the kingdom is greater than

John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11)John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11)

–““First shall be last and the last first” First shall be last and the last first” (Luke 13:28-30)(Luke 13:28-30)

–Who would think a thief would be Who would think a thief would be saved? (Luke 23:43)saved? (Luke 23:43)

We Are God’s Little FlockWe Are God’s Little Flock

Bound together in loveBound together in love–Without love we cannot be what we Without love we cannot be what we

should be (Romans 12:9, 10, 17)should be (Romans 12:9, 10, 17)

–Genuine love and concern Genuine love and concern (Romans 12:13, 15, 16)(Romans 12:13, 15, 16)

We Are God’s Little FlockWe Are God’s Little Flock

Stick together and be encouragingStick together and be encouraging–““United we stand, divided we fall”United we stand, divided we fall”

–More than a sloganMore than a slogan

–Makes a difference between success Makes a difference between success and failure as God’s people and failure as God’s people (Ephesians 4:1-3)(Ephesians 4:1-3)

We Are God’s Little FlockWe Are God’s Little Flock

You are loved and appreciatedYou are loved and appreciated–Don’t think otherwiseDon’t think otherwise

–We are a familyWe are a family

–Need every member of the body Need every member of the body (1 Corinthians 12:21, 22)(1 Corinthians 12:21, 22)

A Better World BeyondA Better World Beyond

Must not grow wearyMust not grow weary–Means to “succumb to fatigue” Means to “succumb to fatigue”

(Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)(Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)

–Used of weariness Used of weariness (John 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:27)(John 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:27)

–““Well doing” means doing God’s work Well doing” means doing God’s work (Ephesians 2:10)(Ephesians 2:10)

A Better World BeyondA Better World Beyond

We shall reapWe shall reap–Discouraging to do what is right Discouraging to do what is right

with no word of thankswith no word of thanks

–Paul challenged themPaul challenged them

–In due timeIn due time

A Better World BeyondA Better World Beyond

Better place beyond the graveBetter place beyond the grave–Fix our hope (1 Peter 1:13)Fix our hope (1 Peter 1:13)

–Paul suffered (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)Paul suffered (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

–Called them a “light affliction” Called them a “light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:16) (2 Corinthians 4:16)

–Better to depart (Philippians 1:23)Better to depart (Philippians 1:23)

A Better World BeyondA Better World Beyond

Learn from DavidLearn from David–His predicament (1 Samuel 30:1-6)His predicament (1 Samuel 30:1-6)

–David turned to God David turned to God (Psalms 18:6; 27:1, 4, 5; 40:1-3)(Psalms 18:6; 27:1, 4, 5; 40:1-3)

–We have a refuge (Proverbs 18:10)We have a refuge (Proverbs 18:10)

–Pray (Luke 18:1; Philippians 4:6)Pray (Luke 18:1; Philippians 4:6)

–He is near (Hebrews 13:6)He is near (Hebrews 13:6)

Strength From Old TestamentStrength From Old Testament

Affirmed in the New TestamentAffirmed in the New Testament–Give us hope (Isaiah 40:28-31)Give us hope (Isaiah 40:28-31)

–““We are weak, but He is strong.”We are weak, but He is strong.”

–Waiting on the Lord is relying on HimWaiting on the Lord is relying on Him

–Our God is able (Ephesians 3:20, 21)Our God is able (Ephesians 3:20, 21)

Strength From New TestamentStrength From New Testament

We have an adversaryWe have an adversary–Satan is the source of evil Satan is the source of evil

(James 1:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8)(James 1:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8)

–God can perfect, or “repair” usGod can perfect, or “repair” us

–He will comfort usHe will comfort us

–Come boldly (Hebrews 4:15, 16)Come boldly (Hebrews 4:15, 16)

Strength From New TestamentStrength From New Testament

God can make us blamelessGod can make us blameless–Jude wrote to vulnerable people Jude wrote to vulnerable people

(Jude 24)(Jude 24)

–Encouraged them to be strongEncouraged them to be strong

–Living in time of apostasyLiving in time of apostasy

–Need not be afraidNeed not be afraid

–God is able (2 Thessalonians 2:16)God is able (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

ConclusionConclusion

Disappointments will comeDisappointments will come

We must be steadfastWe must be steadfast

Someday we will reapSomeday we will reap