Sermon Reflections from Going Places: Encouraging Others | Damon Hopkins | August 18, 2024
I agree with Pastor Alex that Damon Hopkins was the right one to talk to us about encouraging others. Damon gives a positive upbeat witness to the glories of God that he has experienced in his own life. Using the Acts 4:36-37 text he shared about Barnabas who was a great example of an encourager. “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.” By today’s standards we would call Barnabas one who is ‘all in’ for Jesus. He wanted to encourage those around him and to participate fully in the spreading of the gospel through his monetary gift. There was no hint of holding back a portion for himself, like Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 in which their lies lead to their deaths.
Often people want to be encouragers but don’t know what to say. Damon suggested: tell them how much you appreciate them, use their name and making it personal and remind them that you see them as a blessing in your own life. If they are in need, seek to supply something to help them or vouch for them verbally. Using Damon’s ideas I went in search of example from scripture of where and when people were encouragers.
Paul, Peter and John wrote letters to instruct and encourage the new Christians in many places world. We too can follow and learn from their examples.
Philippians 1:3-5 “ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul was encouraged by just remembering their faith- how encouraging would that be to the reader.
1 Corinthians 1:4-6 “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— Paul wanted them encouraged because of the growth he saw in lives that were confirmed by their actions. Paul’s praise would have encouraged the new believers to continue to follow Jesus.
2 John 3 “For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.” John wanted his friend Gaius to know what a testimony he was having among believers. What an incredible encouragement!
Romans 1:8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” Paul wanted the Roman Christians to know their faith was having an impact on the whole world! Paul also spent all of Chapter 16 greeting those he knew and encouraging them.
Damon also mentioned that our encouragements have an effect on lives of others. Paul had just arrived in Rome after surviving months at sea and a shipwreck. Acts 28:15-16 “And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.” Their very presence encouraged Paul. How many times have you visited someone who is in the hospital or at home, and they thank you for coming? Your very presence is an encouragement.
Looking to scripture we see lots of examples of people encouraging and being encouraged. That is what ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ involves. Seek to be like Peter, Paul and John this week and point out to someone how their work for Jesus, their faith and their loving commitment are an inspiration to you and others.
Linda
There is more….
Ephesians 6:21-22 Paul mentions Tychicus by name and that he is sending him to them as an encourager. Colossians 1:3-4, Romans 16 verses 3,6-7, 12 are about specific people and their work for the Lord Jesus. Acts 18:27 speaks them sending Apollos with their endorsement and urges his acceptance.
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
I agree with Pastor Alex that Damon Hopkins was the right one to talk to us about encouraging others. Damon gives a positive upbeat witness to the glories of God that he has experienced in his own life. Using the Acts 4:36-37 text he shared about Barnabas who was a great example of an encourager. “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.” By today’s standards we would call Barnabas one who is ‘all in’ for Jesus. He wanted to encourage those around him and to participate fully in the spreading of the gospel through his monetary gift. There was no hint of holding back a portion for himself, like Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 in which their lies lead to their deaths.
Often people want to be encouragers but don’t know what to say. Damon suggested: tell them how much you appreciate them, use their name and making it personal and remind them that you see them as a blessing in your own life. If they are in need, seek to supply something to help them or vouch for them verbally. Using Damon’s ideas I went in search of example from scripture of where and when people were encouragers.
Paul, Peter and John wrote letters to instruct and encourage the new Christians in many places world. We too can follow and learn from their examples.
Philippians 1:3-5 “ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul was encouraged by just remembering their faith- how encouraging would that be to the reader.
1 Corinthians 1:4-6 “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— Paul wanted them encouraged because of the growth he saw in lives that were confirmed by their actions. Paul’s praise would have encouraged the new believers to continue to follow Jesus.
2 John 3 “For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.” John wanted his friend Gaius to know what a testimony he was having among believers. What an incredible encouragement!
Romans 1:8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” Paul wanted the Roman Christians to know their faith was having an impact on the whole world! Paul also spent all of Chapter 16 greeting those he knew and encouraging them.
Damon also mentioned that our encouragements have an effect on lives of others. Paul had just arrived in Rome after surviving months at sea and a shipwreck. Acts 28:15-16 “And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.” Their very presence encouraged Paul. How many times have you visited someone who is in the hospital or at home, and they thank you for coming? Your very presence is an encouragement.
Looking to scripture we see lots of examples of people encouraging and being encouraged. That is what ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ involves. Seek to be like Peter, Paul and John this week and point out to someone how their work for Jesus, their faith and their loving commitment are an inspiration to you and others.
Linda
There is more….
Ephesians 6:21-22 Paul mentions Tychicus by name and that he is sending him to them as an encourager. Colossians 1:3-4, Romans 16 verses 3,6-7, 12 are about specific people and their work for the Lord Jesus. Acts 18:27 speaks them sending Apollos with their endorsement and urges his acceptance.
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
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