Aug 25, 2024
GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor
How To Experience Encouragement
Acts 20:1-12
1. Keep the proper perspective, v. 1
2. Work towards a balance, v. 1-2
Encouragement does five things…
a) provides awareness
b) creates belief
c) builds confidence
d) improves attitude
e) promotes action
1) Election (God’s choice of people to be saved)
2) The gospel call (proclaiming the message of the gospel)
3) Regeneration (being born again)
4) Conversation (faith and repentance)
5) Justification (right legal standing)
6) Adoption (membership in God’s family)
7) Sanctification (right conduct of life)
8) Perseverance (remaining a Christian)
9) Death (going to be with the Lord)
10) Glorification (receinbg a resurrection body)
“But what happens when we think faith saves us? Sincerity becomes paramount. We begin to think of faith as a single act- a prayer prayed, a decision made, a card signed, a hand raised-rather than as a whole-life orientation. The trouble is, we can never be sure if we were sincere enough. So insecurity follows, and a culture of rededication develops. Anxious children pray “the prayer” over and over. Youth re-dedicate themselves at every youth retreat. Adults do the same. All are hoping that this time the expression of faith will be sincere enough.”
-Michael Lawrence, Conversion: How God Creates A People
3. Surround yourself with encouraging reminders, v. 3-6
4. Do things that are encouraging, v. 7-12
Two things Paul did that were encouraging…
a) he went to church, v. 7
b) he demonstrated a graceful response, v. 7-12
Mental worship…
1. What is your tendency when you find yourself in an “uproar?”
2. Do you feel confident enough in your faith to encourage someone else in theirs?
3. What do you have around you that encourages you?
4. When was the last time someone gave you a gracious response and how did it feel?
5. If you were going to spiritually encourage one person this week, who would it be and what would you do?