Empowering Lives Through Encouragement and Abundant Strength
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today is a day of celebration and gratitude. We are thankful for the many people who have contributed to our church's growth and success, from the Fort Worth team to the construction and audiovisual teams. We also have some exciting news: I have written a book titled "The Real You, Fully Alive, Spirit, Soul, Body," which will be available in October. This book aims to help you live an abundant life and resist the schemes of the evil one.
Next Sunday, we will continue our series on "Knowing God," where we will teach you how to meet God and help others do the same. Men, don't forget the men's rally this Saturday at the Fort Worth campus, where we will discuss biblical ways to hear from God.
Today's sermon is titled "Strengthening People for Life," part of our Vital Eras series. We live in a cruel, dark world, but God has called us to be a light and to strengthen others. God has an abundant life planned for you, and He wants you to be strong so you can help others. We should not be like the Dead Sea, which only receives and does not give. Instead, we should be like the Sea of Galilee, teeming with life and giving to others.
Isaiah 40:31 and Isaiah 41:10 remind us that God will renew our strength and help us. Ephesians 3:16-19 emphasizes that God's strength is for all of us, and we should strive to strengthen others as well. Encouragement is a powerful tool that can change lives. Everyone needs encouragement, and it is our duty as Christians to provide it.
We should encourage our friends and our faith family. Jonathan's encouragement to David in 1 Samuel 23:16-17 is a powerful example of how we can uplift others. In Acts 4:36-37, we see how Barnabas, the "son of encouragement," strengthened the early church.
Encouragement is not just a nice thing to do; it is a command from God. Hebrews 3:12-13 and Hebrews 10:24-25 urge us to encourage one another daily. When we encourage others, we are most like the Holy Spirit, who is our ultimate encourager.
So, let's start today. Let's be the ones who give a jump-start to someone's life, just like a car battery that needs a boost. Let's be the power cables that God uses to bring life and strength to others.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Abundant Life for You: God has an abundant life planned for each of us, filled with strength and purpose. We are not meant to merely exist but to thrive and help others do the same. Embrace the abundant life God has for you and be a conduit of His blessings to others. [06:12]
2. The Power of Encouragement: Encouragement is a world-changer. When we speak words of encouragement, we add courage to others, helping them to stand strong in their faith and life. Everyone needs encouragement, and it is a simple yet powerful way to strengthen others. [13:28]
3. Biblical Examples of Encouragement: Jonathan's encouragement to David and Barnabas's role in the early church are powerful examples of how encouragement can change lives. These stories remind us that our words and actions can have a profound impact on others. [21:22]
4. Encouragement as a Command: Encouragement is not just a nice thing to do; it is a command from God. Hebrews 3:12-13 and Hebrews 10:24-25 urge us to encourage one another daily. This is a continuous, active process that we should engage in every day. [17:03]
5. Be a Spiritual Jump-Start: Just like a car battery that needs a jump-start, people around us need spiritual and emotional boosts. Be ready to be that source of strength and encouragement, helping others to get back on their feet and continue their journey with God. [35:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Celebrating Wins and Gratitude
[01:05] - Acknowledging Teams and Contributors
[02:43] - Upcoming Book Release
[03:22] - Next Sunday and Men's Rally
[04:06] - Introduction to "Strengthening People for Life"
[04:50] - Prayer for Guidance
[05:26] - Why Strengthening People is Important
[06:12] - God's Abundant Life for You
[07:36] - The Dead Sea vs. The Sea of Galilee
[08:21] - Renewing Strength in Isaiah
[09:29] - Strength in the New Testament
[10:06] - Understanding "You" in Scripture
[12:23] - God's Strength for All
[12:59] - How to Strengthen Others
[13:28] - The Power of Encouragement
[15:07] - Story of Abraham Lincoln
[17:03] - Encouragement as a Command
[18:17] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[20:08] - Who Needs Encouragement?
[21:22] - Biblical Examples of Encouragement
[26:56] - Encouraging Our Faith Family
[32:13] - When to Encourage: Now
[35:50] - Be a Spiritual Jump-Start
[36:49] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 40:31 - "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
2. Ephesians 3:16-19 - "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
3. Hebrews 3:12-13 - "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 40:31, what are the benefits of waiting for the Lord? How does this verse describe the renewal of strength?
2. In Ephesians 3:16-19, what does Paul pray for the believers to receive? How does he describe the strength that comes from God?
3. Hebrews 3:12-13 emphasizes the importance of daily encouragement. What reasons does the author give for this command? [17:03]
4. The sermon mentioned the difference between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. What lesson was drawn from this comparison? [06:59]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of renewed strength in Isaiah 40:31 apply to the challenges you face in your daily life? What does it mean to "wait for the Lord" in practical terms?
2. Ephesians 3:16-19 speaks about being "rooted and grounded in love." How does this foundation help believers comprehend the vastness of Christ's love and live a full life? [11:49]
3. Hebrews 3:12-13 warns against having a sinful, unbelieving heart. How can daily encouragement help prevent this? What role does community play in maintaining a strong faith? [17:03]
4. The sermon highlighted the power of encouragement using the example of Jonathan and David. How did Jonathan's encouragement impact David's life and future? [21:22]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually or emotionally drained. How did you find renewal in God’s strength, as described in Isaiah 40:31? What practical steps can you take to wait on the Lord in your current situation?
2. Ephesians 3:16-19 talks about being strengthened in your inner being. What are some ways you can cultivate this inner strength through your daily spiritual practices? [11:49]
3. Hebrews 3:12-13 urges us to encourage one another daily. Identify one person in your life who might need encouragement. What specific words or actions can you use to uplift them this week? [17:03]
4. The sermon mentioned that encouragement is a command from God. How can you make encouragement a regular part of your interactions with others? What changes might you need to make in your communication habits? [17:03]
5. Think about the analogy of being a spiritual jump-start for others. Who in your life needs a "jump-start" right now? How can you be that source of strength and encouragement for them? [35:50]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of not just receiving but also giving. How can you ensure that you are like the Sea of Galilee, teeming with life and giving to others, rather than the Dead Sea? [06:59]
7. Reflect on the story of Abraham Lincoln and how encouragement helped him overcome depression. How can you be a source of hope and strength for someone going through a difficult time? [15:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace God's Abundant Life for You
God has an abundant life planned for each of us, filled with strength and purpose. We are not meant to merely exist but to thrive and help others do the same. Embrace the abundant life God has for you and be a conduit of His blessings to others. This means actively seeking ways to grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically, and then using that growth to benefit those around you. God’s plan is not just for your personal fulfillment but for you to be a blessing to others, much like the Sea of Galilee, which teems with life and gives to others, unlike the Dead Sea, which only receives and does not give. [06:12]
Isaiah 58:11 (ESV): "And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to embrace the abundant life God has planned for you? How can you use your strengths and blessings to help others thrive?
Day 2: The Power of Encouragement
Encouragement is a world-changer. When we speak words of encouragement, we add courage to others, helping them to stand strong in their faith and life. Everyone needs encouragement, and it is a simple yet powerful way to strengthen others. Encouragement can come in many forms: a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a simple act of service. It is a way to reflect God's love and support to those around us. By encouraging others, we help them to see their own potential and to trust in God's plan for their lives. [13:28]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who might need encouragement today. How can you reach out to them and offer words or actions that will uplift and strengthen them?
Day 3: Biblical Examples of Encouragement
Jonathan's encouragement to David and Barnabas's role in the early church are powerful examples of how encouragement can change lives. These stories remind us that our words and actions can have a profound impact on others. Jonathan helped David find strength in God during a time of great distress, and Barnabas, known as the "son of encouragement," played a crucial role in the growth of the early church by supporting and uplifting others. These examples show us that encouragement is not just a nice thing to do but a vital part of our Christian walk. [21:22]
1 Samuel 23:16-17 (ESV): "And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, 'Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when someone’s encouragement made a significant difference in your life. How can you be a Jonathan or Barnabas to someone else today?
Day 4: Encouragement as a Command
Encouragement is not just a nice thing to do; it is a command from God. Hebrews 3:12-13 and Hebrews 10:24-25 urge us to encourage one another daily. This is a continuous, active process that we should engage in every day. Encouragement helps to prevent the hardening of hearts and keeps us focused on our faith. It is a way to support one another in our spiritual journeys and to ensure that we are all growing and thriving in our relationship with God. [17:03]
Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV): "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Reflection: How can you make encouragement a daily habit? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are actively encouraging those around you every day?
Day 5: Be a Spiritual Jump-Start
Just like a car battery that needs a jump-start, people around us need spiritual and emotional boosts. Be ready to be that source of strength and encouragement, helping others to get back on their feet and continue their journey with God. This means being attentive to the needs of those around you and being willing to step in and offer support when needed. It is about being a conduit of God's love and strength, helping others to see the hope and potential that God has for their lives. [35:50]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life might need a spiritual or emotional jump-start today? How can you be the power cables that God uses to bring life and strength to them?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God has an abundant life planned for you. And he wants you to live that abundant life. He wants you to be strong so that you can help others get strong. And there's so much joy in that. I just want to come against the mindset of just receiving. Pastors need to just give me, just bless me and give me, and everything needs to be for me and just receive." [06:12] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Everyone needs encouragement and everyone that receives encouragement is strengthened by it. Am I right? When someone encourages you, are you strengthened by it? And my answer is yes. Every time. Every time somebody wants to encourage me, I'm just believing that God has prompted them to do that and that the reason that that encouragement is happening is because God wants to bless me to receive and bless them as they give and as they act and live like Christ." [13:28] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Encouragement is a world changer, and you get to do it. You get to be a part of changing the world. Giving people strength in a very simple way. Just speaking encouragement. Listen, there's enough discouragement in this world already. Come on. And it doesn't need the voice of Christ's followers adding to it. There's enough criticism in our world already. Come on, somebody. There's enough slander in our world already. Without the people of God getting involved in it, it's time for us to make a choice to love people, strengthen people, bless people like the one who gave his life on a cross so that we could be strengthened and encouraged right straight from heaven." [13:59] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Encouragement brought him out of his depression. Hebrews chapter three, verse 12 gives us some more insights. See two. Brothers and sisters, just want you to note the body of Christ concept yet again. See to it, people of God, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. And that word for falling away, and the main cause of that, the main concept there is discouragement." [15:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Encouragement means to add courage to another. It is the word to call, plus to give, plus the word alongside of. The Greek word is paraclete. And for those of you that have been in Bible studies before, you know that that is one of the names and functions of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He's the paraclete. He's the one called alongside of our life. The third person in the Trinity who is completely God, who is completely good, and he is not the bronze medalist of the Trinity." [18:17] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "As Christians, sometimes we settle for just existing. We settle for just making it by. But I've got good news today. God has an abundant life planned for you. And he wants you to live that abundant life. He wants you to be strong so that you can help others get strong. And there's so much joy in that. I just want to come against the mindset of just receiving. Pastors need to just give me, just bless me and give me, and everything needs to be for me and just receive." [06:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's strength is for all of us, all of us. Listen to me now. There isn't a such a thing as special Christians. We're the children of God. We've been called by his name, blessed by his spirit, all of us can live with his strength. All of us can walk in his blessings. All of us can hear his voice. All of us can be a blessing to other people. And that life is a exciting, fun life to live. And I wanna stir you up on that, stir you up with that today." [12:23] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Everyone needs encouragement and everyone that receives encouragement is strengthened by it. Am I right? When someone encourages you, are you strengthened by it? And my answer is yes. Every time. Every time somebody wants to encourage me, I'm just believing that God has prompted them to do that and that the reason that that encouragement is happening is because God wants to bless me to receive and bless them as they give and as they act and live like Christ." [13:28] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Encouragement is a world changer, and you get to do it. You get to be a part of changing the world. Giving people strength in a very simple way. Just speaking encouragement. Listen, there's enough discouragement in this world already. Come on. And it doesn't need the voice of Christ's followers adding to it. There's enough criticism in our world already. Come on, somebody. There's enough slander in our world already. Without the people of God getting involved in it, it's time for us to make a choice to love people, strengthen people, bless people like the one who gave his life on a cross so that we could be strengthened and encouraged right straight from heaven." [13:59] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Encouragement means to add courage to another. It is the word to call, plus to give, plus the word alongside of. The Greek word is paraclete. And for those of you that have been in Bible studies before, you know that that is one of the names and functions of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He's the paraclete. He's the one called alongside of our life. The third person in the Trinity who is completely God, who is completely good, and he is not the bronze medalist of the Trinity." [18:17] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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