Encourage One Another

Encourage One Another                            3-24-19

Bottom Line:  We can not grow in Christ without caring about the spiritual growth of others.

Introduction:

 A. Have you ever resented someone else’s good fortune?

   1. Win? Promotion? Success? Gift? Wealth? Talents?

   2. Small children cry at some else’s birthday party!

   3. Plots of many movies & books: Viking, Thor, Gladiator

   4. The older brother of the Prodigal…

 B. A principle of maturity: Maturity is being able to be happy for someone else!

   1. No resentment, jealousy, or selfishness! Just happy!

   2. Share their joy w/o thinking “What about me?”

 C. Spiritual maturity is seen in our ability to think about others and want what is best for them.

   1. Paul’s challenge in Philippians 2:1-5

   2. That is what love does.  1 Peter 4:8

 D. Satan’s greatest victory may be how he changed our expectations about church – especially the assembly.

   1. He turned a giving opportunity into a receiving expectation! He reversed Jesus’ teaching! Acts 20:35

   2. Having an experience over a responsibility!

 E. Our values reflect biblical truths

   1. Love, equip, support, & celebrate = other oriented

   2. It’s what we do, what we share, & what we need

 F. Be with one another! Why? To encourage & admonish!

   1. A simple & clear command and purpose!

   2. Help one another grow spiritually!

 G. Be a builder, a giver, & a supporter! How?

1.  Replace judging with edification!

 A. Comparison & competition are not for the mature!

 B. Criticism & judging destroy! Love builds!

 C. Paul confronted this early in Rome – Rom.14:1-18

          * Key verse: 19

2.  Use God-given tools to build others up!

 A. Eph. 5:19 & Col.3:16

 B. It’s not about what they don’t authorize but what they command!  God’s expectations!

3.  Remind one another about God’s glorious plan!

 A. 1 Thess.4:13-18

 B. 1 Thess.5:10-11

4.  Daily help one another fight sin!

 A. Hebrews 3:12-14

 B. All sin is harder to defeat alone! James 5:19

5. Use our togetherness time as an opportunity to build one another up in the Lord!

 A. Heb.10:24-25, Don’t miss it!

 B. Spur one another on to love and good deeds!

 C. Increase it with time!

Conclusion:

A. Let me encourage you!

B. You are important to God! God loves you! Jesus paid the price for your sins!

C. 1 Thess.5:12-21 Challenge!  Share vs.23-24 Paul’s prayer