Acts of the Church: Encouraging the Faithful
Acts of the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction (Acts 14:8-20)
Introduction (Acts 14:8-20)
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
those who help others are helped.
What are some things that discourage you? Perhaps you have someone misunderstand you or you have misunderstood them. Perhaps you have had expectations that were not met. Perhaps you find yourself with more month that you have money. Discourage means to deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit. Maybe you have spoken the truth to someone only to have them reject that truth and start bullying or even picking up rocks to stone you. That is what happened to Paul and Barnabas. They had gone to Lystra. While there, they encountered a man that had been crippled all of his life. Paul looks at the man and says, “Stand up on your feet!” The man stood up and walked, something had never done before. The people in the crowd said, “The gods have come down in human form.” They begin to worship their idols offer sacrifices. When Paul and Barnabas saw this, they tore their clothes and begin to share to the people that the worthless idols had nothing to do with this miracle and that only the Living God could make a lame man walk.
The people responded by picking up stones and hurling them at Paul, obviously hitting him as the Bible says, they dragged him outside the city, leaving him for dead. Now, if that were me, I would have been discouraged. I may have even thought it was time to go somewhere else. However, the Bible tells us that the disciples gathered around Paul, he got up and wend back into the city. We then learn that Paul and Barnabas went to another city called Derbe.
Notice what happens as we read :
They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
When Paul was stoned and left for dead, and when Barnabas witnessed this horrific act, there is no mention of discouragement or any word about giving up. Sometimes we think that we get a road block we should stop doing the work of God.
persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 5:9
Paul and Barnabas could have been discouraged and given up. In fact, we see that quite opposite took place. Instead of being discouraged, they became encouragers in at least four different ways.
In fact, we see that quite opposite took place. Instead of being discouraged, they became encouragers in at least four different ways.
Encouraging By Proclaiming (vs. 21)
Encouraging By Proclaiming (vs. 21)
The very first thing we see them do is preach the good news. They were encouraging by proclaiming. What a lesson we can learn from that! When we are persecuted, we can overcome by proclaiming the Good News. Let’s be clear about this Good News in which they proclaimed. In the Bible, the terms Good News indicate the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It wasn’t good news that Aunt Harriet’s hangnail was better. It was the fact that Jesus Christ, born of a virgin; 100% man and yet 100% God; came into this world, lived, breathed and walked on this earth; died a criminal’s death on a cross for the sin’s of the world; conquered death by raising from the dead; and now is beside our Heavenly Father interceding for our needs and telling His Father that the debt for our sins is paid in full. That’s the Good News they preached about! What an encouraging proclamation!
Hearing the Good News proclaimed will always encourage the faithful.
John the Baptist preached the Good News and exhorted the people:
And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
I Thessalonians
We see that Timothy preached the Good News and encouraged many:
We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
We
Good News encourages us. The only time this Good News would not encourage us is when perhaps we have sin in our lives that blocks what the Good News is all about! I would encourage you as you hear the Good News proclaimed to let it encourage you!
I would also encourage you to be a proclaimer of the Good News. There is no greater joy than sharing the Good News and watching others cross over from death to life!
Encouraging By Strengthening(vs.22)
Encouraging By Strengthening(vs.22)
Paul and Barnabas refused to get on the path of discouragement. They did not run from the place where Paul almost lost his life. In fact, says they returned to Lystra and Antioch and by doing so, they were able to encourage the faithful by strengthening them. If you have the King James Version, you will see the phrase “confirming the souls.” The word strengthening is more in line with the original text as this means “to support further.” The foundation of the Good News had been laid. Paul and Barnabas came alongside the believers to help them build on that foundation. Those that are converted need to be confirmed. Those that are planted need to be rooted.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
We are called to encourage by strengthening.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
Hebrews
We make our bodies get stronger through through regular exercise. As we get stronger, we are able to do more. The same thing is true spiritually. We get stronger through spiritual exercises like studying God’s Word and praying on a regular basis.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Encouraging By Encouraging (vs. 22)
Encouraging By Encouraging (vs. 22)
We also see with strengthening that they encouraged the faithful. It might sound redundant to say encouraging by encouraging, but that is exactly what it is. Let me explain. The word encourage comes from the Greek word parakalountes that means giving hope or promise. It is the process of exhorting and consoling. When we practice encouraging others, we are helping them become stronger and more confident. We are helping them enhance their faith by which they will continue to grow. Continuing to grow is proof of faith.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Paul and Barnabas were able to encourage the faithful to remain true to the faith. The word faith in this context refers to the religious beliefs and practice of Christianity. It is the belief in the gospel. It is similarly used in other passages.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Galatians
They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
This verse is referencing Paul who had been ordering the execution of those who practiced Christianity. Another example is from the Book of Jude.
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
Are you remaining true to the faith? I want to encourage you, just as Paul and Barnabas encouraged the followers of Christ, to be true to the faith. Not a faith, the faith. One that glorifies and exalts Jesus Christ. It honors who Christ is and what He has done. When you are being to true the faith, you are not going to settle for false doctrine that promotes different avenues to God other than Jesus. Paul and Barnabas confronted the people when they were saying that the healing that took place in was the result of other gods. Oh no. It was because of the healing power of Jesus Christ. It was not because of some energy or some thought.
As you enter into our church, you should be encouraged. You should be of the understanding that you will be built up and encouraged. You will be given assurance and hope. You will be meeting with likeminded people that want to see God glorified and His Name exalted.
This church welcomes anyone and everyone. We will love you and do our best to encourage based on the principles and precepts of the Word of God. However, we will not compromise that word. We will always strive to make sure everything we do is in align with God’s Word.
The action of encouraging that Paul and Barnabas give as an example is followed by a word of warning. We see in this statement: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” They are talking to many that could have just seen a few days earlier how Paul was left for dead by an angry stoning mob.
Jesus said in that “in this world you will have trouble.” He also said in that we have the choice in the matter.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
I was reminded of this verse this week. I was dealing with some issues that were causing me some discouragement. I read this verse and I realized with the way it is worded, I have the choice to let my heart be troubled or to not let it be troubled. These are the words of Jesus. It is not a suggestion. It is a command. I have come to the point where I realize that if I let discouragement linger, it can be costly. It can sap me of energy and dull my vision. It can consume time and keep me from doing what I am called to do. It can also be contagious and weaken others’ faith. However, if I focus on trusting God and His word, I will be able to let not my heart be troubled. If I am surrounded by other members of my faith, they are going to encourage me through the proclaiming, through strengthening and encouraging. That exact process is what the church needs to be doing. We need each other to build up and not tear down. If you come to this church, I hope you are coming ready to encourage and be encouraged. If you are coming to divide and cause discouragement, you may want to rethink your reasoning.
Paul and Barnabas encouraged by proclaiming the Good News. They encouraged by strengthening and encouraging the disciples, the followers of Christ, to remain true to the faith. They also appointed leaders.
Encouraging By Leading
Encouraging By Leading
Our church is very fortunate to have the leaders we have. Godly men and women who love the Lord, love this church and love each other. Through the process of prayer, nominating, vetting and election, we just approved a new group of leaders. These folks are to be examples of encourage by leading. They will need our prayers.
I am going to ask all of our leaders for this next year to stand.
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
I am encouraged by these leaders. I look forward to how they help cast a vision for our church. Please join me in committing to pray for them. Use this handout that is in your bulletin to remember to pray for them daily.
Let’s strive as a church to be known as a church that encourages the faithful. Let’s proclaim the Good News. Let’s work to strengthen and encourage each other. Let’s pray for our leaders.
We need each other more than ever. Let’s encourage each other. Let’s build each other up. Let’s grow together. Let’s make a commitment to start right now.