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| Written by Pastor Leon |
Encouragement NowScripture: I Samuel 23:15-18 “So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest. 16Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” 18So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.” Introduction: A. This demonstrates the reality of encouragement. Romans 15:5(RSV) “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus,” B. God the Father gives encouragement. Romans 15:4 “4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” C. Christ gives encouragement. Philippians 2:1-2 (RSV) “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” D. All of us need to be encouragers, and all of us will need to be encouraged at some time or another. I. Encouragement is needed when you are busy in your work or ministry. A. We need to pay attention to people so we can be an encouragement to them. 1. King Josiah encouraged the priests in their service. II Chronicles 35:1-2 “Now Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2And he set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD.” 2. Hezekiah was also an encourager. He became King at 25 years of age and began the task of cleansing the temple. II Chronicles 29:11-15 “My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense.” 12Then these Levites arose: Mahath the son of Amasai and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah and Eden the son of Joah; 13of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; 14of the sons of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. 15And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.” B. If you hold a position of authority, be sure to encourage those under you. C. Fathers, encourage your children. D. Husbands, encourage your wife with words, a touch, a smile and a hug. II. Encouragement is needed when a person is facing a new challenge. A. God told Moses to encourage Joshua for his good report concerning the land of Canaan. Deuteronomy 1:34-38 “And the LORD heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, 35‘Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, 36except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.’ 37The LORD was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, ‘Even you shall not go in there. 38Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” B. God Himself encourages Jo0shua. Joshua 1:6-9 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” III. Encouragement is needed when completing a task. A. Sometimes people get weary before the task is completed. B. Ezra had not given up on the work of the temple even though he had much opposition. C. Now the King of Assyria, of all people, encourages him. Ezra 6:22 “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” IV. Encouragement is needed when life begins to overwhelm a person. A. Sometimes you even have to encourage yourself. David at Ziklag. I Samuel 30:6 “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” B. Where were David’s encouragers? They were all hung up with their own problems. C. They were blaming David for their situation. D. You can encourage yourself by reading the Bible, praying, and continuing to worship in the face of adversity. V. Encouragement now! A. Encourage one another so that no one falls prey to the enemy due to discouragement. Hebrews 3:12-13 “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” B. Stimulate one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” |