Are You A Headshrinker Or An Encourager?

VEHICLE OF TRUTH: DUTY TO ENCOURAGE

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I wear cowboy boots and a pair of spurs in this service.

I. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE A GOD CALLED HEAD SHRINKER?

A. We have a very serious need within the ranks of the church today. We have many people

that are tired and weakened from the battles they have faced. Some of the battle scars

have been from the hands of others, some of the scars are self inflected.

We need an army of believers to arise and accept the high call of God to be encouragers.

B. There are too many HEAD SHRINKERS within the church today.

It is high time we accept God’s call to edify and encourage people of all ages.

There are some that have stood at their post of duty faithfully for many years,

they have not heard any applause or gratitude for their labor of love.

C. Many near quitting, their tired arms are hanging down, their ministry is in great danger.

They have dreamed, they have waited, they have fished all night and taken NO FISH.

HOW CAN I HELP ENCOURAGE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THIS RACE WE RUN?

II. WHO WILL SEE TIRED HANDS HANGING DOWN? DO WE HAVE OUR EYES CLOSED?

A. HOW IMPORTANT ARE ARM LIFTERS? ENCOURAGERS?

B.REMEMBER THE BEAUTIFUL LESSON, GOD’S PEOPLE HAD BEEN MURMURING AND

COMPLAINING, AND GOD’S MAN WAS VERY TIRED. GOD’S VICTORY FINALLY COMES.

C. BUT THE VICTORY APPEARS DOOMED? THE ENEMY? TIREDNESS?

Exodus 17: 9 Moses the man of God decides tomorrow he will stand on top of the hill, with THE ROD OF GOD in his hand.

11. As Moses held up his hand with the rod of God in his hand there was victory.

But when Moses’ hands were LET DOWN, the Amalek prevailed.

12. BUT MOSES HANDS WERE HEAVY, AND THEY TOOK A STONE, AND PUT IT UNDER HIM, AND HE SAT THEREON; AND AARON AND HUR STAYED UP HIS HANDS, THE ONE ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER ON THE OTHER SIDE; AND HIS HANDS WERE STEADY UNTIL THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN.

III. WE HAVE A GOD CALLED DUTY TO STIMULATE, SPUR, ENCOURAGE, EDIFY,

STRENGTHEN, EMBOLDEN, LIFT UP OUR FELLOW WORKERS IN THIS BATTLE.

A. God needs you today to come along side a discouraged, sick, weakened, hopeless friend

and partner with them in encouragement and appreciation and see victory and deliverance in

the camp.

B.What might have happened if Aaron and Hur had not lifted God’s man’s arms?

Hur is mentioned a few times in the Bible. But Hur was never the upfront powerhouse,

Hur saw a role that MEN OF GOD NEED SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

C. Right now, there is a Mother that is so tired, her hands hang down? Can you see her?

D. It is said in the USA, that 500 men and women in leadership quit a week? Why?

Where are those that will reach out of their mess to deliver a message of hope and patience?

IV. TEXT:

Proverbs 27: 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees.

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that laboring ye ought to support the weak,

and to remember the words of Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to

receive.

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things

wherewith one may edify another?

Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and

not to please ourselves.

1 Thes. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also

ye do.

1 Thes. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort

the feebleminded, support the weak, BE PATIENT TOWARD ALL MEN.

V. HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED COWBOY? REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT THE SPURS ARE

TO A HORSE RIDER?

A. SPUR: a pointed device secured to the rider’s heel and used to urge on the horse.

Stimulus, to incite to action, to accelerate growth or development,

B. STIMULUS: something that calls to alertness, something that births action, stimulant,

to increase in function, energizer.

C. SOME NOTES ABOUT SPURS:

1. In England when a man receives spurs from the Queen it is to show acquisition of Knighthood.

Leaders must see the need to spur others to a higher commitment.

2. Reason must lie between the spur and the bridle.

3. Good and evil, reward and punishment, seem to be great spurs and reins that are the

motivaters of mankind. But love is the only long-term spur that continues effectively.

4. Spur not an unbroken horse, twill just cause great grief.