We Are Encouragers | Pastor Phil Derstine | The Family Church at Christian Retreat

Are you feeling surrounded by opposition or discouraged by the world around you? In this powerful message, Pastor Phil Derstine explores the vital ministry of encouragement through the lens of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Just as Nehemiah rallied the people to fight for their families and homes, we are called to be builders who strengthen one another through words of faith. Learn the spiritual difference between your "Temple" (your heart and faith) and your "Walls" (your lifestyle and character), and discover four practical ways you can become a life-changing encourager in your family, church, and community. In this sermon, you will discover: The true definition of encouragement: Putting courage into others. How to find your unique "place on the wall" using your God-given gifts. The "Ripple Effect" of kindness and the power of being an attentive listener. Moving from discouragement to the strength found in Joshua 1: "Be strong and of a good courage." Don't let the enemy disqualify you. You have an assignment, a place on the wall, and a voice of faith that the world needs to hear. Timestamps 00:00 - The Power of the Holy Spirit to Build Us Up 01:14 - Understanding Your Temple vs. Your Walls 02:41 - Nehemiah’s Call: Fight for Your Family 04:32 - The Root of Encouragement: Putting Courage In 06:50 - Key Scripture: Joshua 1 – Be Strong and Courageous 08:41 - Hebrews 10:24 – Spurring One Another On 09:15 - 1. Finding Your Place on the Wall (Family Encouragement) 14:03 - 2. Sacrificial Givers (Monetary Encouragement) 21:18 - 3. Attentive Listeners (Caring Encouragement) 25:02 - 4. The Voice of Faith (Relational Encouragement) 27:40 - The Ripple Effect of Encouragement 31:42 - Closing Declaration and Prayer of Salvation Sermon Notes Ezra rebuilt the Temple – Nehemiah rebuilt the Walls Your Temple represents your FAITH (heart) Your Walls represent your LIFESTYLE (character & conduct) We Are Encouragers Nehemiah 4:14 “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Fight for your Family – Through encouragement (words of Faith). Encourage 1. To put courage in. 2. To stimulate by assistance, approval. Discourage 1. The draining of courage. 2. To deprive of courage, hope, confidence. Joshua 1:6,7,9,18 “Be strong and of a good courage…” Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (25) Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Encouragers find their Place on the Wall – Family Encouragement Nehemiah 3:1 “Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it and set up the doors of it. (2) The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.” Encouragers are Sacrificial Givers – Monetary Encouragement Acts 4:36 “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement, (7) sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 2:44 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. (45) Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” Encouragers are Attentive Listeners – Caring Encouragement James 1:19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” John 8:3 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery... (6) But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. (7) When they kept on questioning him, he lifted up and said to them, If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Encouragers are the Voice of Faith – Relational Encouragement Luke 19:5 “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” John 4 – Jesus with the woman at the well. The Ripple Effect – The Ministry of Encouragement keeps on Giving. “Do unto others” Luke 6:31; “If two shall agree” Matt. 18:19; “In unity is the command of blessing” Ps. 133:3; “Give and you shall receive” Luke 6:38; “Blessed to be a blessing” Gen. 12:2. Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”