- VOD Pgm Evt Morning Worship
- William Turner, Jr.: Comfort and Strengthen One Another (2 Thess. 2:16, 17)
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00:00:01 Well, I think we would agree 00:00:03 that it’s very heart-warming to know 00:00:05 that we serve a God of comfort, 00:00:08 and he provides us with so many reminders 00:00:10 that highlight the need for us to encourage, 00:00:13 strengthen, and comfort one another. 00:00:16 Especially now in the times in which we live, 00:00:19 because none of us know the full weight 00:00:22 of what our brothers here in the Bethel family 00:00:25 and our congregations might be facing or dealing with. 00:00:28 So having and showing empathy 00:00:32 and fellow feeling toward one another is so important. 00:00:37 Perhaps a good example of how not to show comfort and fellow feeling 00:00:42 is described for us by Job’s three comforters. 00:00:46 You might recall that they were so busy judging him 00:00:49 and giving Job speeches 00:00:51 that they failed to take the time to understand him 00:00:55 and to show fellow feeling. 00:00:57 In fact, in all the talking they did, 00:01:00 not once do we read that they even addressed Job by name. 00:01:05 The Watchtower made a statement regarding these comforters. 00:01:09 It said: “Evidently they viewed [Job] 00:01:12 more as a problem than as a person.” 00:01:17 Now, how do you think that treatment made Job feel? 00:01:20 Turn with me in your Bibles to Job chapter 19, 00:01:27 and we’ll listen to Job’s words 00:01:30 —Job 19:2. 00:01:37 He says: “How long will you keep irritating my soul, 00:01:42 crushing me with words?” 00:01:46 How sad! 00:01:48 Instead of providing encouragement and comfort, 00:01:52 those companions only made Job feel irritated, 00:01:56 crushed, and frustrated. 00:02:00 Well, doesn’t this highlight that if we don’t give thoughts 00:02:03 to our words and actions, 00:02:06 if we view our brother more as a problem than as a person, 00:02:11 then we’re not going to be able to provide them 00:02:13 with the comfort and support they may need? 00:02:17 Perhaps we might work with or we’re in the congregation 00:02:21 with someone that has faults or traits that bother us, 00:02:25 and it may be that these faults 00:02:28 are actually legitimate causes of concern. 00:02:31 But in our dealings with them, 00:02:34 if those faults are the only things that we can see, 00:02:37 if that’s the only thing we focus on, 00:02:40 then it’s going to be very difficult 00:02:42 for us to see them as a faithful fellow worker of Jehovah. 00:02:47 More than likely, all that we’re going to see 00:02:49 is someone who is an obstacle or impediment to our work, 00:02:54 someone who is affecting or impacting our production and joy. 00:02:59 And certainly, we’re not going to feel good 00:03:03 because now we’ve developed negative feelings about our brother, 00:03:06 and our brother is likely going to feel the spirit that we give off. 00:03:11 How is that going to affect them? 00:03:14 Well, like Job, likely they’re going to be frustrated and irritated, 00:03:19 and we’ve only added to their anxiety. 00:03:22 Well, obviously, none of us want to have that sort of effect on our brothers, 00:03:26 and that’s why Paul’s words to the Thessalonians 00:03:31 are a good example worthy of imitation. 00:03:34 When we look at this congregation 00:03:36 —practically from the beginning, 00:03:38 the congregation that was established in Thessalonica— 00:03:41 those brothers and sisters experienced persecution. 00:03:45 In Acts chapter 17, 00:03:47 it mentions that fanatical Jews stirred up mob violence, 00:03:50 prompting the brothers to send Paul and Silas away 00:03:52 for their personal safety. 00:03:55 Another issue that was affecting the congregation 00:03:57 was that they seemingly expressed great sorrow 00:04:01 over losing ones of their number in death. 00:04:05 So now think about that. You have the full picture. 00:04:07 Here you have a brand new congregation, 00:04:09 and they’re feeling the heat and pressure 00:04:11 of intense persecution from the outside, 00:04:15 and then on the inside, 00:04:18 they’re feeling the pain of losing loved ones in death. 00:04:23 Is that congregation in need of comfort and encouragement? 00:04:28 Without question. 00:04:30 But interestingly, in the midst of all of this persecution and sadness, 00:04:35 it was also discovered that those Christians 00:04:37 were dealing and struggling with some personal weaknesses. 00:04:41 When you look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, 00:04:44 there they were counseled to abstain from fornication, 00:04:47 to love one another in fuller measure, 00:04:50 to mind their own business, to work with their hands. 00:04:53 Then in chapter 5, to stay awake spiritually 00:04:56 and to abstain from every form of wickedness 00:04:59 and a number of other matters that needed attention. 00:05:03 Now, each of those matters 00:05:05 were all legitimate causes of concern. 00:05:09 In fact, Paul felt this was so urgent 00:05:12 that he sent them a second letter which closely followed his first. 00:05:18 But what was Paul going to focus on? 00:05:21 Would he focus on the problem 00:05:24 or the people? 00:05:26 Turn with me, please, to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 00:05:29 Let’s note how Paul begins this chapter. 00:05:32 Second Thessalonians chapter 1, 00:05:37 and we’ll read his words beginning in verse 3. 00:05:43 He says: “We are obligated always to give thanks to God for you, brothers. 00:05:48 “This is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly 00:05:53 “and the love of each and every one of you is increasing toward one another. 00:05:58 “As a result we ourselves take pride in you among the congregations of God 00:06:02 “because of your endurance and faith in all your persecutions 00:06:06 and the hardships that you are suffering.” 00:06:10 How beautiful! 00:06:11 Did you note that Paul starts with specific commendation? 00:06:14 Yes, there were problems that needed to be addressed, 00:06:17 but he starts with their good qualities 00:06:21 —what they were doing right. 00:06:23 Can you and I do the same in our dealings with our brothers? 00:06:28 Instead of first thinking about what they’re doing wrong, 00:06:31 what do they do right? 00:06:33 What do we appreciate about them? 00:06:35 Isn’t it so much better to focus on their good traits? 00:06:40 The benefits of doing this is that it helps us to develop 00:06:44 genuine personal interest in our brothers. 00:06:48 Because if our brothers can sense that we truly care about them, 00:06:52 then it actually puts us in a better position 00:06:54 to assist them with any matters that may need adjustment. 00:06:58 And what we’ll find is that this personal interest 00:07:01 can start with something as simple as acknowledgement. 00:07:05 You’ll recall that Job’s false comforters didn’t even address Job by name. 00:07:10 But with the young man Elihu, 00:07:12 when he was given the opportunity to speak 00:07:15 (when addressing Job), 00:07:17 he respectfully addressed him by name. 00:07:21 At Job 33:1, 00:07:23 Elihu begins his words by saying: 00:07:25 “Job, please hear my words.” 00:07:30 And there were many other verses 00:07:32 where he used Job’s personal name as well. 00:07:36 I think we’d agree that sometimes it can be so easy 00:07:38 (especially for us as brothers), 00:07:40 to get into work mode, business mode 00:07:43 —where we’re just so focused on getting information, 00:07:46 whether it’s here at Bethel or in the congregation— 00:07:49 that we could completely forget to acknowledge 00:07:52 or even greet the brother in front of us. 00:07:56 So what a beautiful reminder we learn from Elihu! 00:08:01 Now, if we go back to Paul, 00:08:03 after his commendation in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, 00:08:07 he starts chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians with the word 00:08:11 “however.” 00:08:13 So now there’s a contrast; there’s a shift in wording, 00:08:16 and he begins to address the problem that some had developed 00:08:19 regarding a wrong view of Christ’s presence. 00:08:22 So we learn from this that Paul did not sugarcoat or overlook 00:08:27 issues that needed to be addressed. 00:08:30 He handled them. 00:08:32 But he did it in such a way 00:08:34 that the brothers were still able to feel 00:08:36 his loving care and concern. 00:08:39 In fact, if you look in verse 13, 00:08:42 you’ll notice he uses the word “however” again. 00:08:46 So another shift, 00:08:48 but this time shifting back to words of empathy, love, 00:08:52 and exhortation for his brothers. 00:08:55 Paul was convinced, he had a positive conviction, 00:08:59 that his brothers would do the right thing. 00:09:02 So in review, 00:09:04 if we want to be a source of comfort and encouragement to our brothers, 00:09:09 how important it is that we see them 00:09:12 not as a problem, 00:09:14 not as an impediment to our work, 00:09:16 but as our fellow worker. 00:09:19 And instead of judging, we commend 00:09:22 —showing genuine personal interest and acknowledgement. 00:09:25 And if there is a legitimate issue of concern, 00:09:29 well, we can lovingly address what needs to be addressed. 00:09:33 But let’s always be remembered more for our encouragement than our counsel. 00:09:38 And if we’re able to do this, then our brothers are going to love us 00:09:42 for the way that we deal with them. 00:09:44 But more important, our Heavenly Father, 00:09:47 our God of comfort will love us as well.
00:00:01 Well, I think we would agree 00:00:03 that it’s very heart-warming to know 00:00:05 that we serve a God of comfort, 00:00:08 and he provides us with so many reminders 00:00:10 that highlight the need for us to encourage, 00:00:13 strengthen, and comfort one another. 00:00:16 Especially now in the times in which we live, 00:00:19 because none of us know the full weight 00:00:22 of what our brothers here in the Bethel family 00:00:25 and our congregations might be facing or dealing with. 00:00:28 So having and showing empathy 00:00:32 and fellow feeling toward one another is so important. 00:00:37 Perhaps a good example of how not to show comfort and fellow feeling 00:00:42 is described for us by Job’s three comforters. 00:00:46 You might recall that they were so busy judging him 00:00:49 and giving Job speeches 00:00:51 that they failed to take the time to understand him 00:00:55 and to show fellow feeling. 00:00:57 In fact, in all the talking they did, 00:01:00 not once do we read that they even addressed Job by name. 00:01:05 The Watchtower made a statement regarding these comforters. 00:01:09 It said: “Evidently they viewed [Job] 00:01:12 more as a problem than as a person.” 00:01:17 Now, how do you think that treatment made Job feel? 00:01:20 Turn with me in your Bibles to Job chapter 19, 00:01:27 and we’ll listen to Job’s words 00:01:30 —Job 19:2. 00:01:37 He says: “How long will you keep irritating my soul, 00:01:42 crushing me with words?” 00:01:46 How sad! 00:01:48 Instead of providing encouragement and comfort, 00:01:52 those companions only made Job feel irritated, 00:01:56 crushed, and frustrated. 00:02:00 Well, doesn’t this highlight that if we don’t give thoughts 00:02:03 to our words and actions, 00:02:06 if we view our brother more as a problem than as a person, 00:02:11 then we’re not going to be able to provide them 00:02:13 with the comfort and support they may need? 00:02:17 Perhaps we might work with or we’re in the congregation 00:02:21 with someone that has faults or traits that bother us, 00:02:25 and it may be that these faults 00:02:28 are actually legitimate causes of concern. 00:02:31 But in our dealings with them, 00:02:34 if those faults are the only things that we can see, 00:02:37 if that’s the only thing we focus on, 00:02:40 then it’s going to be very difficult 00:02:42 for us to see them as a faithful fellow worker of Jehovah. 00:02:47 More than likely, all that we’re going to see 00:02:49 is someone who is an obstacle or impediment to our work, 00:02:54 someone who is affecting or impacting our production and joy. 00:02:59 And certainly, we’re not going to feel good 00:03:03 because now we’ve developed negative feelings about our brother, 00:03:06 and our brother is likely going to feel the spirit that we give off. 00:03:11 How is that going to affect them? 00:03:14 Well, like Job, likely they’re going to be frustrated and irritated, 00:03:19 and we’ve only added to their anxiety. 00:03:22 Well, obviously, none of us want to have that sort of effect on our brothers, 00:03:26 and that’s why Paul’s words to the Thessalonians 00:03:31 are a good example worthy of imitation. 00:03:34 When we look at this congregation 00:03:36 —practically from the beginning, 00:03:38 the congregation that was established in Thessalonica— 00:03:41 those brothers and sisters experienced persecution. 00:03:45 In Acts chapter 17, 00:03:47 it mentions that fanatical Jews stirred up mob violence, 00:03:50 prompting the brothers to send Paul and Silas away 00:03:52 for their personal safety. 00:03:55 Another issue that was affecting the congregation 00:03:57 was that they seemingly expressed great sorrow 00:04:01 over losing ones of their number in death. 00:04:05 So now think about that. You have the full picture. 00:04:07 Here you have a brand new congregation, 00:04:09 and they’re feeling the heat and pressure 00:04:11 of intense persecution from the outside, 00:04:15 and then on the inside, 00:04:18 they’re feeling the pain of losing loved ones in death. 00:04:23 Is that congregation in need of comfort and encouragement? 00:04:28 Without question. 00:04:30 But interestingly, in the midst of all of this persecution and sadness, 00:04:35 it was also discovered that those Christians 00:04:37 were dealing and struggling with some personal weaknesses. 00:04:41 When you look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, 00:04:44 there they were counseled to abstain from fornication, 00:04:47 to love one another in fuller measure, 00:04:50 to mind their own business, to work with their hands. 00:04:53 Then in chapter 5, to stay awake spiritually 00:04:56 and to abstain from every form of wickedness 00:04:59 and a number of other matters that needed attention. 00:05:03 Now, each of those matters 00:05:05 were all legitimate causes of concern. 00:05:09 In fact, Paul felt this was so urgent 00:05:12 that he sent them a second letter which closely followed his first. 00:05:18 But what was Paul going to focus on? 00:05:21 Would he focus on the problem 00:05:24 or the people? 00:05:26 Turn with me, please, to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 00:05:29 Let’s note how Paul begins this chapter. 00:05:32 Second Thessalonians chapter 1, 00:05:37 and we’ll read his words beginning in verse 3. 00:05:43 He says: “We are obligated always to give thanks to God for you, brothers. 00:05:48 “This is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly 00:05:53 “and the love of each and every one of you is increasing toward one another. 00:05:58 “As a result we ourselves take pride in you among the congregations of God 00:06:02 “because of your endurance and faith in all your persecutions 00:06:06 and the hardships that you are suffering.” 00:06:10 How beautiful! 00:06:11 Did you note that Paul starts with specific commendation? 00:06:14 Yes, there were problems that needed to be addressed, 00:06:17 but he starts with their good qualities 00:06:21 —what they were doing right. 00:06:23 Can you and I do the same in our dealings with our brothers? 00:06:28 Instead of first thinking about what they’re doing wrong, 00:06:31 what do they do right? 00:06:33 What do we appreciate about them? 00:06:35 Isn’t it so much better to focus on their good traits? 00:06:40 The benefits of doing this is that it helps us to develop 00:06:44 genuine personal interest in our brothers. 00:06:48 Because if our brothers can sense that we truly care about them, 00:06:52 then it actually puts us in a better position 00:06:54 to assist them with any matters that may need adjustment. 00:06:58 And what we’ll find is that this personal interest 00:07:01 can start with something as simple as acknowledgement. 00:07:05 You’ll recall that Job’s false comforters didn’t even address Job by name. 00:07:10 But with the young man Elihu, 00:07:12 when he was given the opportunity to speak 00:07:15 (when addressing Job), 00:07:17 he respectfully addressed him by name. 00:07:21 At Job 33:1, 00:07:23 Elihu begins his words by saying: 00:07:25 “Job, please hear my words.” 00:07:30 And there were many other verses 00:07:32 where he used Job’s personal name as well. 00:07:36 I think we’d agree that sometimes it can be so easy 00:07:38 (especially for us as brothers), 00:07:40 to get into work mode, business mode 00:07:43 —where we’re just so focused on getting information, 00:07:46 whether it’s here at Bethel or in the congregation— 00:07:49 that we could completely forget to acknowledge 00:07:52 or even greet the brother in front of us. 00:07:56 So what a beautiful reminder we learn from Elihu! 00:08:01 Now, if we go back to Paul, 00:08:03 after his commendation in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, 00:08:07 he starts chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians with the word 00:08:11 “however.” 00:08:13 So now there’s a contrast; there’s a shift in wording, 00:08:16 and he begins to address the problem that some had developed 00:08:19 regarding a wrong view of Christ’s presence. 00:08:22 So we learn from this that Paul did not sugarcoat or overlook 00:08:27 issues that needed to be addressed. 00:08:30 He handled them. 00:08:32 But he did it in such a way 00:08:34 that the brothers were still able to feel 00:08:36 his loving care and concern. 00:08:39 In fact, if you look in verse 13, 00:08:42 you’ll notice he uses the word “however” again. 00:08:46 So another shift, 00:08:48 but this time shifting back to words of empathy, love, 00:08:52 and exhortation for his brothers. 00:08:55 Paul was convinced, he had a positive conviction, 00:08:59 that his brothers would do the right thing. 00:09:02 So in review, 00:09:04 if we want to be a source of comfort and encouragement to our brothers, 00:09:09 how important it is that we see them 00:09:12 not as a problem, 00:09:14 not as an impediment to our work, 00:09:16 but as our fellow worker. 00:09:19 And instead of judging, we commend 00:09:22 —showing genuine personal interest and acknowledgement. 00:09:25 And if there is a legitimate issue of concern, 00:09:29 well, we can lovingly address what needs to be addressed. 00:09:33 But let’s always be remembered more for our encouragement than our counsel. 00:09:38 And if we’re able to do this, then our brothers are going to love us 00:09:42 for the way that we deal with them. 00:09:44 But more important, our Heavenly Father, 00:09:47 our God of comfort will love us as well.
