Practice: Encourage 6.4 - February 28, 2010

Practice #6 – Encourage
2.4 – A Community of Encouragement

Acts 4:36-37 (New International Version)
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 11:19-23 (New International Version)
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 11:24-30 (New International Version)
He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 13:1-3 (New International Version)
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 15:36-41 (New International Version)
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

What Can We Learn From the “Son of” Encouragement?
Encouragers Call out of People What God has Already Put in Them.

What keeps us from encouraging others?

1.    Lies from Satan.
Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2.    Pride.
 Proverbs 11:2 (New International Version)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10 (New International Version)
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Proverbs 16:18 (New International Version)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23 (New International Version)
A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Proverbs 16:5 (New International Version)
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

James 4:6 (New International Version)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

3.    Fear
2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Hebrews 10:39 (New International Version)
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.