THE NEGLECTED GOAL

Better leader? Better teachers? Better deacons? Better elders? Better wives? Better husbands? Better parents? Better Christians? Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29, ESV) A duty for all…

Flattery: false, with an agenda to “get” Encouraging: speaking truth, helpful, rooted in love not “getting” This is a work for EVERYONE A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. (Proverbs 29:5, ESV) Speaking of becoming an Encourager

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV) COMMANDED OF EVERYONE And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14, ESV) Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18, ESV) Speaking of becoming an Encourager

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV) One reason we meet together is to ENCOURAGE Speaking of becoming an Encourager

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:36-37, ESV) Encouragers are Needed

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-24, ESV) Encouragers are Needed

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-24, ESV) Encouragers are Needed

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-24, ESV) Encouragers are Needed

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2, ESV) The Holy Spirit set apart an encourager to go with the teacher Encouragers are Needed

Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4, ESV) So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. (Ephesians 6:21-22, ESV) Encouragers are Needed

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, (Colossians 4:7-8, ESV) Encouragers are Needed

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people. (1 Corinthians 16:17-18, ESV) In every kingdom task ENCOURAGERS are needed Encouragers are Needed

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. … And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21, ESV) Jesus was an encourager

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. … And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21, ESV) Jesus was an encourager

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. … And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21, ESV) Jesus was an encourager

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. … And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21, ESV) Jesus was an encourager

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. … And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21, ESV) Jesus was an encourager

John 8: He encouraged an adultress John 14:1-3- He encouraged his disciples “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3, ESV) Jesus was an encourager

Our goal in assembling? Our goal in singing? Our goal in praying? Our goal in reading scripture? Our goal in the Lord’s Supper? Encouragement changes our Lives Encouragement has natural reactions and results It builds togetherness It builds trust It inspires others

Encouragement makes evangelism, teaching, and inviting more effective. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. (Proverbs 16:21, ESV) The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. (Proverbs 16:23, ESV) Encouragement changes our Lives

Encouragement makes evangelism, teaching, and inviting more effective. To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23, ESV) With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. (Proverbs 25:15, ESV) Encouragement changes our Lives

Focusing on the negative Low Expectations Gossip Not looking for opportunities Not seeing the need Beware Obstacles to Encouragement The kind of encouragement is not as important as the fact of encouragement!