Love that Builds Up

Who needs Encouragement?

Who has been the biggest encourager in your life? Think about that person for a moment. I will bet you are smiling at least on the inside. (insert personal story Rick my first Sponsor). It was not one big thing he did in my life, it was lots of little things that made a difference in my life. He was a constant figure, always there, always spoke truth even if I did not want to hear it. He helped me keep going.

That is what we are talking about today: Love that builds up. Not love that is only emotional, but love that strengthens faith. Rick help in faith in self, but not in Christ, for he was not a Christian, God brought me other people for that.

Big Idea: Loving one another means intentionally encouraging, strengthening, and helping believers grow spiritually.

In our other weeks we have seen

The command to love (Jn13:34-35)

Love is an Action (1Jn3:16-18)

And last time Love forgives (Eph4:31-32, Mt18:21-35)

(Transition) If we obey the command, put love into action and we forgive one another then the next question is how do we help each other grow and stay strong over time?

That is where love that builds up comes in.

Love Builds Up Through Intentional Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

Encouragement is not optional —it’s a Christian responsibility: This is a command, not a personality trait

Romans 15:2 “2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”

Ephesians 4:29 “29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Encouragement means strengthening someone’s faith, not just complimenting them: Biblical encouragement isn’t flattery — it’s courage-giving.

Acts 14:21–22 “21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.””

Isaiah 35:3–4 “3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 4 Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.””

Encouragement is often simple and consistent- a text, a call, a prayer. A scripture shared at the right time.

Proverbs 12:25 “25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.”

Proverbs 25:11 “11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.”

Applications from intentional encouragement:

Speak life this week; encourage one person daily

Replace criticism with constructive building. Consider how can I strengthen them today?

Before leaving worship, encourage one person you normally wouldn’t talk to.

A good line to remember: Love does not only notice needs, it notices discouragement.

Love Builds Up by Helping Others Grow Spiritually

Hebrews 10:23–24 “23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”

Building others up requires thought and intentionality — let us consider - think it through, plan it, be purposeful.

Philippians 2:3–4 “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” - - - look out for others’ interests

Colossians 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” - - - teach/admonish one another with love, truth without love is brutal. Truth must be given with love to help grow spiritually.

We do not just comfort each other —we challenge each other toward love and good deeds — real love doesn’t leave people stuck.

Proverbs 27:17 “17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” - - - - what happens when iron rubs on iron there is friction . . .

Galatians 6:1–2 “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” - - - Restore w/gentleness, bear one another’s burdens

Sometimes building up includes correction and truth —encouragement is not ignoring sin—it is helping someone walk in the light.

Ephesians 4:14–15 “14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,” - - - - speak the truth in love

James 5:19–20 “19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” - - - help turn one back to the truth, save the his soul from death.

Applications:

This week ask someone: “How is your walk with Christ right now?” and then listen

Invite someone into a spiritual habit: Reading plan, prayer, service, class.

Encourage growth, not comfort alone: “What’s one next step of obedience?”

Good line to consider: Love doesn’t just say: “I’m here for you, love says, Let’s grow together.”

Love Builds Up by Showing Up Consistently in Worship & Community

We already read Heb10:23-24 now want to add in the next verse

Hebrews 10:25 “25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

One of the greatest ways to build others up is simply being present- Your presence strengthens the body. Your absence weakens it.

I need to keep in context, the focus is (vv.25-26) but in context look at

1 Corinthians 12:20–26 “20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”- - - - when one suffers, all suffer, when one is honored, all rejoice

Encouragement happens best when believers are connected regularly —The author ties assembling directly to encouragement

Hebrews 3:13 “13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” - - - daily so none are hardened!

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” - - - We need each other to lift each other up.

The closer we get to Christ’s return, the more encouragement matters- Hebrews says: “all the more as you see the day drawing near” some believe this is AD70, some the return of Christ. Anyway it is not a time to drift, it is a dime to deepen our walk and our talk with others about Christ for tomorrow may be too late.

1 Peter 4:7–10 “7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Applications:

Make worship non-negotiable unless truly prevented.

Do not just attend—engage: greet, pray, invite, follow up

Identify someone who is drifting and lovingly reach out this week.

“The church is not a crowd to sit in—it’s a body to belong to”

Conclusion - Bringing it Home!

Love is commanded

Love is active

Love forgives

And today we have seen love builds up.

Building up is not someone else’s job. It’s what disciples do. Encouragement is one of the clearest signs that Jesus is shaping the church. Just imagine what would happen if “EVERY CHRISTIAN” decided I will not be a spiritual drain but a spiritual fountain, a spiritual builder to others.

(Benediction/Invitation) As we leave today if you have need let us meet it, have questions, ask, need prayer, get prayer, as for the challenge, go, be encouragers this week, lets be fountains for the Lord! let’s stand, lets sing as a family this song of encouragement and invitation.