Encouraging & Serving – I God’s Called Out Body Encouraging & Serving – I Galatians 5:13,14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-21 Intro The greatest gift given to us by the Father is Jesus. (Jn 3:16) The greatest gift given to us by Jesus is His Body—the church— the called out community.

The call of the church is to make a compelling argument for the validity of the gospel by living our lives passionately pursuing Jesus while we Love one another; encourage one another; serve one another; and live in unity with one another.

1 Thess 4:18; 5:11,14—How this encourages us. Pilgrims Progress—John Bunyan an allegory of the christian life. Christian & Hopeful Not meant to travel alone. Hopeful provides strength in weak moments; exhortation and comfort as needed.

Bunyan understood the importance of encouragement in our faith journey and that the christian life is not meant to be lived alone. The temptations—too powerful The trials—too painful The tribulations—too pedantic The ability to drift—too easy.

Encouragement is a big deal! 1Thess 4:18 Paul encouraged by Barnabas (Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27) • Rom 1:1,12; Eph 6:22; Col 4:8 Biblical encouragement is Jesus centered; God glorifying; believer empowering and the church being built up by the truth spoken into one another's lives.

Kevin De Young Encouraging is not spot lighting a person but underlining God’s grace. It is not about commending nice people to make them feel good, but commending the work of the gospel in others to the glory of God. How often do we see the Lord’s hand in the life of a believer? AND encourage them? Are we looking or Am I too self-focused?

More often than not… • we become critics rather than encouragers. • we question motives and judge their actions. •Quick to find fault or let them know why our thoughts are better and why theirs won’t work. Hebrews 10:23-25 Love AND good deeds Encouraging one another

Some thoughts for Application… Christ followers need encouragement. It is something we must passionately pursue for ourselves and intentionally seek to offer others on the faith journey. The life and health of the church body depends on it. Who are you encouraging? And Who is encouraging you?