Church 11/28/2020
Series: it's time to speak faith
Tonight's Sermon: The power of encouragement
People in your life, in this country, in this world need encouragement
Definition of encouragement: The action of giving someone support, confidence, and hope
Focus scripture passage: John 14
Jesus says "God will send you a comforter."
26 But the Advocate, 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 14:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2014:26&version=NIV
God is not like the devil who uses condemnation. God encourages you.
"A pat on the back is only a few inches away from a kick in the pants."
(My addition)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Romans 8:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:1&version=NIV
Encouragement is something that God does
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%2018:27&version=NIV
God wants to help you.
God wants to forgive you.
God wants to comfort you.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:2-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%201:2-4&version=NIV
God's love for us shows when He encourages us.
Our love for God shows when we encourage other people.
How to witness for Jesus to non believers: encourage them.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:16-17&version=NIV
Encouragement is the purpose behind God's Word
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2015:4&version=NIV
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%204:13&version=KJV
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
1 Timothy 4:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%204:13&version=NIV
Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
1 Timothy 4:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%204:13&version=NLT
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%201:3-4&version=KJV
Encouragement can change people's lives. It can continue to change lives.
You do not have to know someone to encourage them.
You will never offend someone by encouraging them.
You never know what dividends your encouragement will do for someone else down the road.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-37 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%204:36-37&version=NIV
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 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%2011:25-26&version=NIV
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 3:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%203:13&version=NIV
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Galatians 6:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:7&version=NIV
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:13&version=NIV