Why Do We Withhold Life-Giving Words?

- Imagine a life or death medical situation and you know the answer and you don’t speak those life-giving words.

- every day around us are people needing the life-giving words that we have. . . and too often we withhold them.

- talking about words of encouragement.

- sometimes we withhold them out of a critical heart, but more often because we don’t think they’re that important.

- “exhort” (NKJV) equals “encourage” in NASB and NIV.

Is It Really That Important?

1. Encouragement is so essential that the early church made it a major focus.

- Acts 4:36; 14:22; 15:30-32; 16:40; 20:1-2.

2. Encouragement is so essential that people traveled long distances to do it.

- Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.

3. Encouragement is so essential to the church that it’s a spiritual gift.

- Romans 12:8. (Exhortation)

4. Encouragement is so essential that it’s called a necessary part of preaching.

- 2 Timothy 4:2 (exhort).

- cf. negative preaching with no hope, no good news.

5. Encouragement is so essential that it’s a requirement for church leadership.

- Titus 1:9.

6. Encouragement is so essential that we’re commanded to do it daily.

- Hebrews 3:13 (exhort).

7. Encouragement is so essential that it’s a major reason why we meet together.

- Hebrews 10:25 (exhort).

8. Encouragement is so essential that Jesus left us with The Encourager.

- John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; 1 John 2:1.

- the word that we often translate “The Comforter” also brings with it the idea of encouragement.

Where Do We Need To Encourage?

- 2 Timothy 1:16 - “oft refreshed me”

1. Within the church.

- Hebrews 3:13; 10:25.

2. In our homes.

- Ephesians 6:4.

3. For small things

4. When we see potential.

5. When we see brokenness.

- Why Do We Need To Encourage? 1. Life is hard. 2. We mess up.