ENCOURAGEMENT

Hebrews 10:25; John 14:26; 16:7

(Heb 10:25 NIV)  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

(John 14:26 NIV)  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

(John 16:7 NIV)  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

            Encouragement, as used in Hebrews 10:25, comes from the same Greek root used for the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, and 16:7.  In both those verses He is called the helper, the counselor, the paraclete—to call alongside—to stand with.

            I think of many times in my life when there were those who encouraged me.  When I didn’t feel particularly able or qualified, there were those who came alongside and encouraged me.  One of those people are sitting here tonight—my wife.  There were others—a pastor in my youth who believed more in me than I believed in myself.

            All of us need encouragement—somebody to believe in us.  To reassure and reinforce us.  To help us pickup the pieces and go on.  To provide us with increased determination in spite of the odds.

I. THE MEANING OF ENCOURAGEMENT

A.    If you analyze the concept, “encourage” takes on a new meaning.

a.       It is the act of inspiring others with renewed courage, spirit, or hope.

b.      When we encourage others we spur them on, we stimulate and affirm them.

B.     There is a difference between appreciation and affirmation.

a.       We appreciate what a person does, but we affirm who a person is.

b.      Appreciation comes and goes because it is usually related to something someone accomplishes.

c.       Affirmation goes deeper.  It is directed to the person himself or herself. 

d.      To be appreciated, we get the distinct impression that we must earn it by some accomplishment.  But affirmation requires no such prerequisite.

e.       This means that even if we haven’t earned the right to be appreciated, because we have failed to succeed, we can still be affirmed—if fact, we need it then, more than ever.

C.     No matter how influential or secure or mature a person may appear to be, encouragement never fails to help.

a.       Most of us need massive does of it as we slug it out in the trenches.

b.      But we are usually too proud to admit it.

II. THERE’S MORE TO WORSHIP THAN PRAYING

A.    What is a worship service?

a.       A few worship choruses, a prayer or two, receive the offering a listen to the message.

B.     Why do Christians gather for worship?

a.       In the early church, when Christians met together, persecution was standard operating procedure.  Martyrdom was as common to them as traffic jams in Seattle.

b.      As a result, fear gripped many believers.  Some left—others drifted to play it safe.

C.     As a result, the letter of Hebrews began to circulate among the converted Jews.

a.       Whoever wrote Hebrews understood the value of corporate worship.  After warning them against compromising their walk of faith, he informed them of the importance of those special times they spent together.

(Heb 10:19 NIV)  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

(Heb 10:20 NIV)  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

(Heb 10:21 NIV)  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

(Heb 10:22 NIV)  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

(Heb 10:23 NIV)  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

(Heb 10:24 NIV)  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

(Heb 10:25 NIV)  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

D.    He begins this section by describing what we have:

a.       We have confidence to approach God (v.19).

b.      We have a priest who give us access to God—Christ (v.21).

E.     How many times do we forget this simple, but profound benefit?

a.       The reason we forget—we’ve never known it any other way.  But back then, the believer lacked confidence.  There was fear and trepidation.  Their fathers knew nothing of such access to the Father.

F.      Next, he describes what we are to do. (v. 22)

a.       “Let us draw near.”  In other words, come up close.  Become intimately acquainted with God.  There’s no need to beg, if you are His child.

b.      V.23 “Let us hold fast or unswervingly.” To stand firm in His truth.

c.       V. 24 “et us consider how to spur one another on.”  This verse seems to focus on the point the writer has been trying to make.  We are to think about ways to stir up each other so that the result is a deeper love for one another and a greater involvement in doing good things for one another.  In short, he is talking about encouragement.

d.      V.25 There’s more to worship than singing and preaching.  A major objective is that we give attention to what we might do to encourage each other.

e.       Please notice that he doesn’t tell us specifics.  We are just exhorted to “consider how to spur one another on.”  The details are left up to each new generation, who face new and different challenges.

III. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT

A.    Anybody can encourage.

a.       You don’t need a lot of money to do it.

b.      You don’t even need to be a certain age.

c.       In fact, some of the most encouraging actions or words I’ve received have come from my own children at a time when my heart was heavy. 

d.      As I understand it, this is the idea behind the “Secret Sister” group in our church. 

B.     Are there those around us that are drying up simply because of the lack of encouragement?

a.       Lonely, forgotten missionaries, military service people, the sick and the dying, the divorced and grieving, those who serve faithfully behind the scenes with hardly a glance or comment from anyone.

b.      They are all around you—look for them.  Go out of you way to help someone and encourage them!

IV. IMPLEMENTING ENCOURAGEMENT

A.    Heb. 10:25 “Consider how to spur one another on.”

a.       Give though to specific ways we can lift up, affirm, and help others.

b.      Milbre and I were surprised and greatly encouraged when the Adult Fellowship, led by Ace and Polly and Stan and Bev Johnson gave us a surprise 40th anniversary party.  Our families are not here—we had planned to have a nice dinner.

(James 2:15 NIV)  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

(James 2:16 NIV)  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

(1 John 3:17 NIV)  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

B.     I could give you a list, but all you need to is look around and take action.

a.       Encouragement should take the sting out of life.  Don’t create burdens for those you want to encourage.  Do what you do with no interest in being paid back.

b.      A well-time expression of encouragement is never forgotten. Never!

C.     Think of those who once did their job faithfully and then were replaced—only to be forgotten.

a.       Former teachers, former church board members, previous pastors, and those who taught us, who became lost in the sea of distant memories.

b.      Occasionally, Milbre and I will get a call or visit, out of the blue, from someone we once pastored (Maybe 20-25 years ago) and tell us how much our ministry meant to them.  What an encouragement!

D.    The ability to encourage is first developed in your home.

a.       Children pick it up from their parents.

b.      I challenge you to have a family that doesn’t tear down each other, but builds one another up.  Take the steps that are necessary to develop in your home a spirit of positive, reinforcing, consistent encouragement.

c.       Your family will be eternally grateful and you will be a lot happier.

E.     And then I think of the Church.

a.       When I was a young preacher—I thought people needed hammering continually. 

b.      God helped me to mature to realize that they needed building up, not tearing down. 

c.       I believe the message of the Gospel is a positive one.  It builds.  There is not one message of repentance only…but Hebrews encouraged us to go on from there.

(Heb 6:1 NIV)  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

Conclusion:  Let us think of others during this holiday season that may need a lift.  Look for ways to encourage.