Encourgement: A Study in the Book of Acts by Major Kelly Durant
1-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.
2-How many of you have heard a quote, ‘It is better a hand on the shoulder, than 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 is way to give it is through encouragement! Encouragement is a need for 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!
3-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 are a few causes of sadness and discouragement. I personally think what brings about one of the worst discouragements in our lives a feeling of being unloved and unwanted. Sometimes this is due to circumstances out of our control.
Sometimes our feelings are not real but distorted imaginations. Often our minds often 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!
4-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 and eternally.
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?
5-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 (Joseph), 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 be 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!
6-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 our city, we have observed ourselves in this phase as they were, in a time of strength. We have enjoyed a growth phase in the past, 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!
7-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.
8-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?
9-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.
10-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:
11-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.
12-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 our leaders, and we will all travel 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!
13-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! Prayer…
