bibleteacher.org: Sermons by Dr. Mike Willmouth

"Encouraging One Another"
(One Another Series - Part VII)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (also see Romans 14:19)

by Joseph "Mike" Willmouth
(This Sermon was preached at Eastview Baptist Church on October 30, 2005. This sermon series is loosely based upon the book "Building Up One Another" by Gene Getz. All Scripture references used in this sermon are based upon the NKJV®, unless otherwise stated)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Introduction: IT WAS ADVERTISED that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale the tools were placed for public inspection, each being marked with its sale price. There were a treacherous lot of implements. Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart from the rest of the pile was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn and priced very high. "The name of the tool?" asked one of the purchasers. "Oh," said the adversary, "that's Discouragement." "Why have you priced it so high?" "Because it's more useful to me than the others. I can pry open and get inside a person's heart with that one, when I cannot get near him with other tools. Now once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It's a badly worn tool, because I use it on almost everyone since few people know it belongs to me."

The devil's price for Discouragement was so high, he never sold it. It's still his major tool, and he still uses it on God's people today. (John Lawrence, Down to Earth)

Gene Getz makes this observation, "Why are we so hesitant to encourage others? Why do we neglect this very important biblical responsibility? In fact, some Christians seem to feel they possess the 'gift of discouragement.' The only time they communicate anything to others is when they have something negative to say! Either that, or they say nothing at allâ€”which can be just as discouraging" (Getz).

In our text today, the Apostle Paul reminds us that as Christians we are called to be encouragers and not discouragers.

Transition: Lets first begin by looking at Encouraging One Another, by. . .

I. What It Is.
1. Its definition.

A. The word "edify," ("oikodomeo") carries the idea of building up spiritual encouragement towards one another for the purpose of strengthening and encouraging someone to do what is right.
B. The dictionary defines encouragement as the act of inspiring others with renewed courage, renewed spirit, or renewed hope.

Transition: There-s another interesting thing about the word "edify" and that is. . .

2. Its command.

- The word "edify" is given as a command in the Greek, which literally can be translated as "edify(encourage) one another right now! And keep on edifying (encouraging)one another!"

Application: All Christians are to be encouragers! It isn't an option! Looking for opportunities to encourage others is a Christian obligation to be followed because it directly impacts our Christian walk with the Lord. If we fail to obey His commands, then we willingly break our fellowship with Him and the only way to restore that fellowship is through genuine repentance and obedience to His commands.

Transition: Scripture also reveals to us. . .

3. Its importance.

A. It is to be done often (Prov.15:23; Heb.3:13).
1) Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
2) Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
3) Encouragement of others should be a daily practice for the Christian.

B. It is to be done for those who deserve it (Prov.3:27).
1) Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act (NIV).
2) Notice that our purpose for saying something to someone is to encourage them, not just flatter them.

C. It is to be done for those who need it (Prov.12:25; 17:22 ; Acts 27:22; John 16:33; Rom.15:1-2).
1) Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up(NIV).
2) Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up (NIV).
3) When we know someone who is sick, worried, facing trials, etc, then we should look for ways to be an encouragement to them -- it can really make a difference!

D. It is to be done for every believer (1Thess.2:11-12; 1Cor.16:18; Heb.10:24).
1) 1 Corinthians 16:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
- Some Christians act as if they will job another Christian of their reward from God if they say something encouraging to them, but this verse makes it clear that we are to encourage those who deserve it.
2) Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.(NIV)
- The next verse (v.25) also tells us not to "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together," did you know that when you attend church it is an encouragement others, like your Sunday School teacher, your music director, and your pastor? Likewise, your lack of attendance can be a discouragement too.

E. It is to be done in place of negative criticism (Job 16:2-5).
1) Job 16:2-5 "I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all! Shall words of wind have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? I also could speak as you do, If your soul were in my soul's place. I could heap up words against you, And shake my head at you; But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.
2) Remember what you parents used to tell you, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don-t say it at all."
- This is what Job was basically saying to his friends, and it serves to be a reminder to us too, to think before we speak and to always make sure that the motives behind our words are correct.

Application: King Solomon penned this proverb -- "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Prov. 17:22, NIV). Are you a "healer" or a "hurter"? Do you look for ways to encourage, or discourage?

Transition: Now lets look. . .

II. Where We Can Find It.
1. In God-s priority.

A. Through His Word (Rom.15:4-5; 2Tim.4:2).
1) The Bible is filled with encouraging truth, and there-s no need to find substitutes from other sources (David Jeremiah, The power of encouragement).
2) In Romans 15, Paul reminds us that one of the purposes of the Old Testament was to provide encouragement for us today.
- Everything from Genesis to Malachi was written for our learning, so that we, through the encouragement of the Scriptures, might have hope.
3) In the New Testament, the theme of encouragement is everywhere, especially in Paul's writings.
A) When Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, he reminded those young pastors of the critical importance of using God's Word as a tool of encouragement.
B) In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul told the Thessalonian believers to be confident about their future with God in heaven.

B. Through His actions -- Father, Son & Holy Spirit (2Cor.1:3; 2 Thess.2:16-17; John 14 and 16).
1) Throughout the Scriptures we are given numerous examples of God the Father encouraging, God the Son encouraging, and God the Holy Spirit encouraging people.
2) We need to be encouragers because encouragement is one of the primary ministries -- in fact, it's a priority -- of our triune God (David Jeremiah, The power of encouragement).

Application: God is a God of encouragement. Whenever you feel down and discouraged, turn to God for your encouragement. Turn to God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to lift your spirit up, and to encouraged. People may let you down, but God is ever present to lift you up! Christian, if our heavenly Father thinks that encouragement is a priority, then we should make it a priority in our lives too.

Transition: Following our God-s example, we too are to be encouragers first. . .

2. In our words (Prov.12:25; 25:11).

A. Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
B. Proverbs 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances(NASB).

Transition: Not only should we be encouragers in our words, but also. . .

3. In our deeds (1Thess.3:6-10; Acts 4:36; 9:27-31).

- Examples of Paul and Barnabas.

Application: When we look at the lives of the Apostle Paul and his friend Barnabas, we see an example of how our actions can encourage others. The name Barnabas, means "son of encouragement." When Paul returned to Jerusalem, almost three years following his conversion (Gal.1:18), the Christians still greatly suspected his Christianity (Acts 9:26). They were convinced he was faking his conversion in order to get "inside the system"â€”and then at the right moment to strike out as he had done before! They had not forgotten how this man had orchestrated Stephen's death and introduced an all-out attack against the church (8:1-3).
But Barnabas had developed a deep relationship with Paul. He knew this former persecutor was for real. He had the courage to go directly to the "top" -- to the apostles -- in order to intervene for his friend (9:27).
Encouragers give people the benefit of the doubt. Even when other people are skeptical or simply refuse to get involved in helping someone who needs a character reference, encouragers take time to get the facts -- just like Barnabas -- and then "step up to the plate" and "go to bat" for that person (Getz).

Christians are to be like Paul and Barnabas, people of encouragement. Christians should be like our heavenly Father, our heavenly Savior, and our heavenly Comforter - making encouragement to One Another a priority.

Transition: Finally, lets look at. . .

III. How We Spread It.
1. Mutually (Phil.2:1-2; Isa.41:7).

- Philippians 2:1-2, "If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (NASB).

Transition: Lets look at what happens when our encouragement is mutual, and that is its. . .

2. Contagiously (2Cor.1:3-4).

A. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- Everywhere in this verses where you see the words "comfort, comforts, and comforted" they come from the same Greek root word, "parakaleo" which is frequently translated "to encourage."
B. David Jeremiah in his book, The Power of Encouragement, paraphrases the passage like this, "I want you to know how blessed I am by the God of all encouragement who encourages us so that we in turn can encourage others with the encouragement whereby we ourselves have been encouraged" (2Cor.1:3-4).

Application: David Jeremiah also makes this point, "Encouragement is like a pebble thrown into water. While there is always an immediate impact, the ripples continue indefinitely. . .When you have been encouraged, your first impulse is to encourage someone else. Encouragement is infectious. The only way you can truly appreciate the encouragement you have been given is to give it daily to another. That person will in turn hook up with someone else who needs a word of affirmation, and the ripples continue to grow. Encouragement begins a process which should go on forever." (David Jeremiah, The Power of Encouragement)

Encouragement has been summed up like this, "Encouragement is like a peanut butter sandwich -- the more you spread it around, the better things stick together." (Illustrations for Biblical Preaching)

Invitation:
1. Christian, God-s Word has put forth a challenge to us, and that is to become an encourager of others.

A. This means we must always guard our tongues, so that we don't become a stumbling block to others by both our words and or deeds (or in some cases the lack thereof).
B. Also, Christian don't let others steal your encouragement, by either their silence or words, remember that you have a God who loves you and is always there for you.
- Who will, if we stay faithful, will someday give us the most encouraging words we will ever hear, ". . .'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'" (Matt.25:23).

2. To those here who have never entrusted their lives into the greatest encourager's hands who has ever existed, know this;

A. God loves you, regardless of what you have ever done or said -- He's is willing to forgive you completely and forever if you will come to Him with a heart of repentance and a heart of acceptance.
B. Romans 10:9-10, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
C. When you put your trust in God, you'll find the encouragement you need to serve Him in a world of discouragers.