3. INTRODUCTION

9. I. WHAT IS ENCOURAGEMENT?

10. John 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 1. To ENCOURAGE means to “come alongside to help”.

11. Acts 4:36-37 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. 2. Barnabas was know as the “son of encouragement”.

12. II. HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS?

13. Acts 15:36-39 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, … 1. We get alongside them.

14. Acts 15:36-39 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 1. We get alongside them.

15. 2. We display a positive attitude.

16. 2. We instil faith in others.

17. 3. WHY DO WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS?

18. Acts 11:22-23 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 1. To keep them from giving up.

19. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1. To keep them from giving up.

20. 2. To draw out potential. 2 Timothy 4:9-11 9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

21. James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 3. To help people in the tough times.

22. Philippians 1:14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 4. To strengthen others.

23. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 4. To strengthen others.

24. Hebrews 10:24-25 24 We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. 25 We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. 5. To strengthen the church community.

25. CONCLUSION