Encouraging One Another

Elder Terry Blanchard

To truly have a healthy functioning expression of a local church will depend on every member fulfilling their God-appointed role, desiring the edification of the body where we show our love for each other through sacrifice and service. Our Saviour illustrated this teaching by washing his disciples’ feet. Then He told them to do just what He had done:
“If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, so you must also wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Listen again to the words of Jesus, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mk10:45). “For even the Son of M:45). The apostle Paul writes, “...each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Php 2:4-5).
It is hoped that through this article you might consider what you can do to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). Serving one another is a reflection of the character of our Lord Jesus, and we are to be imitators of Him (Eph 5:1).
Yet, many feel we either don’t have the time to involve ourselves in ministry or know what our spiritual gift(s) are, or both. In regards to time or lack of, amazingly we find time to do the things we truly want to do. If we golf, we find time to spend four hours or more on the golf course, at least once a week, if we like hockey, baseball or football, we manage to get a couple of games in a week, or spends hours watching TV even if other things have to take a back seat. I don’t say this to make you feel guilty, but just to remind you that we all have time to get what needs to be done if it is made a priority.
In regards to church ministry, let us remember that a believer is indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving others. Yes, we all have spiritual gifts but we also have God given abilities that when used for his glory in service to others He transforms them from being merely natural to being much more through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Saviour wants to use you in a ministry that is essential to the body and while using your natural God given abilities you may discover your spiritual gift(s).
Richard Baxter noted, “Every man must render to God the things that are God’s, and that, let it be remembered, is all he is and all he possesses. How are all things sanctified to us, but in the separation and dedication of them to God? Are they not all his talents, and must be employed in his service?”
Ministry does depend on the use of spiritual gifts, not just the use of natural talents dedicated to God. Both are vital, and both will be present in the church. However, the church is not built on natural talent; service within the church involves the use of spiritual gifts.
We don’t necessarily have to have a spiritual gift to visit the sick in their home or the hospital, or the elderly, the widowed, the bereaved, to provide a meal or two if necessary. Hospitality is another way we can be of encouragement to others. Our homes should have open doors. Encouraging others could be something as simple as providing rides for those without vehicles, especially in the winter months. Every believer should have a concern for those in their sphere of influence (i.e. men’s and ladies ministries, Sunday school, youth or college and career groups) as to their needs and how you can meet it either personally or in notifying the pastor or elders.
Encouraging others may be through attending the care groups, church family functions, prayer meeting or having a small group Bible study in your home. Yes, the work of the ministry belongs to the entire body of believers.
Written in the context of spiritual gifts, Ephesians 4:16 emphasizes the importance of everybody doing their part in the “body of Christ.” “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every support ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph 4:16). It would appear that by so doing it helps you identify your place in the church and play an important role in the growth of “the Body.”
Speaking to the church Paul writes, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal 6:10). In Hebrews, we read, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb 13:16).
It must also be said that those who are mature in the faith are to not only encourage the younger or weaker brother/sister in the faith by being Christ-like examples but also make themselves available to encourage them in spiritual matters. The more mature believers are to support and encourage each other to continue to persevere in the race set before them by keeping their eyes on Christ, the Author and finisher of their faith.
Jesus commands us to love, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). This love is expressed in the work of ministry which belongs to the entire body of believers, serving those for whom Jesus died.