Encourage, encourage, encourage
Acts 18:18-23
18 Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.
19 They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.
Paul gets around! Considering the time he lived in, the distances he travelled were pretty amazing. The important thing is the purpose of all this travelling. Paul introduced people to Jesus all over the Mediterranean region, and now he is returning to strengthen and encourage them.
As Christians, we are on a life-long journey of growing more like Jesus. It is not enough to become a believer and then go back to living the way we did previously. There are many passages in the New Testament about growing into all God has for us and wants us to be. It is a journey that requires faith, an ongoing relationship with God, and also encouragement from fellow believers. God made us into a church – a community – so that we could grow together and encourage each other.
Paul knew that. He planted churches, then went to great lengths, travelling, writing letters, and sending other Christians to encourage the new believers and help them grow in their faith. Paul’s love and care for these new Christians abound.
Our priorities as a church are “worshipping God with passion, reaching people with Jesus and building people in Jesus, empowered by the Spirit”. And I can be part of that. So, part of my role is to introduce people to Christ, but part of it is to look for opportunities to encourage other believers by my words, by praying for them and by growing together.
Lord, this is a simple yet profound message. Help me to listen with your ears, look with your eyes and speak with your words so that I can encourage other believers. Amen
Written by Megan Cornell
