Essence: Comforting One Another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7


Lesson Focus: Comforting one another  


Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18 NASB)


The Greek word translated “comfort” in this passage is the same word from our passage last week translated “encourage.” Most translations use “encourage” in this passage also. 


The context of the word in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 is best interpreted “to call near.” Context is everything; look back at these comforting, encouraging, inviting, words.


For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NASB)

• What is so comforting about those words?

Paul and Timothy gave a case study in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10


What comfort does best is to get our eyes off our efforts and limited resources and put them back on God and His power. (p. 93) “to call near”
This comfort is a gift from God to be passed on by those who understand it.  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT)


That doesn’t sound like mere commiseration with someone’s pain, does it? This comfort enables people on the verge of giving up to set their eyes on God and what He is doing in them. (p. 93)


Ultimately our comfort or restoration comes directly from God.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  All power to him forever! Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11 NLT)


Wrap Up: The call to “comfort one another” is another challenge to reframe our normal reaction to each other’s pain. Silent prayers, or wondering why a person doesn’t “just trust God more,” are inadequate responses in our call to create a community of faith, love, and hope. Jeremiah shared God’s intentions with a nation we know were at the end of their rope. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT) Comfort one another with these words.

Life Together

Origins, Simple Church. Life lived together with other believers. It's simple. Easy.

To me, even the word Origins, of course referring to "beginnings" is a good definition of what simple church is all about. When we are together, the beginnings of friendships occur, the beginnings of healing for wounds long inflicted, the beginning of another new step in our individual and collective walks with God.

Thought I'd post a few glimpses of our life from my perspective.

My big kids, Mackenzie and Levi, spent the Thanksgiving holiday away from us. They returned to the airport met by several of our Origins family, including Ray, A.K.A. Cookie Monster. These kids have no doubt whatsoever that they are deeply loved.

Thanksgiving, we gathered together and ate delicious food, cheered on the Saints, and my Origins family opened their arms to my family family. Smiles all around!

Essence: Encouraging One Another (Hebrews 3:13)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Encouraging one another  (Cheerleading  – chapter 8 p.89-92)

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

[parakaleō: exhort: to urge, caution earnestly, or warn] "Encourage" may not convey the original Greek context.

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13 ESV)

You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. (Hebrews 3:13 NLT)

What are some of the ways you are tempted to harden you heart?

1. The unfairness of life in general; why do bad things happen to good people, and vice versa?

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12 NLT)

2. We live in an environment of intolerance. We can easily stop trying as the fear of failure increases.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV)

 “I know God will not give me anything I cannot handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much” - Mother Theresa

We encourage others by saying or doing things that make God more visible to them. The more we know of them, the more valuable our contribution can be. (p. 91)

Wrap Up: God’s word always encourages and supports relationship and community. The whole of Scripture tells us we are in this together. Observing one another with an attitude of “it’s none of my business” is not living in a relationship of truth and love.

Essence: Serving One Another (Galatians 5:13)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Serving one another  (Lightening the Load  – chapter 7 p.79-87)

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13 NLT)

Paul actually said “when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.” (Galatians 5:18)

What does that mean to us?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22 NLT)

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  (Galatians 6:2 NLT)

What’s important is that we let love motivate us as the Spirit makes us aware of opportunities to serve. Serving out of obedience alone is slavery; serving with love is a joy. (p. 83)

“When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.” – E.W. Howe (Publisher of the Golden Globe Newspaper, Golden, CO 1873)

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)

Nourishing one another’s spiritual life is simply serving spiritual food to those who cross our paths. How can we do that? Whenever you get some time with another believer, look for ways to share what God is teaching you and doing in you. (p. 86)

Wrap Up: The single most important one is to be one in Christ, after that the one anothers will flourish around you. The more one anothering you do, the more vividly you will see the hand of God working through you. It is environments like this that build up the body of Christ from its Origins.

Essence: Offering Hospitality to One Another (1 Peter 4:9)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Offering hospitality to one another
(Initial Contact – chapter 5 p.64-67)

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9 ESV)
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

(1 Peter 4:9 NLT)

“If you lack the kind of relationships you desire, look at how often you invite people into extended opportunities for relationship.” (p. 64)

In a larger passage about being a living sacrifice to God, Paul says the following about the context of hospitality; ”Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13 NLT)

Paul also infuses hospitality with spiritual leadership.
So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. (1 Timothy 3.2 NLT)

Dinner fellowship is becoming much too rare in the body of Christ these days, and that is tragic, sense hospitality is one of the ways we turn a greeting into a relationship. (p. 64)
What keeps us from spending time with one another?

If we’re not careful one anothering will become a chore like anything else we see as an obligation. As with all aspects of one anothering, hospitality should be an act of worship. It’s impossible to grumble when you are worshiping the Abba Father. Worship is the giving of ourselves in every way the Holy Spirit leads which deepens our loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. What an inspiration for deepening our relationships with one another.

Add people to the things you are already doing.
What else can we do to create opportunities for hospitality?

Wrap Up: Simple adjustments in your schedule and attitude can allow you the freedom to capitalize on one anothering opportunities. (p. 67) Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (Hebrews 13:1-2)