Building Believers

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

The verse before us today is a powerful word from God about the importance of being a builder. As you can see, builder is another word for being an encourager. There are only two things we can do in the lives of others: We can either build them up or break them down. Which of these activities best describes you?

Let’s be clear on what biblical encouragement is not. You don’t build others up with trite statements like, “Well, it could be worse!” or “Hang in there!” or “This too shall pass!” The list of these banalities is almost endless; such phrases do little to bring any measure of encouragement to the listener, and frequently they produce discouragement and disgust.

Now let’s see what true encouragement actually is, as given us in the pages of Scripture. Here is perhaps the most encouraging statement from our Savior that was ever recorded by the gospel writers. It has been a source of eternal encouragement to all those whom I have shared it with over the years. Before Jesus ascended to be reunited with His Father in heaven, He gave this glorious promise to His disciples . . . and to you and me:

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Pause for just a moment and let that truth sink in. Jesus is with you when things are going well and when things are going badly. Jesus is with you with the sky is blue and the clouds are fleecy and when dark clouds roll in and storm winds begin to howl. No matter what you are going through, you are not going through it alone. Jesus has promised to be with you every step of the way — always, to the very end of the age. If you remember the poem “Footprints,” know that whenever you look back and see only one set of footprints on the path you have been traveling, that was the time when Jesus was carrying you.

No matter where this message finds you, it finds you with Jesus by your side. There is no place you can go and there is nothing you can do to cause Jesus to walk away from you. Romans 8:38-39 emphatically states that nothing–no power of hell, no scheme of man–can ever separate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Are you encouraged to know that you are always in the presence of your Savior? I mean, really encouraged? Think about it this way; when you love someone, you want to be in their presence, and you will do whatever it takes to be with that person. Well, the very same thing is true for Jesus. He loves you so much that He did whatever it took to be with you: He died on a cross so you could be with Him forever simply by trusting in Him alone for salvation.

Let these words from Jesus close out our time together today and remind you that to be a builder in the lives of others, you need only bring them into the presence of Jesus:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!