How easy it is to be the discourager! When that person talks, it is always something negative to say. Think about how many people have the gift of discouragement. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV) Again, we need this kind of encouragement. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. God calls for us to encourage one another. Our theme this year is to look at the passage that instruct us regarding how we are to behave toward one another as the body of Christ. This is exactly what God has called for us to have toward one another. Then in Acts 15, after Mark had left Paul and Barnabas during their first preaching journey, who wants to have Mark come with them on the second journey? Barnabas does. Barnabas brought Paul to the apostles and told them about how Paul had been boldly preaching the name of Jesus. Who was the person who came to the side of this persecutor of Christians? Barnabas did. The church refuses Paul because he was a persecutor of Christians because they did not believe he was a disciple. Paul comes to Christ and tries to join the church in Jerusalem. In Acts 9 we see Barnabas again when Paul becomes a Christian. In Acts 4 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money to the apostles so that they could take care of the needy Christians in Jerusalem. We see in this man many instances of encouragement. The name “Barnabas” means son of encouragement. They simply called him, “son of encouragement.” We know that name as Barnabas. In the early days of the fledgling church in Jerusalem, there was a man who was such an encouragement to the body of Christ that they did not call him by the name given by his parents. (Proverbs 16:24 ESV)Ī word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. The Proverbs speak to the value of these words to our souls.Īnxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Who does not like to receive an encouraging word? Who does not appreciate a kind, timely word spoken into your life when you needed it most? Who does not love to have the knowledge that someone will stand by your side and help you, even in your darkest hour? Encouragement is so valuable.
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