Encouragement in the Lord

Encouragement in the Lord
Hebrews 3:12-13
God’s People can become discouraged
David – Psalm 42:5
Elijah – 1 Kings 19
John the Baptist – Matt 11:4-6
Peter – John 21:15-18
Must not remain so, nor allows others to
2 Corinthians 2:6-11
6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
The Bible provides ways to rescue us from being perpetually discouraged
Sometimes we’re so low we can’t even think of steps to get out of it
But God has ways to encourage us when we’re down
The Promises of God encourage us
2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The Promises of God encourage us
Concentrate on believing and appreciating the promises – not the sacrifices we make
Don’t believe we must sacrifice the good life to be a Christian
It is better to appreciate the blessings of the new life we have in Christ
The Promises of God encourage us
All spiritual blessings – Eph 1:3; 2:4-6
Adopted by the Lord – Gal 4:4-6
Translated from Satan – Col 1:13
Abundant life – John 10:10
The Promises of God encourage us
2 Peter 1:5-11
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Promises of God encourage us
Hebrews 6:18-19 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
The Promises of God encourage us
Genesis 18:13-14 And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?'14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
The Promises of God encourage us
2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Notice Others who are Living Right
Easy to be discouraged by seeing those who are not remaining faithful
Demas – 2 Tim 4:9-10
Corinthians problems – 1 Cor 1,3,5,11
Notice Others who are Living Right
Paul noticed and commended those who were living and standing for right
2 Cor 7:11-13 – commended the Corinthians when they repented and renewed their zeal
Notice Others who are Living Right
We need to take notice of faithful people today who are sincerely trying to live right
Those with tender conscience who obey the gospel, acknowledge wrongs, overcome weaknesses
Notice Others who are Living Right
We need to notice those who are doing what they can to build up the church
Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet – Mark 14:8
A cup of cold water in Jesus’ name – Matt 10:42
Notice Others who are Living Right
One doesn’t have to leave the church to be discouraging to others
Tribes of Reuben and Gad not willing to help others
Numbers 32:5-7 Therefore they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan." 6 And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?7 Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?
Notice Others who are Living Right
Are you doing what your can? Your part?
As other brethren reflect about you and me, are they discouraged or encouraged?
Give verbal support to your brethren
Moses commanded to encourage Joshua
Deuteronomy 3:28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.'
Give verbal support to your brethren
Paul set an example by encouraging others
To Titus when it was deserved – 2 Cor 7:13-15
To Priscilla and Aquila – Rom 16:3-4
To Timothy – Phil 2:19-20
To Onesiphorus – 2 Tim 1:17
Give verbal support to your brethren
Paul shared emotional support and love
Acts 20:36-38 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Give verbal support to your brethren
We need to learn to communicate and share our burdens – not be so guarded
Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Give verbal support to your brethren
Be a positive encourager to others
Acts 4:36-37 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, ut a good word makes it glad.
Give verbal support to your brethren
Encourage each other daily
Hebrews 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;13 but encourage one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Greatest encourager: Personal Faithfulness
The encouragement of a clear conscience
1 John 3:19-21 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
Acts 23:1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."
Greatest encourager: Personal Faithfulness
Run the race, lay off every weight
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Encouragement in the Lord
Hebrews 3:12-13