Challenge to Encourage Others

Introduction:
Congregations need to be full of those who are warm, happy, and looking for ways to encourage others. This will stand in great contrast to congregations that are cold, lifeless, who only go through the motions and are absorbed in problems, self, etc. See Rom. 14:19; Heb. 10:23-24; Phil. 2:3-4. Perhaps the best way to encourage others is to look at a person in the New Testament who was given the nickname son of encouragement. (See Acts 4:36-37—Joses or Barnabas.) His mission centered around encouraging and building up others. Let’s take a look at his life.

I. He encouraged by ________________________. See Acts 4:36-37
    A. True demonstration of his faith/love/concern here! He put his faith into _____________!
        1. See 1 John 3:14-18; Js. 2:14-16.
        2. We often have no problem ________what needs to be done; but find it a challenge to actually _________
             what needs to be done!
        3. Barnabas was a doer!
    B. Acts 4 does not tell us whether the needy saints requested assistance…
        1. But it does tell us Barnabas & others ____ ___ _______ and did whatever necessary to fulfill it!

II. He encouraged by ____________________________.
    A. Acts 9:1-2—Saul headed to Damascus to kill Christians. What happens? Baptized—Acts 22:16.
    B. Acts 9:22-25—driven out of Damascus for _______________ the gospel! 9:26—goes to ______________.
        1. Christians in Jerusalem would not receive him because of his ___________________.
    C. Acts 9:27—Barnabas comes on the scene! Puts his own reputation on the line on behalf of Saul.
    D. We must do the same today!
        1. Look out for _________ ________________!
        2. Stand up for good brethren.
    E. Acts 9:28—Much would have been missed out upon had Barnabas not vouched for Saul!

III. He encouraged by ___________________________.
   A . Acts 11:23-24—at the town of ___________________________.
    B. How do we look at things? Some: look at what did not _________ _____________.
        1. Barnabas encouraged by example! Told them to keep it up!
        2. We must do the same!
    C. Be excited and glad with what God is doing here!
       1. ____________ it! ____________ in it! ________________ it!
        2. 11:24—the effect of all of this…___________ he arrived great numbers added to the Lord’s body!
        3. People are attracted to ___________________!
            a) if you’re succeeding, but acting like a failure, you’re a failure!
            b) If you’re thinking success, looking for success, and rejoicing in success, pretty soon doors start opening,
                 you can’t shut them!
    D. It’s hard to stay discouraged around an encouraged person! Are we like Barnabas?

Conclusion:
A. Being a Christian is not a burden—it’s a privilege!
B. Have you become a Christian? If not, why not?



Challenge to Encourage Others Introduction: Congregations need to be full of those who are warm, happy, and looking for ways to encourage others. This will stand in great contrast to congregations that are cold, lifeless, who only go through the motions and are absorbed in problems, self, etc. See Rom. 14:19; Heb. 10:23-24; Phil. 2:3-4. Perhaps the best way to encourage others is to look at a person in the New Testament who was given the nickname son of encouragement. (See Acts 4:36-37—Joses or Barnabas.) His mission centered around encouraging and building up others. Let’s take a look at his life. I. He encouraged by ________________________. See Acts 4:36-37 A. True demonstration of his faith/love/concern here! He put his faith into _____________! 1. See 1 John 3:14-18; Js. 2:14-16. 2. We often have no problem ________what needs to be done; but find it a challenge to actually _________ what needs to be done! 3. Barnabas was a doer! B. Acts 4 does not tell us whether the needy saints requested assistance… 1. But it does tell us Barnabas & others ____ ___ _______ and did whatever necessary to fulfill it! II. He encouraged by ____________________________. A. Acts 9:1-2—Saul headed to Damascus to kill Christians. What happens? Baptized—Acts 22:16. B. Acts 9:22-25—driven out of Damascus for _______________ the gospel! 9:26—goes to ______________. 1. Christians in Jerusalem would not receive him because of his ___________________. C. Acts 9:27—Barnabas comes on the scene! Puts his own reputation on the line on behalf of Saul. D. We must do the same today! 1. Look out for _________ ________________! 2. Stand up for good brethren. E. Acts 9:28—Much would have been missed out upon had Barnabas not vouched for Saul! III. He encouraged by ___________________________. A . Acts 11:23-24—at the town of ___________________________. B. How do we look at things? Some: look at what did not _________ _____________. 1. Barnabas encouraged by example! Told them to keep it up! 2. We must do the same! C. Be excited and glad with what God is doing here! 1. ____________ it! ____________ in it! ________________ it! 2. 11:24—the effect of all of this…___________ he arrived great numbers added to the Lord’s body! 3. People are attracted to ___________________! a) if you’re succeeding, but acting like a failure, you’re a failure! b) If you’re thinking success, looking for success, and rejoicing in success, pretty soon doors start opening, you can’t shut them! D. It’s hard to stay discouraged around an encouraged person! Are we like Barnabas? Conclusion: A. Being a Christian is not a burden—it’s a privilege! B. Have you become a Christian? If not, why not?