Encourage Others! A
Study in the Book of Acts by Kelly
Durant 7-23-12
Acts
4:36, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:23-24 , Acts 15:32 Acts 16: Acts 18:27, Acts 20:2, and
Acts 28:15.
How many of you have
heard a quote, ‘It is better a hand on the shoulder, that a hand-swat on the
rear?’ It’s so true! We all need encouragement often! Do you not agree? In life
everyone needs correction and instruction, but my favorite way to give it is
through encouragement! Encouragement needs to come from each of us all the time! It is
an act of divine love!
Some of you have a difficult
life from abusive people around you. Some people are more easily depressed than
others. Some people are living in very difficult situations. The reality is we
all need someone to lift us up from time to time!
In life the average
person will suffer discouragement over and over. People live with family problems,
broken relationships, health issues, financial worries, corruption in their
communities, and just random chaos upsetting our daily lives!
But we have the promises
of God from the Holy Scriptures that we are always going to come out alright! As in Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of
the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. And
Jesus said, in John 16:33 These things I
have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
These things mentioned are just a few of the causes
of our sadness and discouragement. I
personally think what brings about one of the worst discouragements in our
lives is a feeling of being unloved and unwanted! Sadly most times this is due to circumstances
out of our control.
Also, often times our feelings
are not reality but distorted imaginations.
Often our minds deceive us, and Satan, our enemy, plants horrible
thoughts in our heads.
Mother Teresa stated, “The
most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved”. I think everyone would confirm that our most
important job in life is to love God and others and to encourage others in word
and with effective deeds of kindness!
And then some people provoke
upon their selves their own discouragement.
Sad but true, some people are not very loved because they themselves do
not give love. Everyone reaps what they sew, or do not sew, in this life which impacts eternity.
No matter what your
situation is, it is important to refresh our minds at how to obtain
encouragement. Repeatedly in the book of Acts we read that the disciples got
encouragement. God wants Christians to be full of faith, hope, and love and these all bring encouragement!
Do you like to
encourage others? Do you sew it so you can reap it?
Consider this, how
would you like to have as your name, Encourager? Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite
from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of
encouragement”, in modern English), (Other version: Son of consolation).
Imagine, if someone
were to say, the son of encouragement will come to my house to visit, do you
want to meet him? Barnabas was true to
his name to console others. He was one
of the first Jewish disciples that was considered to be a saint by the old
church.
His name was Joses, but
he was led to change his name to Barnabas. Recall as well Saul became Paul, and
many Christians changed their names to signify their mission in life! Maybe we
should change the names of some of you here! I have known a few ladies with the
name Dolores (which means “pains”) that I wish I could have renamed Joy!
If Barnabas had the job
of encouraging, and he was one of the most important figures travelling with
Paul, then I deduct the message we should learn here is that we must develop
more encouragers amongst ourselves!
Where does our
encouragement from God come from? Through the Holy Spirit!
Acts 9:31 Then the
church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was
strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit,
it increased in numbers.
Here in Hialeah, we observe
ourselves in this phase as they were, in a time of strength. We are enjoying a growth phase, but this
blessing is only effective if each person here is being sensitive living a pure
obedient Christian life which attracts the Holy Spirit! It also attracts others
from the world to join us to get relief from their suffering. Jesus stated
clearly that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter.
John 15:26 But when the
Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit
of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
When you share comfort
and encouragement you are being a channel for the Holy Spirit to work in you!
Acts 11: 22 Then
tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in
Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted
them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.24 For he
was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was
added unto the Lord.
So now consider this,
Barnabas encouraged others with the Holy Spirit, and many people believed on
the Lord due to his way of being, by his loving spirit, and for his concern for
others. His influence was like a fire that spread and warmed many hearts to do
the same! Let’s keep this fire burning!
This brings each of us
to a challenge, ask yourself: How many people have you encouraged in your
lifetime to be closer to the Lord? Can you name the person that has encouraged
you in your past as well?
The word says in Matthew
7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Let’s continue on in
Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage
and strengthen the believers.
Here we have an example
of 2 more brothers who were very good at encouraging others. And a prophet, or one
representing God, is one who encourages through prayer and study of the word,
and the results bring strength and power in the spirit!
How encouraging are
you? How loving are you? How full of the Holy Spirit are you? When people think
of you, do they think you are full of comfort, consolation, and encouragement?
Or are others indifferent to you because you are indifferent?
Acts 16:40 After Paul
and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met
with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.
What is the message
here? Whenever you have a testimony you must share it to encourage others! Paul
and Silas had a big testimony, that God opened the prison doors for them!
These brothers went to
a house for a visit, but what about those that are too far away to visit? What
can we do?
All of us can encourage
friends that are far away by writing to them sharing uplifting words to continue to do good for the
Lord! In today’s world be can call them as well! We find more visitation in the
next verse, first a letter, then a visit.
Acts 18:27 When Apollos
wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to
the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to
those who by grace had believed.
Paul, Barnabas and many
like Apollos seemed to get around a lot to encourage others.
Acts 20:2 He traveled
through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and
finally arrived in Greece,
Even when you are in a
hard situation you can still be uplifting. Paul was shipwrecked and in a survival
situation but he was always positive.
Look in:
Acts 27: 34 Wherefore I
pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an
hair fall from the head of any of you.35 And when he had thus spoken, he took
bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken
it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took
some meat.
Notice how Paul
encouraged them that nothing bad would happen to them because God was with them
in their journey on the ship. Do you do that? Do you tell others things will
come out good because God is with you? The people were made very happy by these
words! And his encouragement was not a long exhortation but a short one.
Encouragement doesn’t have to be a long speech; it can be just a few words as
well.
Acts 28:15The brothers
and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as
the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these
people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.
What we learn from this
verse is when a Christian brother or sister is close by we should get excited
and encouraged we should go visit them as it will bring us up in spirits. If
they come near, we should also go to see them.
Soon we will get a
visit from General Bond soon and we will all travel to see her and it will
encourage us in the spirit! Encouragement comes from hearing the word through
someone who is mature in the spirit. Leaders must travel to inspire others!
What has the Book of
Acts taught us about encouragement today?
1-Encouragement comes
from people who take up the challenge. Ask yourself, am I willing to be a
Barnabas to have the ministry of encouragement?
2-Encouragement comes
from the Holy Spirit and all we have to do is ask for it. Ask yourself, do I regularly
ask for the Holy Spirit to be close to me?
3-The influence of one
encourager spreads and causes many others to become encouragers as well. Ask yourself how many people have I
influenced in my life?
4-We must share
testimonies and positive words of God’s works to bring encouragement to others.
Ask yourself, when have I shared a testimony?
5-Visitation from
others brings encouragement. Ask yourself, when was the last time I traveled to
get encouragement from someone mature in the faith? Or to give it?
Remember love is
encouragement and it is like a cologne, or perfume, and you cannot put some on
someone else without getting some on yourself!
Be encouraged and encourage others from this day
forward!
