In Search of Encouragers

All of God’s people need encouragement. That means all of God’s people must learn to be encouragers, not just receive it from others. Are you an encourager? As the Apostle Paul sat in a dark, damp dungeon, chained to a guard and awaiting execution, he was often heartened by the faithful attentiveness of a true friend. Onesiphorus sought out Paul in Rome, was personally alert to Paul’s needs, and persevered in meeting those needs. He was a model encourager! “… he often refreshed me…,” 2 Timothy 1:16 (NKJV) Scripture tells us little else about Onesiphorus, except that he and his family were used mightily of God to be a source of hope and help to others. In this sermon, as we continue our study in 2 Timothy, we’ll consider the “Ministry of Encouragement.”