Calvary Bible Church

Calvary Bible Church “Encourage One Another” Rev. Stephen H. Jeanes April 19, 2015 INTRODUCTION

Definition: “Encourage” Gk. – “parakaleo”: “To be called alongside, to support, exhort, urge”

Encouragement is needed – So where does it come from?

1. The HOLY SPIRIT Is the PRIMARY SOURCE John 14:1, 16-18 NASB "Do not let your heart be troubled...16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [Counselor, Comforter, Encourager], that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. 18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

2. The CHURCH: The Holy Spirit works through PEOPLE Hebrews 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.

Three encouragement opportunities when we gather together (Getz)  We have the opportunity to grow in FAITH

Hebrews 10:22 NASB Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Romans 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 We have the opportunity to grow in HOPE Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful...

 We have the opportunity to grow in LOVE

Hebrews 10:24

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds...

Contrast...

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking [neglecting] our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Mutual encouragement is the personal and individual responsibility

of EVERY BELIEVER.

EXAMPLES: Hebrews 3:13 NASB (When facing temptation...) But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18 NLT (When grieving for loved ones...) And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope...18 So encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (When anxious about the world and God’s judgment to come...) [But] God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Barnabas: Encouragement sometimes takes the form of a thoughtful GIFT. Encouragement may take the form of unconditional ACCEPTANCE Encouragement can be found in SERVING together! Encouragement is offered through SECOND CHANCES.

What are you doing to encourage someone in their faith?