The Ministry of Encouragement

TALK No. 10
A. INTRODUCTION
1. A COMMON COMPLAINT OF PEOPLE IS THAT THEY
RECEIVE MORE CRITISM THAN PRAISE

In our secular environment, it is often that we hear lots of

negative humor and comments.

As we grow in the christian life, we will discover the

importance of giving praise and encouragement to
others.
2. OFTEN ALSO, WE TAKE PEOPLE NEAR US FOR
GRANTED

We might be generous in encouraging the mailman of

grocery clerk, but fail to encourage those close to us
(spouse, children and cfc household members).

This needs to change. God himself was most encouraging

with his own son. Matthew 3:17.
B. AN ENCOURAGEMENT SELF-TEST
1. FOLLOWING IS A SURVEY TO TEST YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT QUOTIENT. IF YOU CAN
ANSWER “YES” TO AT LEAST 12 OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, YOU DO NOT NEED TO
LISTEN TO THIS TALK; JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

1. Do my words of encouragement easily outweigh my words of correction or

criticism?
2. Am i generally uplifting to be around?
3. Would my family consider me a basically encouraging person?
4. Do words of praise for others come easily to me?
5. Have i been careful to ask forgiveness of others when i have spoken in a
negative or discouraging way?
6. Have i been diligent to encourage those who are under me children, students,
employees, wife, brothers, sisters, fellow cfc members?
7. Have i been diligent to encourage those god has placed over me teachers,
employees, elders, pastors, church leaders, civil servants, governments leaders?
1. FOLLOWING IS A SURVEY TO TEST YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT QUOTIENT. IF YOU CAN
ANSWER “YES” TO AT LEAST 12 OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, YOU DO NOT NEED TO
LISTEN TO THIS TALK; JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

8. Do i pass along only the goods news and swallow the gossip?
9. Does my conversation with friends generally build others up?
10.Do i think more about looking for opportunities to give praise than my need to
receive it?
11.Do i have a genuine desire to grow as a person who encourages others?
12.Am i able to bring encouragement to those who have hurt me? Can i bless those
who have hurt me? Can i bless those who have persecuted me as scripture
admonishes?
13.Have i looked for creative ways of affirming my children so that they grow up
loving themselves?
14.Have i recognized how encouraging god is to his whole creation? Me?
Those who passed “yes” to 12
out of 14 may now leave.
2. HERE’S ANOTHER SURVEY FROM THE BOOK
“ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER” BY GENE GETZ.

1. Are you able to get excited about the good things that happen to
others? Are you able to tell them that you’re glad? Can you enter
into their joy? If you can, you are an encourager.
2. Are you living a committed christian life? To what extent are you
able to encourage others “to remain true to the lord with all their
hearts”? If you can, you are reflecting your own commitment to
christ. You are an encourager.
3. Are you able to accept other people for who they are? Do you see
the best in people? Do you freely associate with people who are
free from prejudice and you are an encourager.
C. ENCOURAGEMENT IS GOD’S GIFT
1. GOD’S PLAN IS TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF HIS SON THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THUS, WHEN JESUS LEFT HIS DISCIPLES, HE PROMISED TO SEND THEM THIS HOLY SPIRIT
IDENTIFIED IN THE BIBLE AS “COUNSELOR”, “COMFORTER”, “HELPER”.

1. Greek word used: parakletos. Literally, paraclete. Frequently

translated “to encourage”. Therefore, it is appropriate to identify
the holy spirit’s action and presence as that of encouragement.

2. William barclay, a greek bible scholar, points out that in ordinary

secular greek, the most characteristic usage of parakletos
(encourager) is in connection with help given in a legal trial. A
paraclete then help us when we are in trouble; when we are in a
situation with which we cannot cope.
2. LITERALLY THE WORD “ENCOURAGE” IS A COMPOUND OF TWO
WORDS” “EN” MEANING TO “PUT IN OR INTO” AND “COURAGE”
MEANING STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE.
3. HOW DOES GOD ENCOURAGE US?

A. To bring comfort.
1. God is often pictured, especially in the old testament, as coming to the side of
the needy and encouraging them. Psalms 23:4; isaiah 40:1-2a; isaiah 66:13.
B. To stand by us.
1. While the disciples discouraged the woman who brought the alabaster jar of
ointment, jesus gave her the kind of praise that made her gift a memorial.
2. Jesus came to the aid of the woman taken in adultery and forgave her.
3. Jesus came to the side of many who were sick, dismissing the discouraging
words of crowds and even of his own disciples.
4. When the disciples were mourning his death, jesus came to them and
strengthened them.
3. HOW DOES GOD ENCOURAGE US?

C. To defend us like a defense lawyer. Mark 13:11

D. To urge us on and exhort us.
1. In classical greek, the word was often used to refer to exhorting troops about
to go to battle. The word has a rallying call to it. It not only emphasizes, it
motivates. It not only gives comfort, it gives courage. It sends hesitant soldiers
into war.
2. 1 thessalonians 5:11-14; hebrews 3:13; hebrews 10:24.
E. To open doors for us.
1. Barnabas was a disciple of jesus who secured the admission of the convert saul into
the fellowship of the jews when other disciples were suspicious of the former
persecutor. Often, god gives us an opening or entry for some work that is important to
us.
F. To provide a way back to Him. Sirach 17:19.
D. HOW DOES IT APPLY TO US?
1. ENCOURAGEMENT IS AN ACTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE
OFTEN USES PEOPLE TO IMPART ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIS
BELOVED. WE MUST BE OPEN TO BEING HIS CHANNELS.

A. There is very little encouragement taking place between and

among us. People are growing disillusioned, discontent and
discouraged. God wants us to rise up to this hour of need.

B. For us in leadership positions, it ceases to be a mere option. It

becomes a duty. To encourage our members is a duty in the Lord.
2. HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN CFC?

A. Consistent attendance is an encouragement to all.

 Hebrews 10:25.

B. Turn to Scriptures.
 Without the message of Scripture we would not have much with which to encourage
one another.

C. Pray for one another.

 It is very encouraging to know that brothers and sisters are praying for you. In fact,
that we are part of a worldwide network of prayer.

D. Say a positive and encouraging word to one another.

 Especially during times of problems and discouragement, but also on ordinary times.
2. HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN CFC?

E. Encourage each other to be faithful to our Christian

duties and to our CFC covenant.
F. Avoid empty words of flattery and false assurances.
G. Listen to one another.
 Listening is healing.
E. CONCLUSION
E. CONCLUSION

1. We do not have to look very far or worry too much about

our task as household leaders. Much can be
accomplished by taking on the ministry of
encouragement.
2. There is much in our new life to be encouraged and joyful
about. Let us continue to point these out to ourselves and
to the people we lead.