The dictionary defines encourage as:  “To inspire with courage, spirit or confidence; stimulate by assistance or approval.”

Most good organizations give recognition for excellence with pay increases, awards, honours and the like. They do this to improve the standard and performance. And it works.

In the church in Australia most people don’t get pay or recognition for what they do. We don’t want to - after all we are seeking a higher calling.

However, in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we read, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”  And Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”  So is it right that we don’t tell brethren that we appreciate them?

Paul himself encouraged others. And his companion Barnabas had a name which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36).  Barnabas and Paul encouraged each other.

Qualities that build up others

Colossians 4:17 – “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfill it.”  Some thoughts on how to do this –

Recognition for something well done.   The more we encourage others, the more we are encouraged ourselves.

Gratitude – Be thankful to those who have volunteered to give their time.

Honesty – Honest appraisal is beneficial but should not be done brutally.

It takes courage to say something honest that might be confronting.

For example, in a recent men’s training class at Heidelberg it was pointed out to most of us that we are not speaking up enough – honest appraisal that we needed to consider.

Coming to the service is to show respect to God first.  However it should also be a time of joy and encouragement.  Did I come to be encouraged and uplifted - good?  But even better, did I come to encourage and lift up others?

 Often a small thing can have a big impact on others with the right word of encouragement at the right time.  Encouraging is part of giving to others.

Encouragement is more than words, it involves actions also (Philippians 2:1-6).  Hebrews 13:1 exhorts us: “Let love of the brethren continue.”

 How can we be encouraged?

1.  Spend time in scripture reading & meditating (Romans15:4).
2.  Quality time spent in prayer.  Prayer can achieve more than we realize.
3.  Willingness to encourage others in & into Christ (Romans 15:5).

 1Corinthians 9:22 – Paul’s focus was to encourage others to follow Christ. “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak”.

 In Philippians 4:4-7 Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always.”