Strengthening and Encouraging
SUNDAY Worship Service: AUGUST 11, 2024
STRENGTHENING AND ENCOURAGING
Rev. Charles Lee
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21-22)
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra…. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. (Acts 16:1, 5)
After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. (Acts 18:23)
… and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thess 3:2)
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21-22)
After proclaiming the Message in Derbe and establishing a strong core of disciples, they retraced their steps to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch, putting grit in the lives of the disciples, urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn’t be easy: “Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.” (Acts 14:21-22 MSG)
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:7-8 )
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12)
“When you all arrived, I never imagined that your visit would have such a great impact on my life. Through your work, God truly strengthened my faith, and I can genuinely say that I've gained some valuable insights because of you.
The importance of fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ is something I now understand much better. You’ve shown me just how essential it is to refuel our spirits and learn from one another. Because of our conversations, I feel renewed in my faith.
Additionally, I’ve come to realize that God is always at work, even during times when we feel distant from Him. Your visit happened at a moment when I felt farther from God than usual, and it was a powerful reminder that He never stops moving in our lives, regardless of how close we feel to Christ at that moment.”
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. (2 Thess 2:16-17)