God didn’t set
us up for an angry rejection, He set us up for salvation by our Master Jesus
Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with
the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak
encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in
this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this;
just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 {MSG}
10/13/2018
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The gift of exhortation is often called the “gift of encouragement.” The Greek word for this gift is Parakaleo. It means to beseech, exhort, and call upon, to encourage and to strengthen. The primary means of exhortation is to remind the hearer of the powerful and amazing work of God in Christ, particularly in regard to the saving work of Jesus in the atonement. We see Paul commanding Titus to use this gift in Titus 1:9{AMP} and throughout chapter 2, particularly Titus 2:11-15{AMP}. He also charges Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2{AMP}.
The Spirit of God gives this gift to people in the church to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. Those with the gift of exhortation can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth and action. The goal of the encourager is to see everyone in the church continually building up the body of Christ and glorifying God.
See also Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32. {AMP}
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Quotes about
encouraging others
- “God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me.” – Eddie Cortes
- “Encouragement is free, and beyond measure in value” - William DeFoore
The gift of encouragement
It is a
fact that some people are just so much better at encouraging than others. Some
have the spiritual gift of exhortation.
The gift of exhortation is often called the “gift of encouragement.” The Greek word for this gift is Parakaleo. It means to beseech, exhort, and call upon, to encourage and to strengthen. The primary means of exhortation is to remind the hearer of the powerful and amazing work of God in Christ, particularly in regard to the saving work of Jesus in the atonement. We see Paul commanding Titus to use this gift in Titus 1:9{AMP} and throughout chapter 2, particularly Titus 2:11-15{AMP}. He also charges Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2{AMP}.
The Spirit of God gives this gift to people in the church to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. Those with the gift of exhortation can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth and action. The goal of the encourager is to see everyone in the church continually building up the body of Christ and glorifying God.
See also Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32. {AMP}
Just because exhorters can correct
you, they should never be overly critical. When you’re going through trials you
want to go to someone who will help you see things in a positive light. A
grounded exhorter will always remind you of God’s love and His sovereignty in
all that you are going through.
It is a wonderful blessing to have an
exhorter {encourager} to walk beside you through the trials because they help
you keep your focus on God which leads to walking in obedience throughout the
trials and storms in our lives.
Barnabas has
become one the great examples of someone who has been given “the gift of
encouragement. Barnabas sold his own property and gave the money to the
apostles. Barnabas’ gift was a gesture of spontaneity and joy. He gave the gift
without stipulations and for the use of the community. All throughout the book
of Acts we are given a look into the life of this amazing encourager and how he
brought comfort to so many believers. It was Barnabas that eased the troubled
minds of the disciples when Paul tried to join them, because they were afraid
of him from all that he had done to those who believed in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:6-8 {AMP} Since we have gifts
that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them
accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new
message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; if
service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; or
he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity;
he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy
[in caring for others], with cheerfulness.
Acts 4:36–37 {AMP} Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), sold a field belonging to him and brought the money and set it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 9:26-27{AMP} “When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus.”
Acts 13:43 {AMP} “When the congregation of the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, talking to them were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”
2 Chronicles 35:1-2 {AMP} “Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem; they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their positions and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.”
Acts 4:36–37 {AMP} Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), sold a field belonging to him and brought the money and set it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 9:26-27{AMP} “When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus.”
Acts 13:43 {AMP} “When the congregation of the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, talking to them were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”
2 Chronicles 35:1-2 {AMP} “Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem; they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their positions and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.”
Today I
encourage you to reflect on how Barnabas became a great encourager through
unselfishly giving of his earthy possessions to help those in need. After all
from the Old Testament to the New God has given us example after example of
taking care of the poor. Even Christ Jesus has commanded us to take care of the
poor and needy so we can have life. Try giving of what you have to help others
this week and watch how God will bless you.
In case you
missed it, here is the link to Day One
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