The Power of Encouragement
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Sermon Objective: There are eight ways the Bible suggests we can encourage one another.
Intro:
We have all watched infants who were on the verge of taking their first unassisted steps. For several days or weeks they stand alone confidently for moments at a time, squealing with delight at the accomplishment of balancing their little bodies on their little feet.
After a while they consider moving one of those firmly planted little feet in front of the other. All the while parents are coaxing the little tyke to venture toward them.
"You can do it! Come on!" says mother, arms outstretched to catch Baby if he/she stumbles.
"Look at you! What a big boy!" his father declares.
Baby responds with thoughtful trust—complete trust in his parents but measured caution in his own ability. When Baby does finally take that first step it is a benchmark day – it leads to new worlds opening up before them … worlds of adventure that Baby could never imagine.
And I am confident that Baby’s parents’ loving, consistent, cheering presence was a major ingredient in the achievement.
We all live in a world of daily challenges—to venture beyond where we have been before, to reenter painful or frightening arenas, or to hang tough right where we are.
The encouragement of others helps us move from fear and passivity to belief and action. It is not a cure-all. But the encouragement of others does help us move forward even though we are uncertain.
Encouragement … the word, the note, the look that says, "I am with you. I care about you. You will survive. You can do it!" We cannot measure how many significant historical advances have been made because another “someone” was behind the achiever encouraging them.
Encouragement is God-like. Scripture is full of promises about God’s provision for us in times of difficulty. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reassures His people, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Is. 41:10). Years later, Jesus declared to His followers, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17 KJV).
We continually wrestle with the results of living in a fallen world. We may think that our faith should prevent difficulties. But that isn’t the case. Encouragement, however, can make living in the midst of those troubles easier.
And that is one reason God has given us each other. And nothing should highlight a conversation between believers like encouragement. The Apostle Paul says: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
A church of encouragers is a church that’s alive. Discouragement is a sure sign of disease in Christ’s body. “The deepest principle in human nature,” said William James, “is the craving to be appreciated.”
A key biblical encourager was Barnabas. Originally his name was Joseph, but he was nicknamed ’son of encouragement’. He left a trail of encouraged people behind him wherever he went. Just about every time he appears in the New Testament he’s ’barnabizing’ people. Which makes sense since If one part of Christ’s body is praised, all the other parts share its happiness (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Few things build a sense of community and a sense of F*A*M*I*L*Y like encouraging one another. It is hard not to be drawn together whenever your spiritual brothers and sisters go out of their way to encourage you.
So today, I want to take a few minutes and show you eight ways we can encourage one another.
We will use B*A*R*N*A*B*A*S as our memory tool for these eight word pictures.
Since time is short, I will give you these in quick rapid succession and challenge you to consider them more fully throughout the week.
B Bended Knee (prayer)
2 Corinthians 1:11-12 says: …help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Encouragement is never complete unless we are praying for one another. As we do so we elicit the power of the living God on each other’s behalf.
The book of Acts is filled with stories of God acting on behalf of another because of the prayers of the Saints.
The Bible says, …far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. …(Samuel 12:23)
A Actions (helping)
When I think of Biblical images of encouraging one another through actions I think of the story in Exodus 17 when Hur and Aaron hold Moses’ arms up during battle. They helped Moses when he was weak.
There are many menial tasks we can do for each other that provide encouragement. Shoveling snow, mowing a lawn, bringing a meal for a sick family.
Encouraging actions go far in expressing genuine concern and support.
R Remarks (speaking)
Proverbs 16:24 says: Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Proverbs 25:11 says: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
N Notes
In Galatians 6:11 we discover that Paul wrote to the churches with his own hands. Remember, most of Paul’s letters were letters of encouragement to congregations.
The New Testament is a testimony of the power of letter writing.
Hallmark has made a fortune off of notes of encouragement. Why – because it works!
A Availability (presence)
Psalm 34:18 says The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The Bible is full of times when presence encourages another.
YHWH comes to Joshua and his presence gives renewed strength
Jesus promises the presence of the Spirit to empower and encourage – he even refers to the Spirit at “The Comforter.”
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17 KJV).
B Benevolence (generosity)
In Acts 22 Paul says: I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Giving and sharing have an appropriate place within the Kingdom. Once again Acts (the book that introduces Barnabas to us) shows this as a legitimate means of encouragement and support.
Proverbs 22:9 says A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
A Affection (touch)
The power of touch cannot be over-emphasized. Three times the Bible tells the church to “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Corinthians 16; 2 Corinthians 13; and 1 Thessalonians 5).
Jesus’ ministry also illustrates the power and place of touch.
As most of us are realizing, our society does not have a very affectionate culture but you can overcome this. Begin with a friendly pat on a person’s back. When talking to someone, gently touch his or her arm or hand during the conversation. Small touches can go a long way to making a person’s day.
Touch also contains healing powers. Touching can make your immune system stronger and your mood lighter. The more touches you give or receive, the better you feel. Touching is a necessity for a healthy life. When we touch, be it a gentle pat, or a hug, we receive various benefits. A half-hour massage can boost your immune system and lessen stress making you feel calmer, happier.
This is the reason I have become “a hugger” in the last 10 years or so. By “invading” personal space (both yours and mine) it shows an acceptance … a willingness to move beyond the professional or casual level.
People NEED touch. You need touch too.
S Sociability (hospitality)
The New Testament emphasizes the power and “Grace-full-ness” of hospitality. It is a sign of God’s presence. Romans 12:13 says: Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
The Greek word for hospitality means “to show brotherly love.”
Wrap-Up
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
When I was a senior in high-school I sensed a calling of God on my life but was quite apprehensive about what it would involve. There was not much within me that would make me think of myself as a pastor – I saw a WHOLE LOT of reasons why I should not be a pastor.
My high school English teacher made the difference and “sealed the deal” between me and God in a way that she probably could never imagine.
We had to read Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” that year. It was obvious that she loved this piece of literature and we spent a great deal of time on it. Then we moved on and forgot it – I assumed.
At the end of the year … my senior year … my English teacher once again returned to “The Canterbury Tales.” She gave out awards. She took the cast of characters that were found in the book and identified them with various people in the class. She then gave them a handmade award identifying them with their specific character.
One classmate received “The Knight Award”. She was the one who defended all stood up for the less gifted and “nerds”.
Another got “The Poor Ploughmen Award” – this is the character that provided food for all in the story (and class).
Some awards were funny and some were serious; but it was not demeaning or intended to inflict pain on anyone … but I was terrified none-the-less. I can remember the knot in my stomach. Everyone in class knew I was a professing Christian, I had shared my faith with them on numerous occasions. And if she singled me out as “the Friar” I was going to be sick … it would crush me. Do you know why? Because the friar was corrupt. He was a hypocrite. I forgot about any and every other tale and became dizzy with an anxiety attack in fear of being … “The Class Friar.”
I cannot explain the nausea I felt when she called my name. I was sick! I just knew I was about to see a side of myself that I feared with my whole heart! Then it came – but Idid not receive the “Friar’s Award” but, rather “The Parson’s Award.” This made a HUGE difference … because the parson … well, the parson is considered by some to be the only good member of the clergy in Canterbury Tales.
As she gave out the awards our teacher also read a pertinent snippet of the tale that she ascribed to each class member. She read the following snippet to me:
A holy-minded man of good renown
There was, and poor, the Parson to a town,
Yet he was rich in holy thought and work.
He also was a learned man, a clerk,
Who truly knew Christ’s gospel and would preach it
Devoutly to parishioners, and teach it.
Benign and wonderfully diligent,
And patient when adversity was sent
(For so he proved in great adversity)
He much disliked extorting tithe or fee
Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt
Giving to poor parishioners round about
From his own goods and Easter offerings.
He found sufficiency in little things.
She will never know how healing and empowering her words were to me … to this very day!
People are healed by encouragement
They grow to like themselves in a healthy way if they’re encouraged.
They reduce their ’self-despising’ through encouragement.
We want to be a spiritual F*A*M*I*L*Y known as a church of encouragers. And if we become a church like that --- well, we’ll have space problems during worship because people will be drawn to Jesus.
He who has ears to hear,
Let him hear.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
