GIVING AND FINDING ENCOURAGEMENT
Do you know someone discouraged? We live in a culture filled with opportunities for discouragement. Walk through any store and you’ll see all the things you can’t have. Talk about discouragement!
Why is it people are discouraged? Perhaps it comes from expectations that don’t come true. Be it sports, health, finances, relationships, unrealized expectations can bring discouragement. How do we go about encouraging someone who is discouraged? How do we help them get the joy back?
In this week’s passage, we see Paul doing this with Timothy. In light of Paul’s discouragement, he kept his eye out for Timothy who may have been discouraged as well. Perhaps Timothy was disappointed and discouraged to carry on without his mentor in the faith. Could he do it without Paul?
Paul throughout the letter has been exhorting Timothy to carry on the work of the gospel. To encourage Timothy, he instructs Timothy to:
1. Look to the Lord, v. 8
The command “remember” means to “be rooted” or “be fixed”. In other words, let Jesus Christ be a fixture in our minds. Let Him have a regular place in our thought process. When Christ takes a hold of our minds, He becomes the object of our hope regardless of the situation.
2. Look to the Leaders, vv. 9-10
Paul reminds Timothy of his own condition. Craig shared that we should watch and follow those who lead well. A good leader suffers and endures. There are many people around us who are examples of enduring leadership. They may not be leaders by title, but they are leaders by their life and character. Look to these people for our example and encouragement. Who are the leaders in your life? How have they encouraged you in your walk?
3. Look to the Liturgy, vv. 11-13
This section is likely a quote from an early hymn or creed. The truths are significant:
-if we have died with Him (note the past tense, one time act of dying), we shall live with Him (we will live with Christ if we have placed our faith in Him)
-if we endure, we shall also reign with Him
-if we disown Him (reject Him and turn our backs on Him), he also will deny us (our belief matters; He won’t drag us in kicking.)
-if we are faithless (i.e. if we stumble), He remains faithful (to forgive us and restore us to Him)
Liturgy is a means of helping us remember truth. They are developed to encourage us. Hymns and songs are similarly vehicles to help us remember the content of truth. Music exists to transport words (like a bus to transport people). Some songs are like crowded buses, some are not. Craig shared that we remember liturgy, creeds, and songs that are full (rather than empty). Filling our minds with truth helps the discouraging things fade away.
Consider how each of these influences is doing in your life and see if any area needs improvement so that when you do need encouragement, it will be just around the corner.
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Questions for Home Groups
1) Where do you typically find encouragement?
2) Has there ever been a time when you were down and a particular verse in Scripture gave you encouragement?
3) Do you have people in your life who have endured hardship? How have they been an encouragement to you?
4) When it comes to liturgy, have there been “full” songs that have encouraged you when you were down?