Encouragement and discouragement

SERMON TOPIC: Encouragement and discouragement

Speaker: Ken Paynter

Language: ENGLISH

Date: 29 October 2017

Topic Groups: ENCOURAGEMENT, DISCOURAGEMENT

Sermon synopsis: What is encouragement?

Oxford Dictionary: To give hope or confidence or stimulus.
Vines Gk noun: Paraklesis IE: a calling to one’s side, same as comforter or burden bearer.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
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Encouragement.

What is encouragement?

Oxford Dictionary: To give hope or confidence or stimulus.

Vines Gk noun: Paraklesis IE: a calling to one’s side, same as comforter or burden bearer.

1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Encouragement when God disciplines us.

Hebrews 12:5-11.

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. (Proverbs 3:11,12)

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined, and everyone undergoes discipline, then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Encouragement vital even in discipline.

Colossians 3:19-21.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Ephesians 6:1-3.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOUR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Encouragement vital even in discipline

Galatians 6:1-2 & 9-10.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. ….

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good

to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The weak need to be encouraged and built up.

Romans 15:1-7. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. 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.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Encouragement.

Even when people ignore advice and make mistakes we need to encourage them and not rub their noses in their mistakes.

Acts 27:20-26.

When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you. So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

Encouragement.

The Jason Foundation.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college-age youth and ages 12-18

More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.

Each day in our nation there are an average of over 5,400 attempts by young people grades 7-12.

Four out of Five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs

Stats from suicide.org

Over one million people die by suicide worldwide each year.

The global suicide rate is 16 per 100,000 population.

On average, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds somewhere in the world.

1.8% of worldwide deaths are suicides.

Global suicide rates have increased 60% in the past 45 years

Jesus said this to His followers.

John 16:33.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”

Jesus did not shy from telling His followers about the troubles they would face. In fact, He told them the world would hate them John 15:18-21.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

Jesus said this to His followers.

Matthew 10:16-39.

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Jesus said this to His followers.

Matthew 10:16-39 (continued)

The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus said this to His followers.

Matthew 10:16-39 (continued)

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

But Jesus followed His prediction of trouble with the word of encouragement, that He had overcome the world.

We all face discouragement.

Without encouragement people are inclined to give up like the prophet Elijah.

After great spiritual victories over the prophets of Baal, this mighty man of God feared and ran for his life, far away from the threats of Jezebel. And there in the desert, he sat down and prayed, defeated and worn:

1 Kings 19:4.

I have had enough Lord, he said.

Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.

We all face discouragement.

Jonah was angry and wanted to run away.

After God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people, he fled as far away as could. And after a storm at sea, being swallowed by a giant fish, and then being saved and given a second chance, he obeyed. He preached God’s message to the people of Nineveh. God’s mercy reached out to all people who turned to Him. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah got mad.

Jonah 4:3.

Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.

Jonah 4:9.

I am angry enough to die.

We all face discouragement.

Job suffered through great loss, devastation, and physical illness.

This righteous man of God lost literally everything. His suffering was so great that even his own wife said;

Job 2:9. Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!

Though Job maintained his faithfulness to God throughout his life, he still struggled.

Job 3:11.Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?

Job 3:26. I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.

Job 10:1. I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 30:15-17. Terrors overwhelm me…my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.

We all face discouragement.

Jeremiah wrestled with great loneliness, feelings of defeat, and insecurity.

Also known as the weeping prophet, Jeremiah suffered from constant rejection by the people he loved and reached out to. God had called him to preach, yet forbidden him to marry and have children. He lived alone, he ministered alone, he was poor, ridiculed, and rejected by his people. In the midst of it, he displayed great spiritual faith and strength, and yet we also see his honesty as he wrestled with despair and a great sense of failure:

Jer. 20:14,18.

Cursed be the day I was born…why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?

We all face discouragement.

What’s true about all of these stories and many others is this: God was with them.

Psalm 34:18.

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

He was there in the good days and in the dark days too. He didn’t condemn them for their questions and pain.

He didn’t tell them to just tough it out.

He reached down to their deepest pit of suffering, and lifted them out.

We all face discouragement.

He cared, He showed compassion, He offered mercy, He brought hope, He instilled purpose, He gave victory, and He still works in the same way today. Our world desperately need joy-givers, hope-bringers, those in our lives who will help us remember what real grace is and where lasting help is found.

The greatest truth is this, we have a Saviour who understands our pain, who knows about every weakness and hurt, and reaches out with compassion and hope.

He is Healer, Redeemer, Restorer and friend. He will never waste the seasons of suffering we face, but will use it, in some way, to bring good, to instil purpose, to help others, and to make us stronger.

Encouragement.

Hebrews 10:24-25.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Encouragement.

Why is encouragement so important?

Without encouragement our hearts harden.

Hebrews 3:12-13.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold

our original conviction firmly to the very end.

Encouragement from Paul.

Acts 15:32.

Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

Acts 16:22-25.

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:40. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.

Encouragement from Paul.

We need to encourage people in their ministry and resist the human tendency to always find fault.

1 Thessalonians 5:14.

Encourage the timid.

Romans 1:9-12.

God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Encouragement from Paul.

1 Corinthians 14:3, 31.

Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort…

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

Ephesians 6:22.

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Acts 20:1-2.

Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece..

Paul the encourager needed encouragement himself.

Acts 28:14-15.

And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

When Paul was deserted and the Lord himself encouraged him.

2 Timothy 4:16-18.

At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul the encourager needed encouragement himself.

Acts 23:10-11.

The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

This encouragement from the Lord was necessary even though Paul had been warned by the Holy Spirit of the danger and trials that lay ahead.

Paul the encourager needed encouragement himself.

Paul is warned by the Spirit of the danger of going to Jerusalem. Acts 20:22-24.

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Disciples in Tyre try to talk Paul out of going to Jerusalem. Acts 21:3-5.

After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.

Paul the encourager needed encouragement himself.

Acts 21:10-14.

After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus

came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, The Holy Spirit says,

‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles. When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, The Lord’s will be done.

Encouragement from the Lord.

Psalm 34:17-19.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 147:3.

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 55:22.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Isaiah 41:10.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Encouragement from the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 42:16.

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

Jeremiah 29:11.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 11:28.

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Encouragement from the Lord.

Joshua 1:1-9.

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: Moses my servant is dead.

Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them, to the Israelites.

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates, all the Hittite country, to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

Encouragement from the Lord.

Joshua 1:1-9 (continued)

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;

meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD

your God will be with you wherever you go.

Encouragement in bereavement.

In Heaven there will be no more graves, no more sickness or war, no more rape, murder or robbery, no more hunger and suffering.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Encouragement.

In the absence of brothers and sisters to encourage as was Paul’s case at his first defence, we need to look to the Lord.

Even Jesus was strengthened as he prayed in Gethsemane and prepared himself to face the crucifixion.

Luke 22:39-44.

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives,

and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, Pray that you will not fall into temptation. He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

David encouraged himself in the Lord.

David when his men wanted to kill him.

1 Samuel 30:3-6.

When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

David encouraged himself in the Lord.

Psalm 103 (of David)

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

David encouraged himself in the Lord.

Psalm 103 of David (continued)

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants

who do his will.

Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion, Praise the LORD, my soul.

We too can encourage ourselves in the Lord .

Ephesians 5:15-20.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.

Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Encouragement is a vital part of the ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-8.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction..... But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Some people have a specific gift of encouragement.

Romans12:6-8.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Encouragement as the end times unfold.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, Peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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