Union Church of Christ

"He Encouraged Himself in the Lord"

1 Samuel 30:6

Introduction

1. Text and context.
2. Encourage - the inspire courage within one; to strengthen.
3. Barnabas - Acts 4:36 - Son of encouragement.
   1. Saul - Acts 9:26, 27.
   2. Antioch - Acts 11:23.
   3. John Mark - Acts 15:37-41; 2 Timothy 4:10, 11.
4. Consider some lessons learned from the phrase "he encouraged himself in the Lord."

Discussion

1. Our Personal Responsibility In Encouragement
   1. Note that David encouraged "himself" in the Lord.
   2. It is true that we are to encourage one another.
      1. Hebrews 3:13
      2. Proverbs 27:17
      3. Hebrews 10:24
         1. Here is one purpose of our assemblies - but we must be present to be edified!
         2. Colossians 3:16
   3. But while I receive help from others, the ultimate responsibility lies with ME!
      1. Galatians 6:2, 5.
      2. Elders "watch" for my soul - Hebrews 13:17.
         1. 1 Corinthians 16:13
         2. Matthew 24:42
      3. We need to stress personal responsibility on all areas.
         1. Ephesians 2:8, but Acts 2:40.
         2. This is no excuse - "So & so discouraged me and I quit the church."
2. The Place of Encouragement
   1. David encouraged himself "in the Lord."
   2. We must make sure that our encouragement is in the right things.
      1. Psalm 64:5
      2. 2 John 9-11
   3. 2 Chronicles 31:4
      1. Remember that "encourage" in this passage means "to strengthen."
      2. Ephesians 6:10-17.
      3. We must remember that our strength comes from the Lord, not ourselves.
         1. 2 Corinthians 3:5, 6
         2. 2 Corinthians 12:10
   4. The Christian life can be discouraging if we forget this.
      1. Example - I cannot handle temptation on my own, I need the help that God gives.
         1. Hebrews 4:15, 16.
         2. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
         3. Ephesians 6:16 - "The shield of faith" quenches temptation, but it must be utilized.
            1. Romans 10:17.
            2. Psalm 119:11.
      2. Luke 22:31-34, 54-62.
         1. Peter did not follow Christ's admonition - v. 40.
         2. He forgot Christ's word - v. 61.
      3. We must encourage ourselves in the help that God offers - His word and prayer; Bible study; fellowship with Christians.
   5. Consider some things taught in the word of God that are an encouragement to the faithful.
      1. The Certainty of Salvation.
         1. 2 Timothy 1:8-10.
         2. Paul understood that the power to save comes from God, not man's own ability. 1) Isaiah 64:6.
            1. Mark 2:7.
         3. Salvation is not by our own means or merit, but rather the plan of God in Christ; this is an encouraging thing, and indeed, it was to Paul.
         4. 2 Timothy 1:12.
         5. 1 John 5:13
      2. The Consecration of our Service.
         1. The work to be done in the kingdom of God is a great thing.
         2. 2 Timothy 1:9 - "a holy calling" refers to this great undertaking.
         3. Even though one may spend his life in a number of occupations that are grand and noble, there is nothing on earth to compare with the work of the Lord.
         4. The word "holy" denotes the special place of the saint in the service of the Lord.
         5. This work was not limited to the apostles in the first century, and it is not limited to any group within the church today - All Christians are to be servants of God.
         6. Romans 6:18
         7. It can be discouraging when the task becomes difficult and the load hard to bear, but the servant of Christ should be encouraged when he realizes that he has a part in the greatest vocation this world can know.
         8. 1 Corinthians 15:58
      3. The Completeness of our Spiritual Needs.
         1. Even though we are nearing the beginning of a new millenium, man's needs are no different today as they were when Adam and Eve plunged the world into sin.
         2. We need salvation from sin; we need the hope of a resurrection to conquer the fear of death; we need the light to guide us through life; we need one to intercede for us in the presence of the Almighty. All of these needs are fulfilled in one place - in Christ.
         3. As we face each new day, we can do so with the assurance that what we need is provided in full in our Lord and Savior.
         4. No amount of advancement in technology and human knowledge can supply what God freely gives to his children in Christ.
         5. How encouraging indeed are the words of Ephesians 3:20
         6. Philippians 4:19
3. The Purpose of Encouragement
   1. 1 Samuel 30:17-19 - David's success following his encouragement.
   2. 2 Chron. 35:2
   3. We need to encourage ourselves in the Lord so that we can do his will.
   4. Galatians 6:9, 10.
   5. Consider some things that will keep us from being weary in well doing.
      1. Luke 18:1
      2. 2 Corinthians 4:1
      3. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Conclusion

1. It is true for every one of us -- we need encouragement from time to time.
2. At times the task at hand is difficult, success is not as evident as we would like it, or the responsibility becomes more than we expected.
3. If we will "encourage ourselves in the Lord," we will succeed in the Christian life.