Authentic Encouragement

Introduction

Think about a time when you needed real encouragement—not just kind words, but something that actually gave you strength to keep going.

Need

The Bible calls us to encourage one another

Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

But encouragement is often reduced to surface-level words.

Biblical encouragement goes deeper:

It strengthens, affirms, and points people back to God’s work.

Bridge to Text

In Acts 9, Saul has been radically changed

But the church is not ready to accept him.

This passage shows us what real encouragement looks like.

Scripture Reading

Acts 9:26–31 “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”

Context

Saul has been converted

There is a three-year gap (Galatians 1:18 “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.” )

He is preaching boldly

Yet the disciples are afraid of him

Reflection Question #1

Have you ever felt like your past made it hard for others to trust your change?

1. Encouragement Steps In

Barnabas steps into a situation others avoided.

Saul was changed, but not yet trusted.

Instead of staying back, Barnabas comes alongside him.

Recall that he was renamed by the apostles because of his encouraging actions towards the church.

Acts 4:36 “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,”

The word for encouragement means:

to come alongside

to support

to strengthen

2. Encouragement Speaks Truth

Barnabas doesn’t just say, “He’s good.”

He gives evidence:

Saul saw the Lord

His life changed

He preached boldly

This is real encouragement - truth, not just comfort.

Reflection Question #2

Do you tend to avoid people because of their past, or step toward them like Barnabas?

3. Encouragement Builds Others Up

Because of Barnabas:

Saul is accepted

Saul ministers boldly

The church grows

One act of encouragement impacted the mission of the church.

Reflection Question #3

Who in your life right now needs encouragement and will you step in or stay back?

Conclusion

Biblical encouragement is coming alongside others and pointing them to the truth of what God has done.

Final Exhortation

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

We are called to encourage one another in truth!

And let’s not forget that not only do we find encouragement from fellow believers

We also have the ultimate encourager in the Holy Spirit.

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

John 16:7 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

When we encourage others, we are reflecting the kind of work the Holy Spirit does

coming alongside, strengthening, and pointing people to truth.

Closing Challenge

This week:

Step toward someone

Speak truth into their life

Be the one who steps in when everyone else steps back.