How Can We Encourage Others? (Part 3)

This is not an option! Because of the frailty of the human heart and the nature of our fallen world, all of us are in need of encouragement. I feel this is part of the genius of the Body of Christ. In salvation, we are made part of something bigger than just us—something that can strengthen, encourage, hold accountable, and help. How do we go about doing that? Notice just a few of the things the Bible says:

• Embrace The Source Of Encouragement-
  • God The Father: Rom. 15:5/ Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
  • Christ: 2 Thess. 2:16-17/ 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, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.;
  • Holy Spirit: Acts 9:31/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.

• Embrace The Word Of Encouragement- Rom. 15:4-5- Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Embrace A Commitment To Encouragement- This has got to be more than just good intentions. We must become involved in encouragement that happens on purpose. Heb. 13:1-3- Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

• Embrace A Sensitivity For Encouragement- See outside ourselves to the hurt and pain of others. 1 Thess. 5:14: Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

• Embrace The Opportunities For Encouragement- an email, a phone call, a kind word, a helping hand may be all that’s needed to lift someone’s spirits in a tough season of life. Heb. 10:24-25: And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Author Tim Hansel tells of visiting a church of 3-4,000 for a Christmas program—a Bach oratorio, directed by an older gentleman who also played the organ for the presentation. After the presentation, which Hansel said was fantastic, he went to the director and thanked him for the wonderful time of ministry. Immediately this elderly man broke down in tears. Hansel began to apologize, assuming he had said something inappropriate. The director stopped him. “No, I have been directing the worship here for 18 years— these are the first words of appreciation and encouragement I have received in all those years!”

These things ought not so to be. We must become intentional about the matter of encouragement. We need, within the family of faith, to cultivate a culture of encouragement!

In the New Testament book of Acts, Barnabas (“son of encouragement”) was so-nicknamed by the apostles because everywhere he went, he gave people the gift of encouragement. We desperately need to becomes an army of “Barnabases” who go forward with a gift of encouragement to those who are hurting—especially in times like these.

Of the elements of encouragement we have seen today, what are the ones you most readily are able to embrace? Which are the toughest challenge?