The Simple Faith of Christmas #4 : Faith for Encouragement 12-25-16 AM

Who are the people of faith in the Christmas story? The Simple Faith of Christmas Mary – Luke 1:26-38 - Faith for Enlistment Joseph – Mathew 1, 2 - Faith for Enablement Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-56 - Faith for Encouragement Zacharias – Luke 1:67-80 – Faith for Exposition (unveiling) Shepherds – Luke 2:8-20 – Faith for Evangelism Wise men – Matthew 2 – Faith for Expedition Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 – Faith for Enlightenment Anna – Luke 2:36-38 – Faith for Endurance (faithfulness) Which faith describes you?

As illustrated In Elizabeth’s Life Exercising Simple Faith Generates… …Encouragement

The Need for Encouragement. The Troubling Message The Willing Maiden The Promoter of Encouragement. It is the Word of God with the Spirit of God that is the Great Encourager It is the Will of God for you to be encouraged It is the Spirit–led believer who is a tool of … The Ingredients of Encouragement The Message of the Angel The Method of the Almighty The Mentoring of an Associate The Result of Encouragement. Praise, Joy, Worship, Strength

Through simple faith… …Elizabeth was able to provide encouragement for Mary. May God use you to provide encouragement for someone this week. Not encouragement to do what they want to do despite the will of God, But to continue to follow the Lord, His Word, and His Church even in difficult situations. The Holy Spirit is The Encourager – John 14,15 Barnabas was an encourager - Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22; etc. Encouragement is a spiritual gift given to some in the Church - Romans 12:8 All believers are to be encouragers – Hebrews 3:13