The Gift of Exhortation and Encouragement

• Establishing the truth that the gifts of the Spirit are supernatural gifts and not natural talents.
• Understand that the gift of exhortation and encouragement available to all believers.
• Appreciate the relevance of the gift of exhortation and encouragement in  a  challenging world.
• Encourage believers to appreciate that the aim is not to stop at studying the gift but also encourage believers to covet the gift of exhortation and  
• Help us appreciate that the gift is meant to serve the body of Christ.

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• What are the purposes of the gifts-of the Holy Spirit?
• What is the gift of Exhortation and Encouragement?
• Did Jesus manifest the gift of Exhortation and Encouragement?
• How do I receive the Gift of Exhortation and Encouragement?
• What are the delivery mechanisms of the gift of Exhortation and encouragement?
• Why do we need the gift of Exhortation and encouragement?
• Are Christians admonished to exhort and encourage one and another or it is the remit of those called into the pastoral ministry?
• Can I thrive in the gift of Exhortation and Encouragement if I do not have confidence in people?
• What are the pragmatic ways of encouraging and exhorting one another?
• What is the role of Love in the delivery of Exhortation and Encouragement?
• Are there rewards for exhortation and Encouragement?

• The gift of Exhortation and Encouragement is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit to minister comfort, encouragement, and advice to other people in a way that they feel helped and healed with a hope for the future when they were in a seemingly hopeless predicament; It increases their faith and not just emotional wellbeing (Romans 12:8, 2 Corin 13:11)
• Jesus displayed the gift of Exhortation and encouragement (Luke 12:6–7, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 12:9–10)
• All Believers are admonished to encourage and exhort one another (Hebrews 10:25, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:24–25)
• The gift of Exhortation and encouragement is closely linked with teaching and prophesy (Titus 2:15, 1 Corinthians 14:3)
• In order to be an effective encourager/exhorter, we must have confidence in the person that is meant to benefit from our gifting (Acts 9:26­28, Acts 15:36­40)
• Encouragement and exhortation can be delivered through words and also through action, there are times our words are required, in other instances, action is required (James 2:15 Acts 4:34­37, )
• Believers should be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirt as there are some issues people are unwilling to disclose, it takes the Holy Spirit to reveal and give the right words or action to take, also do not discount the need to listen to peoples concerns and struggles; do not be too quick to speak (Hebrews 4:13, Proverbs 18:13).
• The gift of encouragement is not aimed at making people feel better emotionally but to make people obey and trust God (Matthew 11:28–30)
• The gift of encouragement and exhortation can be expressed privately and publicly to help people persevere in their faith in Christ when they are about to give up (Isaiah 41:10, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Matt 11:28)
• When believers prophesy, there is an element of the manifestation of the gift of encouragement (1 Corinthians 14:3)
• Every gift of the Holy spirit is meant to bless the body of Christ and give glory to God (Acts 11:24)

• We should always ask ourselves an important question, can I help in practical ways before we speak words of comfort, it might be that practical solution /help rather than words that they need.
• In order to be an effective encourager, we must be sensitive to other people and not be self-centered.
• Jesus should be the center of our encouragement It is all about God, the aim is for Jesus to be glorified and not to show our good we are
• Accept people for what they are and look forward to the journey and a brighter future for them
• Let us always remind each other about the promises of God as this can help in encouraging people to continue to rely on the word of God over their lives.
• Let us be that person to encourage someone to give it yet another push just as Jesus did for Peter (Luke 5:5)
• Motivation speakers can help people over certain emotional difficulties but cannot strengthen their faith but the person operating in the gift of encouragement helps the faith to grow because it is rooted in the word of God and spirit inspired
• Jesus is the wisdom of God, we need to be adept in the word of God as this can be very useful in skillfully identifying precepts and principles in God’s Word, Our encouragement must not contravene the word of God,
• Learn to be compassionate like Jesus Christ as compassion will enhance the flow of the Spirit (Matt 9:36).