We Exhort You I Thessalonians 4:10-12 I. Introduction. A. The epistles of Paul abound in exhortations. B. A major part of preaching and teaching should be exhorting. C. Exhort: To use words or arguments to invite to good deeds. Do we not need this? D. Do we, as humans, need to be reminded? 1. Others possess the power of stirring us up and exhorting us to higher plains. 2. Keeps us conscious of our needs and the needs of others. E. Paul wrote: I Thessalonians 4:10-12 II. Body. A. Paul's first exhortation: Abound more and more. 1. Note the emphasis ye. 2. What Paul taught of others, he practiced. 3. Each servant of Christ is to feel a personal responsibility. 4. Note James 1:27. 5. The religion of Christ is an abounding religion. a. Each to grow in: II Peter 3:18. b. No growth? Not acceptable to Lord. 6. Paul exhorted: I Corinthians 15:58. 7. One is to abound in the right areas: a. Love: II Thessalonians 1:3. b. Righteousness: I Thessalonians 4:1. c. Works: Philippians 2:12. d. Praise: Hebrews 13:15. e. Thankfulness: I Thessalonians 5:18. B. Paul's second exhortation: Study to be quiet. 1. It does take study, does it not? 2. Anyone can make noise with the mouth. 3. The Ecclesiastes writer: 3:7. 4. Just as we guard our tongues in what we say, must guard to keep from saying wrong thing. 5. Paul also said: II Thessalonians 3:10-12. 6. How often do we think(study) about being quiet? 7. The Christian is to be aware that: 1. There are times to speak. a. For truth and right. b. Against error. c. To warn of danger. d. To express proper feelings. e. To impart instruction. 2. There are times to be quiet. a. When anger controls: Ephesians 4:26. b. When one would speak fowl language: Ephesians 4:29. c. When complaining: I Corinthians 10:10. d. When argue for the love of "argument"--agitate: Titus 3:9. e. When about to lie: Ephesians 4:25. f. When would slander another: Ephesians 4:31. C. The third exhortation: Do your own business. 1. Or, mind your own business. 2. Christians are not meddlers--even though their desire is to assist others. 3. A warning: I Timothy 5:11-13. 4. Busybodies condemned: II Thessalonians 3:11. 5. Always easier to take care of the other fellow's business. 6. We should feel a personal responsibility. a. This is the basis of the Christian's obligations. b. Some would desire others to do their business and then take care of them! c. One has an obligation to exert an honest effort in pursuit of a living. d. Whatever one chooses: do it heartily. 7. One's business should always be right: a. This avoids corruption: traffic in drugs, alcohol, ungodliness, etc. b. Does not cheat others(misrepresentation). 8. Make sure one's business(activities) is: a. Approved of God. b. Beneficial to mankind. c. Helps the person, the family, and others. D. The fourth exhortation: To work. 1. Must be practiced by the disciple. 2. Work that is honest and honorable brings many pleasant rewards. 3. There were lazy people in apostolic times: II Thessalonians 3:10-11. 4. In the garden: Genesis 2:15. 5. The great men and women of the Old Testament were workers. 6. Jesus called busy men to his service. 7. "To work with your hands." a. Utilize oneself profitably. b. Work, honest and honorable is to be pursued by all mankind. c. Whatever we can do--do not be ashamed(if right): work! d. We fail to appreciate efforts of others at times. (1 May feel we are the only one working. (2 Easy to complain about others "not working as they should." (3 Do we appreciate the honest efforts of men? In all walks of life? e. The man who uses skills of his hands is as honest and honorable as one who utilizes primarily his mind. f. If one fails to work as should, penalize: Oneself, family, and society. E. The last exhortation: That ye may walk becomingly. 1. Some did not so walk: II Thessalonians 3:11. a. Must actually walk(not glide; not coast). b. It is an uphill battle. 2. Not like this: I Peter 4:3. 3. Note: Ephesians 5:15; I John 1:7. 4. "Toward them that are without." a. Remember: I Peter 2:11-12. b. The only way some can know better is to show them better! c. Think of reaction to seeing and hearing one teach against sin and then commit it! III. Conclusion. A. Exhortations are to be accepted--as Paul expected the people at Thessalonica to take note. B. One may not need a specific exhortation, but it helps in assisting others in doing what is right.-jy