Sylvan Way Baptist Church
August 4, 2019
Pastor David Welch
“The Art of Encouragement”
Introduction
The number of times something appears in Scripture often indicates importance. Today I want to direct our attention to a topic that at least makes the top ten. I think it is a crucial key to a healthy church. Most of you could complete the lyrics of this old song. “Where seldom was heard….”
Today’s culture broadcasts plenty of discouraging words. Today’s environment generates abundant discouraging circumstances. Most people struggle with some degree of discouragement. The attempt to treat depression generates billions of dollars each year. The dictionary defines discouragement as a feeling of having lost hope or confidence. We have all experienced those feelings at some time in our life. They range from slight to severe; light to heavy. Other terms employed to describe varying levels of this feeling include depression, dismay, despair, hopelessness, disappointment, gloominess, disheartened, downcast, dejected, melancholy.
The cause varies from other people’s discouraging words and actions to the events and circumstances generated by a broken world. Whatever the source, it robs us of enthusiasm for life. It sucks the air out of our soul.
It supplants courage with fear and generates feelings of despair that can paralyze any forward progress in our life. Everyone desires and appreciates en-couragement. Rather than losing courage i.e. dis-courage. We need someone or something to en-courage; restore our hope, revitalize our enthusiasm for life, invigorate our diminishing strength.
The Bible clearly and often addresses this powerful antidote to discouragement. It is a massive subject that could occupy multiple messages. Given the multiple causes for discouragement in our world, encouragement is a critical component to survival and a critical element of church health.
Our own thinking causes discouragement.
Words of others cause discouragement.
World events cause discouragement.
Personal limitations and failures cause discouragement.
Personal and family circumstances cause discouragement.
EXPLORATION OF 2 CORINTHIANS 2:3-7
Most translations interpret the Greek term under consideration with “comfort”.
I prefer the word “encouragement” which I will share why in a moment.
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.
The Greek term comes from a combination of the verb “to call” and the preposition “beside”. It is variously translated in our English Bibles urge, beg, comfort, exhort, encourage, advocate, counsel, help, ask. It communicates the idea of urging or imploring someone to do the right thing. It was used to describe a pleading for help. It describes coming alongside another with positive words. It describes someone coming alongside not just to console but to strengthen. It references someone sent to advocate on our behalf; like a lawyer.
The noun and verb form appear nearly 150 times in the New Testament. God does it. People practice it. God commands the church to practice it toward one another. Jesus does it. It is a key ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is the name Jesus refers to Him when a promise another “encourager.”
Other terms like inspire, motivate or influence capture the sentiment of the term.
In our passage, Paul blessed God for His encouragement but recognized that God often directs people to encourage us. Here is the main take away from this passage regarding encouragement. God’s merciful encouragement in life’s struggle is not intended to stop with us. God encourages us so that we might encourage others.
INSIGHTS FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 1
• God’s encouragement flows out of God’s mercy.
• God’s encouragement addresses ALL our troubles.
• God’s encouragement enables us to encourage others who face affliction.
• God’s encouragement mirrors our suffering.
• Our encouragement comes because of our connection with Christ.
• God’s encouragement is others-centered.
• Encouraging others energizes endurance in others.
• God’s encouragement inspires hope.
Paul knew something about struggle.
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 Cor 1:8-11
Paul described his deep struggle at the time. He was completely overwhelmed, driven beyond human ability to endure, despaired of life. What could have caused such trauma? He shared some of it later in the letter.
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 2 Cor 11:23-28
He blessed God for encouragement. He shared how God encouraged him in his deep struggle.
When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy! 2 Corinthians 7:5-7
Paul considered the encouragement from Titus as encouragement from God. Titus, who was encouraged by the Corinthians expression of love for Paul, encouraged Paul and now Paul encouraged the Corinthians by his letter.
Feelings of encouragement provide a new sense of courage and inspiration to go on or do the right thing in despite life’s difficulties. It is coming alongside another.
ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE ENCOURAGEMENT
1. RESTORATION OF DIVINE PERSPECTIVE
A significant aspect of encouragement involves words, truth. In times of difficulty, we need God’s perspective on life in a broken world. Many times, our discouragement comes from our own faulty thinking.
“I’m a failure.” “Nobody loves me.” “God is mad at me.” “There is no way out of this.” “Life is over.”
These, along with a multitude of other negative “messages” play over and over in our thoughts even to the point of paralysis. We need renewed thinking. Paul told the Romans that life transformation comes by the renewing of our thinking. The major source of that renewed perspective flows from the Scriptures.
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. Romans 15:4
Biblical perspective can come from personal study or the counsel of other people who come alongside us and speak the truth in love. In difficult times, we need a divine perspective on the past, present, and future. God’s encouragement helps us to address things that happened in our past. Renewed perspective aids our struggle with things in the present. Divine perspective assures us of God’s continued presence in the future. Divine perspective encourages the soul to endure, repent, move on.
2. UNDERSTANDING DIVINE PURPOSE
This is one specific aspect of a renewed perspective. Seemingly senseless events tend to cause discouragement.
“What’s the point?” The knowledge that there is some point to it all, some greater good stirs strength and encourages us to go on. Satan loves to show us only snapshots. God wants us to see the whole movie. The present snapshot is only a part of the movie’s ending. God orchestrates all the painful snapshots of life into a God-glorifying movie.
3. REALIZING DIVINE PRESENCE
God designed us for community. He exists in community. Disconnection from meaningful community brings greater vulnerability to discouragement. The concept of “God with us” encouraged people throughout the Bible.
Jesus promised the presence of one just like Him; the Holy Spirit. Some translate the term “The Comforter”; others “The Helper.” It is the same word meaning one called alongside. The very word indicates PRESENCE, meaningful connection.
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Encourager, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
I sometimes think of the Holy Spirit as the perfect perpetual personal pastor. Sometimes God directs special people to come alongside us to encourage us. We sometimes refer to such encounters as a “Divine encounter”.
Sometimes we need perspective. Other times we need presence. Sometimes just our presence is enough to encourage.
4. SENSING DIVINE PARTNERSHIP
God ordained a community of people called the church through whom He chooses to accomplish His will regarding the world and individuals. The passage we referenced earlier clearly indicated that encouragement is fluid. God encourages us in our struggle so that we can encourage others in theirs. I think that people have lost the art of encouragement. It is a central purpose for coming together. Yes, you can worship God anywhere, but God calls us to praise Him together. He calls us to encourage one another. You can’t do that in isolation. God never intend us to function in isolation. Even a sinless Adam in a perfect environment needed someone to come alongside.
Then the LORD God said, “It is NOT GOOD that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18
Paul Simon captured the tragedy of isolation in his song “A winter's day in a deep and dark December”
God designed the body to function in unity, diversity, and mutuality. Encouragement must continually flow through the whole body.
5. ENGAGING IN REGULAR INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Jesus and the Holy Spirit continually intercede for us. Rom 8:26-27; Heb 7:25
God calls us to continually intercede for each other.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)
FURTHER INSIGHTS REGARDING ENCOURAGEMENT.
What does encouragement look like in the community of believers?
Encouragement of the Holy Spirit stimulates church growth
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. Acts 9:31
The Holy Spirit specifically gifts people to encouragement Rom 12:8.
Encouragement flows out of the character of God and His Word.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-6
Christ’s encouragement motivates us to encourage others.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2
We ask God to encourage others as He has encouraged us.
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 Thess 2:16-17
Encouragement is a primary role of pastors/elders.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2
Encouragement strengthens believers to persevere.
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22
So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. Acts 15:30-32
Encouragement may be corrective in nature.
For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work of others. Now we command and encourage such people by the Lord Jesus Christ that quietly working, they may eat their own food. Brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Encouragement is a regular function of community .
God instructs us to come alongside one another to inspire genuine love.
and 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
God also instructs us to come alongside one another to inspire godly behavior.
But exhort (encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
I love the concept of the fluidity of encouragement in the body. Encouragement flows through the family as blood flows through the body carrying nourishment and strength. We energize one another by both our words and our presence. There is power in words; power to both heal and hurt, inspire and impair. There are death words and then there are life words empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
Let NO worthless 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 (energize) those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Our conversations provide divine perspective.
Our counsel provides a divine purpose.
Our company provides presence.
Our cooperation provides partnership.
Our intercession provides power.
We experience encouragement from understanding God’s perspective.
God’s perspective is better than mine.
We experience encouragement when we understand the purpose of our struggle.
There is a purpose greater than me.
We experience encouragement from God’s presence or the presence of others.
I am not alone.
We experience encouragement when we partner with God and others.
I am not alone in the fight or task.
We experience encouragement when we pray for one another.
There is a powerful resource outside of myself.
The body of Christ operates in a perpetual cycle of either needing encouragement or giving encouragement. Coming alongside one another is the lifeblood of God’s family. Unfortunately, it does not always function that way.
I encourage you to consider your high calling to encourage.
There are always people on both sides of encouragement.
We vacillate from one side to the other through our life.
If you are one of the encouraged side, you have a responsibility to encourage.
If you are one on the need for encouragement side, be open to the encouragement of others.
