Comfort in Our Companionship

Do Not Grow Weary - Message 3. Comfort in Our Companionship. Hope is not wishful thinking but confidence in the absolute certainty of God’s Word.

I. The Power of the Word – vs. 13-14a

A. We Thank God (see vs. 12)
B. You Received the Word

1. The Word Welcomed – Acts 13:44-49
2. The Word Working – Ps. 19:7-9

a. Effectively – divine accomplishments
b. Believed – not a past decision, but a continuing process of belief
c. The Spirit by the Word

II. The Persecution of the World – vs. 14b-16

A. Imitating the Churches – 1 Cor. 11:1; Heb. 6:12; 3 John 11; Eph. 5:1-2
B. Shared Suffering – Luke 13:34; Matt. 21:33-46; Acts 7:52
C. Stored Up Wrath – John 3:18, 26; Matt. 23:32; Rom. 2:5

III. Our Presence with the Church – vs. 17-18

A. But We – Acts 17:5-9

1. Orphaned
2. In Presence, not in Heart
3. Had a Great Desire to See You

B. But Satan – Acts 5:1-10; Rev. 2:9-10, 13, 24; 3:9; 2 Cor. 2:9-11

IV. Your Presence with Christ – vs. 19-20

A. Our Hope, Joy, and Crown of Rejoicing

1. Hope – certainty, not wishful thinking or positive expectations – 1 Cor. 13:13; Ps. 38:15; 43:5; Prov. 10:28; Rom. 5:5; 8:25; 15:4; Heb. 3:6; 6:17-20
2. Joy – a fruit of the Spirit not dependent upon feelings – John 15:11; Gal. 5:22; 1 Jn 1:4
3. Crown of Rejoicing – laurel wreath, ultimate prize for victory – Jer. 9:23-24; Phil. 3:3; Gal. 6:14

B. You and Your Presence with Christ at His Return (parousia)
C. Our Glory and Joy – praise and honor – this does not speak to how we feel but to what we do in the presence of the Lord – Jude 24-25