Title: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Pastor Dan Harman (Victory Church Portsmouth, ENGLAND)
Definition: Encouragement = the act of giving hope or support that inspires confidence & a will to keep on keeping on.
Aim: to INSPIRE you as individuals & as a congregation to cultivate a CULTURE of ENCOURAGEMENT – part of your DNA, woven into your values & day to day lifestyle. Encourage you to be generous, lavish, extravagant with your encouragement! Understand the GREAT POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Intro: FUNNY STORY - THE SLEEPY SON
A mother watched her son begin to drain of energy as the week went on. By the end of the week he’d lost his desire to get out of bed. She heard the alarm go off through his bedroom door. Apparently he just kept punching the little snooze button on the top. Finally, after 3 or 4 extra rings she walked in and said, ’Son, it’s time to get up.’ He peeked out from under the covers, ’Can you give me a good reason to get up?’ She said, ’Yes. First, it’s Sunday - time for church. Second, you’re 43 years old and you know better. Third, you’re the pastor and they expect you to be there.’
WE ALL NEED ENCOURAGEMENT – EVEN PASTORS & LEADERS HAVE TIMES OF ‘BURN OUT’
ENCOURAGEMENT has great Power to strengthen & spur others on - motivate & regenerate. Encouragement has the capacity to EMPOWER, ENRICH, ENERGIZE, EDIFY, ELEVATE, cause others to EXCEL & EXCEED their limitations! It can bring emotional healing & restore hope.
Key Verse: ‘…encourage one another and build each other up…’
1 Thessalonians 5v11 (NIV)
Do 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. (NIV)
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4v29 (NLT)
Q.) Is ENCOURAGEMENT regularly part of your conversation& actions??
We have a divine ‘calling’ to exercise & express encouragement to those around us.
STORY OF MAN IN BAHAMAS
One day a man holidaying in the Bahamas noticed a big crowd gathered at the end of the pier. As he got closer he observed someone preparing for a solo journey around the world in a tiny homemade boat. Without exception everybody was telling him all the things that could go wrong. Suddenly the man felt an IRRESISTABLE URGE to offer some encouragement. So as the little boat drifted toward the horizon he began jumping up and down shouting, ‘Go for it! You can make it! We’re proud of you!’
This man had what we need more of – the gift of encouragement. We need fewer critics and more CHEERLEADERS: those who see over the heads of the nay-sayers and shout to someone launching out in faith ‘Go for it! You can make it! We’re proud of you!’
Aren’t you glad certain visionaries refused to listen to the crowd on the pier? That: a) Luther refused to back down b) Michelangelo kept painting c) Lindbergh kept flying d) Papa Ten Boom said ‘Yes’ to frightened Jews.
Soloman writes ‘…How delightful is a timely word.’ Proverbs 15v23 – Give Personal Testimony about ‘Defining moment’ Encouraging Prophetic word that was ENGRAVED on my heart & changed my life!
Q.) Is there someone you know who needs encouragement?
- A PRISONER trying to stay strong in a hostile environment, while repaying his debt to society?
- A divorcee trying to rebuild their life? A breadwinner who’s out of work, worried about their family?
- A WIDOW who needs companionship? A servant of God labouring in an obscure & difficult ministry?
- A church LEADER who you see bearing a heavy load? Someone you know who is struggling in their faith? Someone who is discouraged or grieving the loss of a loved one?
EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING – SO EVERYONE NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT! Popular Scottish Theologian, William Barclay writes, ’One of the highest of human duties is the DUTY OF ENCOURAGEMENT...it is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of such discouragers. But we have a duty & a ‘DIVINE CALLING’ to encourage one another. Many a time a P.A.T on the back; a word of Praise, Appreciation or Thanks, has kept a man on his feet.
Paul writes: ’...Outside, trouble was on every hand...within us, our hearts were full of dread and fear. Then God who cheers those who are discouraged refreshed us by the arrival of Titus. Not only was his presence a joy, but also the news that he brought...’ (2 Corinthians 7:5-7 TLB). God wants us to have that same ‘Titus Effect’.
We are rarely in a situation where there isn’t someone we can encourage. Our tendency, however, is often to criticise instead. It may be important to at times to point out someone’s short comings, but before we have the right to do this, we must build the persons trust through encouragement.
Q.) Are you prepared today to unleash THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT?
Satan won’t be partying singing “Who let the dogs out!?” He’ll be saying ‘Who let the ENCOURAGEMENT OUT!?? ‘coz he knows how much damage it will do to his kingdom.
There’s no better exercise for strengthening your heart than stooping to lift somebody else. Think about it: your best friends are the ones who encourage you. Who wants to hang around somebody who always puts you down?
William James, an American Psychologist & Philosopher said, ’The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.’ Most of us THINK wonderful things about people, but WE NEVER TELL THEM. Praise becomes valuable ONLY IF YOU IMPART (CONVEY) IT.
Kids @ City Boys School – Catch them doing GOOD!
I work at a school where we are encouraged to ‘catch them doing good’ as opposed to always catch them doing bad. Scientists have proved that people perform much better when placed in an encouraging environment.
Don’t be like the hard hearted husband
After 30 years of marriage his wife was ready to throw in the towel. ’I have had it, living with you. You never tell me you love me anymore.’ The husband replied, ’I told you I loved you when we got married; if I change my mind I’ll let you know.’
Too many leaders expect their followers to run on autopilot, like the hard-hearted husband. They don’t understand that people thrive on appreciation. They need it. Sometimes Christian organisations are the worst: ’You’re working for the Lord and He’ll reward you.’ Yes, we’re all working for that final pat on the back in the sky, but God expects us to pat others on the back along the way.
Some people don’t need encouragement. They’re so strong and so busy that attempts at praising them would be nothing more to them than a pesky gnat flying around their face. They’d brush it off with a look of confusion. There are also people who view praise with suspicion because others have taken advantage of them. With them, all you need to do is cultivate kindness. But most of us need encouragement - and lots of it. Phillis Theroux writes, ’One of the commodities in life that most people can’t get enough of is compliments. The ego is never so intact that one can’t find a hole in which to plug a little praise. Compliments by their very nature are highly bio-degradable and tend to dissolve hours or days after we receive them; which is why we can always use another.’
Michael Jordan
Few athletes have had more fans than American sports’ superstar Michael Jordan. Yet when a reporter asked him why he liked his Dad to attend his games, Jordan replied, ‘When he’s there, I know I’ve at least one fan!’ Everybody needs encouragement, right?
Q.) Have you ever been so discouraged that you felt like giving up?
When you feel like that – go & SOW A SEED by encouraging someone else!
The Bible says in Proverbs 11v25 “He who refreshes other will himself be refreshed!” (NIV) – BOOMERANG Effect - the Bible says ‘Give & it shall…COME BACK to you!’
In Acts 13v15 the Apostle Paul makes an APPEAL - "Brothers, sister, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak!"
THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE WE SEE PEOPLE EXERCISING THE POWER!!!
MOSES was an encourager - These are the words of encouragement Moses gave the children of Israel found in Deuteronomy 31v6 – “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
HEKEKIAH encouraged 2 Chronicles 30:22 (NKJV)
And Hezekiah gave encouragement to all the Levites…
JOSIAH encouraged 2 Chronicles 35:2
He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the LORD’s temple.
The MEN OF ISRAEL encouraged Judges 20:22 says:
But the men of Israel encouraged one another
APOSTLE PAUL encouraged – in Acts 20:2 (NIV)
‘He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people’
Acts 16:40 says ’After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them.’
A guy called JOSES was such a legend at encouraging that the Christian’s in Jerusalem decided to rename him BARNABAS, which means ‘Son of Encouragement!’
Acts 11:23 (NKJV) says ‘When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.’
Our ultimate example - GOD encourages us! Romans 15:5 (NIV)
‘May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus’
Psalm 10:17 (NIV) says
‘You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you ENCOURAGE them, and you listen to their cry - - we are told to follow Christ, to be imitators.’
The BIBLE was written to encourage us Romans 15:4 (NIV) says
‘For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’
8 PRACTICAL WAYS TO USE THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
1. SPEAKING. Proverbs 16:24 says pleasant words bring healing to the bones. Lift someone by telling how you appreciate a certain positive quality in them. When appropriate, share a scripture that helped you in a hard time. Words can be precious gifts!
2. WRITING. Ever considered how the New Testament epistles are "encouragement notes" to the churches? Ours needn’t be lengthy--even a post card will do. But a note saying "I care" or "I’m praying" will mean much to someone who is lonely, grieving, or discouraged about wayward family members, unemployment, or health issues. Be creative with your family, like "I love you" penned on the lunch box.
3. PRESENCE. Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted, but often the Lord sends us in person on His behalf. Social scientists observed: that only one-fourth of communication is verbal. Even when we don’t know what to say, just being there encourages.
4. TOUCHING. During His earthly ministry, Jesus constantly touched people, including "untouchables" like lepers and a bleeding woman. Scientists have now documented the positive effects of touch--but God knew that long ago! Anything from a light touch on the forearm to a tight hug can communicate that you care.
5. HELPING. Sometimes people feel like a laden ocean liner needing a tugboat to nudge it into a safe dock. Helpers use ordinary skills to encourage others. They may sew or mend, do odd jobs or shopping, rock a baby for a harried new mum, take an invalid to the doctor, or show up with an old pickup when somebody needs to move.
6. GIVING. Proverbs 21:26 says the righteous person gives without sparing. "Givers" recognize situations where money, food, clothing, or the loan of equipment will better lift people out of their encouragement. Some simply give beauty, like a bouquet of flowers from their garden.
7. HOSPITALITY. This ministry is best defined by its Greek word, philoxenia, which literally means "brotherly love of strangers." So defined, it changes from "entertaining" to simply loving people by providing a meal or bed in the name of Christ. This ministry can target people whose life situations make them "emotional strangers," such as those hurting from marriage breakups, financial problems, or physical challenges.
8. PRAYING. "You help us by your prayers," Paul wrote (2 Corinthians 1:11). Why not offer to pray with someone who you know is in need of encouragement.
ENCOURAGEMENT IS EXTREMELY POWERFUL!!!
It’s completely FREE of charge but is priceless to those who receive it. Decide today to go out of your way to be an extravagant encourager, adapt it as part of your every day life. Just us Christ has encouraged us & given us hope – let’s follow His example & shine our light into the lives around us.
FROM PUPIL TO PASTOR!
A gawky 14-year-old boy lacked confidence in himself. But one memorable day his Sunday School teacher said to him: ’I believe you have significance: your life is going to amount to something.’ Later, as a thirty-something he became pastor of a church of about 300 people. The staff was one and one third: he was the ’one’ and his part-time secretary was the ’third’. Within five years there were 25 salaried staff (including seven pastors); the attendance about 1,000.
PRAISE IS LIKE SUNLIGHT TO WARM THE HUMAN SPIRIT; WE CANNOT FLOWER & GROW WITHOUT IT!
UNI FOOTBALL COACH UNLESHING THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT!
I read about a University football coach in the U.S. who each year would privately talk to a new player at the beginning of the football season. He told him, ’I’m very impressed with your ability. If you work really hard this year, I think you’re good enough to make it to the National Football League.’ He told this to every player on the team! You know what happened? He had the highest percentage of players of any University to make it into professional football.
FROM BEGGER TO BUISINESS MAN!
A banker always tossed a coin in the cup of a legless beggar who sat on the street outside the bank. But unlike most people, the banker would always insist on getting one of the pencils the man had beside him. “You are a merchant,” the banker would say, “and I always expect to receive good value from merchants I do business with.” One day the legless man was not on the sidewalk.
Time passed and the banker forgot about him, until he walked into a public building and there in the concessions stand sat the former beggar. He was obviously the owner of his own small business now.
“I have always hoped you might come by someday,” the man said. “You are largely responsible for me being here. You kept telling me that I was a ‘merchant.’ I started thinking of myself that way, instead of a beggar receiving gifts. I started selling pencils—lots of them. You gave me self-respect. You caused me to look at myself differently.” —Quoted by Randy Stanford
NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE ‘THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!’
TURN TO YOUR NEIGHBOUR & say “I have the POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT within me, waiting to come out & CHANGE LIVES!”
TASK / CHALLENGE:
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) – ‘Encourage one another daily’
Over the next week I want you to go out of your way to find at least 3 people to encourage for each day of the week – someone from family, church, work, the local Co-Op, maybe even a complete stranger! Then my prayer is that this will become part of ‘who you are’ & will continue!
End verses:
‘If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves…Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…’ Philippians 2v1-3, 5
Closing Statement:
Be ENCOURAGED today to UNLEASH ‘THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT’ that’s within YOU & make a difference in the world today & ECHO into eternity!
