Five Ways to Encourage Others

“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:1-3 Five Ways to Encourage Others

Encourage (n) Paraklēsis – (v) parakaleō Lit. -“to call to one’s side, call for, summon”: “to admonish, exhort”: — “to beg, entreat, beseech” — “to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort,” - it combines the ideas of exhorting and comforting and encouraging... — Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon

1.a: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: hearten - b: to attempt to persuade: urge 2.to spur on: stimulate 3.to give help or patronage to: foster — Merriam Webster Encourage

Why We Need Encouragement  Life experiences demand …  Courage  Confidence  Hope  Interdependence!

Our Source of Encouragement  The Godhead— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit  2 Corinthians 1:3-7  2 Thessalonians 2:16  Acts 9:31

“ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God … 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Our Source of Encouragement

“ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation … 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Our Source of Encouragement

“ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Our Source of Encouragement

“ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace. ” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Our Source of Encouragement

“ Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. ” Acts 9:31 Our Source of Encouragement

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 Our Source of Encouragement

“ And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ” Hebrews 13:22 Our Source of Encouragement

“For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.” Philemon 1:7 Our Source of Encouragement

The Example of Barnabas “And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.” Acts 4:36,37

I Will Encourage Others by Practicing Good Stewardship  Difference between ownership and stewardship “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” {1 Peter 4:11}

 God does not ask us to give what we do not have. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” {Acts 3:6} I Will Encourage Others by Practicing Good Stewardship

 Applies to both physical and spiritual needs. “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” {Acts 20:35} I Will Encourage Others by Practicing Good Stewardship

I Will Encourage Others by Believing in Them  Barnabas defended Paul as a new Christian. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” {Acts 9:26}

 It’s not always easy to see the good in others. “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” {Acts 9:1,2} I Will Encourage Others by Believing in Them

 Love believes all things! “Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...” {1 Corinthians 13:7,8} I Will Encourage Others by Believing in Them

I Will Encourage Others by Helping Them Grow  Barnabas sent as far as Antioch “Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” {Acts 11:22,23}

I Will Encourage Others by Providing Them Opportunities  Barnabas sought out Paul. “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” {Acts 11:25,26}

I Will Encourage Others By Giving Them Second Chances  Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance. “Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.” {Acts 15:37,38}

 By practicing good stewardship  By believing in them  By helping them grow  By providing them opportunities  By giving them second chances I Will Encourage Others! Five Ways to Encourage Others