Gods Desire for a Committed Sacrifice
Introduction: How many of you feel like you could use some encouragement. Our lives are filled with desire to hear words of encouragement and hope.
There is never a time in our lives that we would say, I stand alone and I don’t need any help nor do I need to be lifted up.
“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.” By William Arthur Ward.
“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”
IV. EXHORTATION
Exhortation – parakaleo -To encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort.
2c1 To receive consolation, be comforted.
2d to encourage, strengthen
to instruct, teach.
A. We should encourage and strengthen our Brothers and
Sisters.
1. We should encourage others to commendable
Conduct
a. Call to repentance
Luke 3:17
17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
Luke 3:18
18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.
b. Continue in the faith
Acts 14:22
22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
c. Encouragement Warn the unruly
1 Thessalonians 5:14
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
d. Encourage soberness
Titus 3:1
3 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
e. Encouragement Strengthens godliness
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 6
Live to Please God
1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.
2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.
f. Encouragement Stir up liberality
2 Corinthians 9:5-7
5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
2. Encouragement gives Consolation that leads to Comfort
a. We need to Encourage those who have been Afflicted
Isaiah 40:1-2
40 1 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your God.
2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over
for all her sins.”
a. We need to encourage those who are Sorrowful
2 Corinthians 2:6-7
6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.
7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.
b. We need to Encourage those who are Weak
1 Thessalonians 5:14
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
c. We need to Encourage those who have been Discouraged
2 Corinthians 2:6-7
6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.
7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.
d. We need to Encourage those who are Troubled
2 Corinthians 7:5-7
Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance
5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.
6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.
7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!
e. We need to Encourage One another
1 Thessalonians 4:18
18 So encourage each other with these words.
A) THE ABILITY TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS THROUGH GOD’S WORD
B) TO SPEAK UPLIFTING WORDS
C) OR DO KIND GESTURES OF FAITH AND HOPE
V. GIVING
A) PHYSICAL
B) SPIRITUAL
C) EMOTIONAL
POINT: GIVING IS MORE THAN MONEY, IT CAN BE GIVING OF YOUR TIME TO HELP OUT AT CHURCH, GIVING OF YOUR TALENT TO HELP SOMEONE. OR GIVING OF YOUR TREASURE TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE CHURCH.
VI. RULING
A) LEADERSHIP
B) THE ABILITY TO LEAD PEOPLE
C) SET THE EXAMPLE
D) DILIGENCE
VII. MERCY
A) COMPASSION
B) THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE RELEIF
C) CHARITY
POINT: MERCY SHOULD BE DONE WITH CHEER, SO THE ONES WITH THE GIFT OF MERCY DON’T BECOME OVERTAKEN WITH DEPRESSION OR MORSENESS.