Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Anatomy of An Encourager”
Selected Passages
The final two verses of James letter extol the value of encouraging wanderers from God’s ways to return to His ways.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
This wandering can be anything form a brief lapse to a full-blown defection. James clearly wrote earlier about the devastation of unaddressed sin.
Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14-15
Anytime we draw someone back from their wandering, we save them from the consequences of sin. The writer of Hebrews prescribes preventative action in the church to prevent falling away or stumbling.
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
It is much better to prevent wandering than try to restore the wanderer. The action is encouragement. James observed that we ALL stumble in many ways. Therefore, we all need encouragement. I believe that the art of regular encouragement is the life blood of the church. The practice occurs over 150 times in the New Testament. Hebrews called for us to practice daily encouragement. It means to come along side. Encouragement involves words that bring Biblical or divine perspective in a world of difficulties.
Our words provide perspective, truth and hope, care, sympathy, inspiration. Words have the power to both heal and hurt. I call them life words and death words. Our words can provide divine perspective in a difficult circumstance. We can also encourage one another without words. Sometimes just our presence, our involvement, our connection inspires others. Encouragement provides community or comradery in a world of conflict. It means to come along side for the purpose of ministering.
A few weeks ago we surveyed the practice of encouragement.
• Do everything we can to regularly encourage one another.
• Gently restore
• Bear one another’s burdens.
• Have mercy on the doubting
• Snatch the perishing from the fire.
• Show mercy on the sinning
• Watch for the common traps
o Failure to appropriate grace
o Failure to forgive
o Failure to pursue eternal values
• Gently teach truth
• Lovingly seek restoration through meaningful conversation
• Avoid intimate association with the unrepentant
• Forgive
• Encourage
• Reaffirm love
• PRAY persistently
Doing the work of encouragement without the heart of an encourager bears little fruit and sometimes bring more damage than good. Today I want to explore several passages that focus on the manner we encourage.
Truth spoken without genuine love is like surgery with a skill saw instead of a precision scalpel. It may help cut out the infection but leaves a lasting scar. Coming along side another in their pain when we have never established a relationship of love only intensifies the pain. Scripture has a great deal to say about the way we relate to one another. Following are the Biblical characteristics of an effective encourager.
An effective encourager…
1. Comes along side in love
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15
There are other motivations behind our words. Pride, anger, superiority. The motive is building the body.
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12
What then, brothers? When you come together…Let all things be done for building up. 1 Corinthians 14:26
Make sure it is love.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
Love seeks to heal not hurt. Love seeks to encourage not expose. Love seeks to give not take.
2. Comes along side in humility
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
Is grief our first reaction to those struggling. Often time judgment is our first response. If it is against us, anger and vengeance. Paul felt grief; grief for them and grief for the body.
The Holy Spirit grieves over our sin.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
3. Comes along side in gentleness
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7
There are numerous Scriptures instructing the attitudewe should exhibit toward one another. Kindness, compassion, love, forbearance, mercy, grace.
4. Comes along side by the direction of the Holy Spirit
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:25-26
The Holy Spirit is the master encourager. We take our cues from how the Holy Spirit encourages.
5. Comes along side after personal examination and cleansing
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Gal 6:1
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5
This is critical. Often, we react to the sin in other that we have failed to address in our own life.
6. Comes along side after a history of positive encouragement
Do not let any worthless 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. Ephesians 4:29
If we try to have a difficult conversation without having a history of uplifting conversations, the results will no be as we would wish.
7. Comes along side as a loving Father
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1Thessalonians 2:12
Notice the word Paul used. Encouraging Console or comfort Urging
8. Comes along side with patience
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. 2Tim 4:2
9. Comes along side with much prayer
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 1 Samuel 12:23
If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. 1 John 5:16
10. Comes along side with a sacrificial heart
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13
There are many Biblical models of effective encouragers.
Barnabas had a name which meant Son of encouragement. He sold property to help those in need. He came along side of Paul in the early days when everyone else was afraid of him.
The news about them (new believers) reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:24-26
He collected funds to help persecuted Christians. He powerfully partnered with Paul on multiple mission trips.
He took John Mark under his wing when Paul refused to take him on a mission. Paul demonstrated multiple aspects of encouragement.
His passionate heart for people comes through clearly.
He prayed constantly for people and groups.
He demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice himself for the salvation of others.
He spent long hours serving and expended significant emotion energy.
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. Acts 20:31
Paul affirmed Timothy as an encourager.
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Philippians 2:19-22
The ultimate encourager is the Holy Spirit.
The key to his encouragement is His continual presence.
He also empowers to keep on the path.
He also enlightens to God’s perspective on life.
He bears witness to the truth.
He inspires love, joy and hope.
He enables boldness in difficult situations.
He urges us to do the right thing.
He never leaves us or forsakes us.
We must be intentional about encouraging others. We must intentionally develop meaningful connections with others. It takes time and energy. It takes boldness and humility. Be open to let others come along side you.
Be open to coming alongside others. Encouragement is the life blood of the body. Mutual loving service is the major function of the body and the family.
Sadly, we sometimes feel all alone.
Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; 2 Timothy 4:9-10
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
Notice Paul’s attitude! He used his circumstance to draw closer to God.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. 2 Timothy 4:16-17
It is said that Christians are notorious for abandoning or killing their wounded. We assume that because people disappear or are absent they have deserted. The truth is, sometimes they have been seriously wounded on a battlefield somewhere and our job is to come along side and nurture them back to health taking note that…
…that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
An effective ministry of encouragement can sometimes be messy. An effective ministry of encouragement requires an other’s-centered focus.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart… 1 Pet1:22
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:10-16
We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Romans 15:1-2
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
Blessing
May God’s presence encourage you when you feel alone.
May God’s sovereignty encourage you when you feel afraid.
May God’s peace fill you when you feel restless.
May God’s promises inspire you when you feel hopeless.
May God’s mercy engulf you when you feel ashamed.
May God’s joy lift you when you feel sad.
May God’s grace energize you when you feel weak.
May God’s arms surround you when you feel abandoned.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25
