Series: God @ The Movies
How To Encourage Others To Change
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Movie: Mr. Manhattan— Mr. Manhattan” tells the story of successful lawyer Mason Bradley, who believes there’s nothing he can’t handle. That is, until he gets the news that his brother and sister-in-law died and made Mason their children’s legal guardian. Even though he has zero parenting experience he steps  into  his new role with can-do bravado, but between a demanding new client and moving his niece and nephew into his not-exactly-child-friendly Manhattan loft, it’s not long before Mason realizes he needs help. The kids want that help to come from their mom’s best friend and hometown babysitter, Dani– who also happens to be Mason’s ex-fiancé.

How to encourage others to change:

Paul motivates. “Your lives please God!” Verses 1-2: “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”
Paul taught. Verses 3-8: “It is God’s will….that each of you should learn to control his own body  in a way that is holy and honorable…”
Paul affirms. “Your brotherly love is awesome!” Verses 9-10:”…for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other…and in fact, you do love all the brothers…”
Paul corrects. “Be responsible, make an impact!” Verses 11-12: “Make it your ambition  to  lead  a quiet life,  to mind your own business and to work with your hands…”

Application:

Nail down your why: You deeply care for others. God told you to. Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily…” You need it! To get encouragement, you must prioritize encouraging others.  Luke 6:37-38 “Give, and it will be given to you…”
Become an expert: You don’t have to be perfect. You have no idea what God might do through a single word of encouragement. If you’re not good at it, then practice every day.
Start a habit of increasing the ratio of encouraging words to discouraging words you say.

Ephesians 4:29 “Don’t not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”