Why Do We Need the Church? Encouragement

Hebrews 10:24 - 25

And let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The Bible is a book full of the story of redemption. From Genesis to Revelation, the story of redemption is all throughout God’s Word - from cover to cover! And along with the story of redemption comes the message of encouragement.

For example, in Acts 11, when word reached Jerusalem that the Gospel had come to Antioch, the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas over to check it out. When Barnabas arrived, the Bible says that he “witnessed the grace of God.” In other words, Barnabas saw that the happenings at Antioch were an authentic work of the Holy Spirit. But Barnabas needed something, he needed help. And so he left for Tarsus where he found Paul and brought him back to strengthen the new believers at Antioch. Barnabas was an encourager to the Antioch believers and Paul.

This is the same Barnabas who encouraged Paul in Acts 9 when the disciples were reluctant to fellowship with Paul out of fear. In Acts 9:26 - 27 the Bible says, 

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus.”

Barnabas was an encouragement to others. In fact, according to Acts 4, his very name means “son of encouragement.”

Everyone needs someone to encourage them. Everyone needs a friend, someone to come alongside them when others turn away. That is exactly what happened to the apostle Paul. He was the recipient of the encouragement of someone else! 

In my office, there are also quite a few books, my study notes, and sermons. There are pictures of my family and other things that are very special to me. However, there are two wooden boxes in my office. Inside those boxes are hundreds of notes of encouragement that I have received throughout my years in ministry. There are notes to Gina and me affirming us. There are notes of thanks and notes of prayers. Occasionally I will open one of those boxes and read a few of those notes. 

In fact, on days when I feel discouraged, I read a few of those notes and before too long I realize that an hour or even two have passed. I find myself lost in the encouragement of others.

One of the reasons we need the church is because we need encouragement. Don’t expect to find true encouragement from your unsaved friends or coworkers. Your unsaved boss may give you a paycheck to compensate you but wouldn’t expect a lost person to encourage you. Don’t expect your lost neighbor to encourage you. He simply wants you to do your part and keep your yard nice and clean like everyone else in the neighborhood. Don’t expect to find true encouragement from someone who doesn’t know Jesus.

Encouragement is a spiritual principle and it is something we can find from other believers. To encourage means to exhort and to comfort. And that is why we need the church. We need the church, the body of Christ, the family of God, to encourage us. 

When we are suffering, believers encourage us with strength. 

When we are grieving, believers encourage us with hope. 

When we are fearful, believers encourage us with faith. 

We need the church for encouragement! And we, as believers who are part of God’s church, need to encourage others.

I have a challenge for you this week. Take a few minutes to write someone a personal note of encouragement. Consider carefully the people around you and discern who needs a special word of encouragement and write them a note or send them a text message. This isn’t a thank you note, this isn’t a birthday card. This is simply a note to encourage them, to exhort them, and to affirm them. It may just be that they will keep that note of encouragement and look back at it over the years for continual encouragement. 

Be an encourager to someone today!