PREACHED:OL 8-22-04

 

“HOW TO BECOME AN ENCOURAGER”

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

   We have all experienced our moments of laughter from the “Peanuts” comic strips.

 

A.      Several years ago, one issue showed Lucy commenting on the fact that life is a series of “Ups and Downs.”

 

1.       In the final frame, she was bouncing away shouting enthusiastically, “All I want is UPS AND UPS!”

 

‚   Life isn’t like that…

 

A.      Circumstances and people come into our lives, daily, that hurt and discourage.

 

                   1.       Even Paul:

 

a.       II Cor 1:8, 9. “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened, beyond our strength, that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.”

 

b.       Later he wrote that he had experienced, “…danger from rivers, danger from robbers,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilder-ness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren…And apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches…”  (II Cor 11:26, 27)

 

ƒ   How Do We Deal with the “Downs” in Life?

 

          A.      Trust in God -

 

1.       Paul spoke about “the sentence of death” and his “despair of life itself” -

 

a.       “But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again…”  (II Cor 1:9, 10)

 

          B.       Encouragement -

 

1.       II Cor 1:11. “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessings granted us through the prayers of many.”

 

a.       There is a familiar hymn, “Our Heavenly Father Understands.”

 

1)       “I need the prayers of those who love me, I need

 

 

 

 

 

 

the prayers of those who care; I need the help of every Christian, to take God’s message every-where. He answers prayer for all the faithful, He holds the future in His hand; He’ll guide me safely over Jordan, Our heavenly Father understands.”

 

a)       Partnership of encouragement!

 

„   What can you and I do to become encouragers?

 

DISCUSSION:

 

Œ   LEARN WHEN TO SPEAK, WHAT TO SAY, AND HOW TO SAY IT.

 

          A.      Several verses:

 

1.       Prov 15:23. “To make an apt answer…” 25:11. “A word fitly…”  Isa 50:4. “The Lord God has given me the tongue of…”  Eph 4:29. “Let no corrupting talk…”  Col 4:6. “Let your speech always be gracious…”  

 

                   2.       “Praise loudly, blame softly.”

 

3.       “Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it remains, and the deeper it sinks into the ground.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     PRACTICE THE GOLDEN RULE IN WHAT YOU SAY AND DO TO OTHERS.

 

A.                Matt 7:12. “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them…”

 

1.       This demands that we focus on others, not ourselves!

 

                             a.       Read Phil 2:1-4.

 

B.       WARREN WIERSBE: “The person who practices the Golden Rule refuses to say anything that that would harm himself or others. If our judging of others is not governed by this principle, we will become proud and critical, and our spiritual character will degenerate.”

 

C.       Sometimes I need a “prod,” to remember or do what I know is right!

 

1.                 Encouragers sometime firmly remind:

 

1.       Heb 12:11-13. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. Therefore, lift up your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put our of joint but rather be healed…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Heb 10:24-26. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more a syou see the Day drawing near.”

 

Ž   LOOK FOR THE BEST IN OTHERS AND EMPHASIZE IT.

 

A.      We need, to the best of our ability, to guard the worth of others!

 

1.       Rom 12:10. “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”  Phil 4:8. “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about (focus on) such things…”

 

a.       ABRAHAM LINCOLN: “You cannot build greatness with littleness; you can’t build up yourself by tearing down others.”

 

B.       The true value of encouragement is its  remarkable ability to help me overcome my insecurity and sense my potential!

 

                   1.       The angel message to Gideon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a.       “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor!”  (Judges 6:12)

 

1)       The man of valor was inside Gideon, he needed to be patiently encouraged to realize it!

 

          “Each time we meet, you always say,

          Some word of praise that makes me gay.

          You see some hidden, struggling trait,

          Encourage it and make it great.

          Tight-fisted little buds of good,

          Bloom large because you said they would.

          A glad, mad music in me sings;

          My soul sprouts tiny flaming wings;

          My day takes on a brand new zest.

          Your gift of praising brings out my best,

          Revives my spirit, flings it high,

          For God loves praise and so do I!”