Encouragement in the Last Days

Three Weeks.  That’s all it took.   Three sermons.  They got it.   Three messages.  It sunk in.  Paul the apostle on his second missionary journey stopped in a little synagogue and Acts 17 says     “ as his manner was for three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that Jesus whom he preached is Christ.”   The bible says some believed and I love the King Jimmy  as it says  “certain lewd fellows of the baser sort”  rose up against them.    That is always the case with truth.  And it is certainly the case with Jesus.  Some respond and some don’t.  Some believe and some fight against.   And through it all the church today continues to flourish.4
 
Today’s Blog is for my fellow believers in the church.  And my message is the same message that Paul wrote to the church at Thessonalika and I believe it is the message we need in what I truly believe is the last days.  So he tells these precious saints four things:
 
1.  Establishes them in the truth
2.  Exhorts them to personal holiness
3.  Encourages them in the midst or persecution
4.  Instructs them to look for the soon return of Jesus.
 
Lets look at these points.   Number 1.  God wants us to know Him.  Jesus himself in John 17:17 said Sanctify them by truth  Thy word is truth.    Peter in his epistle said thou you know these things I am going to keep reminding you until you are established in them.   It is not just saying the prayer and asking the Lord into your heart but truly enjoying your walk with Him,  letting him guide you and bless you and reveal himself to you.
 
Number 2.  Be Holy.  Holiness truly leads to happiness.  If you get close to the Lord you take on his characteristics.  Moses came down the mountain glowing.  You through the Holy Spirit have the power to live a holy live.  Holiness scares people.  They don’t know what to do with it.  May God cause to desire this holiness in our personal lives.
 
Point Number 3.  Encouragement in the midst of the struggle.  This is the one I find it most needed in the church today.  In the world in general.  Something has caused people to give up.  To go back.  To not plug in.  Understand this saint God wants you to be encouraged.  To truly know you don’t have to do this alone.  The church is simply made up of people in love with Jesus and desiring to know him more.  Join a body of believers and let the Lord encourage you thru his people.
 
And the final point is this.  Look for the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The people who look for and long for the return of the Lord.  we call it the rapture   Where we will meet the Lord in the air and forever be with the Lord  Paul tells the believers in Chapter 4 of Thessalonains that this wil bring comfort to them.  I hope and pray it brings comfort to you.  Jesus goes to prepare a place for you and if he goes he will come back.  That where he is you may be also.  He who has this hope purifies himself.
 
So thank you Paul for those three weeks in Thessalonika.  They bless me.  How I need to be established in truth.   How I need to strive for holiness.  How I thank God for your encouragement that you give me thru your people and by your spirit. And like the book ends in Revelation.  We say Come Quickly Lord Jesus.   I can’t wait until I see you face to face.
 
So be encouraged fellow bloggers (hopefully believers)   Our redemption draws nigh….
 
Pastor Mike
Brookings Christian Fellowship