The Ministry of Encouragement Part 8
This Preaching in Shorts sermon series is about the Ministry of Encouragement.
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The Ministry of Encouragement Part 8 from Preaching In Shorts on Vimeo.
This is what you should have memorized:
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
We are continuing in our discussion on what we are calling the Encouragers TRUTH:
T – Thinking
R – Recognizing
U – Understanding
T – Talking
H – Helping
We have talked about the importance of getting our perspective from the throne room of God and not from the culture, and then learning to see and to hear the way that God does. Today we are going to talk about TALKING. Using our words to encourage others.
We recently memorized this verse:
Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
This verse has had me thinking for the last two weeks. How much do we actually consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The best way to accomplish this to embrace the Ministry of Encouragement and to start to use our words to encourage.
1. The power of words
James 3:8-12 (NIV)
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
We cam use our words to build people up, and we can use our words to tear people down. The power of words is an amazing thing. The childhood school yard saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a lie. Hurtful words can hurt a person for their entire lives. Many people have lived their entire lives under the oppression of words spoken to them that just weren’t true. Instead of being built up, they were told they were no good, would never amount to anything, that they were stupid.
We need to be aware of the power of our words and we need to use them to build up, to encourage, to bless. But just like learning to think, hear and see God’s way, we need to learn to use our Words the way God does.
James 3:3-5 (NIV)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
We need to choose to use our words for good. Which brings up the second point. Sometimes, we need to
2. Bite your tongue
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Before you speak, ask yourself these quick questions:
a.) Is what I am saying true?
If it is not true, don’t say it. If you are not sure if it is true, don’t say it. And don’t pass it along in an email. Do you know that not everything that comes to you in an email is true? Try truth or fiction dot com.
b.) Is what I am saying helpful?
Are you speaking to build the person you are talking to up? Does it really need to be said? Please don’t ever start a sentence with, “I don’t mean to be rude, but”
c.) Is what I am saying loving?
Are your words loving? Are they motivated by love for the person you are talking too? If there is another motivation, anger, frustration, vengeance, bite your tongue.
What we need to be focusing on is to
3. Speak words of life
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Our words should bring life to people. Our words should encourage, inspire, calm, and sometimes challenge the people we are talking to. We are to speak the truth in love, always tempering our words with kindness and compassion, with grace and mercy. Even when it is necessary to try and correct someone, it should be done in an encouraging way, pointing up strengths and encouraging people to bring out their best. Last week we talked about listening well. This week, I would encourage you to try and listen to yourself. How are you using your words? To bring life, to encourage, to inspire, or to gossip, discourage, and deflate?
Related posts:
- The Ministry of Encouragement Part 9
- The Ministry of Encouragement Part 13
- The Ministry of Encouragement Part 1
- The Ministry of Encouragement Part 7
- The Ministry of Encouragement Part 6
Category: Preaching in Shorts
Hi Pastor Steve,
Our small gospel community group that meets on Sunday nights
has taken Hebrews 10:24-25 as its memory verse. I do not have
to consider how to consider how to spur these people in the group
with me to love and good deeds because they already have it figured
out. Within one seven day period, I witnessed the group leader’s family leading a man with cerebal palsy to their car and giving him a ride home, the wife of a blind man leading not one but two blind people to their seats in church at the same time (she has been leading
her blind husband around for 30 years), a couple who have a bible study at the homeless shelter putting their arms around and comforting a homeless man who broke down while he attended our services, and a young college kid taking a blind 15 year old through
the buffet line and explaining to him all the various goodies laid out. These are the people I am in community group with, and it completely blows me away to witness their levels of service. All I can do is say to them, “Well done. Good job!”