EldersElders

And the Word of EncouragementAnd the Word of Encouragement

At horse races, the spectators, At horse races, the spectators, intent on victory, shout to their intent on victory, shout to their favourites in the contest. From favourites in the contest. From the balcony, they incite the the balcony, they incite the rider to keener effort, urging rider to keener effort, urging the horses on while leaning the horses on while leaning forward and flailing the air with forward and flailing the air with their outstretched hand instead their outstretched hand instead of a whip.of a whip.

I seem to be doing the same thing I seem to be doing the same thing myself, most valued friend and myself, most valued friend and brother. While you are competing brother. While you are competing admirably in the divine race, admirably in the divine race, straining constantly for the prize of straining constantly for the prize of the heavenly calling, I exhort, urge the heavenly calling, I exhort, urge and encourage you vigorously. and encourage you vigorously.

Gregory of Nyssa (c.Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-335-c.395)c.395)

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas [Son of Encouragement]], sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36)

1) We encourage people by giving

Saul was breathing out murderous Saul was breathing out murderous threats, finding men and women to threats, finding men and women to take as prisoners.take as prisoners. (Acts (Acts 9:1)9:1)

Saul stayed with them and moved Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem speaking about freely in Jerusalem speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. boldly in the name of the Lord.

(Acts (Acts 9:28)9:28)

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit; it grew in numbers living in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9:31)

2) We encourage people by believing that with God’s help people can change

Some 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.

(Acts 11:20-21)

When Barnabas arrived and saw When Barnabas arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. all their hearts.

He was a good man, full of the He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to number of people were brought to the Lord. the Lord. (Acts 11: 23-24)(Acts 11: 23-24)

God opened the door of faith to God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27)(Acts 14:27)

We encourage people:1) When we are generous2) By giving them a chance of a

new beginning3) When we see a new opportunity

and involve people who can make the most of it

Disciples sent their gifts to the elders Disciples sent their gifts to the elders by Barnabas and Paul. by Barnabas and Paul. (Acts 11:30)(Acts 11:30)

Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. the work to which I have called them.

(Acts (Acts 13:2)13:2)

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. usual into the Jewish synagogue.

(Acts 14:1)(Acts 14:1) From Paphos, Paul and his companionsFrom Paphos, Paul and his companions

sail to Perga where John left them to sail to Perga where John left them to return to Jerusalem. return to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13)(Acts 13:13)

We encourage people:1) When we are generous2) By giving them a chance of a

new beginning3) When we see a new opportunity

and involve people who can make the most of it

4) By rejoicing in their success

Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go on another trip to strengthen the on another trip to strengthen the churches.” churches.”

Barnabas wanted to take John, Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it was wise Paul did not think it was wise because he had deserted them. because he had deserted them.

They had such a sharp They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took company, and Barnabas took Mark.Mark. (Acts 15:36-(Acts 15:36-39)39)

5) We encourage people by standing by them when they fall

“ “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you for he is and bring him with you for he is helpful in my ministry.”helpful in my ministry.”

(2 Timothy (2 Timothy 4:11)4:11)

Encourage one another daily so that none Encourage one another daily so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. deceitfulness. (Heb 3:13)(Heb 3:13)

Therefore encourage one another and Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.are doing. (1 Thess 5:11)(1 Thess 5:11)

Let us not give up meeting together as Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. as you see the Day approaching.

(Heb 10:25)(Heb 10:25)

There are Balcony People &There are Basement People

Be a Balcony person!Be a Barnabas for somebody else!

1) Balcony people encourage others by being generous

2) Balcony people encourage others by believing that people can change

3) Balcony people can see new opportunities

4) Balcony people rejoice in the success of others

5) Balcony people stand by others when they fall