October 3, 2021

Encourage One Another

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: One Another Topic: encourage Scripture: Acts 4:36–37

One Another

Encourage One Another

Acts 4:36-37

 "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain--and most do." - Dale Carnegie

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13, NIV84)

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 10:25, ESV)

“Encouragement is oxygen for the soul.”  George Matthew Adams

Encourage – “To fill or inspire with courage”

A Model of Encouragement

  1. Encouragers Give Freely of their resources (4:36-37)
  • Money
  • Time
  • Wisdom/Perspective
  • Relationships
  1. Encouragers Believe in others (9:26-27, 11:22-26)
  • Acceptance of who and where you are
  • Vision of who you can become by God’s grace
  • Opportunities to grow and develop
  1. Encouragers Rejoice in developing greatness in others (13:2-3, 7, 42-49)

Encouragers are Secure enough in their identity in the Lord that they can rejoice in helping another with greater or different gifts and a larger platform

Encouragers are not out to make a Name for themselves, but to glorify the name of God

  1. Encouragers give people a Second Chance (15:36-41)
  • Discouragers Judge you when you fall
  • Encouragers Stand With you when you fall

You Can Give the Gift of Encouragement Through Your…

  1. Presence/Time

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11–12, ESV)

  1. Prayers

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:11, ESV)

  1. Words

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.” (Acts 15:30–32, ESV)

  • Verbal
  • Written
  1. Actions

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

  1. Giving/Sharing of resources

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” (Philippians 4:14–16, ESV)

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Jesus Christ is our greatest encourager!

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16–18, ESV)

Greek: parakletos - means: “called alongside to assist”

So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.” (Acts 9:31, HCSB)

 

Questions To Consider:

  • Have I personally received God’s forgiveness by repenting of my sin and placing my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the forgiver of my sin and the rightful leader and Lord of my life?
  • Who have been the people in my life who have encouraged me? How did they encourage me?  What can I learn from their example?
  • Who are the people in my life that God wants me to encourage? What is one specific step I will take this week?
  • Spend time reviewing the teaching above. Begin making any adjustments that you sense God is directing you to begin to live out in your life and relationships.

 

Ready to take your Next Step?

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Oct 17

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Oct 10

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Unity in Diversity

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Romans 14:1–23 Series: One Another