Encouraged to Death

Imagine a runner who has just hit the wall in a marathon. They feel exhausted and think about quitting. But then a stranger on the sidelines cheers them on, saying, 'You’ve got this! Just a little further!' Sometimes, we need that encouragement from others to press on in our spiritual race. Just as Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run with perseverance, we should also encourage each other along the journey.

You must live your Christian life being encouraged and being an encouragement.

Encouragement - Giving someone confidence or boldness to do something.

Exhortation- An urgent recommendation or encouragement to pursue a course of action, often used in religious and moral context

1. We must be Encouraged and be an encouragement to by Our Words and Deeds.

(Acts 20:1-3)

2. Paul sends titus with 2 COri (2 Cor 8:16-24) from Macidonia Titus has Good news about the church-

Paul stayed at Corinth for 3 Months Probly Winter - Here He wrote Romans

Jews wanted to attach Paul - They wouldf have beeen able to travel together to Jerusealem - Could have attaced hom n the Boast- Acts 18:12–17 “12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the tribunal. 13 “This man,” they said, “is persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” 14 As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or of a serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews. 15 But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal, but none of these things mattered to Gallio.”

Hebrews 10:24 urges us: "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." If Paul encouraged amid plots against his life, what excuse do we have in our comfortable routines

 6   Genuinely encouraging words are ones that communicate the idea, I know who you are; I care about you, and I’m here to help you. Gary Chapman The World’s Easiest Guide to Family Relationships (2001)

Gary Chapman

God hears the humble and strengthens hearts (Psalm 10:17–18). See also 1 Peter 5:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Isaiah 49:13; Acts 20:32; Zechariah 1:17; Psalm 89:20–21.God's Encouragement Affirmed: 

Means by Which God Encourages Believers:

Experience of God’s Encouragement (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). See also Psalm 86:17; 1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 6:18; Isaiah 52:9; Acts 9:31; 1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; 2 Timothy 4:17; Acts 23:11; Hebrews 12:5; Daniel 10:18–19.

God’s Encouragement Experienced Through the Words and Actions of Others (Judges 7:11; 2 Chronicles 15:8; Ezra 6:22; Acts 28:15; 2 Corinthians 7:4, 13).

1 Corinthians 16:13 ("Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong"). See also Joshua 1:18; Psalm 27:14; Joshua 10:25; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Matthew 14:27; Deuteronomy 31:6–8; Joshua 1:6–8; 1 Chronicles 22:13; 2 Chronicles 19:11; 2 Chronicles 32:7 (King Hezekiah); Ezra 10:4; Isaiah 54:2. Examples: Paul to his shipmates (Acts 27:22, 25, 36).Commands to Be Encouraged: 

Isaiah 35:3–4 ("Strengthen the weak hands, steady the shaking knees!"). See also Deuteronomy 1:38; Deuteronomy 3:28; 2 Samuel 19:7; Isaiah 1:17; Romans 12:6–8; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; 1 Timothy 5:1; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:15; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25.Commands to Encourage Others: 

Colossians 1:28 (Paul's ministry). See also Romans 12:1; Romans 15:30; 1 Peter 2:11; Ephesians 4:1; Jude 3; 1 Corinthians 16:15–16; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 4:16; Luke 3:18 (John the Baptist); 2 Corinthians 2:7–8; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; Hebrews 13:19.Encouragement as Exhortation in the Life of Faith: 

Examples of Encouragement in Scripture:

2 Chronicles 32:6–7 (King Hezekiah encourages his people: "Be strong and courageous!").In the Old Testament: 

Acts 20:1–2 (after Ephesus); 2 Corinthians 7:13 (comfort from Titus's joy); Acts 13:43; Acts 15:32; Philemon 7; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Acts 14:21–22 (Paul and Barnabas); Acts 16:40; Acts 18:27–28; 2 Corinthians 7:4.In the New Testament: 

God’s encouragement affirmed

Psalm 10:17–18 CSB

17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully, 18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more.

See also 1 Pe 5:10; Je 29:11; Is 41:10; 1 Ch 29:12; Is 49:13; Ac 20:32; Zec 1:17; Ps 89:20–21

Means by which God encourages believers

Meditation on his law and word

Jos 1:8–9; Ro 15:4

See also Ps 1:1–3; Heb 12:5

Experience of the Holy Spirit

Jn 14:16–17 The word used for Spirit here means “Counsellor” or “one who encourages or comforts”.

See also Php 2:1; Ac 9:31; Ro 8:18–27

Experience of God’s encouragement

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 CSB

16 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

See also Ps 86:17; 1 Pe 1:3; Heb 6:18; Is 52:9; Ac 9:31; 1 Sa 30:6; 2 Co 1:3–4; 2 Ti 4:17; Ac 23:11; Heb 12:5; Da 10:18–19

God’s encouragement experienced through the words and actions of others

Jdg 7:11 Gideon and the dream of the Midianite soldier; 2 Ch 15:8; Ezr 6:22 the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria; Ac 28:15; 2 Co 7:4; 2 Co 7:13

Commands to be encouraged

1 Corinthians 16:13 CSB

13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

See also Jos 1:18; Ps 27:14; Jos 10:25; 1 Ch 28:20; Mt 14:27; Dt 31:6–8; Jos 1:6–8; 1 Ch 22:13; 2 Ch 19:11; 2 Ch 32:7 King Hezekiah; Ezr 10:4; Is 54:2 growth of the nation of Israel after the exile

Paul to his shipmates:

Ac 27:22; Ac 27:25; Ac 27:36

Effects of being encouraged

Isaiah 40:30–31 CSB

30 Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, 31 but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.

See also Col 2:2; Php 2:1–2; 1 Th 2:11–12; Ro 15:5; 1 Co 14:3; Ps 25:3; 2 Co 3:12

Prayers for encouragement

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 CSB

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

See also Ps 119:28; Ne 6:9; Is 38:14; Ro 15:5–6; Col 1:10–12

In the OT

2 Chronicles 32:6–7 “6 He set military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying, 7 “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria or before the large army that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.” King Hezekiah encourages his people.

See also Nehemiah 9:26 “26 But they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They flung your law behind their backs and killed your prophets who warned them in order to turn them back to you. They committed terrible blasphemies.”

; Malachi 3:16 “16 At that time those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and had high regard for his name.”

; 1 Samuel 23:16 “16 Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God,”

Zec 8:20–22; 2 Ch 30:22; Jdg 20:21–22; 1 Ch 11:10; 2 Ch 35:2 King Josiah; Da 2:18

In the NT

Ac 11:22–23;

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 “11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

See also 1 Peter 5:12 “12 Through Silvanus, a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”

2 Corinthians 7:13 “13 For this reason we have been comforted. In addition to our own comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you.”

; Ac 13:43; Ac 15:32; Phm 7; 2 Co 7:4; Ac 14:21–22 Paul and Barnabas; Ac 16:40; Ac 18:27–28; Ac 20:1–2 after Paul’s ministry in Ephesus;

Romans 1:11–12 “11 For I want very much to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Paul to the church at Rome;

Ephesians 6:21–22 “21 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.”

Paul’s fellow-worker, Tychicus; Php 1:14 Paul in prison; Col 4:8; 1 Th 3:2 Timothy; 1 Th 3:7; Heb 13:22

Encouragement as exhortation in the life of faith

Col 1:28 Paul describes his ministry.

See also Ro 12:1; Ro 15:30; 1 Pe 2:11; Eph 4:1; Jud 3; 1 Co 16:15–16; 2 Co 6:1; 1 Co 4:16; Lk 3:18 John the Baptist; 2 Co 2:7–8 dealing with a repentant member; 1 Th 4:10; Heb 13:19

Commands to encourage others

Isaiah 35:3–4 CSB

3 Strengthen the weak hands, steady the shaking knees! 4 Say to the cowardly: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.”

To Moses:

Dt 1:38; Dt 3:28

2 Sa 19:7 to David; Is 1:17; Ro 12:6–8; Ro 15:2; 1 Co 14:12; Col 3:16; 1 Th 4:18; 1 Th 5:11; 1 Th 5:14; 1 Ti 5:1; 2 Ti 4:2; Tt 1:9 the church overseer; Tt 2:15; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:25

Failure to encourage

Eze 34:4 Condemnation of Israel’s leaders.

See also Zec 10:2; Ps 69:20; Ec 4:1; Eze 16:49; Job 16:2

Refusing to be comforted

Genesis 37:34–35 CSB

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” And his father wept for him.

See also Ps 77:2; Je 31:15; Mt 2:18

Scripture censures those who encourage others to do evil

2 Chronicles 22:2–3 CSB

2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, granddaughter of Omri. 3 He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother gave him evil advice.

See also Je 29:8; Je 23:14; 2 Sa 11:25 after David and Joab had arranged Uriah’s death; Ps 64:5 evildoers; Is 41:7 makers of idols; Eze 13:22–23; 1 Co 8:9–10

2. We Must gather together with Unlikely people to be Encouraged and to be an Encouragement

(Acts 20:4-6)

Paul travels with a diverse group:Context: 

Sopater (son of Pyrrhus) from Berea (Romans 16:21).

Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica.

Gaius from Derbe (or possibly Galatia/Philippi).

Timothy.

Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia (Ephesus).

Luke (joins from Philippi). These are firsthand witnesses representing churches; most arrive in Troas ahead of Paul (Luke rejoins him). They sail from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread (springtime festival with Passover).

Unlikely allies—Greeks, Jews, young/old, locals/travelers—unite in mission, fostering mutual encouragement.Key Illustration: 

Effects of encouragement (renewed strength, unity; Philippians 2:1–2); NT examples (e.g., Romans 1:11–12 for mutual faith).Tie to Themes: 

Break silos; invite the "unlikely" (e.g., introverts, newcomers) into groups for shared resilience and grace.Application: 

Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone, are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven.

Charles Spurgeon

Means by Which God Encourages Believers:

Meditation on His law and Word (Joshua 1:8–9; Romans 15:4). See also Psalm 1:1–3; Hebrews 12:5.

Experience of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17, where "Spirit" means "Counsellor" or "one who encourages or comforts"). See also Philippians 2:1; Acts 9:31; Romans 8:18–27.

Isaiah 40:30–31 (renewed strength for those who trust in the Lord). See also Colossians 2:2; Philippians 2:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12; Romans 15:5; 1 Corinthians 14:3; Psalm 25:3; 2 Corinthians 3:12.Effects of Being Encouraged: 

Examples of Encouragement in Scripture:

Nehemiah 9:26 (prophets warned to turn people back); Malachi 3:16 (those who feared the Lord spoke to one another); 1 Samuel 23:16 (Jonathan encourages David in his faith); Zechariah 8:20–22; 2 Chronicles 30:22; Judges 20:21–22; 1 Chronicles 11:10; 2 Chronicles 35:2 (King Josiah); Daniel 2:18.In the Old Testament: 

Acts 11:22–23; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 ("We encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God"); 1 Peter 5:12 ("Encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!"); Romans 1:11–12 (Paul to Rome: mutually encouraged by each other’s faith); Ephesians 6:21–22 (Tychicus sent to encourage hearts); Philippians 1:14 (Paul in prison); Colossians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:2 (Timothy); 1 Thessalonians 3:7; Hebrews 13:22.In the New Testament: 

3. We must gather together to be Encouraged and encouragment weekly!

(Acts 20:7-12)

(Acts 20:7-12)

YOUN LAD 8-14

Luke this in order to explain one of reasons that Eutychus fell off to sleep: the many lamps burning must have made the room hot and stuffy and contributed to Eutychus’ sleepy condition.

Barclay M. Newman Jr.; Eugene Nida

RESURECTED OR RESISITADED

On the first day of the week (Sunday, celebrating resurrection over Sabbath), they gather to break bread (Lord's Supper). Paul preaches until midnight (and dawn), despite leaving soon. Eutychus falls asleep and dies but is revived—leading to great comfort.Context: 

Sustained gathering (lamps burning late) refuels amid exhaustion; miracle reinforces communal hope.Key Illustration: 

Commands to gather (Hebrews 10:25: "Do not give up meeting together... but encourage one another"); prayers for encouragement (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17); OT/NT examples (e.g., Hezekiah's rally, 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12).Tie to Themes: 

Commit to weekly rhythms (worship, study, prayer); skip them at peril—show up to rise renewed like Eutychus.Application: 

3. The power of the resurrection is evident in the miraculous raising of Eutychus to life after he fell to his death.

David E. Garland

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (eternal encouragement and good hope by grace). See also Psalm 119:28; Nehemiah 6:9; Isaiah 38:14; Romans 15:5–6; Colossians 1:10–12.Prayers for Encouragement: 

Examples of Encouragement in Scripture:

Nehemiah 9:26 (prophets warned to turn people back).In the Old Testament: 

Acts 14:21–22 (Paul and Barnabas); Acts 16:40; Acts 18:27–28; Acts 20:1–2 (after Ephesus).In the New Testament: 

The resuscitation of Eutychus places Paul in the line of the prophets from the Old Testament to Jesus and to Peter, demonstrating that the life—giving power of God (cf. Rom 4:17) was present in Paul’s ministry in similar ways.

Eckhard J. Schnabel