Introduction:
-HFC 2015 Theme: Advancing God’s Kingdom: Receiving and Releasing God’s Love.
-The Kingdom of God was very important in the life of Jesus and Paul.
-The Kingdom of God = the rule of God. Who is ruling my life? God or self?
-Advancing God’s Kingdom is not easy.
Acts 14:21-23. After they [Paul and Barnabas] had preached
the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” When they had appointed elders for them in every church,having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
-It takes courage to advance God’s Kingdom. Paul and all great leaders down through history
faced numerous battles to advance God’s Kingdom.
-Courage comes from encouragement!
-I believe that one very important aspect of “receiving and releasing” God’s love is “receiving
and releasing” Godly encouragement.
-Receiving and receiving God’s love as a believer will enable us to release encouragement!
-Encouragement empowers us in our Christian walk and ministry.
-Paul commended (encouraged) Philemon for his faith and his love for all the saints. Philemon
didn’t pick and choose whom he would love.
-Paul received encouragement and great joy from Philemon’s love for others. (7)
-Encouragement and joy are also linked together.
-Philemon’s love and encouragement refreshed the saints.
Webster’s definition of encourage- (v. t.) To inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to
increase, the confidence of;… the opposite of discourage.
Greek word for encourage = parakaleo Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak-al-eh’-o) (KJV = exhort) … to
call to or for, to exhort, to encourage.
How can a culture of encouragement be established?
1. DEFEAT DISCOURAGEMENT
-It’s very difficult to feel encouraged and give encouragement if one is discouraged or if there is
an atmosphere of discouragement.
-Discouragement creates a cloud over one’s life or a sphere of ministry.
-Discouragement – One of the biggest tools of the enemy
-Discouragement = “depression of one’s spirit” (New American Standard Bible) –
-Webster = “deprive of courage”
-KJV – Various Hebrew words for discouragement [Credit: Say Good-Bye to Discouragement
by Nancy Gray]
“nuw” = to “forbid, dissuage, or neutralize.” (Numbers 32:9) After they went up to the Valley of
Eshkol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the LORD had given them.
-One of the chief goals of Satan is to neutralize us in our Christian life. This will hinder God’s
Kingdom.
-“Qatsar” = to cut down, curtail, or dock off. (Numbers 21:4) KJV – And they journeyed from mount
Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged
because of the way Satan wants to cut you down to size, take your eyes off of God and focus on your problem.
Discouragement comes between you and the plan God has for you.
-“Chathath” = “break down either by violence or confusion or fear—be afraid (cause to)
dismay, scare, terrify.” (Deu. 1:21) See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take
possession of it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
-Satan doesn’t want us to be whole. He uses discouragement as a whip. He wants us to be beat
down. Jesus wants us whole! We’ve not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a
sound mind.
-“macac” = to liquefy – to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief) – (Deu 1:28) – Whither shall we go up?
our brethren have discouraged [melt with fear] our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there An ice cube left on a counter will melt and conform to the surface. Discouragement can be a
means of melting you to conform you to the world around you. We cannot let discouragement
melt us down. Romans 12:2
“ratsats” = “to crack into pieces; break, bruise, crush—oppress” (Isaiah 42:4) He [the Messiah]
will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”–
Discouragement is meant to crack us into pieces so we can’t go forward.
Paul determined that his past would not affect his future – Philippians 3:13-14. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
Jesus carried our grief and sorrows.
Discouragement steals the knowledge of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
We could study great Bible characters who experienced discouragement: like Elijah (I Kings
19:10); He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
Moses (Numbers 11:14-15), 14“I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome
for me. 15“So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your sight, and do not let me see my wretchedness.”
David (Saul tried to kill him; his son Absalom rebelled and some of his most trusted
friends)(Psalms 55:1-11); Paul – (II Cor. 11:23-29)
Jeremiah – (Lamentations 3:13-18)
We all get hit with discouragement.
How do we resist and overcome discouragement?
2. RECEIVE ENCOURAGEMENT
God has so many and rich promises for his children in His Word!
a. Acknowledge your pain and discouragement (Be honest) – Elijah, David, Jeremiah, all
acknowledged their discouragement. Jesus lives to intercede for us. He got our back – Hebrews
7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them
b. Declare God’s promises – Jeremiah – (Lamentations 3:22-27); David – (Psalm 55:16-23)
(Jesus – I John 4:4) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in
you is greater than the one who is in the world.
c. Submit to God and Resist Satan – (James 4:7) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
d. Be refreshed in God’s presence – (Psalms 16:11) You make known to me the path of life; you will
fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
e. Determine to “put your hope in God” – (Psalms 43:5) Dr. D. James Kennedy (“Command
your soul to align with God’s Word”) New Living Translation – Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so
sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!
f. Keep eyes focused on the Lord – (Psalms 61:1-2; 1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my
prayer.2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is
higher than I. Hebrews 12:1-2)
g. Surrender to God’s will (Philippians 2:12-13) NLT 12 Dear friends, you always followed my
instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
3. RELEASE ENCOURAGEMENT
-In releasing encouragement to others we will be encouraged.
-Paul was releasing encouragement to Philemon.
-Paul was an encourager/exhorter
-Encouragement gives courage.
-Early church had an atmosphere of encouragement (Acts 4:32-35) “Great grace was on all of
them.”
Let’s take a quick look at some references:
-Acts 11:23; 16:40; 18:27; 20:1-2; 28:15
Romans 1:11-12 – Mutual encouragement
I Corinthians 14:31 – The place of prophecy and encouragement For you can all prophesy in turn so
that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
I Corinthians 16:15-18 – These believers refreshed my spirit and yours
II Corinthians 7:13-14 – Paul encouraged by peoples attitude toward his message
Practical ways to build a culture of godly encouragement in a congregation
(To pastor(s), leaders, and everyone.)
a. Give genuine words of encouragement
b. Tell others you are praying for them—even do so at the moment
c. Ask the Lord for a word of blessing
d. Show respect and honor
e. Listen to the concerns of others
f. Refuse to gossip
g. Refuse to hold offenses
h. Give appropriate public affirmation
i. Give hope to people who are passing through tough times
j. Give a note of appreciation, blessing or affirmation
Conclusion:
Building a culture of godly encouragement will result in an atmosphere of love, joy, peace,
healing that will draw people to a church like moths to a light bulb on a summer night.
People will get courage to fulfill their visions and dreams.
Finances will freely flow.
Every person has a responsibility to create this culture.
What steps am I willing today to do my part in creating a culture of encouragement?
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