Go! And Build One Another Up: Living as Encouragers in a Discouraged World - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT): “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Introduction: The Power of a Word in a World of Wounds
We live in a world that tears down far more than it builds up.
A single cruel comment online can crush a heart. A careless word can shatter confidence.
But one word of encouragement—spoken in love, rooted in Christ—can change a life.
A weary soul can be lifted. A broken spirit can be mended. A sinner can find hope again.
And that’s why Paul writes to the Thessalonian believers, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
The word “encourage” here in the Greek is pa?a?a??? (parakaleo) — it means to call alongside, to comfort, to strengthen, to urge onward. It’s the same root word Jesus used when describing the Holy Spirit as the Comforter or the Helper — the Parakletos — in John 14:26.
So when Paul says “encourage one another,” he’s reminding us that we are to reflect the ministry of the Holy Spirit Himself — to be people who strengthen others with truth and grace.
1. Encouragement Reflects the Heart of God (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Paul’s words come in the context of hope — the hope of Christ’s return.
Earlier in the letter (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18), Paul comforts believers about those who have died, assuring them that “we will be with the Lord forever.”
Then, in chapter 5, he says: “You are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.” (v. 5)
Encouragement, then, is not just about making people feel better — it’s about reminding them of the truth of who they are in Christ.
It’s about bringing the light of the Gospel into their darkness.
The Thessalonian believers faced persecution, misunderstanding, and suffering. Yet Paul tells them: “Keep going. Build each other up.”
The word “build up” is ????d?µ?? (oikodomeo) — a construction term meaning to erect, to strengthen a structure. Paul pictures the church as a living building, where every believer is a brick of grace, cemented by love, joined together by Christ Himself.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT): “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Paul ties encouragement directly to our speech. Every word we speak either builds or breaks.
As Charles Stanley once said: “Encouraging words are tools God uses to build faith in others.”
And if we are silent when others are struggling, we may miss the opportunity to be the hands and voice of God’s grace in their life.
2. Encouragement Begins with the Gospel
We cannot truly encourage others if we ourselves have not been encouraged by the Gospel.
Before we can build others up, Christ must first build us up in His love.
Romans 15:4 (NLT) tells us: “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”
Our ultimate encouragement comes from the cross.
At Calvary, Jesus bore the full weight of our sin and shame.
He was mocked, scourged, pierced, and nailed — yet He endured it all so that we might be restored to God.
The cross is God’s ultimate word of encouragement to humanity — His eternal message that “you are loved, forgiven, and worth redeeming.”
When the tomb was sealed, it looked like all hope was gone.
But three days later, Jesus rose from the dead — and in that resurrection, every believer finds the power to rise again.
As John Piper once said: “The Gospel is not just the diving board into the pool of Christianity—it is the pool itself.”
In other words, we never move past the Gospel. We live in it. We draw strength from it. And it’s from that place that we can truly encourage others.
3. Encouragement Is a Ministry Every Believer Shares
Paul doesn’t say, “Pastors, encourage the church,” or “Elders, build up the weak.”
He says “each other.” This is mutual, continual, relational encouragement.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT) reminds us: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…”
Encouragement happens in the gathered community of faith — when believers worship, pray, serve, and share together.
That’s why the enemy works so hard to isolate you. Because isolation breeds discouragement.
But when we gather in Christ’s name, the Spirit works through us to strengthen and sustain each other.
Tim Keller once wrote: “Community is more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”
And the “something” we do together is the building of lives that reflect Jesus.
4. Encouragement in a Discouraged World
Our world is drenched in despair. People scroll through social media searching for validation.
Young people are comparing their worst moments to someone else’s highlight reel.
Marriages are strained, friendships fade, and many silently suffer behind smiling faces.
But what if, instead of criticism, sarcasm, or apathy, the Church became a movement of encouragement?
What if every Christian became known as someone who built others up in truth and grace?
Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) says: “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”
A simple word — “You’re not alone,” “I’m praying for you,” “God still has a plan” — can lift the heaviest heart.
Max Lucado once wrote: “Words are like seeds. They have creative power. Speak them wisely, and they bring life.”
Every time we speak encouragement, we sow life. We mirror the Creator who spoke worlds into being.
The Bridge Builder
Years ago, a man built a wooden bridge across a ravine separating his farm from his neighbour’s. They had quarrelled, and the neighbour, in anger, sent carpenters to tear down the bridge.
But when he saw the man rebuilding it, he was moved.
“Why are you rebuilding after what I did?”
The man replied, “Because Jesus built a bridge between me and God when I didn’t deserve it.”
Encouragement is bridge-building grace in action.
We build bridges of love where the world builds walls of resentment.
The Barnabas Legacy
In Acts 4:36–37, we meet a man named Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.”
He sold his field and brought the money to the apostles. Later, when Saul (Paul) was feared and rejected by the church, it was Barnabas who stood beside him, saying, “I’ll vouch for him.”
Without Barnabas, there might never have been a Paul.
Encouragement can release destiny in someone else’s life.
5. The Call to Action: Go! And Build One Another Up
If we are to “Go! And…” as Christ commands, we must go as builders of hope and truth.
Encouragement isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Here’s how we can live this out:
Be Present – Listen before you speak. Sometimes encouragement is simply your presence.
Speak Life – Replace criticism with blessing.
Pray for Others – True encouragement lifts others before God.
Remind People of the Gospel – Encourage them not with empty platitudes, but with eternal truth.
The Gospel Call:
My friend, you cannot give encouragement if you have not received the Encourager Himself — Jesus Christ.
He alone can lift the burden of sin from your soul.
He alone can rebuild what life has broken.
He alone can forgive, restore, and renew.
On the cross, Jesus bore your sin.
He died the death you deserved.
And three days later, He rose again so that you might have life eternal.
If today you are weary, lost, or far from God — Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
Repent — turn from sin.
Believe — trust in Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
Receive — His forgiveness, His Spirit, His new life.
Benediction / Exhortation:
Brothers and sisters, let us be a people who reflect the heart of the Encourager — the Holy Spirit Himself.
Let our words be grace-filled.
Let our actions build bridges.
Let our faith be bold.
Go! And build one another up —
In love, in truth, and in the hope of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen.
