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ONE ANOTHER: Christians
Encourage One Another Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AMEN
Main Theme: Christians are different. Not just because we worship Jesus Christ – but because of the way we are to treat one another. We are to love (agape) one another. One of the ways we do this is by encouraging one another. Unfortunately the church can be negligent in this command. Scripture clearly calls us to encourage one another, while the world criticizes and tears down! We need to exercise daily our Agape love muscles, and use our tongue (which has the power of life and death) in a positive way to lift up and encourage fellow Christians. Before speaking we need to ask, “Will my words encourage, heal, give hope, and inspire improvement?” And staying silent is actually robbing our fellow Christian brothers and sisters of what we are capable of inputting in them! There are 8 ways to encourage one another; 1) Speaking, 2) Writing, 3) Presence, 4) Touching, 5) Helping, 6) Giving, 7) Hospitality, and 8) Praying! With His help, let us make a conscious Christ-like decision to love one another by encouraging one another!
1) KEEP YOU GOING! Many years ago when I was an intern in another church, I was reading a “Thank you” card in the church office, when the senior pastor asked me what I had. After I told him, this wise and wonderful mentor told me, “Take some advice from a pastor whose been around the block; create a folder in your files and collect those! Don’t throw them away! There will be few of them in your career, and there will be days when you are so discouraged you will want to quit. When that happens, open that file and read those cards – it will keep you going!” As I walked back to my office – I admit to being a little confused by his words; after all, this was God’s church – supposed to be a place where people lift one another up – support one another, not tear them down. What did he mean there will be “few of them”, (that is, cards of encouragement) in my career? And how could someone serve Jesus and His people and get so discouraged he or she wanted to quit? No doubt, “the world” can be a cruel place, but this is the church – a place where people pour themselves out for one another. Right? How can collecting a few cards “keep you going”?
2) WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT! Two decades later, I confess, I stand here with layers of emotional and mental scars that I still look upon with bewilderment. Those scars did not come from the broken outside world, or from an external attack by Satan. I would have understood and expected those! No – the most crippling, debilitating wounds; the most passion-killing, energy sucking, deepest cuts of all - came from people WITHIN the church who claimed to be my “Christian brother or sister.” My mentor was right, after 17 years in the ministry, my file of “thank you cards” and “words of encouragement” can be held in a child’s hand. And the vast majority of my counseling time, is spent helping others in the church deal with the insensitive criticism of other Christians. What’s WORSE, is to discover that after being verbally beaten up, criticized harshly, and discouraged beyond words, I myself have on a few occasions lashed out defensively with the same painful ammunition – words that do not lift up, but tear down. I am no longer guiltless nor naďve, and have been tempted to “quit the ministry” several times! I was SAVED by a few people who spoke a rare and precious commodity: words of encouragement.
3) ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER! Hebrews 3: 13 tells us “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” Hebrews the 10th chapter adds (vs. 25) “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.” This is not new – the Old Testament told us the same thing: Isaiah tells us (35:3) "With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees." And again in chapter 41 (vs 6) “They encourage one another with the words, ‘Be strong!’” The Apostle Paul wrote to the early churches "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11) James does not hesitate to tell us the consequences of failing to encourage one another (5:9) “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.” And the Ephesian church was warned (4:29) “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” The Holy Spirit has made it very clear in the scriptures; one of the most gracious ways to love one another is to encourage one another.
4) CRITICIZING! A recent cluster meeting of fellow pastors in the local area designed to “check in” on one another, found a dozen dedicated servants of Christ – beaten up, tired, discouraged, and needing rest. A common link is the constant criticism that they, their staff, and many of their members get from others in the congregation. This criticism causes divisiveness, members transferring, and staff quitting. It seems there is a negative American cultural characteristic finding its way into the church – an attitude that says, “In America, it not only my right to say anything I want, criticize anyone I want – it is my duty!” Just as politicians slander each other with mud-filling accusations, and the media seeks out all “the dirt” on celebrities – criticizing others has become an art form in our culture. From reality shows that highlight contestants belittling one another, to the skyrocketing popularity of negative humor - like “Your mother is so fat…” jokes! Are we becoming an angry, fear ridden, anxious culture that needs to lash out in order to feel better about ourselves? And does it? (Does criticizing make us feel better about ourselves?) 5) EXERCISE! Last week, we discovered that Christ’s call to love one another was based on “Agape love”. A love is not based on feelings or emotions but on a conscious Christ-like decision to care for others whether we receive anything in return or not! It is unselfish, unconditional, and willing to sacrifice, to serve, and to sometimes suffer. It is the love that only Christ can provide; and it gives us the courage to care for one another, be vulnerable to one another, and bless one another! And we mentioned that this love doesn’t come naturally, we must EXERCISE our Agape love muscles. And today Christ wants us to know that ‘there is no better way to exercise our heart that to lift others up!’ …to be an encourager! …to be a source of positive cheering in a world of negative jeering. This call to exercise our Apape love is not just a suggestion; it is God’s command!
6) POWER? It’s funny how many people I talk to who feel powerless in their lives. They need to look in the mirror and stick out their tongue – because that wiggly pink muscle has the power to bring life and death to the spirit of another person. Proverbs tells us - “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – (12:18). Later it says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – (Proverbs 18:21). Friends, don’t EVER think you have no power. If you have a tongue, you have the power of spiritual life and health! Your speech has the power to revive us, your brothers and sisters in Christ: to renew our strength, to refresh our spirit, to lift us out of our depression. That’s what encouragement can do. With that kind of awesome positive power right there at the tip of your tongue, what a shame not to use it?
7) FORCE OF THE POWER! Because Apage love is centered around “the good of others”, the Lord doesn’t want you to ask yourself “Gee, has anyone ever encouraged me here at ALCS?”. Instead ask yourself, “Have ‘I’ dedicated myself to encouraging my fellow Christians on a daily basis?” “Am ‘I” strengthening my heart by lifting someone up?” Can you imagine the force of the power released in this church if every member focused on lifting one another up on a daily basis! Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” How many of you here can relate to that statement? (All of us, right?) But does it surprise you to realize that it takes 5 positive statements of encouragement to make up for every one negative message of discouragement? It is said in the USA, that 500 men and women in leadership quit a week? Why? It isn’t because of all the encouragement they got! 2000 pastors quit the ministry in America every year! Why? Another study has showed that 86% of all pastors and church staff have bad health due to stress and anxiety. Did you know that social scientists say that 92% of our stresses or anxieties can be relieved by just a word of encouragement! Again, I ask you: Can you imagine the force of the power released in this church if every member focused on strengthening their heart by lifting one another up on a daily basis?
8) ENCOURAGE! Christ calls you to be an encourager! What is that? Well, the dictionary says ENCOURAGE means: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to spur to action, to give help, to give strength of purpose, to raise another’s confidence, instill energy, to give fresh zeal. And that’s all good, but a “A biblical encourager” helps others to have the courage to be and to do what God wants them to be and to do. Now don’t misinterpret this; the Greek word for "encourage" may be translated as “comfort, console, entreat, beg, implore, counsel, urge, challenge.” Encouragement actually has a two-fold emphasis: to comfort or reassure, and to challenge or admonish. So to “encourage someone” is to comfort or challenge them with the Word of God in such a way that the person is motivated to lead the Christian life and continue in the Lord's service; to help others to have the courage to be and to do what God wants them to be and to do. To encourage is to be an instrument of grace. It works out of compassion and love and care for the other person, not judgment and condemnation and accusation. I repeat: to encourage is an act of grace!
9) ENCOURAGE, HEAL, GIVE HOPE, INSPIRE IMPROVEMENT! Friends, this may come a shock to some Christians – but just because you HAVE an opinion about something, doesn’t mean you should open your mouth and blurt it out! Before we tell the pastor “Your sermons are too long and boring!”, …before we tell the music director “You play too loud or fast!”, …before you e-mail the Youth Director saying “My kid is not enthused about the upcoming retreat, you’re failing him!”, …before you say to a new volunteer, “You’re doing it all wrong – this is the right way to do it!”, stop and pray and ask yourself these questions: 1) “Will this encourage or discourage?” 2) “Will this heal?” 3) Will this give hope? …and 4) “Will this inspire improvement?” And if you even suspect that what you are about to say does not encourage, or heal, or give hope, or inspire improvement – then bite your tongue until it bleeds – because your negative thought will do everything BUT build up your fellow Christian! And you need to write these four questions down in your Bible and use them when getting ready to speak to your spouse, child, neighbor, friend, co-worker, fellow member, or the cashier at the store! Anyone can tear down! It comes naturally to sinful people! But what the world needs, and appreciates is someone with words that encourages, heals, gives hope, and inspires improvement!
10) ROBBING! Now you’ve heard the old saying, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t…” what? (That’s right, “…don’t say anything at all!”) Not good enough for Christians! Christ calls us to encourage one another – constantly, daily, every opportunity we get! The ungodly world is undoubtedly afflicted with Consumerism, and selfishly concerned about “What’s in it for me?” The secular world may feel free to criticize and tear down anyone who doesn’t agree with or support their personal needs – but a follower of Christ, is called to Agape love. A love that puts others ahead of themselves! A love that understands the power we each posses to support and encourage one another! A love that understands that silence (not saying at all) is actually robbing our fellow Christian brothers and sisters of what we are capable of inputting in them! I believe that many of us often THINK wonderful things about fellow members, but WE NEVER TELL THEM. Praise becomes valuable ONLY IF YOU IMPART (CONVEY) IT. But when we stay away from the church, when we stay silent in the church, when we do not encourage one another daily, we are robbing one another of a gift that Christ has given us to pass on! “If you can’t say anything nice about someone… Christ isn’t living in your heart at that moment! Drop to your knees, ask for forgiveness, open your heart to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and rise again to go encourage that person to be all God intended them to be!”
11) 8 PRACTICAL WAYS! If encouraging
others was not a part of your upbringing, or a part of
your present work, school, home, or church
environment, that can change with your
decision to make it change! There are, in fact,
8 PRACTICAL WAYS TO USE THE POWER
OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
1.
SPEAKING. Proverbs
16:24 says “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and
healing to the bones”. This is the primary way we lift someone by
telling how you appreciate a certain positive quality in them. Words can be
precious gifts!
2.
WRITING. Remember, the
Apostle Paul’s New Testament epistles are "encouragement notes" to the
churches! Ours needn’t be lengthy--even a post card will do. But a note
saying "I care" or "I’m praying" will mean much to someone who
is lonely, grieving, or discouraged about wayward family members,
unemployment, or health issues. Be creative with your family, like "I love
you" penned on the lunch box.
3.
PRESENCE. Psalm
34:18 says “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those
who are crushed in spirit.” Social scientists say that only one-fourth
of communication is verbal. Even when we don’t know what to say, just
being there encourages.
4.
TOUCHING. During His
earthly ministry, Jesus constantly
touched people,
including "untouchables" like lepers and a bleeding woman.
Scientists have now documented the positive effects of
touch--but God knew that long ago!
Anything from a light touch on the
forearm to a tight hug can communicate that you care.
6.
GIVING. Proverbs
21:26 says “…the righteous person gives without sparing.”
"Givers" recognize those situations
where money, food, clothing, or
the loan of equipment will better lift people
out of their discouragement. Some simply
give beauty, like a bouquet of
flowers from their garden. And finally, 8. PRAYING. "…you help us by your prayers," Paul wrote (2 Corinthians 1:11). Why not offer to pray with someone who you know is in need of encouragement. Or simply let them know you are praying for them all week long! And then do it!
12) YOU! Know this: there is not one brother or sister here in Christ that is not dealing with some challenge or burden. And there are a lot of discouraging things that happen to us every day. Newton’s “third law of motion” says, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” The broken world seems to offer another law for us; for every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism. Christ weeps when criticism comes into the church! And to all whose hearts are open, He longs to change this with “words of encouragement”. And He is here today, to empower you to use your hands, feet, and voice in His name to encourage one another! If you have a tongue, He reminds you that you hold the power of spiritual life and health for the people around you this morning!
13) ENCOURAGE! Friends, Jesus comes with the understanding that “Agape” love is not based on warm feelings or deep emotions; we love one another because after looking at the cross and what He did for us, we respond with a conscious Christ-like decision to love one another - whether we get anything back in return or not! As Christ pours down a selfless, sacrificial, serving, unconditional kind of love that opposes that of the world, He calls and empowers us to build one another up! To encourage one another! …to comfort or challenge one another with the loving Word of God in such a way that the person is motivated to lead the Christian life and continue in the Lord's service; to help each other to have the courage to be and to do what God wants us to be and to do. To encourage is to be an instrument of grace. Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." To encourage one another is to do just that! Praise God! AMEN
Sermon/Confessional Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we confess that it so easy for us to see the faults and weaknesses of others. And it is so hard for us to see others through your eyes of love. We have forgotten your call to encourage one another. We have used the power of our tongue to discourage, tear down, and belittle others, or kept silent and robbed our fellow Christian brothers and sisters of what we are capable of inputting in them! Forgive us and teach us to how to strengthen our hearts by lifting others up!
Lord, we have too often left it to others to “encourage” those around us. In your church we have not always comforted or challenged others with the Word of God in such a way that the person is motivated to lead the Christian life and continue in the Lord's service! We have not sacrificially cared enough to help others to have the courage to be and to do what God wants them to be and to do. Forgive – transform us, and empower us to encourage one another according to your loving will!
And now Lord, although you know us better than we know ourselves, listen as we share in a moment of silence, those other parts of our lives that need to be forgiven, washed clean, healed, and recommitted to you! (made anew.)
(Silence) Lord, everything you say and do has blessed and encouraged us! Your love has seen the best in us, and graciously washed away our sins. You support, build up, and motivate us to respond by loving others in the same way! Fill us with your Holy Spirit and teach us the ways of agape love! In Jesus Name We Pray. AMEN
Assurance of Forgiveness: Friends, listen to the good news: The Lord, who encourages you to be and do what God wants you to be and do, …that Lord has mercifully heard your confession and eagerly forgives you all your sins. Go now, and remember: you have the power at the tip of your tongue to bring life or death to the spirit of others! Let Christ use you to encourage, heal, give hope, and inspire improvement in your fellow Christians – and see if you too are not refreshed in the process! Praise God! AMEN
Opening prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we stand before you this morning the recipients of worldly abuse. All week voices have opposed us, belittled us, and tried to tear us down. Sometimes we have been strong and their negative words have bounced off. Sometimes they have wounded our spirits and damaged our self-esteem. But we are here this morning, because in this Holy place we know we will bath in divine words that encourage, heal, give hope, and inspire improvement. Here you embrace us eagerly and despite our frailties and weaknesses you wash us clean of our sins. Here you bring sweet words of love and compassion to our hearts and minds that lift us up! Here we find wisdom and guidance that enables us to work toward wholeness and faithfulness! Here we find a church family – who willingly, sacrificially, and lovingly desires to encourage us in our faith walk. For these amazing blessings we give you praise! As our songs and prayers rise up to you, flood our hearts with your love and draw ever closer to you! Teach us to encourage one another with that same Agape love! In Jesus Name we pray! AMEN!
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