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.

Evangelism

Elder Kevin Littlewood

The purpose of evangelism is to pronounce the eternal truths of the gospel that Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of all those who would ever turn and trust in Him for their forgiveness by faith alone and grace alone. Evangelism is the message that there is one God in three persons and that he has created the world and all that is in it and we are His creation, and all things exist for His glory and honour.
The Scriptures teach that we are sinful and in a state of separation and open rebellion against our Creator and as such are the objects of His wrath. Humans left in their sinful state and unrepentant in their hearts will upon death be separated from this holy and just God, justly condemned for their sinful lives; this is the “Bad News.”
But, there is “Good News!” God will forgive the sinner through faith in the meritorious works of Jesus Christ and as they turn from sin in repentance. God applies the righteousness of Christ and no longer sees our sin but the perfection and holiness of Christ giving eternal life, the gift of grace, all this through Christ to His glory.
Now, how to share this with others? First, do you have the desire to share the gospel, and if you do, that desire is from the Holy Spirit and is one of the many evidences that you are saved. You want to see people come to a saving knowledge of faith in Jesus and you pursue God in prayer on the behalf of others. Of course, now you have to know how to share the “Good News” in a way that is clear and precise in approximately 90 to 120 seconds.
The “Good News” has four essential parts.

1. We were created in the image of God to know Him.
2. We have sinned (missed the mark of God’s holiness) against our righteous and holy Creator. His wrath is being revealed from heaven against godlessness and wickedness.
3. Jesus Christ lived the perfect holy life [was without sin], and satisfied the holy justice of God the Father as our sacrifice (substitute) dying in our place for our sin and in His resurrection demonstrated His sacrifice was accepted by the Father!
4. By repentance (turning from our sin) and through faith alone in Christ, God now forgives us through Jesus’ merit and no longer sees our sin but the righteousness of Christ and applies it to us.

The message must be simple and clear and we realize only through the power of the Holy Spirit can a person come to a saving knowledge of faith in Jesus. Always begin with prayer and ask God for opportunities to share the gospel, and be prepared to share the gospel when God answers your prayer. Be creative in how you bring people together and be deliberate in wanting to share the message. You need to be convinced that the message that you have needs to be heard by everyone!
The best evangelistic tool is the testimony and evidence of a changed life; your conduct, language and the choices you make around others shows that you no longer think like the world. If you are unsure you are saved, pray unceasingly that God will give you the assurance you are and read the scriptures daily. Be prepared by knowing God’s Word and in knowing His Word you can know His will.
Jesus taught us “to have faith in God...believe and not doubt...that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness not the things of the world” and that “only through the Spirit can we say that Jesus is Lord.”
By filling our minds with the things of God, our thoughts and attitudes will change and we will long more and more for the things of God and want to put to death the things of the sinful nature. By constant re-examination, our focus will be on serving others and our Lord.
Evangelism arises as we: live to serve others, live to please God.