Acts : Warn, Urge, Console, Encourage.

In my private devotions at the moment, I'm reading through the book of Acts. No matter how familiar one is with bible chapters, there is always something new to ponder over every time one reads and studies a book. This is one of the joys of God's word - God and His ways and character are revealed more deeply and clearly with every reading.

The book of Acts has so much to offer the reader, for it describes the formation of the early churches after Christ's ascention to heaven and the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit given to Christ's followers at Pentecost (Acts chapter 2). This indwelling Holy Spirit enabled the early believers to be bold witnesses for Christ and heal and baptise in the name of Jesus Christ. We follow with excitement as the apostles establish churches in various cities and see many converts brought into the kingdom.

What was the early church charged to do? There was much teaching of the gospel. There was much prayer. There was communion. There was sharing and ministry to the needy.

We read in Acts chapter 16 of the conversion in Phillipi of a lady named Lydia, a dealer in purple fabrics. Paul and Silas, before departing from Phillipi, stay at this lady's house, ministering to the believers there. Verse 40 of the chapter tells us that they " warned and urged and consoled and encouraged them."

Acts chapter 20 begins with Paul about to leave the city of Ephesus . In verse one we are told that "Paul sent for the disciples and warned and consoled and urged and encouraged them, then he embraced them and told them farewell."   Yet again, in chapter 20, verse 2, as Paul is travelling through the districts of Asia on his way to Macedonia, we read " after he had gone through those districts and had warned and consoled and urged and encouraged the bretheren with much discourse, he came to Greece."

When we read those four words over and over again in connection with what was being done in the early church, we must  assume that these are important fundamentals for church life.

What can we glean from this today? We are to warn one another. Against what? Throughout the epistles Paul warns against false doctrine which distorts the gospel message and false teachers who will try to draw Christians to their own ways (Acts 20:30). It is still the task of Christians to be discerning when faced with the plethora of "Christian" information, leaders and teachers available today.

Paul also warns that there is a need for repentance and moving away from sinful ways, as God will judge this world through the return of Jesus Christ. (Acts 17:30,31). We are to be alert to the fact that we all face sinfullness  and to guard our own hearts and lives. We must also guide our brothers and sisters back to the narrow path if we are aware that they are struggling with temptations or sin; and I emphasize that this needs discernment, prayer and a loving approach.

There is no shortage of people to console within a church. It should be the one place more than any other where the hurting receive comfort and healing. We alone can offer not empty words, but the real promise of hope. Thank God for those in churches who are unafraid to come alongside others who are feeling the pain and isolation of divorce, illness, bereavement, retrenchment, adultery, pornography use, abuse and a multitude of other hurts.

We are to urge each other - again, to do what? In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus tells his disciples "“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Our time on this earth is really so short. There is a great need throughout the world for the gospel message, both in our own local communities and overseas. God has given us all talents to use for his work. How can you use your time, gifts, resources to serve others and bring them into the kingdom? Am I living for my own desires or to do God's will?

Finally, we are to encourage one another. Barnabas, who first appears in Acts chapter 4, is one of my favourite characters in the Bible, for his name means Son of Encouragement. What a joy encouragers are! In churches they are the ones who write loving little thank you notes or send get well cards or turn up with a pot of home made soup. They will find something positive about every single person in the congregation and make sure that person knows about it, not with glib flattery but with sincere and personal appreciation. When things are going well, the encourager will be buzzing and smiling. When things have fallen into a disappointing heap, the encourager is the one who will quietly come alongside, help to pick up the pieces and remind you that you are still loved and appreciated. Barnabas gave Mark his second chance. One encourager can revolutionise a whole church. 


May I encourage you this week to think about your church community if you belong to one, or if not, your workplace, family or other group; and find ways you can encourage, console, urge and warn those with whom you interact. May your work bring fruit for the kingdom. To God be the glory.