Are You an Encourager

Happy Sunday. The year was around 67 AD. The Apostle Paul was in a Roman jail, and his Earthly life was soon to come to an end. In the book of Second Timothy we read a section of scripture that really is very sad to me. Let me read from chapter 1; this is verse 15.

Paul tell, Paul tells Timothy, "As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me, even filus and hermogenes." A't that sad? Paul is without question one of the greatest missionaries who ever lived. He gave his life and suffered greatly to advance the cause of Christ. Now in his last days in a Roman jail, he's been forgotten, deserted.

Can't you hear the sadness in these words? "As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me." Paul is all alone, it seems. No visitors, no support, all by himself. He even names names: "As you know, everyone from the province of a province of Asia has deserted me, even filus and hermogenes," he writes.

That's their only mention in scripture. We know nothing about them, except Paul seems really disappointed that even they didn't come to see him. Not a good mention. The next verses are so important. We meet a hero in verses 16 and 17.

Paul writes, "May the Lord show special kindness to onesa forus and all his family, because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in Chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me." Onessa forus is mentioned just twice in scripture. We, we don't know much. I would know, I know enough to tell you that I like him. I like him a lot.

Paul said, "He often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chain, so when he came to Rome he searched everywhere until he found me." Onessa forus deliberately sought Paul so that he could encourage him. It's likely that others stayed away because they were afraid of persecution. Not an neap forus. He was all in on being a friend to Paul.

Today I want to talk about encouragers. The world needs more encouragers. Lord knows we have enough critics. My life has been made so much better by those who have encouraged me. Sometimes our encouragers have no idea what they do for us. Sometimes it's even without words.

Years ago, when I was pastor at the First Baptist Church of Henryville, Indiana, there was a man there named Melvin. Now Melvin was small in stature and not very healthy. He'd come to church, and it was a great effort for him to walk up the three or four stairs that led to the, to the sanctuary. I saw him week after week grab the handrail and just pull himself up.

And he always carried a pillow to sit on. He was Skin and Bones, and it helped to ease his pain. Sunday after Sunday I saw Melvin Faithfully attend. You know, I was in encouraged simply by his presence. People that encourage us are so important.

I have a drawer that contains cards and letters that I've received over the years, and every now and then I'll open the drawer and read a few. Those encouraging words are so special. Today I want to encourage you to be an encourager. Seek someone out and do what you can do to lift them up and to cheer them on. Write a note, send a letter, make a call. It makes a big difference.

The other day I read a story about the actor Ernest Borgnine. You may remember him from the old TV show male's Navy. Early in his career he was depressed and thinking about ending his life. He had lunch with a friend, and when they were at lunch his friend introduced him to another friend, George Lindsay. George Lindsay played goober pile on The Andy Griffith Show.

The three men had lunch, and after lunch George Lindley asked Ernest bornan to go play, play golf. Boride went, and he and goober became Fast Friends. Ernest boride left to the r old age of 95. He credits George Lindsay with saving his life. Encouragers make such a difference.

Back to Second Timothy. I don't like filus and hermogenes; they deserted Paul. I absolutely love an esap forus. He was a true friend and encourager. By the way, here we are 2,000 years later bragging on a true friend. They make a difference. Bless you as you make a difference.

Pray with me. Lord, as this week unfolds, there's a hurricane heading towards Florida. By the time this sermon airs, it will have hit. We pray for those impacted by this storm. We pray for the mission teams, the churches from all over this great land that will send people immediately to help, and I thank you that through this people will show off the love of Jesus.

So Father, comfort those people. Help us to encourage everyone we come in contact with, to be a breath of fresh air in this stale World. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. God bless. Thanks for joining me today.