INTRODUCTION:

       A.  Much stress is placed on the Christian's priorities in life, his place in the
             church, his responsibility toward others and  his pupose before God.

       B.  These things are rarely ever spoken of together; usually one or two at a
             time.

       C.  The church at Thessalonica was a good, strong, progressive church.

             1.  I Thess. 1:2-10.

       D.  Whether a church is strong, doing good or progressing, or whether it is
             weak, sickly and falling behind, the individual Christian still has a task
             to perform that is outlined by God.

       E.  In this lesson we will look at THE TASK OF THE INDIVIDUAL
             CHRISTIAN as outlined by God through the apostle Paul.
 

   I.  EXHORT ONE ANOTHER - BUILD EACH OTHER UP - V. 11.

       A.  Exhort - PARAKALEO - Primarily, to call a person... denotes (a) to call
             on, entreat; (b) to admonish, exhort, to urge one to pursue some course
             of conduct, (always prospective, looking to the future). (Vine)

       B.  Churches are strengthened by exhortation - destroyed by continual
             criticism.

       C.  Exhortation makes people want to assemble.

            1.  Hebrews 10:24-25 - provoke - stimulate.

       D.  Selfish folk cannot edify - I Cor. 14 - "speaking in tongues when others
             could not understand."

  II.  DEVELOP A PROPER VIEW OF THE ELDERSHIP - V. 12-13a.

       A.  "Know them that labor among you..."

             1.  Can only be done by sharing your life with them.

             2.  Intimate knowledge - how they think, stand, care, etc.

       B.  "Know...(that they) are over you in the Lord..."

            1.  They are God's shepherds.

                 a.  They decide what the sheep do, eat, drink, go.

            2.  Authority is in view here.

       C.  Verse 13 - Esteem them exceedingly high in love for their works sake.

            1.  Their job (work) is to watch over us.

            2.  Hebrews 13:17 - elders will be held responsible.

 III.  BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES - V. 13b.

       A.  This is something that must be worked at.

            1.  Ephesians 4:3 - "give diligence"

       B.  Fighting people are immature - I Cor. 3:1-3.

  IV.  ADMONISH THE DISORDERLY - V. 14a.

       A.  Terms to understand:

            1.  Admonish - NOUTHETEO - "...to put in mind; to warn; It is used of
                 instruction, of warning." (Vine)

                a.  Usually warns on the basis of what has been taught.  Example:
                     Warn a brother.

            2.  Disorderly - ATAKTOS -"signifies not keeping order; it is especially
                 a military term, denoting not keeping rank, insubordinate."  (Vine)

   V.  ENCOURAGE THE FAINTHEARTED - V. 14b.

       A.  Fainthearted - "small-souled" - denotes despondent; weak; timid
            (scared).

       B.  Encourage with a "Yes You Can Do It!"

       C.  Remember and share - Philippians 4:13.

  VI.  SUPPORT THE WEAK - V. 14c.

       A.  Support - "To take instead of; to hold firmly to, cleave to, of holding or
             cleaving to a person."  (Vine)

       B.  Galatians 6:2.

       C.  Be a crutch to a brother.

            1.  Troubles that are small to you may be great to him.

 VII.  BE LONGSUFFERING TOWARD ALL - V. 14d. 

       A.  Longsuffering - "to be patient;...to bear with, to be long-tempered."
            (Vine)

       B.  "Longsuffering is that quality of self restraint in the face of provocation
             which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish..."  (Vine)

       C.  Love puts up with a lot - I Cor. 13:4.

VIII.  DON'T GET EVEN --- DO GOOD - V. 15.

       A.  Turn the other cheek.

            1.  Matthew 6:38-42.

            2.  Always go the extra mile.

  IX.  REJOICE ALWAYS - V. 16.

       A.  Philippians 4:4.

       B.  We can rejoice - we are free from sin.

       C.  Acts 8:39 - " went on his way rejoicing.."

  X.  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING - V. 17-18.

       A.  A continual lifestyle of prayer.

       B.  Hebrews 4:16.

       C.  Continually give thanks to God - Ephesians 5:20.

  XI.  FINAL EXHORTATIONS - V. 19-22.

       A.  Quench not the Spirit  - be zealous.

       B.  Despise not the prophecies - listen to God.

       C.  Prove all things - consistent teaching.

       D.  Hold good - shun evil - (even its appearance).
 

   CONCLUSION:

       A.  Have you been performing your task as a Christian?

       B.  We must see our responsibility and then seek to perform it.