Revelation 3: 2 ‘Wake up! You have only a little strength left, and it is almost gone. So try to become stronger. I have found that you are not completely obeying God.’
Strengthened by – Encouragement
We all like to receive encouragement from others – it makes us feel better about ourselves and helps us as we serve God
God wants us to give encouragement to others – it makes others feel better about themselves helps them as they serve God
Let’s learn how to give encouragement to others through the example of Barnabas
1/ Acts 4: 36-37 – Encouragers give
Like Barnabas, we give money to the ministry of the Church, so that the ministry of the Gospel can advance in the World
Us: Ministry here in Nelson, Philippines, China, Africa, Thailand
When people give to our ministry we are encouraged
When people don’t give to our ministry we are discouraged
2/ Acts 9: 26-27 – Encouragers mentor
Like Barnabas, we mentor/help new believers grow in the Lord and in their ministry
3/ Acts 11: 22-23 – Encouragers motivate
Like Barnabas, we motivate others to stay true to the Lord, remain faithful; don’t give up, keep on serving the Lord with your life!
How many fellow believers do you know who have given up on serving God – they don’t even come to Church any more!?
4/ Acts 13: 1 – Encouragers lead
Q. Who is named first?
A. Barnabas was named first because he was the Leader of the Church at Antioch
Like Barnabas, we lead others, we don’t sit back and wait for others to lead us
5/ Acts 15: 38-39 – Encouragers restore
John Mark had deserted Barnabas and Paul on the way to their first mission
Before heading off on their 2nd Mission, Paul wanted to ‘ditch’ John Mark
Barnabas wanted to restore John Mark
Like Barnabas, we restore our fellow believers who have given up on serving God – we go after them and help them to serve God again
Do you like receiving encouragement?
Do you give encouragement?
Are you an encourager?
It’s time to start right now
* If you are not giving to our ministry here – start next week, start encouraging our ministry
* Contact someone this week who is part of our Church but not coming on Sundays – encourage them
* Contact someone in our Church this week and encourage them
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