THE NEGLECTED GOALTHE 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…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 neighborspreads a net for his feet. (Proverbs 29:5, ESV)
Speaking of becoming an EncouragerSpeaking 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 EncouragerSpeaking 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 EncouragerSpeaking 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 NeededEncouragers 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 encouragerJesus 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 encouragerJesus 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 encouragerJesus 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 encouragerJesus 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 encouragerJesus was an encourager
• John 8:10-11- 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 encouragerJesus 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 LivesEncouragement 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 judiciousand adds persuasiveness to his lips. (Proverbs 16:23, ESV)
Encouragement changes our LivesEncouragement 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 LivesEncouragement changes our Lives
Focusing on the negative
Low Expectations
Gossip
Not looking for opportunities
Not seeing the need
Beware Obstacles to EncouragementBeware Obstacles to Encouragement
The kind of encouragement is not
as important as the fact of encouragement!
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