Dr. Dennis Wilkening teaches that endurance in ministry requires both personal and corporate responsibility, with encouragement serving as a key element in keeping hearts tender toward God.
Scripture Text
Hebrews 3:12-13
Main Points or Ideas
- The Need for Daily Encouragement - Since sin is deceitful and hardens hearts, believers must exhort one another daily to prevent spiritual decline and maintain tenderness toward God
- Encouragement Through Words - Using Ephesians 4:29, the importance of speaking words that edify and build up others rather than corrupt communication that tears down
- Encouragement Through Actions - Sometimes words alone are insufficient; we must take concrete actions to help others, following the example of Christ who both spoke and acted with compassion
- Encouragement Through Attitude - The way we handle circumstances can either encourage or discourage others, remembering that all things work together for good to conform us to Christ's image
Conclusion
Believers should be lifters rather than leaners, actively encouraging others through words, actions, and attitudes, recognizing that encouragement is oxygen for the soul and essential for spiritual endurance.
