SEVEN PEOPLE Who Help You To 7 HEAVEN

The 7 Encourager As soon as was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:16-17

Encouragers 1 Gladly Give And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. :33-37

Encouragers 2 Stand Up For Us When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a . But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. :26-28 Encouragers 3 Find You Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 11:25-26 Mutual 4 Encouragement Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and , the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. :25-26 Disagreeing 5 Encourager? Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus…(Col. 4:10 / 2 Tim. 4:11) :36-39 Encourager Recap Gladly Gives Stands Up for Us 7 Finds You Mutual Encouragement Disagrees? For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Communion - Hebrews 4:15-16 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. vs. 7 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. vs. 9 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. vs. 11 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—and I lay down my life for the sheep. vs. 14-15 Communion - John 10