Upward and Onward 3 Words I Thessalonians 4

Upward and Onward

3 Words

I Thessalonians 4: 1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God ( just as you actually do walk ), that you excel still more.

I Thessalonians 4: 9– 10 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,

Three more words I Thessalonians 3: 12 May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

This letter is addressed to a strong and faithful Church of Christ.

Thessalonica was and remains an important city. . . It was a free Roman city.

It was large as strategically located.

Not troubled – a model congregation I Thessalonians 1: 2– 3 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

They were an evangelistic Congregation. I Thessalonians 1: 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

I Thessalonians 4: 9– 10 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,

Build on your strength. I Thessalonians 3: 12 May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

I Thessalonians 4: 1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God ( just as you actually do walk ), that you excel still more.

Philippians 3: 12– 14 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call

How do you suppose the brethren took Paul’s admonition ?

II Thessalonians 1: 3– 5 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God

II Thessalonians 1: 3– 5. . . continued for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.

We all want to grow spiritually. - We could list many things in which we want to improve. - More import is HOW can we excel still more ? - Three qualities = no limit.

I. The first quality is URGENCY

Matt. 25: 14– 18 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called His own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had

Matt. 25: 14– 18. . . continued received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and his master’s money.

What do we learn from the one talent man ?

Matthew 25: 24 And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. Vs 26 – But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no

What I am in Christ today is good enough for my savior, BUT. . . what I am in Christ today is not good enough for my savior tomorrow !

What I am in Christ today is good enough for my savior, BUT. . . what I am in Christ today is not good enough for my Savior tomorrow !

Having an attitude of immediacy and urgency, I can grow boundlessly.

II. The second quality is MATURITY

Maturity comes from knowledge and understanding of spiritual things.

Romans 10: 17 Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. II Peter 3: 18. . . grow in the grace and knowledge of our �� �� Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Remember Hebrews 5 . . . The lack of maturity has been a problem from the early years of the church.

III. The third quality is DEPENDANCY

Hebrews 10: 21 -25 Since we have �� a great priest �� over the house of God, 22 let us �� draw near with a �� sincere heart in �� full assurance of faith, having our hearts �� sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us �� hold fast the �� confession of our hope without ��

Hebrews 10: 21 -25. . . continued wavering, for �� He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love �� and �� good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own �� assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all �� the more as you see �� the day drawing near.

Teamwork multiplies results. One draft horse Can pull 8, 000 lbs How much can two horses pull ?

Teamwork multiplies results. Two draft horses can pull three times as much as one. . . 24, 000 lbs

Teamwork multiplies results. Two draft horses that train together can pull four times as much as one. . . 32, 000 lbs

This principle applies to all cooperative efforts, including spiritual things.

Start now Learn how to do it Team up with others

Challenge : Attach urgency to your maturity and team up this week with some brethren to accomplish something for God. . Eph. 3: 20

If we were to preach this same lesson next year, would we be able to use the same text that Paul used for his follow up lesson ?

II Thessalonians 1: 3 -4 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

Will you commit your life to Christ and then excel in His service ?