Encouragement, promises of God’s

Encouragement  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 33 views

God promises continual support for his people, particularly when they become weary, depressed or disillusioned.

Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

God’s encouragement affirmed in scripture

Psalm 10:17–18 ESV
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
1 Chronicles 29:12 ESV
12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Psalm 89:20–21 ESV
20 I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, 21 so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.
; ; ; ; ; ;
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
; ; ; ; ;
Isaiah 49:13 ESV
13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.
; ; ; ;
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
; ; ;
Zechariah 1:17 ESV
17 Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’ ”
; ;
Acts 20:32 ESV
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
;
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Means by which God encourages believers

Meditation on his law and word

Joshua 1:8–9 ESV
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
;
Romans 15:4 ESV
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
;
Psalm 1:1–3 ESV
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Hebrews 12:5 ESV
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Experience of the Holy Spirit

John 14:16–17 ESV
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The word used for Spirit here means “Counsellor” or “one who encourages or comforts”.
The word used for Spirit here means “Counsellor” or “one who encourages or comforts”.
Acts 9:31 ESV
31 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.
; ;
Romans 8:18–27 ESV
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
;
Philippians 2:1 ESV
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Experience of God’s encouragement

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
1 Samuel 30:6 ESV
6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Psalm 86:17 ESV
17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Isaiah 52:9 ESV
9 Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Daniel 10:18–19 ESV
18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Acts 9:31 ESV
31 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.
; ; ; ; ; ;
Acts 23:11 ESV
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
; ; ; ; ;
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
; ; ; ;
2 Timothy 4:17 ESV
17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
; ; ;
Hebrews 6:18 ESV
18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
; ;
Hebrews 12:5 ESV
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
;
1 Peter 1:3 ESV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

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

Judges 7:11 ESV
11 And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.
Gideon and the dream of the Midianite soldier; ; the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria; ; ;
Gideon and the dream of the Midianite soldier
2 Chronicles 15:8 ESV
8 As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.
; the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria; ; ;
Ezra 6:22 ESV
22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria; ; ;
the returned exiles helped by the king of Assyria;
Acts 28:15 ESV
15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
; ;
2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV
4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
;
2 Corinthians 7:13 ESV
13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

Commands to be encouraged

1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Deuteronomy 31:6–8 ESV
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
; ; ; ; ; ; ; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
Joshua 1:6–8 ESV
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
; ; ; ; ; ; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
Joshua 1:18 ESV
18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”
; ; ; ; ; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
Joshua 10:25 ESV
25 And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
; ; ; ; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
1 Chronicles 22:13 ESV
13 Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.
; ; ; ; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
1 Chronicles 28:20 ESV
20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.
; ; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
2 Chronicles 19:11 ESV
11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”
; King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
2 Chronicles 32:7 ESV
7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.
King Hezekiah; ; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
King Hezekiah
Ezra 10:4 ESV
4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”
; ; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
Psalm 27:14 ESV
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
; growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
Isaiah 54:2 ESV
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.
growth of the nation of Israel after the exile;
growth of the nation of Israel after the exile
Matthew 14:27 ESV
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Paul to his shipmates:

Acts 27:22 ESV
22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
; ;
Acts 27:25 ESV
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
;
Acts 27:36 ESV
36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Effects of being encouraged

Isaiah 40:30 ESV
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
Isaiah 40:30–31 ESV
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30–31 ESV
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
See also ; ; ; ; ; ;
Psalm 25:3 ESV
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Ps 25:3; ; ; ; ; ;
Romans 15:5 ESV
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
; ; ; ; ;
1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
; ; ; ;
2 Corinthians 3:12 ESV
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,
; ; ;
Philippians 2:1–2 ESV
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
; ;
Colossians 2:2 ESV
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,
;
1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 ESV
11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Prayers for encouragement

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 ESV
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Nehemiah 6:9 ESV
9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
; ; ; ;
Psalm 119:28 ESV
28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
; ; ;
; ;
Isaiah 38:14 ESV
14 Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!
;
Romans 15:5–6 ESV
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:10–12 ESV
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more