The Power of Encouragement
en.cour.age.ment
in'k erijment
noun
1. the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
synonyms: heartening, cheering up, inspiration, motivation,
stimulation, fortification;
2. persuasion to do or to continue something.
John 14:26 ESV
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
1st Encouragement is something God does
2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Acts 4:36 NLT
For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”).
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction, with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.
2nd Encouragement is the purpose behind God’s Word
Romans 15:4 NIV
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
1 Timothy 4:13 ESV
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
1 Timothy 4:13 NIV
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
1 Timothy 4:13 NLT
Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
3rd Encouragement can change people’s outlook
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5:11a NLT
So encourage each other and build each other up,
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Proverbs 10:21a NLT
The words of the godly encourage many…
2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
