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But The Greatest Of These Is Love

Lesson #7

THE WRITE WAY

Intro

1. II Timothy 3:1 says:

This know also,

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2. There are other passages that indicate as we see the final days approaching, we are

to be involved in encouraging other Christians.

3. Each of us live some of our days in what might be called “The War Zone.”

Define your war zone. What makes a day a really bad day for you?

When we stumble into one of those days [weeks?] we need someone to encourage

us.

4. Encouragement is transfusing some of your courage into another life.

The more the battle increases, the more encouragement we need.

5. Consider Paul and the New Testament churches.

Many of these young believers were members of churches scattered in isolation

during a period of history where the Roman Empire was ruled by cruelty and

persecution.

Some of these persecuted ones met in caves and in catacombs for mutual courage.

6. How did Paul communicate encouragement to so many who where in need?

By writing to them.

a) Let’s go back and look at a few opening words from Romans 1:8-9...

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all,

that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

For God is my witness,

whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son,

that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers:

b) Read I Corinthians 1:4-9 for another good example of Paul’s approach to

hurting Christians.

c) I like this one too:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort,

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

{II Corinthians 1:3-5}

7. Written encouragement is the kind of encouragement that took place between the times

the church met together. Of course, there is encouragement when we meet together,

but there are the in-between times, too.

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I. CHARACTERISTICS OF WRITTEN ENCOURAGEMENT

A. What It Is NOT:

#1. Syrupy

1. There are a lot of warm, fuzzy people.

2. These are people who are always ready to cover you with nice,

warm, goody-goody sayings.

3. Because they overuse “encouragement,” after a while their words

and purpose lose meaning.

#2. Flattery

1. Some Christians are so hard-sided in their personalities that

they have a difficult time expressing love and affection.

2. One of the things that turns them off spiritually is for someone

in the church to come up to them and begin to use flattery

on them.

3. Flattery is using words in order to win the favor of someone who

can do you a favor.

4. Today we call this “manipulation.”

B. What It Is:

#1. Written encouragement is DEFINITE.

1. Have you ever thought of sending a card or writing a note of

encouragement to someone, but never got around to it?

That happens to all of us:

What we’re going to do sometime,

we end up doing no time.

2. But we can take the time; we can make it a real act.

#2. Written encouragement is DIRECT.

1. When we talk with people it is not always easy to say exactly

what we think or feel. This happens even in our families.

Deeper, intimate levels of verbal communication are not

always so direct.

2. Yet, when we write it seems to come a little easier for some

of us. There are things I have written to people in my

family---father, mother, brother, sister, wife, children---

that I’ve not always been able to articulate so well.

3. People can tell when they read what we write that it came from

the heart, uninterrupted and unhindered. It is powerful.

#3. Written encouragement is DURABLE.

1. If you have received a letter or card that meant a great deal to

you, chances are you still have it today.

2. I have a file folder in the left drawer of my desk. It contains

some letters and cards that have been sources of encouragement to me. Some came from students, some from teachers, some from parents.

Even in the ministry, one can find people who minister

in written encouragement.

3. Do you keep the love letters of your spouse? Most of us do.

Some may have been smart enough to throw them away

years ago.... you know, before the children came along!

4. Illustration: A little boy came home one day and said, “Mommy,

I’ve had a great day.”

She said, “You have?”

“Yep.”

“And what have you been doing?”

“I’ve been playing postman.”

“You have?”

“Yep. I put a letter in every mail box on this block.”

“Well, Honey, where did you get the letters?”

“I found them in the top drawer of your dresser

wrapped up in a pink ribbon.”

(Might better check the security of your love letters.)

#4. Written encouragement is DISTANCE-PROOF.

1. Many missionaries testify to how important mail days are

on the mission field.

It’s been said the same way for men serving their

country while away on foreign soil.

I hear it regularly from a little girl down in Pensacola.

2. Letters are a source of helping others “keep on going.”

3. It’s like the distance is not so great when you read the letter

for the first time. You can see the smile, hear the voice,

see their eyes.

4. In writing Christine while away at college, our letters have

kept our hearts even more soft towards each other. Sometimes she will write things that make me cry. At other times I open up and she tells me when she calls how it made her cry and miss home a little more.

*******

II. CLOSING THOUGHTS

#1. Written applause carries a special power all its own.

a) It’s a tangible expression of goodwill and honesty.

b) It can be recalled for re-reading regularly.

#2. Penned praise is often easier to accept.

a) We can take it in, without distraction.

b) No need for some socially acceptable response.

c) The moment belongs solely to the reader... and you know how

special that feeling is.

#3. Mailbox philanthropy is still the bargain of the century.

a) The cost of a stamp may be going up, but human relations have not.

b) People still require recognition and appreciation.

c) You have the power to motivate a discouraged heart... to try again.

#4. Look for the good, not the bad.

a) Christians need a bumper sticker that says, “Good happens!”

b) We just need to look for it in the actions of OTHERS.

c) Take out your pen and be ready to write down the good God allows

your eyes to see.

Let’s all work to start in “The Write Direction!”