COMMUNITY CHURCH PLANTING Encouragement Disciples multiplying disciples Pastors multiply pastors Churches multiplying churches

Encouragement

Encouragement

Encouragement Mahatma Gandhi said, “You Christians have in your keeping a document with enough dynamite in it to blow the whole of civilization to bits, to turn society upside down, to bring peace to this war-torn world. But you read it as if it were just good literature, and nothing else.”

Encouragement Strengthens others Essential to healthy communities Faith, source & object of encouragement Holy Spirit – our Chief Encourager Encouragement, empowered by the Holy Spirit

Encouragement Distinct spiritual gift Strengthens both recipient and giver Facilitates harmonious community life Command given to all believers Continuous activity of Christian practice

Encouragement Strengthens recipient and giver 1 Th 3:1-8, in trial & persecution, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen the Thessalonians Timothy returns bringing good news about their faith, leading to their encouragement. Faith, source and produces encouragement in the heart of the giver

Encouragement Essential for communities & church planters Early Christians -- People of the Way and instructed in the way of the Lord or God You believe in the way of encouragement, so you practice encouragement, therefore the community transforms Protrepo is to urge people to move deeper into their faith

Encouragement Faith, source & object of encouragement Your faith stirs my faith Faith produces encouragement, ignites faith Persuades and strengthens our walk Faith, means for encouraging Your encouragement increases my faith My faith now encourages you We now mutually encourage each other

Encouragement

Encouragement Inspired & empowered by the Holy Spirit Christians, advocate for each other Aid each other in our walk of faith Presence of Christ - the Paraclete in you Holy Spirit - source & power to aid others

Encouragement Encouragement a spiritual gift. Ro 12:6-8 some uniquely equipped ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith… if it is encouraging, let him encourage… let him do it cheerfully.’ Encouragement, comes naturally to those gifted & flowing in the Spirit

Encouragement Facilitates harmonious community life And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Th 5:14 Encouragement – God’s antidote for sin Sin reigns when encouragement is absent Encouragement, oil for the Church motor Without encouragement, believers rub against believers, friction abounds, church life will rapidly deteriorate

Encouragement Command Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. He 10:23-25 Spurs Calls us out of unbelief, into favour of God

Encouragement Woven into the fabric of Christian practice. See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. He 3:12,13 An invitation, each day, to enjoy a fresh anointing from the Father

Encouragement Barnabas, paraklesis, Son of Encouragement Hebrew & Aramaic etymology = prophet Encouragement, discernment, prophecy Saul & Paul Ac 4:36 & 37 Donates a field Generosity, submissive act earns enduring goodwill of Jerusalem Christians Invites Saul to co-pastor in Antioch In Iconium Barnabas & Paul called Apostles

Encouragement John Booth, Abraham Lincoln, April 1865 Ford’s Theatre Washington, 9 recent newspaper clippings May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Th 2:16

Encouragement Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are always in my presence. Isa 49:15,16

A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after a success