The Dynamics of Encouragement - 25 August 2020

 

“The Dynamics of Encouragement”

 

INTRODUCTION:

All of us need encouragement. It is a basic human need. Without it we do not develop correctly in mind or emotions. A child raised without encouragement becomes stunted in his/her personality. These are the same people who go on to commit antisocial acts that result in them being thrown into prisons or other kinds of institutions.

            I am not saying that children should be indulged and spoiled. That is the pendulum swinging too far in the opposite direction and results in insufferable little brats and self-absorbed adults that no one wants to be around. No, I am just talking about the kind of encouragement that assures people that they are valuable, capable, loved, wanted, needed, believed in, and trusted. God has wired us up to need encouragement from our parents, our peers, and from one another in the Body of Christ. That is why He has commanded us to encourage one another

 

TRANSITION:

·         The command to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14) – “¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing… ¹⁴ We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

·         The antidote to spiritual hardening and falling away (Hebrews 3:12-13) – “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. ¹³ But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

·         The accountability leading toward greater godliness (Hebrews 10:24-25) – “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

 

MAIN BODY:

But, exactly HOW do we encourage people? Here are Seven Ways:

 

1. By the SPOKEN WORD = Using gentle, loving, healing words.

·         Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.”

·         Proverbs 16:24 – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

·         Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

 

2. By the WRITTEN WORD = Using cards, letters, love notes, and spontaneous letters of appreciation.

·         Philippians 1:3-8 – “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, ⁵ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

·         Romans 16:22 – “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

·         E.g. Paul’s loving letters to Timothy and Philemon

 

3. By the LISTENING EAR = By truly hearing people, not only their words but also the heart behind their words.

·         James 1:19-20 – “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” [N.B. “Quick to hear” implies not only speed but inclination and willingness to listen.]

 

4. By the LOVING TOUCH = With hugs, and kisses, and a hand on the arm or a pat on the shoulder.

·         2 Corinthians 13:12 – “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

·         Acts 20:36-38 – “When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. ³⁷ And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, ³⁸ grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.”

 

5. By the OPEN HOME = Practicing a “drop in anytime” policy, showing genuine hospitality.

·         1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

·         1 Timothy 3:2 – “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”

·         Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

 

6. By the LOVING GIFT = Sending flowers for no reason, no-occasion gifts.

·         Philippians 4:13-18 – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. ¹⁵ You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the Gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; ¹⁶ for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”

·         Acts 20:35 – “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

 

7. By the CARING SERVICE = Helping elderly people, showing up to help without being asked, taking meals to the sick, offering to babysit.

·         1 Corinthians 16:15-16 – “Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry (service) to the saints), ¹⁶ that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labours.”

 

CONCLUSION:

I believe that the consummate example of an encourager in the Bible is the man called “Barnabas.” We first meet him in Acts 4, where we discover that his name was really Joseph. Barnabas was the nickname given to him by the apostles because of his obvious character.

·         He sold some land and gave the money to the apostles to help the other believers. This demonstrated his personal sacrifice. Acts 4:36-37 – “Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), ³⁷ and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

·         Later, he spoke up for Saul when no one else was willing to take a chance on him. This shows that Barnabas was willing to take risks to help others. Acts 9:27-28 – “But Barnabas took hold of [Saul] and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.”

·         Barnabas ministered alongside Paul in Antioch. We see that he was happy to see others become successful. Acts 11:19-26 – “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. ²³ Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; ²⁴ for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. ²⁵ And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

·         Barnabas was sent to Jerusalem with relief money because he was a trustworthy servant-hearted man known for his acts of kindness. Acts 11:27-30 – “Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. ²⁹ And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. ³⁰ And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”

·         Barnabas took John Mark along because he could see hidden value and potential in him, just as he did in others like Paul. Acts 15:35-39 – “But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord. ³⁶ After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. ³⁸ But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.” [N.B. As it turned out Barnabas was right, and Paul was wrong. Later, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy he writes: “Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.” That would have never happened without Barnabas’ ministry of encouragement.]