Introduction:
A. The story is told of a man who opened his front door one morning to get his newspaper and was surprised to see a strange dog with his newspaper in his mouth.
1. Delighted with his unexpected “delivery service,” the man gave the dog a treat.
2. The following morning the man opened his door to get his newspaper, and was horrified to see the same dog wagging his tail sitting on a pile of newspapers.
3. The man spent the rest of the morning returning the papers to their owners. (Reader’s Digest, 1994)
B. Usually there is no danger in being an encourager.
1. Most people are more naturally discouragers than encouragers.
2. Like the story of the preacher who was leaving his church.
a. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the pillar members of the church.
b. He said to the older woman, “Don’t be sad at my leaving. The next preacher might be better than me.”
c. She replied, “That’s what they said last time, but it keeps getting worse.” (John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, p. 159)
C. Keith Miller, in his book Passionate People, which he co-authored with Bruce Larson, describes two kinds of people – “basement people” and “balcony people.”
1. “Basement people” are the discouragers in our lives.
2. They may be people from our past, or present, but their words go with us everywhere we go.
3. They are the negative influences in our lives and their words go something like this:
a. “You can’t do that.” “That’s a stupid thing to do.” “When are you going to get it right?” “You will never get it right.” “You will never amount to anything.”
4. Basement people divert us from our hopes and dreams.
5. They constantly point out what is wrong, rather than what is right with us.
6. Basement people cause a room to light us when they leave.
D. In contrast to them are the “Balcony People.”
1. They are people who are full of love and cheer us on.
2. They encourage us to be loving, courageous followers of Christ.
3. They sit in the balcony of our lives like a heavenly cheering section, saying, “You can do it.” “We believe in you.” “You are special to us.”
4. Balcony people are the great encouragers in our lives and we all need them!
E. The question for all of us is who will we be? Will we be basement people or balcony people?
1. The choice is ours to make.
2. Balcony people try to lift people up to where they are, but basement people try to drag people down where they are.
3. There is no question who God wants us to be.
4. He wants us to be balcony people, and He will help us to be balcony people.
I. What Is Encouragement?
A. The dictionary definition of encourage is “to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to attempt to persuade; to spur on; to give help.
1. A simplistic definition that I have always worked from is “to encourage is to put courage into.”
2. The Greek word that our English word comes from is rich with meaning.
3. Parakaleo – literally means “to call alongside.” It is sometimes translated “comfort, consolation, encouragement or exhortation.”
4. The Holy Spirit is called our Paracletos our “Comforter.”
B. Encouragement in the Greek is an active word.
1. It means to come along side someone, to come to someone’s aid, or to exhort or urge someone on.
2. It implies more than just cheerleading.
3. It implies that a person is actively involved in helping another find the courage that he or she needs to continue on.
C. It is not surprising that this admonition to encourage is found in the Hebrew letter.
1. Our Scripture reading for today included Hebrews 3:13, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
2. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
3. The Christian audience to whom this letter was written had been through a lot of very discouraging things.
4. They had suffered persecution because of their faith in Christ and some were becoming weary and others were abandoning their faith.
5. Therefore the Hebrew writer commanded them to continue to meet together and to encourage each other daily.
II. What Are Some Biblical Examples of Encouragement?
A. Perhaps the first example of an encourager in the Bible is Jonathan, son of King Saul.
1. David, you remember, had to flee from King Saul, because the king was jealous of David and was attempting to kill him.
2. So David went far from friends and family in an effort to save his life.
3. We can only imagine his fatigue, his fear and his discouragement.
4. But one day David received a surprise visit from his closest friend, Jonathan.
5. The king’s son had made a special trip to be at David’s side in his time of need.
6. The Bible says: While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh. (1 Sam. 23:15-18)
7. What an encouragement Jonathan’s presence and words must have been to David!
B. The Apostle Paul was quite an encourager.
1. After starting several new churches on his first missionary journey, Paul retraced his steps.
2. The Bible says: Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. (Acts 14:21b-22)
3. Often when Paul would leave an area, he would gather the church and encourage them.
4. For instance, when he was about to leave Philippi, after having been imprisoned there, the Bible says: After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left. (Acts 16:40)
5. After Paul was the cause of a riot in Ephesus in Acts 19, he gathered the church. The Bible says: When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)
6. But Paul’s greatest method of encouragement was letter writing.
7. All the letters that Paul wrote to churches and individuals are full of encouragement.
C. By far, the greatest encourager of the Bible is a guy named Joseph, who was a Levite from Cyprus. 1. Do you know who I am talking about?
2. Rather than Joseph, you probably better know him by the name Barnabas.
3. Barnabas was the nickname the apostles gave him, because Barnabas means Son of Encouragement. (Acts 4:36) How would you like to be given that nickname?
D. How was Barnabas an encourager? Let me quickly give you three examples.
1. First, Barnabas was an encourager by helping needy saints.
a. In Acts 4, we are told about how the early church was meeting the needs of the poor people among them.
b. The Bible says: There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:34-37)
c. How encouraging it must have been to those in need to have someone like Barnabas make a sacrifice on their behalf.
2. Second, Barnabas was an encourager by endorsing an unwelcome convert.
a. When Paul gave his life to Christ, he immediately became an unwelcome man.
b. His former Jewish religious friends wanted nothing to do with him, because he changed sides. They were out to kill him.
c. Christians were suspicious of him and were afraid to welcome him – they thought it was a trap.
d. It was Barnabas who stepped in an welcomed and endorsed Paul.
e. The Bible says: When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26-27)
3. Third, Barnabas was an encourager by restoring a youthful deserter.
a. When Barnabas and Paul set out on their first missionary journey they took the young John Mark with them as their helper. (Acts 12 and 13)
b. For reasons we are not told, Mark defected before the journey was half over. (Acts. 13:13)
c. When the time came to begin their second missionary journey, a sharp disagreement arose between Paul and Barnabas over talking John Mark with them.
d. Paul didn’t want to take John Mark because he had deserted them last time, but Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance.
e. When they could not come to terms, Paul and Barnabas parted ways.
f. Barnabas and John Mark went and ministered in Cyprus while Paul took Silas.
g. Mark ended up doing much better and Paul later changed his opinion about Mark.
h. When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy he said, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:11)
4. Think for a moment of how much the church owes to Barnabas.
a. Because of Barnabas’ encouragement, Paul was able to go out and preach to the Gentiles and write 13 letters of the New Testament.
b. Mark went on to write the second Gospel.
c. Isn’t it amazing, here’s Barnabas, a man who never wrote a book that made it into the Bible, but he encouraged two men who wrote over half of the New Testament.
III. How Can We Be Encouragers?
A. First of all, our example can be of encouragement.
1. A life well lived for a long time is a powerful encouragement.
2. I think of guys like Charlie Vrooman and Glenn Olbricht who have been great Christian examples for so long.
a. When we see them here at services we are encouraged.
3. I think of people like Velma Littau and Don Finley who have serious health challenges, and yet they do everything they can to be here and to do their part as Christians.
4. I think of people who are great examples of service and how encouraging they are.
a. For many, many years, Larry Abbott has been back there making sure our first service runs smoothly.
b. I’m encouraged by the Hogan and Abbott families that work so hard keeping our grounds looking good.
c. I’m encouraged by ladies who teach our children year after year – people like Doris Coomey, Pearley Taylor, Joyce Perkins, Anita Bourdeau, Kathryn Olbricht, and Diana Owens.
d. I’m encouraged by those who are always here – like Earl Jenkins; and those who come from so far away – like the Warrens, Zimmermans, Hoods, and Sawyers.
e. I literally could go around the auditorium and name each person and tell how they encourage me just by their example.
5. The example of so many is a powerful encouragement to us all.
B. Second, our presence can be of encouragement.
1. When Job’s life came crumbling down his three good friends came and just sat with him for seven days – that’s presence!
2. Unfortunately, after the 7 days they opened their mouths, and were not very encouraging with their words, but before that their presence certainly was.
a. Sometimes the most encouraging thing we can do is just be there to listen – no advice, no solutions, just an understanding ear.
3. So many times there isn’t a lot that we can do for folks when they are hurting, or sick, or in the hospital, but one thing we can do is be there.
4. We can show up for a visit at home or at the hospital.
5. Our presence makes such a difference at a funeral home, or on a more positive note, at a graduation party, shower or a sporting event.
6. The Holy Spirit is our Parakelete. He comes along side of us, and His presence makes a difference.
7. We, too, can parakeleo each other – we can come along side and lend support.
8. Another very important way that our presence makes a difference is here at worship services and at the other gatherings of the church.
9. Our presence makes an important, positive statement, and our absence makes a harmful, negative statement.
10. A key reason for our coming together is for encouragement and certainly all of us need that.
11. But those who are strong and may not need the encouragement as much at certain times, but we must realize that we need to come together to encourage others.
12. There are times that we come together not as much to receive as to give.
C. Finally, our words can be of encouragement.
1. Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
2. Another well-known writer, William Arthur Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
3. Proverbs 12:18 says: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
4. Proverbs 18:21 says: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
5. Isn’t that amazing? You and I have that kind of power!
6. We can use our speech to tear people down or to build them up – to bring life or death.
7. One of my favorite verses on this subject and one I’m trying to live by is Eph. 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
8. I don’t want words to come out of my mouth that leave people less than whole.
9. I want my words to build them up. I want my words to help them and to inspire them.
10. I want them to leave me feeling more affirmed and confident that God loves them and can use them to do great things.
11. I know that I don’t do that perfectly, but that is my goal.
12. I want to be a balcony person, not a basement person.
13. Words of encouragement can be given in many ways.
a. We can do it privately or publically.
b. It can be done in person or by letter, email or telephone.
14. Some of the best words of encouragement that we can give are the words of Scripture.
a. How helpful it can be when we point people to God’s promises.
b. How helpful when we point them to a Scripture that reminds them that God loves them, that He’s in control, and that He hasn’t abandoned them.
c. It is good to be reminded that God never fails, and that He’s always faithful and good.
d. How special it is when some shares a Scripture that means so much to them at a time when you really need it.
Conclusion:
A. Last Sunday, Mark Condolora ran in his first marathon down in Washington, D.C. Can you see Mark in this picture?
1. Here’s a close-up of Mark. Seriously, Congratulations on finishing the race, and doing so in under 4 hours – among the top 10% of the finishers.
2. How much difference did it make to you to know that Linda, Stacey and Jason were there to cheer you on?
B. The Boston Marathon is among the world’s best-known races.
1. It is considered to be one of the more difficult marathon courses because of the Newton Hills which culminate in Heartbreak Hill near Boston College.
2. Heartbreak Hill is an ascent over 4 tenths of a mile, between the 20 and 21 mile marks.
3. Surprisingly, Heartbreak Hill itself rises only 88 vertical feet, but it is positioned at a point on a marathon course where muscle glycogen stores are likely to be depleted—a phenomenon referred to by marathoners as “hitting the wall.”
4. It is along this hill that thousands of spectators gather to cheer on the weary runners, to keep them from quitting.
C. The Christian life is like running a spiritual marathon, and there are many heartbreak hills along the way.
1. We need many an encourager to help us make it to the end – to stay in the race and finish the course.
2. Let’s make it our goal to encourage at least one person a day.
3. Let’s be balcony people not basement people!
4. May God help us learn to encourage one another.
Resources:
Building Up One Another, by Gene A. Getz, Victor Books, 1981
One Anothering, by Richard C. Meyer, LuraMedia, 1990.
The Power of Encouragment, Sermon by Jeffery Anselmi, SermonCentral.com
Encourage One Another, Sermon by Adrian Dieleman
The Gift of Encouragement, Sermon by Michael Gibney, SermonCentral.com
