Yesterday I was leading our Centre Fellowship and thinking about Encouragement. Here’s what happened.
We began by watching the first five minutes of the short film, Validation (up to the point when the Police Officer gets complimented on doing a good job).
It’s a good illustration of the difference it can make to people to be encouraged.
We all like to be encouraged and it’s better working for people who encourage, rather than pointing out all the areas where you could do better.
As I grow as a Christian I’m realising that it’s not enough ‘not’ to be something, some activities require action. In other words, it’s not enough for me to not be negative (that doesn’t make me an encouragement to others), to be encouraging requires me to actively encourage.
Encouraged by news
Paul was frequently encouraged by the news he heard from the various churches he was in touch with.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (New International Version)
7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
Be an encouragement
Quite often Paul encourages churches by sending them someone to encourage them.
1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (New International Version)
2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker[a]in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.
Encourage each other
Many of the letters Paul writes in the new testament are letters of encouragement. (1 Thes 5:11)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (New International Version)
11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Not just Paul encouraging, but encouraging the Christians to encourage each other.
What encourages you? (5 mins in groups)
Epilogue
What would it be like if today you just offered encouragement to others?
2 Thessalonians 2 (New International Version)
16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.