A Word of Encouragement
Foundational Text: Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
This morning I would like to begin by giving you some famous quotes concerning giving an encouraging word. I believe it will help to set the tone, or purpose of this morning’s message better than any introduction that I bring to you:
“One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement… It is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet.”
- Donald Bubna
"There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come through encouragement from someone else. I don’t care how great, how famous or how successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause."
– George M. Adams
"One compliment can keep me going for a whole month."
- Mark Twain
"When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching."
- Edward George Bulwer-Lytton
Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. William Arthur Ward.
In accordance with our foundational text, I believe we each have a responsibility to encourage each other in the Lord. I also believe that our enemy knows of the powerful influence that this will unleash if we begin to demonstrate and practice this in our lives. Before we begin we must acknowledge the difference between flattery and encouragement.
I. Our Responsibility to Each Other
Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
A. One of the first areas that we must see this morning is that this is a God given responsibility. With the responsibility comes the empowerment.
1. Confess: “Let each of us be”? Be what? I believe we can draw out two very important things in which we must be.
2. First: Pleasing the neighbor for good. This may not fully express what the writer was given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost to reveal unto us, so let’s dig a little deeper.
a. make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare – (AMP)
b. Vines – states that please means "to be pleasing to, be acceptable to," "to endeavor to please," and so, "to render service,"
3. Second: to edification
a. to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. – (AMP).
b. oikodomē (oy-kod-om-ay’ a building up. The act of building, building as a process, also that which is built, the building. NT meanings: a building, edifice. edification, spiritual profit or advancement.
B. How often should we be lifting each other up?
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
1. According to the word of God we are to do this everyday.
a. (ALT) _But_ be encouraging one another daily, while it is being called "Today," lest any of you* be hardened [fig., are made stubborn] by [the] deception of sin.
b. (AMP) But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].
c. (CEV) You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don’t, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn.
C. What does it mean to encourage?
1. ENCOUR’AGE, v.t. enkur’rage. To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit.
2. New Testament encourage is not used in the King James Version, however, the original Greek language used Greek words that carried the same meaning, yet translated differently into English.
a. Comfort = parakaléō; contracted parakalōì, fut. parakalésō, from pará (G3844), to the side of, and kaléō (G2564), to call. To aid, help, comfort, encourage. Translated: to comfort, exhort, desire, call for, beseech with a stronger force than.
b. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
(AMP) Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing. (CEV) That’s why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.
II. How Do I Encourage Someone?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Encouragement may come to some degree by a hug, card, or some gift, but the Biblical method of encouragement is by Words. An Encouraging Word.
A. The Word will encourage! It was said of David that he encouraged himself in the Lord. How did he do that?
2 Chronicles 31:4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
B. We comfort others as Jesus comforts us.
1. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17) Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
How does God comfort?
By Word?
2. 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
(AMP) Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.
III. Pray for a Word, and Look for Opportunities to Encourage!
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. encourage the timid and fainthearted.
A. Encourage your children!
If affirming words were something rarely spoken in your home growing up, let me give you some tips on words and phrases that can brighten your own child’s eyes and life. These words are easy to say to any child who comes into your life. I’m proud of you, Way to go, Bingo ... you did it, Magnificent, I knew you could do it, What a good helper, You’re very special to me, I trust you, What a treasure, Hurray for you, Beautiful work, You’re a real trooper, Well done, That’s so creative, You make my day, You’re a joy, Give me a big hug, You’re such a good listener, You figured it out, I love you, You’re so responsible, You remembered, You’re the best, You sure tried hard, I’ve got to hand it to you, I couldn’t be prouder of you, You light up my day, I’m praying for you, You’re wonderful, I’m behind you, You’re so kind to your (brother/sister), You’re God’s special gift, I’m here for you.
B. Encourage your Spouse!
I believe in you! I love you. I am so proud of you. I respect you. We are going to make it. I trust you. I am praying for you! I am so thankful for you. You are beautiful/handsome. God is with you. God will not let you down. Jesus is taking care of all our needs.
C. Brother in the Lord.
God hasn’t forgotten about you! You may not see it, but God knows, and is still working. You’ve got a big problem, but a bigger God. God is fighting your battles, and He never loses. God’s Word is still working mightily in your life. God loves you so much.
Conclusion: Rom 15:2 Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. By first recognizing that it is each of our responsibility, then by doing it daily, or at least looking for opportunities to encourage daily.
We “give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit”, with our Words, exactly how Jesus comforts us. We are to comfort, encourage, give courage to others.
