Encouragement Leads to Courage and Greater Faith

Well, brethren, it takes courage and faith to overcome and put sin out of one's life. Wouldn't you agree? It does. It takes courage and faith. It also takes courage and faith to endure to the end, to stay with it to the end that you and I might be saved.

It takes courage and faith to be one of the elect who is called, chosen, and will remain faithful until Christ returns. Brethren, what may we all do to help ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ grow in courage and in faith?

Well, the answer and something I'd like to talk about today, brethren, we may genuinely encourage others and ourselves toward greater courage and faith. There is great power in encouragement, and I'd like to talk about that today. How are we going to encourage ourselves and others to have greater courage and faith? What specifically can we do? Today, we're going to see that the scriptures show that encouragement does lead to greater courage and faith. The Apostle Paul often encourages the brethren and himself. When you read through his many epistles, he encourages us to greater courage and faith. When you read Paul's epistles next time, look at it from this perspective. For example, Paul said, I can do all things to Christ who strengthens me. I believe you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Paul said, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. I believe there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness. And I believe that we all need to come to the point that we have the faith to make these kind of statements. Paul knew that he was going to be in God's kingdom because he was living a godly lifestyle. He was living a repentant life. And he had great confidence and faith in his Savior, in Jesus Christ, who gave himself for him and for all of us. He said, let this mind be in you, all of us. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. That's what Paul was doing. He was allowing Christ's mind to be his mind. That's what we're all striving to do, right? We're all in this together. We've been doing this for many years, many of us. Paul said, who will deliver me? He said, oh, wretched man! Wretched man, have you ever felt a little bit wretched? I know I have. Paul said, oh, wretched man, that I am. Who's going to deliver me from this body of death? Paul said very confidently, I thank God through Jesus Christ, my Lord. That's who's going to deliver Paul, and that's who's going to deliver you and me into the kingdom of God. And we have to have that assurance and that faith. And, brethren, we can encourage each other to have greater courage and greater faith. And I'm going to show you how to do that today. You know, Paul also, I believe it was Paul in the book of Hebrews, I believe he was the writer, whoever it was, he said, God will never leave us nor forsake us. And, of course, he was quoting from the book of Deuteronomy. He was quoting from Moses just prior to his death. In fact, let's go to Deuteronomy 31 and let's consider Moses to Joshua in the sight of all Israel and what he said to him in Deuteronomy chapter 31. So this was a very, very momentous occasion. Moses was about to die. He was 120 years old and knew that God was not going to allow him to actually enter into the Promised Land, even though he allowed him to see the Promised Land. And we know that Moses will be in the Kingdom of God. The ultimate spiritual Promised Land, Moses will be given entrance into the Kingdom of God. But because of his sin, because of his lack of faith at times, he was not perfect.

God held him to a high standard, didn't he? I believe God holds us to a high standard.

We're to be like Moses. We're to become like these men of faith who trusted in God and and moved forward in faith. So Moses says in Deuteronomy 31 verse 6 and 7, he says, Be strong. And brethren, that word is from the Strong Hebrew 2388, which is pronounced kalzak. Keep this in mind because we're going to refer to it in a moment. Be strong and of good courage. Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid of them. Talking about the Canaanites, the people, the giants of the land. For the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you, and he will not leave you nor forsake you. You have nothing to fear because God is on your side. He will give you the Promised Land. Now, brethren, you and I aren't likely going to write a part of the Bible. Like Paul and Moses, we're called upon to do, but you can still encourage yourself and others with your writing and with your words.

And you can start right here at services. Once we conclude services today, you can begin by encouraging one another. Right here, and by lifting each other up through your words and through your faith. By doing so, we will all be strengthened and encouraged. I know it's true that we often overlook or fail to do something that's very easy. To simply express our appreciation. To thank people for who they are, what they're doing, what they mean to us. That's very important. To become more open in your comments to one another. To really lift each other up and encourage each other. Because that is the example that we see in the Bible. God the Father and Jesus Christ, that's how they are. They're very encouraging. They want us to be in the kingdom of God. They are not willing that any should perish. They want us there. So we can simply talk to one another whenever we see each other and be a little more open about it's not flattery if it's something that you truly believe. It's from your heart. If it means something to you, then say it. Don't hold back.

And writing cards and sending notes are important. That's very important. That's something that's pretty simple to do. It's easy to do. And yet, many times we neglect to do something that's so powerful and really takes very little time to reach out and show that appreciation. Whether someone has done something right then or whether they haven't really done anything in a while, but you just love them and you care for them and want to express it. No apparent reason, perhaps. Sometimes that means even more when there's no apparent reason why you might say something.

You know, I'm quite confident that people have not committed suicide because they got a card at the right time. They got a phone call at the right time. They got someone to tell them that they love them. I mean, it's that powerful. It can be that powerful in some cases. And it's always powerful. We like to be told that we're appreciated. I like that. I mean, I don't think I'm a glory hound or anything, but I kind of like when people are willing to express that I mean something to them. That's important. And again, if it's done sincerely, then we should think the best of people and not think someone's trying to flatter us. Know if that's really what's happening, that'll come out as well in time. But let's not assume that's what's happening here. Moses continually encouraged the children of Israel to move toward the Promised Land. He did it through his example. He did it through his words. Moses encouraged the children of Israel to encourage their next leader, Joshua, for it was his task to lead them into the Promised Land. He was also to lead them in the destruction of the Canaanites and the other people of the land, the Philistines and others who were to be displaced. And that was not an easy task for anyone and certainly no one who would be faint-hearted. Notice Deuteronomy 20 verses 1-4, God's instructions here in Deuteronomy chapter 20 verses 1-4.

God says, basically, when you go out to battle against your enemies and you see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them. Don't be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. And, of course, he did it with miraculous signs and wonders. God revealed his power and who he is.

We just have to believe it. So it shall be when you are on the verge of battle that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, and he shall say to them, Hear, O Israel, today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies, do not let your heart faint.

Do not be afraid and do not tremble or be terrified because of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you. These are promises. You know, if the children of Israel would have just believed these promises all along, what a different history we would read in the Bible. But they lack faith. Of course, most of them didn't have God's Spirit dwelling in them. We do have God's Spirit dwelling in us.

Those of us who have repented and been baptized, have received laying on of hands and have received the Holy Spirit, it dwells in us, and we have much greater power. In Deuteronomy 1, verse 38, this is Moses to Israel. Deuteronomy 1, verse 38, again, Moses was not allowed to go into the Promised Land, but he's giving instruction here to Joshua and to the children of Israel. And he says in Deuteronomy 1, verse 38, in Deuteronomy 1, he shall go into the Promised Land.

He will lead you in. Encourage him. Notice that word, encourage. It's the same word that I mentioned before. H2388, kozak. Before it was translated strong. Be strong. Be strong. Encourage. When we encourage people, we help them be stronger. That's what he was saying. He was saying help Joshua be strong. Encourage him. Lift him up. Help him be stronger than he would be otherwise. Encouragement. Brethren, it leads to courage. It leads to greater faith. Moses is telling the children of Israel to encourage their new leader to help him be strong because Moses understood this was not an easy job to lead a stiff-necked people like the children of Israel.

Joshua was going to need help, and he was encouraging them to encourage Joshua. Moses knew that genuine encouragement leads to greater courage and faith, and Joshua was going to need much courage and much faith. Genuine encouragement, praise, and appreciation greatly lifts one's spirit. It lifts us all up. We know that. We've experienced that. Let's do that for others. Let's lift them up. Let's help one another be stronger. So what does it mean to encourage? The online etymology dictionary says this word in English comes from an old 15th century French word, which means to make strong.

So I think they got it from the Hebrew. There's a connection here, right? It means to make strong, hearten, or to put in courage. I think the women are talking about encouragement today.

I think that's wonderful. That's a beautiful topic. I'm glad you chose that topic. I'm glad I was able to speak on this topic to all of you today. I know women are better than most men about encouraging one another, and that's a great thing. So keep that up, ladies. The Hebrew word that I've already mentioned, the brown driver and brig's definition, and there's a lot of these here because this word is translated many different ways. It's only translated in courage just a few times, like four times, and only two of them really apply in the way that I'm talking about in courage today.

And the rest are various different words. But the definition from brown drivers and brig's for this word is to strengthen, to prevail, to harden, to be strong, to become strong, to be courageous, to be firm, to grow firm, to be resolute, to prevail upon, to be caught fast, to be secure, to press, to be urgent, to grow stout, to make strong, to restore to strength, to give strength, to sustain, to encourage, to make bold, to display strength, to support, to use one's strength, to strengthen oneself, to put forth strength, to withstand, to become mighty, and to behave valiantly.

That's a cool word. Let's use it. Notice God told Moses to encourage Joshua in Deuteronomy 3, verse 28. God said to Moses, but command Joshua. Command him. He was his assistant. Joshua was Moses' assistant. Moses was his mentor, just like Jim Tuck, in a sense, has been Monique Knudsen's and Scott McKeon's mentor, and many others.

He says, but command Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him. For he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.

So command him, encourage him, and strengthen him. This is what God said he should do. This is God speaking to all of us. We should strengthen one another. God encouraged Joshua to put his trust in him, in God, and be strong and of good courage. Notice that in Joshua chapter 1, verses 6 and 7. So this is God to Joshua. Be strong. Again, that's the word encourage. Be strong. It's H, 2388. Be strong and of good courage. For this people you shall divide as an inheritance. The land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. To not turn from it to the right hand or to the left. Either side, that you may prosper wherever you go. Isn't that what we all want? We want to prosper wherever we go. We love it when we prosper. We all love it. So notice the strong link between obedience to God's law and then receiving the blessings and success that come from God for our obedience. By always striving to do the right thing, what God commands and what most pleases him, we step out in faith. And our belief and our strength grows. Every time we make the right decision to do the right thing, our strength grows. And we should be encouraged by that. Every time we choose wrongly, we hurt ourselves. We weaken ourselves. You've done it and I've done it way too many times. We've weakened ourselves. We've yielded to the temptation that Satan wants us to yield to. Satan is the one who tempts us to sin against God. And then he becomes the accuser of the brethren. When we listen to him and when we give in to his temptation, then he accuses us before God. That's the kind of being Satan is. So we must rebel against Satan. Rebel against wrongdoing. Rebel against all forms of evil. And do yourself a favor because God will bless you for it. God will bless you. The blessings and cursings, they mean what they say in the Bible. There are blessings for obedience. There are curses for disobeying God. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't change. He's perfect. So be strong and encourage one another. That's a very good cycle to be in. To encourage one another to do the right thing, to help each other, to support each other. That gives us strength to make the right decisions, to make the right decisions, makes us stronger yet still. But when we go the other direction, then we're hurting ourselves. Thankfully, God is very gracious and very merciful. And when we're repentant, he forgives us. He looks at our heart. He knows whether we're truly sad for what we've done. But perhaps we don't hate sin enough. Maybe that's why we do the things that we do. We haven't learned to hate it enough. We haven't seen the damage that it does.

So be strong and to encourage are the same word. H. 2388, we've seen that. I mean, it's the same word in some cases translated. To be strong, to encourage. The translation depends upon the sense or meaning in the verse, the context. If the scripture is talking about encouraging someone, it means to give someone power.

To give them the power of belief, help their faith be stronger. And then there's corresponding courage that comes along with strong belief. So we do need to be men and women of strong convictions. And they have to be based in the Bible. There is absolute truth. It's found in the Bible. We have to believe it, and then we have to embrace it, and then we have to live it.

David, a man after God's own heart, also encourages himself and others by his writings and meditations. We could take a long time going through the book of Psalms. He often speaks of God as the God of my salvation. God is the God of your salvation. He's the God of my salvation. He is truly desirous to save every single one of us. He wants to save us. That's his heart. He's a great encourager. The Bible is full of encouragement. Look for it.

The Apostle Peter also saw the importance of encouraging himself and others. Peter says in 1 Peter 1, verse 4, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that does not fade away. It doesn't fade away. It's eternal. It's permanent. We can believe in it. And it's reserved in heaven for you. That's what Peter says. It's reserved in heaven for you. God has written your name in the book of life. It's reserved in heaven for you. You just have to have faith in it. You have to believe in it. And you have to stay faithful, because only the called, chosen, and faithful will be raised or will be changed when Christ returns. In that first resurrection, the better resurrection, we should all aspire to that better resurrection. It's reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last times.

That day is coming. We're drawing ever closer to the return of Jesus Christ. And, brethren, we all need to be prepared. We need to be wise virgins. So now is the time to repent. If you have something to repent of, right now is the time to do it.

Right now is the time to seek repentance from God, because God grants us repentance based upon our heart and our desires. What really motivates us? Are we truly seeking first the kingdom of God in His righteousness? Or are we playing church today? Ask yourself. Are you just here playing church? I know many of you have been around a long time, so I know you're not playing church.

Hopefully no one is in here playing church. I'm going to play church. Peter is very encouraging. In 1 Peter 2, verse 9, notice what he writes here. 1 Peter 2, verse 9 and 10, he says, But you are a chosen generation. You're a royal priesthood. You're a holy nation. Speaking to all of us, we're his own special people. I make no bones about being a special people. Yes, I feel very privileged. Very special, not because of me, though, but because of God. Because of that calling. It's precious to me. It's a high and a holy calling, never to be taken for granted or neglected or minimized. So you're a chosen generation. You're a royal priesthood. You're a holy nation. You're his own special people that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Mr. McKeon and I were having a discussion about coming out of darkness into God's marvelous light. Brother, we need to come out of darkness completely. Satan wants to keep us in darkness. And all of us are in darkness to a point. We're not perfect.

We can come into greater light. God will help us. God will show us. God will give us greater light and greater strength, but we need to help each other and encourage each other. That's what God's house should be all about. When you come here on the Sabbath, you're here to encourage one another. You're here to lift people up. Paul said, think on whatsoever things are good and pure and lovely. Things that have virtue. That's what you need to bring to this house. Every Sabbath. Spread that around and then remember each other during the week, too. Think about what can I do today to lift someone, to help them, to encourage them. It's not that hard, but you have to discipline yourself to do it and you have to have the heart to do it. It takes both. It takes heart and it takes discipline. It takes both.

Peter also said in 1 Peter 2, verse 25, For you are like sheep going astray, but you've now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. You know, God looks out for your lives. Jesus Christ looks out for your life.

He loves you. He gave himself for you. His Father gave him his beloved Son for you.

That's how much God loves you. We don't understand the depth of God's love. We are frail human beings. We don't get it. We don't grasp it fully. But we should try.

And we should try to believe. Believe what the Bible tells you. It's true. It's for real.

You know, there's always hope for lost sheep to return to the fold. If that is what they really desire, you know, if that's what they really want, there's always hope. But sometimes it takes someone to reach out to them. No, we're supposed to leave the 99 and go to that lost sheep. All of us, not just the minister, everyone. We're all to be brothers and sisters in Christ. We all have a responsibility to do this, to reach out to one another and don't become weary and well-doing. Just keep doing it. It's the right thing to do. In 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 19, Peter writes, Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in doing good as to a faithful Creator. You know, Mr. Cubic wrote about Diane Bailey, who just died very recently. This was the kind of person Diane Bailey was. I knew her since college. We were classmates. Sweetest person I think I've ever known. I mean, close. We're not to compare ourselves among ourselves a whole lot, but she was a very special, genuine, real person. She suffered a good bit. She kept her faith to her last breath. She was an example to me. She just had an office just down the hall from me, and she had a no-hunting sign on her door because she knew I was a hunter. And deer would come in the backyard. I mean, right in the back where the home office is, deer would... I'd be looking at those deer, and she knew that, and she put the no-hunting sign there. She's taking care of God's creatures. Now, I harvest them. I love those deer. I think they're one of the most beautiful creatures ever, but I believe God provided them for me to eat. So we have a little different perspective on things.

We respected each other highly. You know, I could go on and on. I probably don't have time to go on and on. In 1 Peter 5, verses 1 through 7, the elders who are among you, I exhort, Peter says, I exhort you, elders. I, who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ. You know, brother, I'd like to say one thing. You know, Jim Tuck was a member before he was an elder. He was a member just like many of you. I was a member. So was Mr. McKeon. So was, you know, Mr. Schreiber. All of us. Mr. Knudsen. We were all members. That's where we got our start. You know, we understand it. We get it. We were members. We're not that far from you. You know, that's our roots. That's where we came from. And it's only by the grace of God that we're able to serve in the way that we are. It's a calling. God has given us a calling. So even ministers need encouragement. So it's okay to say, you know, Mr. Tuck, I really appreciated that sermon. You can find something in that sermon, right? There's got to be something there that you could tell him about. Even if, no, he's a good speaker. I've heard Jim speak. And Scott McKeon and all the elders, you know, we're giving it our best shot. Sometimes you probably need to cut us a little slack. On the other hand, as elders, I exhort you to become better speakers. All of you, every single one of you. And that's what I'm striving to do with our ministry, to help them be better speakers so that they can help you stay excited and enthused and encouraged. Because that's what we all need. We need to come here on the Sabbath and we need to be infused with a shot of God's Holy Spirit. And it inspires us and helps us live the rest of the week and come back for another boost every Sabbath. So that's my goal as Ministerial and Member Services Operation Manager is to help our speakers. And we're striving to do that. We're going to be doing some things in the future that I believe will help. But we're still human beings. And we're still frail human beings. We're not always going to give the greatest sermon. No, I've given some duds.

At least, and I do believe they weren't. It wasn't a complete dud because I spoke from God's Word. I've always done that from the very beginning. And I think that's typically what our ministers do. So you've got to find something there regardless. So we all need to work together to please God more fully. And the more we please God, the more He's going to bless us. I do believe, as Mr. Cubick has often said, the best days of united are ahead of us.

I still believe God is going to start calling people. No, we've been coming a long ways. You know, our history is an interesting history. Going way back to the 30s. We've had some ups and downs. But I'm hoping we're spiritually stronger now than ever before. And if God gives us another shot and calls many, many people, we will be better equipped to serve them. And who knows? Who knows what God will do? So I think it's important to trust God and just look to Him, have faith, believe in Him. We don't really know what's going to happen. I don't profess to know. But God knows.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. You are a partaker of the glory. God's Holy Spirit is glorious. God's Holy Spirit dwells in you. And if you're not yet baptized, it's working with you. And you're moving in that direction. And that is a glorious, glorious thing. God gives us an earnest of His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to live in us. So He says, a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you. Serving as overseers, not by compassion, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly. Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you. I've always felt that way. That God has entrusted you to my care. And I will be held accountable and responsible for my conduct and how I treat you. That has always been a guiding force in my ministry. But being examples to the flock, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory. All of us, not just the ministry, but everyone, will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. And He says, likewise, you younger people submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another. Yes, you know, I've often said there's a time when a man is to submit to a woman, and that's when she's right.

If she's right, submit to her. Come on, people! We're supposed to submit one to another. I've had to submit to my wife because she was right, and I was being boneheaded.

And we have to be humble enough to do that and to see that, you know, when that's happening. So let's submit one to another.

And be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. God resists the proud, but He will give grace to the humble. And that's really the key thing. Do we all have humility? Are we humble before God? Are we humble before each other? Now, if everyone's humble, then things go well. It's when pride enters in, and when we begin to fight amongst ourselves. Now, that's when we have problems in the Church of God, and we could trace all of our splits and everything that's happened to sin and to pride.

And we have to face that. We have to take ownership for that. And it's going to be true in the future, too. God isn't mocked.

We reap what we sow, all of us. We reap exactly what we're sowing.

So therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him. God wants to exalt all of us in due time. We have to be patient. We have to wait. We have to be humble, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

All right, brethren, I have two or three more pages of notes, but I think I got the point across.

I think I got the point across today. Brethren, there is great power in encouragement. You have that power. God has given you that power to encourage one another. Encouragement leads to greater strength. It leads to greater courage. It leads to greater faith. So, brethren, let us all encourage one another and let us all be stronger and let us all be more courageous, let us all be more faithful, and as a result, let us all be more pleasing to God our Father and to our Savior Jesus Christ. And if we can get that right, we truly have nothing at all to fear.