The Power of Encouragement

Our words carry a message. Sometimes what comes out our mouths are not what we’re really trying to communicate.

And sometimes our messages are misunderstood.

Sometimes there can be a miscommunication. Sometimes the intent of what is said can be misinterpreted.

There was no question about the authority of J. Edgar Hoover in the FBI. Almost all those who worked under Hoover always tried to be on the lookout for ways to impress their powerful boss.

A young FBI agent was put in charge of the FBI’s supply department.

In an effort to cut some costs and impress his boss, he reduced the size of the office memo paper.

One of the new memo sheets soon ended up on Hoover’s desk. Hoover took one look at it, determined that he didn’t like the size of the margins on the paper, and quickly scribbled on the memo, ‘Watch the Borders!”

The memo was passed on through the office. For the next six weeks, it was extremely difficult to enter the United States by road from either Mexico or Canada.

The FBI was watching the borders. Why was the FBI watching the borders? They thought they had received a warning from their chief. But they hadn’t. They had misinterpreted a note on a memo sheet about the paper.

We better make sure we are clear on our message and we are clear with our message!

We should be careful of our speech and how it affects others. I, for one, am guilty of this so often. My mouth is in motion before my brain is in gear.

But words can hurt. We can tear others down with what we communicate.

The Bible has a bit to say about that.

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

That word the Apostle Paul used that we have translated as corrupt, in the original Greek means “rotten, bad, or simply, worthless.”

Many tend to think this verse means we shouldn’t curse, or have a foul mouth. That’s part of the meaning, obviously. But it also encompasses any words that come out of our mouth that are not useful for encouraging or building someone else up.

And for me, this does not come naturally. I’m a work in progress.

And this is just a hunch, but probably some of you as well.

Now, think about how often we face discouragement in our daily lives. We deal with stress at work, conflicts with friends, and pressures at home. Sometimes, you might feel like you’re all alone in your struggles. We wonder if there’s a way to create a culture where we feel supported and uplifted, instead of isolated and overwhelmed.

Today, we’re going to look at a passage from Acts 15:30-35 that shows us the power of encouragement. In this account, the early church faced challenges, but they found strength and unity through encouraging one another. Our main idea for today is: “Encouragement Builds Stronger Communities.”

We’ll see how sharing positive news, fostering unity, and committing to long-term encouragement can transform our lives and our community. By the end of our time together, I hope you’ll feel inspired to become a source of encouragement for those around you. Let’s dive in!

Read Acts 15:30-35.

It’s important that we…

Share Encouraging Words (30-31)

Let’s break this down. The early Christians in Antioch were anxious. They had questions and concerns about their faith and their place in the church.

Now, Paul and Barnabas and the Jerusalem delegates, Judas Barsabas and Silas have arrived in Antioch.

We see they gathered together the whole church. All the local congregations throughout Antioch were gathered together. The word gathered means, “to collect or convene.” And the word “multitude” means “a fullness.” Or in other words, a “large number, or throng.”

Then they “delivered” the letter.

Last week we read the letter the Jerusalem church sent back with their conclusion and recommendations. The letter was encouraging.

The letter from Jerusalem, which Paul and Barnabas delivered, was like a message from heaven.

It was like God was saying to these new Gentile believers, “You belong here. You’re doing great.” When the people heard the letter, they were filled with joy and relief. It was exactly what they needed to hear.

When the letter was read, everyone rejoiced because of the encouraging message.

It solidified the gospel message was available to all without any strings attached.

Now let’s think how this applies to us. Will our words encourage someone or discourage them?

This week, be proactive in sharing positive words. Use your words to build someone else up. Maybe send a text to a friend who’s been feeling down, compliment someone on their hard work, or share something that inspires hope. Your words have the power to bring joy and encouragement to others, just like the letter brought joy to the believers in Antioch.

There will be times you have to exhort or correct someone. But once you’re done, build them back up.

Let’s commit to being messengers of encouraging words and hope, spreading joy and encouragement wherever we go.

Let’s move on to verse 32. We can…

Foster Unity Through Encouragement (32)

Judas and Silas were leaders in the early church, known for their wisdom and guidance. They didn’t just deliver a message and leave; they stayed and encouraged the believers with many words. Their encouragement wasn’t a one-time thing—it was ongoing and intentional. They understood that for the church to stay united and strong, people needed to feel supported and valued.

These were words of consolation, of encouragement.

Not all communication is worthy of being repeated.

In the early 1900’s a man by the name of George Riddell acquired the sensational London newspaper “The News of the World.” I guess it would have been something like the National Enquirer.

Meeting British journalist Fredrick Greenwood one day, Riddell mentioned that he owned a newspaper.

He told Greenwood the name of his paper and offered to send him a copy.

The next time they met, Riddell asked Greenwood what he thought about “The News.”

Greenwood said, “I looked at it and then I put it in the wastepaper basket and then I thought, ‘If I leave it there the cook may read it,’ so I burned it.”

Not everything is worth being said, much less repeated.

These men from Jerusalem had encouraging news.

Luke tells us a little more about these two guys who came from Jerusalem. They were not only “leading men among the brethren,” but they were also prophets in the church.

These weren’t necessarily foretellers like those in the Old Testament. In a general sense, a New Testament prophet was someone who spoke from God, with God’s authority, and without error. The prophets spoke for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

The church didn’t bestow apostolic and prophetic authority upon certain people. It was the Holy Spirit who chose certain people to receive and deliver the truth of God. The church could never authorize a prophet - they could merely recognize a prophet.

Judas and Silas had a gift from God and they used their gift in the local church.

They were dependable, reliable, and trustworthy men that the church in Jerusalem entrusted with this important task of communicating the news to the church at Antioch.

They had the charge to deliver the mail and deliver the message. They had given the written word and now it was time for them to give the spoken word.

After delivering and reading the letter, they “exhorted and strengthened the folks in Antioch with many words.”

I guess that goes with the territory. I don’t think too many preachers would be accused of using too few words.

Their message exhorted the church and strengthened the church.

Exhorted: they were lifted up, encouraged, and comforted by the words of the prophets.

Strengthened: (KJV: confirmed) episterizo, ep-ee-stay-rid’-zo; to support further, i.e. re-establish, strengthen.

This is a great word picture for the church's support and undergirding by the gospel's message.

The church today stands in need of strengthening and encouraging.

It is awesome to be in a flock where the people of God love the Son of God and love the word of God! It is a joy to minister the word of God to people who really want to hear it.

The author, John Phillips, wrote, “For these men to be around a large group of Christians still excited about their salvation, still enthusiastic about winning souls and world missions, and still woefully ignorant, comparatively, of all the majesty and meaning of the Scriptures must have been revolutionary. Any preacher knows how refreshing it is to get in with a group of young Christians eager to learn, after being around an older and more established group where a great deal of the dynamism has been lost and where truth is taken for granted, either to be yawned at or argued about.”

Think about our own lives. How often do we use our words to build each other up? In our jobs, homes, and communities, there’s so much division and negativity. Don’t become known as a negative Nelly or a pessimistic Peter. What if we made a conscious effort to encourage and support one another? When we encourage others, we help create a sense of unity and belonging.

Action Step:

This week, use your words to build unity. Whether it’s in your family, among friends, or with your coworkers, look for opportunities to encourage and uplift. Say things like, “I appreciate you,” or “You’re an important part of this team.” When we speak words of encouragement, we help create a stronger, more united community.

Let’s move on to verses 33-35. These men were committed.

We Should Commit to Long-Term Encouragement (33-35)

Let’s take a closer look at these verses. After delivering their message, Judas returned to Jerusalem, but Paul, Barnabas, and Silas stayed in Antioch. Silas didn’t just visit and leave; he committed to staying and continuing the work. They kept teaching and preaching, providing ongoing encouragement and support. Their presence and dedication were crucial for the church’s growth and unity.

This has a powerful lesson for us. Encouragement isn’t a one-time thing. It’s about being there for the long haul, consistently supporting and uplifting those around us. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to offer a quick word of encouragement and move on. But real impact comes from a commitment to continuous support.

Think about how you can be a consistent source of encouragement in your community. It could be regularly checking in with others, committing to a mentorship role, or being a dependable presence in our church or wherever you have influence. Long-term encouragement means showing up and staying involved, even when it’s not easy.

Imagine planting a garden. You don’t just water the plants once and expect them to thrive. You need to consistently water, weed, and care for them. The same goes for encouragement. It requires regular, ongoing effort to nurture and grow strong, supportive relationships.

Paul and Barnabas show us the importance of staying committed to encouraging others. Their dedication to teaching and preaching in Antioch helped the church grow stronger and more united. We can do the same in our lives by committing to long-term encouragement. It’s about being there, showing up, and continually offering support and encouragement. Let’s be like Paul and Barnabas, making a lasting impact through our unwavering commitment to encourage and uplift those around us.

Conclusion

Alright, now here’s the challenge for all of us. We’ve seen how powerful encouragement can be. It can lift spirits, build unity, and create lasting change. But it doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentionality and effort.

So, this week, I want each of us to take three specific actions:

1. Share Encouraging Words: Find someone who needs a lift and share something positive with them. It could be a compliment, a kind word, or a piece of good news. Make it your goal to brighten their day.

2. Use Your Words to Build Unity: Look for opportunities to speak words of encouragement that bring people together. Whether it’s at home, work, in your community, or in our church body, aim to be a unifying force. Say things that build others up and promote togetherness.

3. Commit to Long-term Encouragement: Think about someone you can support consistently. Maybe it’s a friend going through a tough time, a family member who needs ongoing encouragement, or someone else here who could use a regular boost. Make a plan to check in regularly and offer your support over the long haul.

Remember, encouragement isn’t just about a one-time gesture. It’s about creating a culture of support and positivity that can transform lives and communities. Let’s step up and be the encouragers God has called us to be. Your words and actions can make a huge difference.

Let’s pray for the courage and commitment to take on this challenge and become agents of encouragement in our world.