Sermon Notes Pentecost 24 Nov 14 and 15 2020 “Encourage One Another”
Memory verse - 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
“11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are
doing .”--1 Thessalonians 5: 11
Additional memory verses from Romans 15:4-6:
“4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through
the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might
have hope. 5May the God
who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward
each other that Christ Jesus had, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
--Romans 15:4-6
Our gospel readings from Saint Matthew for last week and today focus on what
theologians often refer to as
Eschatology = belief about death, the end of the world,
or the ultimate destiny of humankind …
in Christian doctrine: the Second Coming of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead,
or the Last Judgment.
In Matthew, Jesus mentions the “Kingdom of God” or the “Kingdom of heaven” 48
times. This is the single most important theme of the gospel. …might lead us to ask…
How can we be ready when the final judgment comes?
Accept the gift of Jesus Christ, the Salvation and deliverance which God himself has
made possible for us.
Concerned about Election outcomes? President, Congress?… our future?
Are we going to be ready for the outcome? For natural disasters? Evacuation? lifestyle
changes?
Farmers preparations before harvest … equipment…prep for next season?
In all the decisions we face in the days ahead,
What practices can we adopt to maximize our faith to be ready for the final harvest of
souls?
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“Encourage One Another” St Johns Lutheran Church Danforth IL
November 14 and 15 2020 Pentecost 24 Pastor Duane Marburger
What can we learn? …From Parables of the coming of the kingdom of God and the final
judgment? Value of Talent/day’s wage (denarius). Talent = 7300 denarii
Those who invested the talents well were commended: “Well done, good and faithful
servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy
of your master.” Faithful responders have joys multiplied. However, Fearful
misimpressions judged unworthy & suffer regret…
Our relationship to God in the world is stewardship. … use everything in such a way to
benefit God's Kingdom.
How might we respond to the realization that the gift which God has given us in His Son
Jesus is worth far more than a lifetime of wages? Salvation & Forgiveness for repentant
sinners. … the gift of everlasting life.
…”Encourage one another…”
How then can we be encouragers? 1. Seek unity in faith to live in harmony …2. PRAY…
Where can we receive that encouragement and direction for encouraging others?
Study Scriptures… 1Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, 5:14; II Thessalonians 2:16;
I Timothy 5:1; Romans 1:12, 15:4-6; Acts 4:36, 14:22; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 2:2; 1
Corinthians 14:3, 31; Hebrews 6:18
Greek word for encouragement, translations in English = comfort or console. Paul’s
encouragement to new believers - II Thess. 2:13-16
“13But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord,
because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit
and belief in the truth. 14To this he called you through our gospel so that you may
obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then brothers, stand firm and hold to the
traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and
gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and
establish them in every good work and word. “ --- II Thessalonians 2:13-16
The Greek word for comfort here is paraklesis, which is an allusion to one of the Holy
Spirit’s names: the Comforter (KJV) or Helper (John 14:26) the same Greek root is the
word that is translated in our texts from 1 Thessalonians as encourage.
The fourth way we receive encouragement and the power to encourage others is the
experience of Christ’s divine presence when we celebrate the Sacraments and
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“Encourage One Another” St Johns Lutheran Church Danforth IL
November 14 and 15 2020 Pentecost 24 Pastor Duane Marburger
remember the power of God’s forgiveness. … also receive the power that we might
offer forgiveness to others even as we have been forgiven.
We can follow the command of Christ to make disciples as we offer ourselves to be used
by God for His service.
Therefore, may we recall and offer the consoling and comforting words of
encouragement expressed by Paul in his first Letter to the Thessalonians and in his letter
to the Romans:…
“Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
“11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are
doing .”--1 Thessalonians 5: 11
“…encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone…”
–I Thessalonians 5:14
Additional memory verses from Romans 15:4-6:
“4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through
the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might
have hope. 5May the God
who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward
each other that Christ Jesus had, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
--Romans 15:4-6
ALL PRAY: LORD Help us to recognize that there is a day of judgment for us. May the
work and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ be our defense when you come to
judge the living and the dead. Help us to encourage others as we have been
encouraged . Amen!”
(Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep our hearts and
minds through faith in Christ Jesus. (Amen.)
Stjohnsdanforth.com/weeklysermons/SermonNotes.