VEHICLE OF TRUTH: DUTY TO ENCOURAGE
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I wear cowboy boots and a pair of spurs in this service.
I. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE A GOD CALLED HEAD SHRINKER?
A. We have a very serious need within the ranks of the church today. We have many people
that are tired and weakened from the battles they have faced. Some of the battle scars
have been from the hands of others, some of the scars are self inflected.
We need an army of believers to arise and accept the high call of God to be encouragers.
B. There are too many HEAD SHRINKERS within the church today.
It is high time we accept God’s call to edify and encourage people of all ages.
There are some that have stood at their post of duty faithfully for many years,
they have not heard any applause or gratitude for their labor of love.
C. Many near quitting, their tired arms are hanging down, their ministry is in great danger.
They have dreamed, they have waited, they have fished all night and taken NO FISH.
HOW CAN I HELP ENCOURAGE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THIS RACE WE RUN?
II. WHO WILL SEE TIRED HANDS HANGING DOWN? DO WE HAVE OUR EYES CLOSED?
A. HOW IMPORTANT ARE ARM LIFTERS? ENCOURAGERS?
B.REMEMBER THE BEAUTIFUL LESSON, GOD’S PEOPLE HAD BEEN MURMURING AND
COMPLAINING, AND GOD’S MAN WAS VERY TIRED. GOD’S VICTORY FINALLY COMES.
C. BUT THE VICTORY APPEARS DOOMED? THE ENEMY? TIREDNESS?
Exodus 17: 9 Moses the man of God decides tomorrow he will stand on top of the hill, with THE ROD OF GOD in his hand.
11. As Moses held up his hand with the rod of God in his hand there was victory.
But when Moses’ hands were LET DOWN, the Amalek prevailed.
12. BUT MOSES HANDS WERE HEAVY, AND THEY TOOK A STONE, AND PUT IT UNDER HIM, AND HE SAT THEREON; AND AARON AND HUR STAYED UP HIS HANDS, THE ONE ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER ON THE OTHER SIDE; AND HIS HANDS WERE STEADY UNTIL THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN.
III. WE HAVE A GOD CALLED DUTY TO STIMULATE, SPUR, ENCOURAGE, EDIFY,
STRENGTHEN, EMBOLDEN, LIFT UP OUR FELLOW WORKERS IN THIS BATTLE.
A. God needs you today to come along side a discouraged, sick, weakened, hopeless friend
and partner with them in encouragement and appreciation and see victory and deliverance in
the camp.
B.What might have happened if Aaron and Hur had not lifted God’s man’s arms?
Hur is mentioned a few times in the Bible. But Hur was never the upfront powerhouse,
Hur saw a role that MEN OF GOD NEED SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
C. Right now, there is a Mother that is so tired, her hands hang down? Can you see her?
D. It is said in the USA, that 500 men and women in leadership quit a week? Why?
Where are those that will reach out of their mess to deliver a message of hope and patience?
IV. TEXT:
Proverbs 27: 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees.
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that laboring ye ought to support the weak,
and to remember the words of Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive.
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another?
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and
not to please ourselves.
1 Thes. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also
ye do.
1 Thes. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort
the feebleminded, support the weak, BE PATIENT TOWARD ALL MEN.
V. HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED COWBOY? REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT THE SPURS ARE
TO A HORSE RIDER?
A. SPUR: a pointed device secured to the rider’s heel and used to urge on the horse.
Stimulus, to incite to action, to accelerate growth or development,
B. STIMULUS: something that calls to alertness, something that births action, stimulant,
to increase in function, energizer.
C. SOME NOTES ABOUT SPURS:
1. In England when a man receives spurs from the Queen it is to show acquisition of Knighthood.
Leaders must see the need to spur others to a higher commitment.
2. Reason must lie between the spur and the bridle.
3. Good and evil, reward and punishment, seem to be great spurs and reins that are the
motivaters of mankind. But love is the only long-term spur that continues effectively.
4. Spur not an unbroken horse, twill just cause great grief.
VI. GOD IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PEOPLE TO FAN THE FLAME, TO STIR THE HEARTS,
TO EDIFY AND ENCOURAGE GOD’S PEOPLE.
2 Timothy1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD,
which is in thee by the putting on of hands.
VII. GOD GIVE ME FINISHED WOOD? I NEED FINISHED WOOD NOW!
A. Several years ago I had a dream. In my dream I felt the need to build for God.
The need was so real, I had to build.
I began my job my praying. I started asking God for two by fours.
B. God I need lumber to accomplish Your plan, finished lumber to build this work for You.
As I was waiting for my finished lumber from the Master, He stopped and visited with me.
C.He reached toward me as to give me something.
I put my hand toward my Master to receive, and He gave me a few acorns.
I replied, This is not what I asked for, I need finished wood, and you gave me seeds?
Jesus did not look back, He walked away and left me with acorn seeds in my hand?
Revelation 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, ---
VIII. FEAR AND A LACK OF COURAGE CAN KEEP MANY EAGLES GROUNDED WITH THE TURKEYS.
GOD’S PLAN AND PURPOSE IS FOR HIS PEOPLE TO RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE, MENIAL
LIMITATIONS OF TODAY INTO THE REALM OF DIVINE POSSIBILITIES.
Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and LET THE PEOPLE RENEW THEIR STRENGTH: let them come near; then let them speak ---
5. They helped everyone his neighbor; and every one said to his brother, BE OF GOOD COURAGE.
7. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smoothed with the hammer him that smote
the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
10. Fear thou not; for I AM WITH THEE: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;
yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
13. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, FEAR NOT; I WILL HELP THEE.
14. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel.
A. ENCOURAGE: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to spur to action, to give help
to give strength of purpose, to raise another’s confidence, instill energy, to give fresh zeal,
B. EMBOLDEN: to give and instill courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance
C. INCITE: to stress a stirring up, an urging on, and may imply initiating
D. EDIFY: build up, instruct and improve, establish, to impart wisdom
E. STRENGTHEN: to make stronger, to build up, fortify, to make more concentrate, to make capable of
endurance, to give power to overcome in battle against attack, to go from one high point to the next,
F. A good teacher must always purpose to encourage a pupil to reach beyond what they know to
discover a realm of greater faith and greater action.
IX. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MOUNTAIN AND A MOLEHILL?
A. I think I know the answer to this one. The answer is HOW MUCH DIRT THERE IS!
B. Somehow, when we are tired and our hands are hanging down we are tempted to see a lot of dirt.
Some can’t seem to let go of the past, they don’t seem to want to bury the dead.
They had rather lick their lips on the bones of the past.
C. I was standing in a motel room near Washington, DC., looking out my window. I could see Arlington
National Cemetery. I could move around and there was the Pentagon. A friend of mine came in the
room, we were standing looking out the windows from a top floor.
D. I had noticed where someone had thrown a garbage bag and there was garbage all around.
I was standing there focused on the garbage.
E. I asked my friend, What do yo see?
He pointed out a beautiful flower garden and the bright colors of the pretty flowers.
F. I was looking at garbage and he was enjoying flowers, both from the same windows.
On what are you focusing?
X. I OVER HEARD A LADY AT THE STORE SAY: IS THERE ANYTHING QUICKER THAN INSTANT?
A. You have a duty to yourself to strengthen your heart --- then wait!
B. Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, he shall strengthen thine heart, wait,
I say on the Lord.
C. Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
XI. DO YOU PRACTICE ENCOURAGEMENT? WILL YOU DEVELOP A SYSTEM TO ENCOURAGE
OTHERS?
A. We need to develop a way to identify weak, tired hands and find a way to encourage and strengthen
those people.
B. Your goal before you leave for church should be, WHO CAN I ENCOURAGE TODAY?
C. Singers that sing pretty are nice, but why not encourage people before and after the service as a
real ministry?
I love to hear people pour themselves into prayer. This is good, but why not add the desire to be an
encourager to other people?
Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season,
how good it is.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
XII. WHERE DO I PRACTICE ENCOURAGEMENT?
DO WE ENCOURAGE AND STRENGTHEN OTHERS BY ACCIDENT OR ON PURPOSE?
IS IT THE DESTINATION? OR IS IT THE JOURNEY?
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
A. Home, home on the range ---
Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
B.You should be a faithful encourager of others at work, at school, at church, but at home is the most
important place to encourage others.
XIII. WHY SHOULD I BE ONE THAT STRENGTHENS AND ENCOURAGES OTHERS?
Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and HE THAT WATERETH SHALL BE WATERED
ALSO HIMSELF!
A. BE A CHEERLEADER FOR THE CROSS!
B. What goes around comes around.
Be a waterer and stand on the Promise.
Who could you encourage today? Be a real supporter of people, and uplift others, do it for Jesus.
C. GOD NEEDS A VEHICLE OF TRUTH TO TRANSMIT HIS LOVE. GOD IS DEPENDING ON YOU.
AS A SURGEON WEARS GLOVES TO DO SURGERY, GOD NEEDS YOU TO SUBMIT AND BE
THE GLOVES HE WEARS TODAY TO MINISTER TO BROKEN HEARTS.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Could you join my team and pass this on to another?
