Introduction
“The God who gives... encouragement”.
It was amazing to see the power of encouragement at the youth Camp in Seaford the other day. Firstly to see the leaders constantly encouraging the young people. These young people are growing up loved by our youth leaders. And then on our day out at Drucillas. Drucilla’s is a sort of theme park/Zoo. They have all sorts of animals and activities to do, and games to play. The kids loved it. There was one bit where you could run, sprint, and a digital screen would show how fast you could run. The kids lined up and tried to get faster and faster. It was difficult to improve their speed. As I watched them, I really started getting into it! And I started shouting like a coach! I found myself shouting things like, Come on! Focus! Think about it. You can do it! Come on! And an amazing thing happened. I found that when I used their names and gave them clear words of encouragement, they got faster! Some, more than others. But they did! I saw again the power of encouragement.
We live in a discouraging world. TV adverts are designed to make us feel bad about ourselves and better if we buy their product. The world screams at most of us that we are inadequate. Depression and disillusionment are epidemic. And places that should be encouraging like marriages, schools and homes are more than often not. If you and I are desperate for one thing, it’s encouragement.
Tonight we will take a topical rather than an expository approach. One word for you: Encouragement. One thought: Our God is an encouraging God. One application: am I an encourager?
Main Body
So, What is encouragement? Well, it is the opposite of discouragement! It is, says the Oxford Dictionary, ‘to give confidence, courage or hope’.
In the original Hebrew and Greek, various words are used for our word encouragement. The basic idea is that of urging forward, persuading, exhorting, together with the idea of comforting, consoling. In its form as a noun is the Greek word paraklesis, which is closely related to the word Parakletos – the name for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
We all like the Sound of encouragement! Let’s look at 5 Sources and Goals of encouragement. And then at some points of application... Are you ready for some serious Bible references?!
Sources and Goals of Encouragement
Source #1 – God. God gives encouragement.
In Psalm 10:17 it says that God encourages the afflicted.
In Philippians 2:1 Paul talks about the encouragement of being united with Christ.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Paul speaks of the eternal encouragement that the Father and the Lord Jesus have given us.
In Hebrews 6:18 the writer talks of the incredible hope we have in our Saviour Jesus, and says that God has sworn by himself to bless us, and he did that so we may be greatly encouraged.
God is an encouraging God.
God encourages us because he is compassionate, so that we can encourage others. God encourages us so we can have the strength to keep trusting him through thick and thin.
Source #2 - The Bible. The Bible gives us encouragement.
In Romans 15:4-5 Paul says that the Bible was written so we might be encouraged and have hope. Again, in 1 Corinthians 14:3 Paul says that prophecy – in other words, speaking out God’s Word – is aimed at strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
The Bible is a book of encouragement.
Source #3 – Christian Leaders. Leaders are to encourage others.
In 2 Samuel 19:7 General Joab rightly urges King David to go out and encourage his soldiers. The tragedy of his son’s death had made David go in on himself. But a true leader’s task is to encourage others. In Ephesians 6:22 we see that Paul sent Tychicus to the Ephesians for the express purpose of encouraging them. Encouragement was a huge part of Paul’s ministry. Which is not surprising since his first mentor in the faith was Barnabus – the Son of Encouragement who had a wonderful encouraging ministry. Luke records in the book of Acts that Paul encouraged the believers in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, the other Antioch and Ephesus (Acts 14:22, 15:32, 20:1). In Colossians 2:2 Paul talks of how he is struggling in prayer that the Colossians may be encouraged in heart. In 1 Thessalonians 2:11 Paul reminds the Thessalonians how he had a ministry of encouragement amongst them. In 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul tells Timothy to encourage with great patience. In Titus 1:9 we read of how Paul urged Titus to encourage his people in the way of truth. Leaders are to have a positive approach – a ministry of encouragement. Their aim is to motivate others to a solid and mature walk with Jesus Christ.
And, Leaders are to encourage new leaders.
God tells Moses in Deuteronomy 1:38 & 3:28, to prepare Israel’s new leader. How is he to prepare Joshua? ‘Encourage him’, says God. Fast forward one and a half thousand years to Acts 18:27. Here we find Christian leaders Priscilla and her husband Aquila. What are they doing? They are training up and encouraging a new Bible teacher called Apollos.
A crucial part of a leader’s job is to train up new leaders. This will be done through encouragement. I hope that our new group – ‘Preparing to Serve’ – will be an encouraging group to be in. Leaders must give courage to new leaders, and to those who will serve.
I’d never have gone into vocational Christian ministry had it not been for the ongoing encouragement of my parents and my pastor. My parents gave me love and grace, a Bible, and prayers. My Pastor David taught and exhorted me and gave me opportunities to serve. He even let a novice like me in the pulpit!
Source #4 - All believers. All believers are to encourage each other.
In Judges 20:22 we find the story of how the Israelites suffered a great defeat in war with thousands killed. But the men of Israel encouraged one another, and again took up battle positions. Encouragement can get a defeated army back on its feet.
In 1 Samuel 23:16 we see how David was pursued by murderous Saul. As the NASB puts it, Jonathan came and helped encourage David “in God.” In Acts 28:15, when Paul arrived in Rome in chains, the believers went meet him. The outcome: Paul was greatly encouraged. Paul urges the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to encourage each other with the thought that Jesus is coming to take us to himself forever. Hebrews tells us to “encourage one another daily” and more and more until Jesus returns.
Believers can also encourage leaders! Fred’s friend Jason, from Kenya is a case in point. Jason booked a time with me, he came round to our house, he opened up the Bible, and he led me though a Bible study he had prepared especially for me! He gave Testimony, Word and Prayer to encourage me in my faith. I can’t tell you how blessed I was through that.
Romans 12:8 reveals that encouraging is a spiritual gift that some people will have and others won’t. But the wider teaching is that the Christian community must be a community of encouragers. Each one helping the other to focus on God, to keep hopeful, to be faithful and fruitful for Christ.
And, Believers are especially to encourage the weak.
In Isaiah 1:17 God tells Israel to encourage the oppressed. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul urges the believers to encourage the timid. It seems that God would have us pay special attention to those who are weak or suffering.
Source #5 – Ourselves. We are to encourage ourselves in God.
1 Samuel 30:6 in the KJV, says this “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
At this low point in David’s life, with no-one around to encourage him he could’ve given in. But instead he encouraged himself in God. In other words David remembered God was with him, poured out his heart to God, and came to the conclusion: ‘If God is for me, who can be against me?’
It’s no wonder David wrote Psalm 103. Verses 1-5 show us exactly how to encourage oneself in the Lord. Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, etc, etc. David talks to himself and reminds himself who God is and what God has done and what God will do. There is an important place for encouraging ourselves in God. It will keep us from giving up when the going gets tough.
Application
It’s so easy to discourage others. How can we become better encouragers?
1. Catch someone doing something right!
Often we are so quick to point out when someone is doing something wrong. We catch them doing something wrong. Well, now is the time to start catching someone doing something right! And to praise them!
One lady writes, “One morning I opened the door to get the newspaper and was surprised to see a strange little dog with our paper in his mouth. Delighted with this unexpected "delivery service," I fed him some treats. The following morning I was horrified to see the same dog sitting in front of our door, wagging his tail, surrounded by eight newspapers. I spent the rest of that morning returning the papers to their owners”. Praising good behaviour is a powerful thing!
2. Remember and use people’s first names.
Names are for a reason! Almost everyone loves to hear their own name! Using it is a sign of respect.
3. Pray for them and you will find your heart warmed towards them. You will be more able to encourage them.
4. Determine to encourage at least one person a day! Including Sundays!
5. Pick one person at church that you will habitually encourage! A little boy said to his dad, “Come on, let’s play darts. I’ll throw and you can say, ‘Brilliant!’” Pick someone to habitually say ‘Brilliant’ to!
Conclusion
Some wise person observed, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
So our brothers and sisters will not give up hope,
So they will grow in Christ-likeness,
So they can be fruitful believers for God’s glory,
So this church is an encouraging place to be,
May God make us like him. May God make us great encouragers!
