Maturing in our faith
INTRO.- ILL.- There once was a man whose life long dream was to sail around the world in his boat.
• And as he set off on his Voyage
• There was a crowd of people laughing at him on the pier
• They were saying things like you’ll never make it
• You’ll get sunburned --You’ll starve to death“
• “That boat of yours won’t withstand any storms.” “
• Everything these people were saying added up to You’ll never make it.”
But there was one man who was different
• This man didn’t join the others that were making fun of him
• Instead he was shouting words of encouragement.
• As the little boat began pulling away from shore,
• This man went to the end of the pier
• And began shouting You can do it WE’RE PROUD OF YOU!
• GOOD LUCK,
A lot of times in our personal lives
• This is how we feel
• That we are the one in the boat
• We’re on this long journey, and when it comes down to it
• We’re not really sure if we are going to make it or not
• And as we’re heading out to sea,
• There doesn’t seem to be very many people on the pier giving us any words of encouragement
In life it seems like more people are critical than supportive.
• And I know this sounds sad but it’s the truth
• In Life there are many discouragers but few encouragers.
• Most people just seem to be better at discouraging others than encouraging them.
But there is also the other side of the coin.
• In June of, 1965, another small boat left MASS.
• And it was destined for England.
• This boat was only 13 ½ feet long and it would be the smallest boat in history to ever make the trip.
The man that was attempting this trip was Robert Manry.
• And this had been his dream for most of his adult life
• Now even though he wouldn’t admit it, Robert was afraid, but not of the ocean.
• He was afraid of all the people who would try and talk him out of the trip.
• So he didn’t tell many people,
• Just a few relatives and his wife, Virginia
• Who was his greatest supporter and encourager.
The trip was anything but pleasant.
• He spent many nights going withoutr sleep trying to cross
• The shipping lanes without getting run over or sinking.
• After weeks at sea his food became tasteless.
• He was so lonely that he started to have hallucinations.
• And to make matters worse His rudder broke three times.
Storms swept him overboard,
• And if it hadn’t been for the forethought of tying a rope around his waist,
• He never would have made it back on board.
• But finally, after 78 days alone at sea,
• He sailed into England
During his many nights, he fantasized about what he would do
• When he got to England.
• And he had decided that he would check into a hotel, eat dinner alone,
• And the next morning see if the Associated Press might be interested in his story.
But his story had gotten out
• And to his amazement, three hundred boats, with horns blasting,
• Escorted him into port.
• And 40,000 people stood screaming and cheering him to shore.
Robert had became an overnight hero.
• But he couldn’t have done it on his own!
• Standing on the dock was an even greater hero,and that was his wife Virginia.
• During the entire process she had never criticised him
• She had refused to be negative about her husband’s trip.
• And instead She gave him constant encouragement
• And it was this that helped him pursue and complete his dream!
The world today needs a whole lot more people just like Virginia!
• Both men and women alike who will give others
• The encouragement that we need to face life and it’s obstacles!
• Today with all the problems in the world
• The World needs a word of encouragement!
And this is what we see and can take away from Acts 13
This text teaches is the importance of encouragement in life.
1- Encouragement must be spoken
2- Encouragement deals with good news
3- Encouragement ultimately leads people to God
I. ENCOURAGEMENT MUST BE SPOKEN
Ac 13:15 After the usual readings from the books of Moses and from the Prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for us, come and give it!”
There once was a famous Pianist by the name of Arthur Rubenstein
• And at one point in his life he lost his voice
• Now the newspapers were full of reports about smoking and cancer;
• So he decided to consult a throat specialist.
• Rubenstein said, "I searched the doctor’s face for a clue during the 30 minute examination, but it was expressionless.
• And finally He told me to come back the next day.
• He saqid I went home that night full of fears, and I couldn’t sleep."
• The next day I went back to the doctor
• And had another long examination and again silence.
• Finally he said "Tell me," whats going on
• I can stand the truth. I’ve lived a full, rich life. What’s wrong with me?"
• To which The doctor said, "You talk too much."
Now I wonder if this is ever our problem.
• Generally, the more we speak,
• The more we get into trouble.
James 3:2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
Prov. 10:19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Pres. Calvin Coolidge was known for not talking much.
A woman once bet her friend that she could get Coolidge to speak to her.
So She went up to him and said: "Hello, Mr. President,
I just bet my friend that I could get you to say three words to me."
And Coolidge responded "You lose," and walked away.
Do you find that you just blurt out whatever comes to mind?
• Or do you take time to trhink about what you say
• Ann Landers once said, "The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.
Have you stuck your foot in your mouth?
• When was the last time you Examined your speech?
• And By that, I mean when was the last time you thought about your speaking habits?
• Now I’m not talking about grammar.
• I’m talking about the words that you speak to others
• And how you speak them.
Some people use mean words and speak to others in a mean way.
• We all could do better
• If one of the easiest ways to sin is with our mouth
• Then one of the easiest ways to bless people should be with our mouths
We all need to learn to speak words that encourage others.
• It’s easy to discourage someone or put them down
• But what about lifting them up?
If we have a message or a word of encouragement, we need to speak it to others!
And If we don’t, don’t speak.
II. ENCOURAGEMENT DEALS With GOOD NEWS
Acts 13:16, 21-23, 38-39
Ac 13:16 So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. “People of Israel,” he said, “and you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel, listen to me.
Ac 13:21 Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. Ac 13:22 But God removed him from the kingship and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘David son of Jesse is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to.’
Ac 13:23 “And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!
Ac 13:26 “Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also all of you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel—this salvation is for us!
Ac 13:38 “Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.
Ac 13:39 Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God—something the Jewish law could never do.
Now there once was a man who hid the fact that he has won the lottery from his wife
• He had won $660,000 and After being confronted by his wife skipped town
• So know she is suing her husband for what she claims is her half.
• The only problem is that nobody can find her husband
• However, her husband disappeared after his wife confronted him,
• Here’s a guy who for years has spent marital money on the lottery
• "And now he finally wins, and he’s trying to keep it from his wife.
Now That is pretty low!
• But at the same time it’s pretty low of us to keep good news from others!
• And by this it could be any good news
• But it could also be the best good news ever!
Prov. 11:25-26 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
ILL There once was a woman who was fascinated by the fancy writting on the menu at a local Chinese restaurant.
So She took it home and spent months knitting a sweater with these Chinese characters down the front.
One evening She was wearing it at a cocktail party when a Chinese physician asked where she got the symbols.
’From a menu,’ she admitted. "
’Do you know what they say?’
’I’m afraid to ask,’ the woman said, ’but tell me anyway.’
The doctor replied’Cheap, but good.’"
Suppose I found something very cheap
• And I failed to share it with you? How would you feel?
• Suppose I found a place where you could get name brand clothes for ½ price
• And, I never told you about it.
• Suits, Shoes, Jeans, Shirts, didn’t matter everything was ½ price
• HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?
• Some of you could care less
• But others would feel alittle insulted that I didn’t tell you.
But I wonder how people feel about us
• When we never bothered to tell them the good news about Jesus?
• Right now some of them could care less
• But at death or at judgment it’s gonna be a different matter.
God is good.
• And He was good enough to give us Jesus
• So that we can be saved from our sins and be with Him forever.
• This is the best news there is and we have an obligation to share it with others!
• Whatever you talk about, end up talking about Christ.
• Tell a story and somehow point to Christ.
III. ENCOURAGEMENT ULTIMATELY LEADS PEOPLE TO GOD 42-48
Ac 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people asked them to return again and speak about these things the next week.
Ac 13:43 Many Jews and godly converts to Judaism who worshiped at the synagogue followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them, “By God’s grace, remain faithful.” Ac 13:44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. Ac 13:45 But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. Ac 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that this Good News from God be given first to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life—well, we will offer it to Gentiles.
Ac 13:47 For this is as the Lord commanded us when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”
Ac 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were appointed to eternal life became believers.
They were urged to continue in the grace of God.
• They gathered to hear the Word of God.
• They were glad and honored God’sWord.
• And To me, this says that encouragement
• Must always lead to God and point to Him
Everything revolves around knowing God.
• Nothing in life makes sense unless it is connected to knowing God
• Because He was the One who created us.
• And true encouragement points others to knowing God.
Once an old preacher and a distinguished actor were together at a party
• When the actor was asked to give a reading,
• And when he asked what they would like to hear
• The preacher’s requested the 23rd Psalm.
• So the actor quoted it in such a way that it brought applause from everyone in the room.
Then the actor asked the old preacher to repeat that same Psalm
• And when he finished there was a hushed silence
• And some People had tears in their eyes.
• The actor then said, "I know the Psalm but that man knows the Shepherd."
JUST HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE SHEPHERD?
• How well do you know God?
• The truth of the matter is that We need to know God better
• Than we know ourselves
• Or anybody else.
CONCLUSION
Someone 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.
But Encourage me, and I will not forget you."
What I am saying today is ,
We need to be in the encouragement business!
And If we have a message of encouragement for others,
Please speak it!
