Encouragement – the life blood of the church
A reflection by Mike Jeffery
I struggle to find an appropriate subject to reflect on, but it is interesting how inspiration suddenly presents itself to you. Around a month ago I was in our front garden and Lynne Flaxman and Lucy Weir walked by. Naturally, the question was asked as to where they were going on their walk. On this occasion it was Westwood which is clearly nearby. However, the conversation soon turned to where they had found for walks and outings during lockdown. Lynne stated that following my pictures of RSPB Bowers Gifford and Two Tree Island she and Lucy had been encouraged to visit. Not quite biblical encouragement BUT encouragement, nevertheless.
You will not be surprised that the word encourage appears 54 times in the bible, encouragement 12, encourage one another 7 times and encouraging 9 times. As a note in passing – using Google to find encouragement etc. the name of Barnabas was found. A further search reveals the following.
Hebrew Baby Names Meaning:
In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Barnabas is: Son of consolation or son of exhortation, son of comfort. Famous bearer: the biblical first century apostle Barnabas who accompanied St Paul on his early missionary journeys. A biblical first-century missionary companion of Paul.
In other words, Barnabas the Encourager!!
In these troubled times encouragement takes on added importance. Under the Posts heading on our website most if not all of the headings refer to encouragement in one shape or form. From feedback either from comments on the website or on posts on Facebook (HBC Friends and Hadleigh Baptist Church (Essex)) I know that people appreciate the content published. It is a two-way street – those who produce the “content” are encouraged by your comments. From a personal view I find immense joy when people like and comment on my photographs. Also look at specific acts that gave and received encouragement no names – you know who you are!!
- Piano videos with well-known loved and hymns
- Postcards with a chosen verse
- New and original songs
- Well thought out Christmas cards
- A knitted rainbow and accompanying verse
A footnote to this – these are ones I know about – there must be many more
A word of encouragement to all
The church indeed a body of many parts. All of us are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12 :12).
In modern terms we have a minister, an elder, deacons, an administrator, cleaners, gardeners, greeters, prayers, encouragers, listeners, musicians, a treasurer, out the back teachers, men and women of great wisdom, Messy Church organisers, tea and coffee makers, activity organisers etc. Oh, and we have a webmaster who likes photography. No one is excluded and everyone has a part to play. No one is more or less important than another and that shapes the way we act. That is why 1 Corinthians 12 ends with the following.
“Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts. Best of all, however, is the following way.”. This leads onto 1 Corinthians 13.
Encouragement is important to the wellbeing of the church. In a sense from what I have already said I am preaching to the converted – Hadleigh Baptist Church (HBC) knows how to encourage. However, it is worth emphasizing how important it is.
Encouragement is the life blood of the church. It keeps hearts beating, minds clear, and hands ready to serve.
Because encouragement is so important to the church, God does not merely recommend it; he commands it.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
WHY WE NEED ENCOURAGEMENT
God commanded that his people encourage each other because he knows we need it. In the Gospel of John, Jesus warned that “in this world you will have trouble,” which he then followed with a much-needed encouragement: “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Our world feels particularly broken at the moment although looking back through history there have always been times of strife and pandemic and people have tended towards selfishness. Sin undoubtedly has been at the centre of much of our problems. Despair has often been evident – our bodies break down, our plans falter, our dreams die, our resolves weaken, our perspective dims. We are warned in scriptures of
Suffering (1 Pet. 4:12)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Persecution (John 15:20)
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Persecution (2 Tim. 3:12)
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Trials of various kinds (James 1:2-3).
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
When encouragement is absent from the life of a church people will feel unloved, unimportant, useless, and forgotten. God knows his people are in need of grace-filled reminders, so he calls us to encourage each other every day until his Son returns (Heb. 3:13). Note not applicable to HBC!
WHAT IS ENCOURAGEMENT?
Biblical encouragement isn’t focused on complimenting someone’s appearance or telling them how good their food tastes. That kind of encouragement is important, but the encouragement the Scriptures refer to is explicitly Christian encouragement.
Encouragement is shared so it will lift someone’s heart – see Colossians 4:7-9. Paul is sending Tychicus who will encourage.
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
Encouragement in this sense is helping to affirm in people’s lives that God is using them. It points a person to God’s promises that assures them that all they face is under his control.
The New Testament reveals that encouragement was a regular part of the early church’s life together.
Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”
Acts 18:27
And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
The early church shared scripture with each other to spur one another on.
Faith Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Hope Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Unity Romans 15:5
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Joy Acts 15:31
And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
Strength Acts 15:32
And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
Fruitfulness Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Faithfulness 1 Thessalonians 2:12
we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Perseverance Hebrews 10:25
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The certainty of Christ’s return 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Encouragement was and is an essential way of extending grace to each other.
HOW DO WE GROW IN BEING AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS?
There isn’t only one “right way” to encourage each other.
- Pray for God to make you an encourager.
- Study Barnabas and ask God to make you like him. Barnabas was nicknamed the “son of encouragement” by the early church (Acts 4:36). He was a man of great conviction who wanted to see the church flourish and did all he could to make it happen. Ask God to give you and your church a heart like Barnabas.
- Make encouragement a daily discipline.
- Pray for God to show you who to encourage!
- Use Scripture if you’re able.
- Be specific in what you say.
- Regularly encourage your pastor.
Prayer
Pray that we don’t forget to encourage and make encouragement a natural habit. Pray that in these trying and worrying times that we do not become disheartened and discouraged. Teach us to turn our eyes upon you Lord.
AMEN
Lyrics
Immortal, Invisible
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all, life Thou givest, the great and the small;
Through all life Thou livest, the True Life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory; pure Father of light;
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render: O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee.
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought (a thought)
My sin, not in part, but the whole (every bit, every bit, all of it)
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more (yes!)
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Sing it as well
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Sing up to Jesus, it is well!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
1 thought on “Encouragement – the life blood of the church”
Mike well done this is just what is needed
Also when we receive encouragement in gives us the strength to go on doing the work God has given us to do.
And as you mentioned all in the fellowship are important