January 15th

Giving Encouragement

A couple of verses for background….

Acts 4:36 – And Joseph,  Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means, Son of Encouragement) and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet.

Acts 9: 26-27 SPEAKING OF PAUL – Back in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him – they didn’t trust him one bit. Then Barnabas took him under his wing.  He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him…..

Through Barnabas’ encouragement, Paul became the greatest missionary to non-Jewish people.  He essentially began the largest religious movement in all of history. Barnabas was known to be an encourager.  His words of support helped others accomplish great things!

The root word of the word encouragement is COURAGE.  What do you think courage has to do with encouragement? 

Giving encouragement to someone is literally transplanting some courage into them for their situation.  In life, everyone will have a critical need for encouragement at some time during their life.  Sometimes it is a small situation – such as walking into an unknown group and feeling uncomfortable.  Others are big issues – standing up for what is right when a crowd is against them. 

It is very easy for each of us to see our own weaknesses and faults.  When others point them out, it feeds the lack of self-confidence.  People don’t need others to hone in on their weaknesses, rather, people need others who focus on their strengths and encourage them to use those strengths to overcome obstacles.  Giving others encouragement, essentially motivating them to have courage and confidence, can be the push they need toward the abundant life of the Lord Jesus – even in the midst of discouraging circumstances.

I Thessalonians 5: 11 – So SPEAK encouraging words to one another.  Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.  I know you are already doing this, but keep doing it.

This behavior/attitude can apply to any situation in your life.  Not just helping a church get started!  You can encourage someone that they can get good grade, they can score goals for the team, they don’t have to “party”…the list is endless.

So what are the results of encouragement?  SUCCESS

Acts 11: 22-24 – When the church of Jerusalem got wind of this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things.  As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in on it all.  He threw himself in with them, got behind them, encouraging and urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives.  He was a good man that way: enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit’s ways.  THE COMMUNITY GREW LARGE AND STRONG IN THE MASTER.