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Each Other (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Let us consider one another to stir up love and good works, as instructed in Hebrews 10:24-25, by not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another, especially as the Day approaches. Exhortation, in this sense, means to call near, to invite or implore, offering comfort, consolation, and earnest advice. It is an act of love to comfort a brother or sister, to urge them to keep fighting the good fight, or to plead with them to choose a better path. When we see someone losing hope, we can implore them to remember God's sovereignty, His providence, and His love toward His children. If someone is stuck in a repeating cycle, we can invite them to view things differently, perhaps by recalling a scripture or principle that might help. Exhortation is not dictatorial or meddlesome but an invitation and entreaty, focused outwardly on helping other members of the Body. Its purpose is to aid a brother or sister in walking toward the Kingdom of God, not to make ourselves feel good. True exhortation stems from God's work in our lives, providing the experience, understanding, empathy, and foresight to offer wisdom to others. When we exhort, we are reminded of what God has done in our lives, His character, and His standards, which stirs us spiritually and strengthens us against willful sin. Even if the outcome of our exhortations is unknown, we trust in God to sort it out, knowing that helping others in their spiritual race also helps us in ours.

The God of All Comfort

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. God provides comfort to us so that we, in turn, can comfort others, acting as conduits of the relief and encouragement we receive from Him. Comfort, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, brings relief from pain, lessens fear and anxiety, and offers hope and security. Even with the most broken of backgrounds, God can and will comfort His children if we seek Him. As we are comforted by the Father and the Son, They can use us to comfort other members of the Family of God. Because Their love has been poured out in our hearts, we can share that love, including comfort, with others. We learn to comfort others because God comforts us, and as we take on His image, we relate to others in the way the Father and the Son relate to each other. Through drawing closer to God, we overcome barriers that hinder connection, learning to trust Him and conquer fears and anxieties. As we experience God's forbearance, we learn to forbear with others, and through the faith He gives, we let go of the need to control, trusting Him with our lives. God is offering to be our support, our encouragement, our relief, and our security. Until we allow ourselves to receive what He offers, often through other people as conduits, we will not fully know the experience of being comforted. Yet once we experience this comfort, giving to others becomes easier because we understand the relief we are offering, always remembering that this cannot be done without the God of all comfort.

Comfort One Another With These Words

CGG Weekly by Martin G. Collins

True Christians live and die as others do, but we are never alone, especially in times of despair. God the Father is forever merciful in His care for us and in providing comfort. Many times, He provides that comfort through members of His church. All Christians have a responsibility to comfort others with words of hope regarding God's promise of resurrection to eternal life and the benefits of overcoming sin. Let us comfort one another with these words.

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Raising a Widow's Son

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The gospels present Jesus performing three resurrections, one of which is the raising of the widow's son. The episode shows the depth of Christ's compassion.

Encouragement

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Comforting others forms a central duty in the Christian life, as believers are instructed to comfort each other and edify one another just as they are already doing. The same Greek term, rendered both as comfort and exhort, carries the sense of admonishing, consoling, strengthening, and encouraging, and it must be practiced daily as an expression of service to God and reflection of Jesus Christ's character toward everyone encountered. This practice sustains hope amid trials, for every person experiences times of discouragement, fear, and difficulty that leave one uncertain how to proceed; a single word or gesture of encouragement can restore courage and enable the next step forward. Such encouragement is presented as a powerful parenting tool that builds self-worth in children and ranks second only to teaching them God's truth. It constitutes a fundamental aspect of Christian character that God develops through His Holy Spirit as believers draw nearer to Him in study and prayer. The heavenly Father is identified as the God of all comfort, who comforts His people in every tribulation so that they in turn may comfort others with the same comfort received from Him. Jesus Christ Himself, having endured every form of suffering, supplies this encouragement and expects His followers to share it as a command rather than an option. Barnabas exemplifies this calling. Named Son of Encouragement by the apostles, he consistently looked for the good and potential in others rather than their faults. He vouched for Saul when the Jerusalem disciples feared him, thereby launching Saul's ministry among the apostles. Later he sought out Saul, mentored him for a year, and willingly yielded the leading role as their joint work progressed. Barnabas likewise refused to abandon John Mark after his earlier failure, investing in him until he became a useful leader who wrote a Gospel. These actions illustrate the humility and unselfish generosity required to step aside so others may thrive. Because God places believers in the church as a support system, they both give and receive encouragement through assembly, conversation, and the Spirit present there. This mutual strengthening stirs up love and good works and fulfills the expectation that each steward the manifold grace of God by ministering comfort to fellow brethren.

Tychicus the Messenger

Sermonette by Jared M. Ellis

Tychicus, the companion and helper of Paul, displayed many godly actions and characteristics like eagerness to serve and bringing the comfort as a messenger.

Compassion (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

The Word of God became a man so that He could completely feel both joy and pain as mankind does. He put on the form of a servant to feel our frailty.

God's Ministering Angels

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

As God's faithful servants, how might the angels work on behalf of God's people be an example to us in our service to God and one another?

Day By Day

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Ecclesiastes teaches us to rejoice when times are good and to reflect soberly when times are bad. Adversity is a tool God uses to create something beautiful.

Back to Life (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God's love does not shield us from sickness, pain, sorrow, or death. There are several scriptural contexts in which Jesus shed tears and expressed grief.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Six): Cultivating Kindness

Sermon by David F. Maas

Because kindness is love in action, we must galvanize our thoughts into concrete behaviors, including offering encouraging words and performing uplifting deeds.

Serving the Brethren Through Prayer

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Comforting others forms an essential expression of brotherly love within the body of Christ. Members fulfill this duty through fervent prayer that provides spiritual strength to those who suffer or face temptation. The body metaphor illustrates how each part contributes to reducing pain and promoting unity, just as cartilage protects joints from grinding and stiffness. When one member suffers, all members suffer with it, and prayers offered in obedience to God cover a multitude of sins while inviting divine intervention. Job's friends failed to deliver the needed comfort during his trials, yet Job prayed for them at God's command, and his own losses were restored with double blessing as a result. Jesus Christ demonstrated the highest standard by praying for those who executed Him, seeking mercy rather than judgment even in extreme agony. Such intercession reflects the heart of God, strengthens relationships among brethren, and confirms discipleship through active love rather than passive feeling.

Desire Earnestly to Prophesy

'Ready Answer' by Bill Cherry

Paul's admonition to the Corinthians to desire to prophesy has confused some due to a fundamental misunderstanding of what prophesying really is.

Those Who Mourn

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Worldly sorrow leads to death while godly sorrow leads to repentance and life. After godly repentance, sorrow is swallowed up in profound joy.

The Last Great Day

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

Because we have been tempted and failed many times, and had to overcome, we will be able encourage those resurrected, proving that it is not impossible.