Encouragers - Sunday Morning Sermon - Richard Sutton - July 12th
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began with a warm welcome, noting the joy of gathering virtually and announcing a drive‑in worship service set for July 19th. The teacher reminded the congregation of God’s promises of comfort, peace, and ever‑present help during trials, and then shifted focus to the biblical mandate to encourage one another, referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Using the example of Barnabas—originally named Joseph—the teacher illustrated how this early‑church leader embodied encouragement through generous actions, such as selling his land and placing the proceeds at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:32‑36). The narrative highlighted how Barnabas’s encouragement fueled the rapid growth of the early church after Pentecost, where thousands were baptized (Acts 2:38, 2:41). The lesson concluded by urging believers to become everyday encouragers, sharing resources and building up fellow members, especially amid current challenges and negativity. Overall, the session reinforced that encouragement is a biblical virtue rooted in generosity and confidence‑building, calling the Linder Road community to mirror Barnabas’s spirit as they support one another in faith.
Key Scriptures
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
And Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which means son of encouragement), owned a tract of land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.