Called to Encourage
- Mar 9
- 4 min read
Are you a consumer or a contributor in God's House? This past Sunday at Highpoint AG Church in Royse City, Texas, Pastor David Barnes shared a vital message: "Called to Encourage."
We learned that biblical encouragement is more than a compliment—it’s the act of "putting courage into" someone else. Drawing from Hebrews 10, Pastor David reminded us that we meet together not just to hear a sermon, but to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
In a world where people are struggling "slowly and sadly" without support, our "House" must be a place where we fix our eyes on each other's needs. Don't just show up to church—show up to be the "Comforter" to someone else!
Join us next Sunday at highpointag.org/plan-a-visit as we continue to build healthy houses in Royse City.
Me & My House: Called to Encourage
Continuing the "Me & My House" series, Pastor David moved from the "God is Calling" message of the previous week to a specific, communal mandate: the call to encourage. Using Hebrews 10:24-25 as the core text, he explored how encouragement is the fuel that keeps the "House" (Individual, Family, and Church) alive.
1. The Principle: Putting Courage In
Pastor David defined encouragement not just as a nice gesture, but as a deliberate act of "calling someone to one’s side" to comfort and strengthen them.
The Holy Spirit Connection: He noted that the Greek word for encourage is the same word used for the Comforter (the Holy Spirit). To encourage someone is to participate in the very work of the Spirit.
A Way of Life: He emphasized that "encourage" in this text is in the present tense and active voice. This means it should be a consistent habit, and we shouldn't wait for others to encourage us first—we must take the initiative.
2. The Process: Observant and Provocative
The sermon broke down the "how-to" of biblical encouragement found in verse 24:
"Let us consider": This means to observe attentively or fix one's eyes on someone else. Pastor David challenged us to stop being self-absorbed and start truly noticing the needs of those around us.
"Spur one another on": This phrase implies stirring up or even "provoking" someone toward love and good deeds. True encouragement isn't just a pat on the back; it's a push toward God’s purpose.
3. The Purpose of Meeting Together
Pastor David addressed the vital link between church attendance and encouragement.
Verse 25 joins "not giving up meeting together" with "encouraging one another".
Even if we attend every service, if we fail to encourage others, we have not fully obeyed the Word. Encouragement is a primary purpose of our gathering, whether in a large service or a small group.
The message carried a sobering warning: people without encouragement die "slowly, sadly, and bitterly". Pastor David challenged us to:
Audit Your Household Habits: Is encouragement your "way of life," or are you waiting for someone to notice you?
Engage The Mission: Every time you step into the Highpoint AG building, your mission is to find someone to "put courage into".
Small Group Discussion
Read Hebrews 10:24-25
Discussion Questions
Encouragement is "putting courage into" someone. What does it look like practically to put courage into someone?
The Greek word for encourage (Parakaleo) is the same word used for the Holy Spirit. How does it change your view of a simple "good word" to know that you are actually participating in the work of the Holy Spirit when you encourage someone?
Encouragement is a "habit" and an "active" duty. Are you a natural encourager or do you struggle with encouraging others? Why do you feel this way?
Hebrews 10:24 tells us to "observe attentively" or fix our eyes on others. In a world of distractions and smartphones, what are the biggest obstacles that prevent us from truly noticing the needs of others?
To spur someone on means to stir up or provoke them toward love and good deeds. Have you ever had someone "provoke" you to do something good that you were hesitant to do?
What is the difference between simply being "nice" or "polite" and the biblical mandate to stimulate someone toward their divine purpose?
If you attended church but didn't encourage anyone, did you fully obey Hebrews 10:24-25? Why or why not?
Without encouragement, people die "slowly, sadly, and bitterly." How can a culture of encouragement at Highpoint act as a "medicine" for the bitterness we see in the world today?
How is it easier (or harder) to "consider" and "spur on" one another in a small group setting compared to a Sunday morning worship service?
If every member of our church made encouragement a "way of life" this week in Royse City—at the grocery store, in our neighborhoods, at work, or in schools—what kind of "revival" do you think we would see in our community?
Weekly Challenge: Don't wait to be noticed. This week, "fix your eyes" on one person in your life who seems to be struggling and find a way to "put courage" back into them through a specific word, a note, or an act of service.