“Affirmation, Encouragement, Acknowledgment”
(The Fatherhood of God Pt 10)
Review
I. The Likeness Factor – Dad’s impeccable genes
II. The Unconditional love & acceptance factor–Dad’s incomprehensible love
III. The Protection and security Factor – Dad’s impervious protection
IV. The Presence Factor – Dad’s intimate presence
V. The Wisdom Factor – Dad’s infallible counsel
VI. The Provision Factor – Dad’s inexhaustible provision
Introduction
We live in a hostile world.
It has been hostile every since the fall.
It didn’t take long for the jealousy and anger of Adam and Eve’s firstborn son Cain to escalate into the murder of his only brother Abel.
Generation after generation since has proliferated soul damage at a horrific rate.
How do we navigate such turbulent waters in such tiny boats?
We all desperately need three things to maintain emotional wellbeing in such a brutal world.
• Affirmation. We someone to affirm our value apart from external looks or behavior.
• Encouragement. We need someone to encourage us to persevere, venture out, maintain the course, and follow our dreams.
• Acknowledgment. We need to know someone notices our efforts.
We all need people around us to affirm, encourage and acknowledge us.
Not all of us grew up with such encouragement.
Not all of us had fathers who encouraged us.
Some had fathers who damaged them emotionally and physically.
Both negative interaction and absence of interaction with fathers adversely affects our ability to relate to God.
We find it difficult to feel God’s incomprehensible love, sense His impervious protection, appreciate His intimate presence, value His infallible counsel or seek His inexhaustible provision.
We see Him as tyrant, judge, absent, unreasonable, demanding, cruel, harsh.
I am here to assure you, by the authority of His own word, concerning our heavenly father’s affirmation concerning who we are, encouragement to persevere and acknowledgment of our commitment and faithful service.
VII. The Affirmation and encouragement Factor – Dad’s inspiring affirmation, encouragement and acknowledgment
A. Affirmation
We all appreciate being recognized for who we are as a person.
The Father affirmed Jesus even before He entered ministry or accomplished anything.
The Father delights to affirm His children.
He demonstrated his love while we were his enemies by sending his son.
We are His workmanship (poem) Eph 2:10
God delights in us.
We are his precious children.
We are His beautiful bride.
We are His cherished creatures.
He values us above anything else in the universe.
The Holy Spirit affirms our worth in the very core of our being.
We must come to understand the worth that already exists by reason of Christ's work in us, not our work for him.
Listen to the father's affirmation.
Reject the devil’s condemnation.
For there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
B. Encouragement
We live in a fallen world full of struggle, pain, confusion, discouragement, fear and frustration.
Jesus warned we would have tribulation in this world but he assured his disciples that He himself had the power to overcome the world with all of its evil influences and powers.
It takes courage to live godly in such a harsh world.
It takes courage to face the struggles of life with an eternal perspective and faith in God.
It takes courage to select the right thing when everyone else embraces the wrong.
It is easy to lose perspective.
At times discouragement can overtake our resolve to go on.
In order to keep swimming against the flow of this world, we need continual encouragement.
The Greek word translated “encourage” comes from two words – “to call” and “beside or near”.
It is translated encourage, comfort, exhort, urge, plead.
It is the same word used to explain the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament believer.
Jesus told His disciples He would send another “comforter, exhorter, encourager” just like Him.
All the things Jesus did for His disciples, the Holy Spirit would continue to do after He left.
Even the English word provides insight into the meaning of this word.
“en” & “courage”
To put courage into someone.
To inspire courage.
Encouragement is a particular use of words that restores courage to the hearer.
Encouragement involves speaking truth that inspires the heart to live by that truth.
Encouragement involves speaking words that restore an eternal perspective in the midst of life’s struggles and periodic cloud bursts and dark nights.
To “discourage” is to remove courage by words that bring shame, degrade, instill fear and doubt and diminish hope.
We all hoped for a father that would not only affirm our basic person, but who would give us courage to face a harsh and hostile world through words of encouragement.
We looked for a father along the sidelines cheering us to keep going.
We wanted dad to build us up, point the way and inspire courage.
We are not privy to many of the conversations between Jesus and His Father.
They would sometimes talk all night.
We do know however that Jesus came away from those talks encouraged to keep going.
The Father sent His angels to minister to Jesus after His forty day knock-down-drag-out with Satan in the wilderness.
I can't help but think there was much encouragement from the Father at Gethsemane.
Jesus endured by the encouragement of His Father alone since even His closest disciples fell asleep after He asked them to pray for Him in His time of deep emotional turmoil.
We agonize with Jesus at that moment in time on the cross, when for the first time, the Father’s encouraging words fell silent.
Does our heavenly Father encourage us?
Encouragement is one of the Father's primary concerns for His children living a difficult world.
It is the Ministry of the Holy Spirit to encourage.
Our Father is the God of encouragement.
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:1-6
There are numerous passages of Scripture related to God's encouragement.
It could be a whole study itself.
One particular passage uses this word at least ten times.
Most translations translate it "comfort" but it is the same word translated “encourage” or “encouragement” in other places.
It's a word that refers to the speaking of words that give courage to the soul, direct our path, urge adherence to the ways of God, and inspire perseverance in suffering.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in all our affliction so that we will be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our encouragement is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; or if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our encouragement. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
What was the context of Paul's experience and assurance concerning God’s encouragement?
What caused Paul to launch into this thanksgiving to his Heavenly Father for encouragement?
For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Paul experienced God's encouragement in a period of devastating discouragement.
He acknowledged that God was a God of mercies and encouragement.
He recognized that God's encouragement can be found in all afflictions.
He affirmed that when we are able to find God's encouragement in our affliction, no matter what it may be, we gain the tools to encourage others in whatever affliction they may be facing.
We don't need to suffer the same thing in order to encourage someone facing trial.
The principles of receiving God's encouragement are the same for every affliction.
It is the recognition that Christ is there with words of hope and encouragement.
It is the ability to see eternal value in the things we suffer and maintain hope.
It is the recognition that we are not alone; that God uses us to touch the lives of others.
Our suffering may be for the encouragement of someone else.
Not only do we find encouragement through the Scriptures as we read earlier, but God uses other believers to encourage us through words of truth and inspiration.
Later in the same letter to the Corinthians Paul revealed the source of his own encouragement.
I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who encourages the lowly, encouraged us by the coming of Titus; and not only by his coming, but also by the encouragement with which he was encouraged in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. 2 Corinthians 7:2-7
Paul reminded the Ephesians to pay attention to the words that come out of their mouths.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
The word translated "unwholesome" could also be translated rotten or worthless.
How much of our conversation contains words that have no value from an eternal perspective?
Words that build up no one.
Words unable to inspire or energize anyone in their time of need.
Paul urges us to choose words that build up and encourage.
Paul wants us to pay attention to what struggles a person may have at that moment in time.
Paul instructed them to use words that build and give grace.
The word "grace" carries the idea of imparting energy, life, joy, blessing, inspiration.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Pro 18:20-21
Words can be a powerful energizer.
Words can also completely drain someone.
Think of a time when you were energized or deflated by someone’s words.
The writer of Hebrews commanded his readers to encourage each other every day.
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13
Without daily words of encouragement to follow God’s path, enticing but wrong choices harden the heart.
The New Testament contains many encouraging words to keep living according to God’s ways.
One aspect of the word “encourage” is to plead with someone earnestly, strongly, passionately.
• Paul urged the Romans to present their bodies a living and holy sacrifice.
• He urged them to keep their eye on those who cause divisions and avoid them.
• He encouraged the Corinthians to agree and not be divided. Stop fighting!
• He encouraged them to imitate his walk.
• He urged the Corinthians to forgive and encourage the one they had disciplined.
• He urged the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling.
• He urged the two contentious ladies in Philippi to live in harmony.
• He urged the Thessalonians to excel even more in their love for one another.
• He urged them to live in purity not in lustful passion as the Gentiles who didn't know God.
• He instructed them to encourage one another daily.
• He urged the Thessalonians to encourage the fainthearted.
• He urged the Thessalonians to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
• He urged Timothy to offer prayers and petitions on behalf of all men.
• Peter urged his readers to abstain from flesh the lusts which wage war against the soul.
The pattern in all these encouragements is to urge believers to walk according to the truth.
What we need most in our time of struggle is God's perspective.
We may not like it.
It may run contrary to our emotions or imagined desires at the time.
But we desperately need to hear the truth spoken in love.
We need to evaluate the present perplexities in light of eternal realities.
We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18
What we don't need is condemnation.
We don't need shaming.
We don't need ridicule or contempt.
We don’t need someone to remind us that we messed up.
We don’t need another kick in the stomach.
We certainly don't need more rejection in life.
We need encouragement to go on in the heat of the struggle.
We need encouragement to persevere when our flesh screams, “Quit!”
We need a hand to get up one more time.
We need a band of Brothers; a steadfast sisterhood to come alongside, watch our back and inspire us to keep true and retrieve us when the wounds from the enemy disable us.
We need loving believers to ignite courage in the face of fear.
We need the truth spoken in love.
You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8
Our heavenly father encourages us through the encouraging truth of the timeless Scriptures.
He also encourages us through loving words shared from the compassionate hearts of believers.
It is why we must continue to gather together every chance we get.
It is every believer’s ministry to contemplate how they can encourage others.
Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25
C. Acknowledgment
We need affirmation that transcends what we do.
We need encouragement to keep running the race with endurance.
But we also need acknowledgment of what we do.
We need to have someone affirm that what we do matters.
We need to know that someone cares.
We need to know that we are making a difference.
We need to know that our labor is not in vain.
Ultimately we long for the Father to say, "Well done good and faithful servant."
The Father fully acknowledged the Son’s sacrifice and obedience.
Being found in appearance as a man, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11
The Father also promises reward for our faithfulness both here and hereafter.
Living a life pleasing to God is a reward of its own.
God's nature; the heart of the Father is to positively respond and reward the efforts of His children to please Him.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Cor. 4:5
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Rev. 22:12
God doesn't miss a thing.
The things done for God down here that no one sees will one day be acknowledged openly.
I’ll have more to say about future reward later.
Conclusion
You may not have had a father that affirmed your worth as a human being.
You may not have had a father who encouraged you or inspired you.
You may not have had a father who acknowledged any achievement you ever accomplished.
Let me remind you this morning of your Heavenly Father
who gave you your worth as a human being and affirms your value to him as His precious child;
who supplies the strength and encouragement to do all things through Christ’s strength
who has not failed to note one single effort you have made to live pleasing to him.
Let me remind you too of the awesome privilege of being God’s instrument of affirmation, encouragement and acknowledgment to one another.
Some here today struggle with their sense of worth.
Some struggle with the deceitfulness of sin.
Some think they have nothing of value to contribute and feel unappreciated.
All of us nurse wounds of childhood and adulthood.
Some run deep.
Some have even become life threatening.
Today is a day for healing.
Today is a day to bring your need to your loving Heavenly Father.
So often when people fail to perform or fail to act like we expect we assume they have defected or deserted when the reality is they have been severely wounded in battle and lay disabled on the battle field of life.
Let us not be the only ones who shoot their wounded.
We need a band of brothers and a steadfast sisterhood who will execute search and rescue operations into the battlefield and retrieve their wounded comrades.
On the other side we need those who will take that step of humility and cry for help.
God resists the proud but gives grace, life, blessing, restoration to the humble.
James instructed those struggling, those without strength physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Humbly admit your struggle, call on the elders to pray and God will respond.
Come let us pour the southing oil of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Come let us bind the hurting with God’s grace.
Come let us cover the rejected with the blanket of God’s love.
Come let us break the bread of God’s life giving provision.
Come let us give the weary rest that comes from God’s peace.
Come let us minister God’s true healing of the truth spoken in love to the broken.
Don’t let another wounded soldier die on the battlefield!
Benediction
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,
who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
