And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.  1st John 2:3-6

12.  An Encouraging Walk:  John 14:1-3

  A.  The Ministry of Encouragement

  1.  It is a command:  Heb. 3:12-13, Heb. 10:24-25

   2.  It is not difficult:  1 John 5:3, Matt. 11:28-30

   B.  The Impact from Encouragement

   1.  It strengthens the weary: 1 Thess. 4:16-18, 5:11 & 14

   2.  It empowers the fearful:  Acts 18:9-11

   3.  It may save the hopeless:  Prov. 16:24, Prov. 18:21, Prov. 25:11

  C.  The Reasons for Neglect of Encouragement

  1.  We are prone to be critical and fault-finding: John 8:3-7, James 1:22-25

 2.  We are pre-occupied with ourselves:  Phil. 2:19-21

D.  The Lord Jesus’ Modeling Encouragement:  John 13:36-38

1.  Jesus encourages us to look away from ourselves and onto God: John 14:1

2.  Jesus encourages us to look back at His promises: John 14:2, 13:36

3.  Jesus encourages us to look ahead at His promises:  John 14:3