The Gift of Exhortation

Introduction

We have covered two of the three speaking gifts so far in our study of the spiritual gifts. Many of you may not have found yourself in these lists while others have. This morning we are going to talk about the third speaking gift: the gift of exhortation.

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

I think much of Christianity is lived on our own. Especially in America where we have a strong sense of individualism.

When faced with a difficult decision, we rarely reach out to others to get their advice or even help. I think of my grandparents who had a 3 story log cabin that they had built on 10 acres of land in California. The house was valued at 1.8 million dollars, but when the economic downturn happened, they found themselves needed to sell because they were struggling. None of the family was aware of the need until the decision was already made and the family house passed out of the hands of the family.

When struggling with sin or relationship problems, we try to just grunt through it. We ignore that God has called the church to lift up the fallen and weak kneed. We forget that sometimes, we aren’t meant to fight this battle alone.

When grieving a loss, we sometimes crawl into our dark hole and shut everyone out of our lives. They could be a comforting presence in our lives and weep with us, they can infuse us with hope when we can’t see it on our own and if we get stuck in the mud, they can lift us out of it.

Our beliefs are often formed in isolation. We do our own study on the internet and never think to talk through things with the other believers in our lives who might have something to add.

Worship has become a private matter. All that matters is my relationship with God, but we forget the communal nature of worship. We don’t seek to draw one another into worshipping with us.

Christianity was never meant to be lived alone separated from the body of Christ. We need each other. In the book of Hebrews when faced with coming persecution and the danger of hardening our hearts, the author of Hebrews exhorts us to Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” We are to speak God’s truth into the lives of others and walk beside them. While God has gifted the church with two other types of speaking gifts, the gift of exhortation is especially important to nurturing the community of the believers.

In our text this morning, we come across the gift of exhortation. This morning we are going to look at what it is and then how to use the gift.

The Identity of the Gift

Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

The word Exhortation- παρακαλεω- parakaleo- to call to one’s side, appeal, urge. It is used in a variety of ways and translated using different English words in different contexts.

Comfort- Matthew 2:18 “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” When most people think of exhortation they think of encouragement. That is a part of the word, but they often misunderstand what encouragement is in the bible. The word is translated comforter when it speaks of the Holy Spirit, but the point here is coming alongside some to urge them to process their grief in a healthy, biblical way. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” They use words to comfort others. They speak the words that are needed in that moment to encourage someone. Encouragement in the bible isn’t merely consoling the pain another is feeling, this would be the gift of mercy. Exhortation is coming alongside of them in their grief and motivating them to move forward. A quote by Warren Wiersbe that I have always kept in mind about this type of encouragement: Christian encouragement must not become an anesthesia that puts us to sleep. It must be a stimulant that awaken us to do better.

Urge- Acts 27:34 “Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.” to push or put pressure on someone to do something. Sometimes we know what we ought to do or would be healthy for us to do, but we lack the motivation to actually take that step. Exhortation comes alongside someone and gives them that gentle push to take the next step forward.

Beg- 1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” Literally to beg, their is an emotional appeal. People are often not moved to action merely by an intellectual argument. The teacher can show them why something is true, the prophet can warn them off the dangers of not doing it, but the exhorter appeals to their heart to move forward. Peter’s exhortation was not shallow and empty. he would go on to teach some deep doctrine on our status as strangers and pilgrims, but he coupled it with an emotional appeal.

Advocate- 1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” Like a lawyer making the case on your behalf. This comes from the idea of someone who comes alongside of you. The exhorter will step out of the pulpit to help you do what they are encouraging you to do. They are not satisfied with merely telling you what to do, they want to encourage you to actually do it and when you struggle, they will go to bat for you because they know you are trying.

In all of these examples, there is something the exhorter desires you to do in response to their exhortation. They may be calling you to cry out to God in faithful lament when you are grieving, they may urge you to take a certain course of action, or even beg you to do it because they know it is needed in your life. This person will also be willing to come alongside of you to walk that path with you if you will let them. An exhorter is more a mentor than a teacher, they are not standing on a rock warning against your sin from a distance; they are walking beside you to help you take the next step.

There are two main elements to exhortation:

Motivation- They want to give you the proper motivation to do what is needed.

Action- They want you to actually step forward. Exhorters do not like inaction. Exhorters are focused on next steps of growth in your life. They are calling you to take that next step.

So with all of that in ming a good definition for the Gift of Exhortation is the Spirit-given ability to come alongside other believers with the principles of the word of God to encourage them and call them to action in their Christian service.

So now we have three speaking gift in Romans 12: Prophecy, teaching and exhortation. Each is distinct and fills a necessary need in the life of the church. None is better than the other and in fact without all of them present in the church, we as a church languish in spiritual sickness and unhealth.

So let’s take a broad view of the differences between Prophecy, Teaching and Exhortation:

Prophecy warns and rebukes

Teaching imparts information

Exhortation appeals for a change in action

Prophets and teachers tend to see everything in clear black and whites while exhorters see the principles of wisdom that need to be applied to practical living situations.

Teachers and Prophets tend to lead from the top, Rulers from the front but exhorters tend to lead from the center.

The Use of the Gift

The second half of the verses repeats the same pattern we have seen so far: Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” It is that locative of sphere telling them to focus on using their gift. Since this word is used a lot in the bible, we are given a glimpse into some of its uses:

comforting and counseling the grieving 2 Corinthians 7:6 “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;”

practical living Acts 27:34 “Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.”

Christian love and obedience 2 Corinthians 2:8 “Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”

Growth- 1 Thessalonians 4:10 “And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;”

Call to prayer- Romans 15:30 “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

Faithfulness- Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Defend the faith- Jude 3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Practical examples:

counseling

Discipleship

Coaching- even sports-

Advisor

teacher- looks different from the way a regular teacher would look

coming alongside someone who is going through a life transition like first child, first year of marriage, divorce, widowhood retirement, graduating high school (Make PSA)

Conclusion

Just as with each of the gifts, I have given some general observations about those who possess each of the gifts.

Walking in the Spirit

Quick to discern the spiritual growth of others.

Desire and gravitate to people who want to grow spiritually Romans 1:11 “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;”

Easily see the principles of scripture that apply to life even if it isn’t written in black and white- Paul’s writtings always begin with heavy doctrinal teaching, but transition to practical application to daily living.

Driven to see positive growth in others 1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 “Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:” comfort= exhort

Walking in the Flesh

Can write people off who show no desire for spiritual growth- Paul is quick to cut John Mark off because he abandoned them

Can face depression and discouragement when they don’t see results

Can fish for affirmation to gauge results

They can become co-dependent on others because their fulfillment and joy is found in others taking those steps