Encouragement works
Eph.6:21-24
21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. 23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Scene from "Meet the Parents" movie -
Girl brings home boy to meet her parents. U can hear the words "Anxiety Attack" going through the boy’s mind! Girl greeted by HER father and mother and they have a great reunion, they do their "family" rituals with an elaborate and complicated high 5’s and shakes, hugs and kisses which seems to last an eternity while the poor guy is left standing on the outside, feeling a little more anxious with each second... Feel for the guy eh? Just a few words of assurance, just a few instructions, perhaps some warning, would have help ease that awkward moment don’t just leave him hanging there!
I believe encouragement works!
The power of words.
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.” Pro.12:25 (NKJV)
The tongue has the power of life and death… (Prov.18:21)
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances (Prov.25:11)
Paul’s circumstance – prisoner – yet he looked for ways to encourage. Send Tychicus, and he writes to encourage… always trying his best to encourage.
Less than a week before Martin Burnham’s abduction by Muslim guerrillas on the Philippine island of Palawan in May 2001, the New Tribes missionary gave the devotional at a Wednesday evening service at Rose Hill Bible Church in his small hometown outside Wichita, Kansas.
Some of Burnham’s last words in the United States were also the last words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John, said Ralph Burnham, Martin’s uncle, during yesterday morning’s service at the church. "His very last words were, ’Follow thou me,’" Ralph Burnham said, his voice choking up. "Martin not only spoke of following him, but he took on that responsibility. Of course, at that time neither he nor any of us expected how far he was going to be required to go to. But he was willing to go."
Martin Burnham, 42, kept that attitude throughout the 376 days he and his wife, Gracia, 43, were held captive by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.
Just before a Philippine military raid on the kidnappers that led to Martin’s death and Gracia’s freedom, the two huddled together in a hammock under a makeshift tent.
"Martin and Gracia had really been thinking that there would be a chance that they would not make it out alive," said Martin’s brother, Doug, relying on a phone conversation with Gracia. "Martin said to Gracia, ’The Bible says to serve the Lord with gladness. Let’s go out all the way. Let’s serve him all the way with gladness.’"
The two then prayed in their hammock, recited Scripture verses to each other, and sang. They laid down to rest. Then the rescue assault began and bullets began to fly, puncturing Gracia’s leg and Martin’s chest.
Martin’s words encouraging his wife, his words now have brought encouragement to many people God is raising up to be missionaries!
Many times I feel like giving up esp. feel unwanted, unloved, sermon bombed… then I look at some e-mails I kept of people I have ministered to, remember words spoken by key people in my life, some bad ones too come to me, erase them and ask God to have mercy on them… But Some people live to do this…
29Do not let any unwholesome 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. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Such people who follow Christ-like ways of speaking to benefit those who listen, really ministers! Just a simple word can help an average person…
According to research…. An average person’s anxiety is focused on :
40% -- things that will never happen
30% -- things about the past that can’t be changed
12% -- things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% -- about health, which gets worse with stress
8% -- about real problems that will be faced
It follows that 92% of our stresses or anxieties can be relieved by just a word of encouragement…
Think that is why God’s word puts a premium on words… it can do wonders but it can do great damage too if not spoken in a right way.
Because we do …
1. In our world of violence we long for peace
Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can’t stop shaking.
Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!
I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. Ps. 55 5-7 (NLT)
Ever wish you can just fly away, away from people, problems. Identify with the PRESSURE?
There’s even a reward for it...
The Reward of Anxiety - depression
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression…” Pro.12:25 (NKJV)
“An anxious heart weighs a man down…” Pro 12:25 (NIV)
Or rather the reward is worthless...
Our worry only makes matters worse. Anxiety is worthless.
There is zero value in worry. It does nothing good for us. The words of Jesus express this truth completely: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matt. 6:27 (NIV)
Our anxiety about difficulties only creates more problems. Our anxiety adds additional stress to our lives.
“Worry pulls tomorrow’s cloud over today’s sunshine.” C. Swindoll, Questions Christians Ask,
B. We need to hear a good/kind Word
“… but a kind word cheers him up.” Pro 12:25 (NIV)
“But a good word makes it glad.” Pro.12:25 (NKJV)
1. God gives us His promises
i. Good word tells us He is with us!
“Never will I leave, Never will I forsake you” Heb.13:5 (NIV)
ii. Good word is not only is with us, He is for us!
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jer.29:11 (NIV)
iii. Good word also says: He enjoys us being with him as family.
“3 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. 4 Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. Eph.1:6-9 (NLT)
iv. Good word also says: Our sins are forgiven!
6 So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.9 God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure.” Eph.1:6-9 (NLT)
“LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.” Ps.130:3-4 (NLT)
v. Good word says: we have nothing to fear from God, if we trust Him.
“For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.” Zeph.3:17 (NLT)
Look at Paul’s ending of Eph. Letter… spoke words of deep encouragement… reminder of love of God who is not against us and to respond with love…
23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Examples of good words: (see Overhead)
Encouragement works!
Heb.3:12,13
12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
REASONS FOR OUR PEOPLE AND US TO BE IN CHURCH
· Do NOT ride in automobiles: they cause 20% of all fatal accidents.
· Do NOT stay home: 17% of all accidents do occur in the home.
· Do NOT walk on the streets or sidewalks: 14% of all accidents happen to pedestrians.
· Do NOT travel by air, rail, or water: 16% of all accidents happen on these.
· Only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are related to previous physical disorders.
· Hence, the safest place for you to be at any time is church. [Bible study is safe, too. The percentage there is even less.]
Heb. 10:24-25
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
ENCOURAGEMENT: POINTS TO CONSIDER
1. Work for improvement, not perfection.
2. Commend effort: One’s effort is more significant than one’s results.
3. Separate the deed from the doer.
4. Build on strengths, not on weaknesses.
5. Show your faith in the person.
6. Mistakes should not be viewed as failures.
7. Take away the stigma of failure.
8. Failure and defeat will only stimulate special effort when there remains the hope of eventual success.
9. Stimulate and lead the person, but do not try to push him ahead. Let him move at his own speed.
10. Stimulating competition usually does not encourage.
11. Praise is not the same as encouragement.
12. Success is a by-product.
13. Help the person develop the courage to be imperfect.
14. Don’t give responsibility and significance only to
those already responsible.
15. Remember that discouragement is contagious.
Optimism is contagious.
16. Avoid trying to mend one’s own threatened ego by discouraging others or by looking down on them.
