A tremendous thrill of being a Christian is seeing people succeed.  But there's something even better than that being part of other people's success.  When that happens, their success literally becomes your success.

When I consider someone in the Bible who empowered others I first think of Barnabas.  Of all the leaders in Scripture, he seemed to be a master at taking people to another level.  Even the name by which he was called was given to him in acknowledgement of that gift.  His real name was Joseph (or Joses) but everyone called him Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36).  Encouragement can be incredibly empowering Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word.

1. Even when Paul had come to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples but they were afraid of him.  They did not believe he was a disciple.
   
2. It is easy to give our support when others have given their support.
   
3. It is something else to step up and give support before others do.
   
4. That's what Barnabas did, he didn't wait for the Apostles to support Paul.
   
5. To be an encouraging Christian you will have to be willing to take chances on people.  You may have to look for the potential in them.
   

1. "Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles (Acts 9:27).
   
2. All the believers knew Barnabas.
   
3. One of the best things you, as a Christian, can do is to sing the praises of those around you to others.
   
4. Also to bring them before your friends, let the world know that you believe in that person.
   

1. Barnabas' connection to Paul didn't end in Jerusalem.
   
2. After Barnabas' endorsement, Paul was free to move and preach.
   
3. Later, when Barnabas was assigned to the church in Antioch, he took the opportunity to find Paul and make him his companion.
   
4. This action empowered Paul to take his first step as a pastor.
   
5. This led to Paul's partnership with Barnabas as a missionary, the role for which God had destined him.
   

1. I have failed before.  Most likely I'll fail again.  Why should I even try.  The disappointment of my past attempts has been so painful for me.  I can't bear to try again.
   
   
   • Peter was a terrible failure in the eyes of God.  He even denied God.
     
   • (A fisherman on the sea of Galilee, 1st of the 12 Apostles, denied Jesus.)
     
   • He was referred to as the Rock.
     
     
2. My physical appearance is not pleasing to me.  Why would anyone else respond to someone I don't even like, meaning me.
   
   
3. I am in no emotional condition or shape to witness my faith to anyone.  Did you know that your frailties and fears may very well be exactly what causes someone else to identify with you?
   
   
4. You don't know my past.  If people found out, they would not see me the same as they do right now and I just couldn't handle that.

1. "Wait on the Lord" (Psalms 27:14).
   
2. Many people make rash decisions, their errors in judgment often add to their distress and frustration.
   
3. Luke 21:19 tells us, "In your patience possess ye your souls".
   

1. "Draw nigh unto God, and He will draw night to you" (James 4:8).
   
2. Many people become so engulfed trying to solve their problems and other people's problems that they neglect to Pray.  Neglect brings failure.
   
3. Direction is found through Prayer, Patience, and Perseverance (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).
   

1. "We then, as workers together with Him" (II Corinthians 6:1).
   
2. Not knowing which way to turn doesn't mean that we are to sit with folded hands and do nothing.
   
3. Working and sharing Christ with others will bring direction to our own lives (II Thessalonians 2:17).
   

1. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6).
   
2. All too many Christians depend on themselves too much (I John 4:4).
   

Our attitude will affect the way we look at others. A Christian should look at life, church, discipleship, family, and fellowship with others in a different scope than sinners.  We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.  According to the Word, we should even love our enemies.  Let us take a closer look at three different attitudes and see how we fit in.

1. What's mine is mine and what's thine's mine if I can get it.
   
2. Luke 10:30 explains that people often seek to rob steal from us.
   
3. Knowing that this is much present in our day, what attitude should we as Christian's possess?
   

1. What's mine's mine and what's thine's thine if you can keep it.
   
2. Luke 10:31-32, tells us that people will pass you by and not offer to help.
   
3. Knowing that this is true, what attitude should we as Christian's possess?
   

1. What's thine's thine and what's mine's thine if you need it.
   
2. Jesus tells us that we are to be a "Samaritan" and have mercy and care for others.
   
3. Jesus commanded in verse 37 that we are to "Go and do likewise".
   
4. Knowing this is true, what attitude should we as Christians possess?
   

Text: I Thessalonians

How many times in life have you heard the statement made "I wish my church could be, or was like that church"?  It is probably good that the church is not like each and every one of us.  If the church was like us, what kind of church would our church be?  The Bible is very clear on the issue of what our church should be.  The book of I Thessalonians gives us a great outline of church directives.  Let us examine the following:

1. I Thessalonians 1:8 tells us that we are to sound out the Word of Faith.
   
2. The greatest testimony is that of personal witness.
   

1. The Thessalonians were proven to be gentle and wanted to nurture new converts (I Thessalonians 2:7-8).
   
2. We also strive to get the babes out of the nursery.
   

1. I Thessalonians 2:14,15 - 3:5, states that we will suffer problems but we know that the devil will be looking for us.
   
2. We should expect conflict from satan and have on the whole armor of God.
   

1. A church should increase in love and let love abound (I Thessalonians 3:12).
   
2. Love should not only be talked about but demonstrated daily.
   

1. According to I Thessalonians 4:6, we are not to fraud or trespass against our brothers and sisters.
   
2. If our walk with God is where it should be, we will develop discipline in our lives.
   

1. As the Word instructs in I Thessalonians 4:9-13, we are to teach others the proper Biblical character.
   
2. Not only to teach but also to live the example everyday.
   

1. If the modern day church would do what Christ instructs us to do, we would see a revival of souls like never before (I Thessalonians 5:14).
   
2. Let us strive to be a hospital and not a wrecking yard.
   
3. Let us administer healing and not hurt.
   
4. Let us offer to uplift and not put down.
   

Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Colossians 1:16

1. Which is greater, "The Creator or the creation"?
   
2. Satan was created for a service and or a purpose.
   

1. "I will ascend into heaven" he assumes to take the abode of God.
   
2. "1 will exalt my throne above the stars of God" = this may indicate taking authority over the angels (Job 38:7).
   
3. "I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation this may refer to the temple (Daniel 11:37, II Thessalonians 2:4).
   
4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds (literally "cloud") the cloud may be a covering of God (Exodus 13:21).
   
5. I will be like the most high he assumed to take the place of God.
   
   "Yet thou shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.  They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That make the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?" (Isaiah 14:15-17).
   

1. What is his strategy?
   

1. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
   Note:  "wiles" from two words: one meaning "traveling over", and the other meaning "travesty" = wile, lie in wait (to overcome).  He lies in wait to overcome us.
   
2. "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (II Corinthians 2:11).
   Note:  "device" = has to do "a perception", "a purposed disposition" = device, mind, thoughts.  Satan tries to get control of our mind, our thoughts.  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).  What does he seek to steal, kill, and destroy in your home, family, and life?

1. He blinds tile minds of unbelievers.
   a.  II Corinthians 4:34
   b.  People are incredibly confused about the truth of Holiness, Jesus' sacrifice and many other matters pertaining to faith. c.  This also has to do with believers in the church who have horribly mixed priority systems.
   
2. He assaults believers to get them to fall from God's grace.
   a.  Ephesians 6:12
   b.  Zechariah 3:1
   d.  Galatians 3:1-2
   Note: Satan tries to get people to believe that they must work for their salvation even after they have committed their lives to Jesus and are saved.
3. He tempts men to sin.
   a.  Genesis 3:1-6
   b.  I Chronicles 21:1
   c.  Matthew 4:1
   d.  New Testament word "tempt" means "to test, to assay, to entice, to temp, to try."
   Note:  When a Believers sin, he destroys his witness. Satan wants to destroy the effectiveness of the Believer's witness.
   

1. They were created by God in that God created everything.
   
2. They were with God as angels = Job 38:7 ("sons of God") = Angels.
   
3. Fallen angels became evil spirits.
   a.  Luke 10:18 (see Matthew 25:41)
   b.  Revelation 12:34 (see Daniel 8:10)
   c.  Revelation 12:7-9
   d.  Jude 6= They left their first estate (as angels).
   

I Samuel 1,2

1. Peer pressure is often very hard to resist.  When the "gang" is getting off track but you've been with them for a long time, it's hard not to go with them.  Tell about a time when you saw peer pressure at work.  Why was it so hard to say "No!"
   
   
2. Do peer pressure situations always have to be negative?  Can you think of a time when peer pressure has actually worked for the doing of good instead of evil?
   
   
3. In I Samuel 1 and 2 is the story of a woman named Hannah who struggled with a number of problems in her society and home that very much complicated resolution of her own struggles.  In the following passages are found some of the pressures facing her.  Try to describe these pressures as if they were happening to someone today (i.e., in our culture and in our town).
   
   
   • I Samuel l:6,7
   
   
   • I Samuel l:8
   
   
   • I Samuel 3:10
   
   
   • I Samuel 2;12,17
   
   
   
4. Read I Samuel 1:10.  What was Hannah's approach to her problem in the face of all the peer pressure she was receiving?
   
   
5. Read I Samuel 1:11.  Just how desperate had Hannah become in order to have a child?  If there had been a doctor with a procedure or some kind of medical approach to her problem, do you think she would have called on the Lord in this way?
   
   
6. Read l Samuel 1:13-18; 2:19-21.  Did Hannah end up with an earthly prayer partner and some positive peer pressure?  Who was it?  Was her prayer answered?  To what degree?
   
   
7. The Bible has much to say about negative and positive peer pressure.  Try to identify at least one key principle on this subject in each of the following passages:
   
   
   • Proverbs 13:20
   
   
   • I Corinthians 5:1l
   
   
   • Ecclesiastes 4:9
   
   
   
8. This week's focus on care and prayer:
   
   Often we face problems, sometimes very personal problems, which we find difficult to bring out into the open but which beg for an answer or a solution.  We may be afraid to share them for fear that others will not treat them with the same concern we have for them; we may believe they will make us feel ashamed, foolish, or inadequate.