Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Encourage One Another

Intro.

1. Every Christian needs daily encouragement, Heb. 3:12-13; 10:24.

a. We all have times of discouragement, doubt and fear, and need encouragement, 1 Ths. 3:1-5.

b. Encourage: To give comfort, exhort, strengthen, plead and warn.

2. Encouraging each other in the faith is an attribute of love, mercy, goodness and patience, 1 Ths. 5:14-15 (11).

3. God comforts us so we may comfort others with His comfort, 2 Cor. 1:3-5.

I. WAYS TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

A. Out of Singular Devotion to Christ, Matt. 6:21-23.

1. Focus on God’s work and power in life. See the salvation of God with “eyes of faith”, Exo. 14:13; 2 Cor. 5:7.

2. When we focus on the troubles of life...we sink! Matt. 14:27-30

B. By Urging Each Other to Trust in God, Heb. 13:5-6.

1. The one who saves us will stand by us.

2. We must stand by Him, and help others do the same.

C. By Emphasizing Faithfulness to the Lord, 2 Chrn. 35:1-2; Acts 14:21-22; 15:41; 18:23.

-Promote godly living (Acts 9:31), obedient service (Phil. 2:12) and faithful worship (1 Cor. 14:26).

D. By Using the Word of God as our Tool and Guide, 1 Cor. 2:1-5 (not wisdom of man), 1 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 13:22; Acts 15:32.

E. By Assisting Each Other Physically and Spiritually.

1. Physically, Matt. 25:34-40.

-The sick, the poor, etc., a helping hand, etc. Jas. 5:14.

2. Spiritually, Jude 20-23. A word of exhortation

3. Family relationship (brethren), Gal. 6:2; Jas. 5:19-20; 1 Jno. 3:16-18 (“He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”), 1 Pet. 2:17 (love).

II. BARNABAS WAS A SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT, Acts 4:36-37; 11:21-24.

A. In Barnabas we find the Qualities We Need to Encourage Each Other.

1. Generous man (4:37): With our possessions, money, thoughts, words and actions toward others.

2. Unselfish man (cf. 4:37 and 5:1-2): To be an encourager we must be a giving person, who sacrifices himself for the welfare of others (cf. Jesus). This also requires patience.

3. Devoted man (11:22): The encourager is eager to help, to assist, to work. The encourager is interested in others.

4. Spiritually perceptive man (11:23): The encourager cannot be self-absorbed. He or she looks upward (to God) and outward (to others). Phil. 2:3-4

5. Good man (11:24): The encourager must be meek, kind, loving and humble.

6. Full of the Holy Spirit and faith (11:24; Eph. 5:18): Walk with God, Eph. 5:15-18.

B. We have a Spiritual Obligation to Use our Opportunities to Encourage One Another, Eph. 4:16.

1. A word, a smile, a word of teaching, an effort to rescue from sin and error, an offer to help when others need help, etc. The encourager looks for the opportunity to encourage someone.

2. We cannot do that in isolation, silence and a lack of interest in others.

3. Every act of encouragement is seen by our Master and will be rewarded by Him, Matt. 10:41-42.

Conclusion

1. Sons of encouragement are not born – they are made through a deliberate decision to be strong in the faith, to work hard at it, to have a perceptive heart that sees the needs of others and responds, being devoted to Christ, His cause and His people.

2. Can it be said that you are a “son (daughter) of encouragement?”

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: April 18, 2013