Encouraging one another in the church
Let us look at another assignment of the kingdom of God. First, we focused mainly on Jesus' missions to reach people to proclaim and introduce the gospel of God to them. This primarily aims to reach people who aren't yet believers through the gospel. At the same time, God asks that we treat the brothers and sisters in the local church well. We may encourage and serve one another with the gifts we have received from God. We are one family with each other, and taking good care of the family is essential.
Commands for Encouragement
There are many Bible verses about encouraging one another in the Bible. God has called us a family, and we may treat each other as a proper family in love and faithfulness. If you are a good father, you wish your children to thrive. You want them all to have the best, and should they get into trouble, you do everything possible to resolve it. God intends for a family to love each other and raise children in safety and love. So, it is with the church of Christ. God has given us to each other, and we must love and care for each other. This can be with material goods, such as food, clothing, and shelter, but these can also be words of encouragement. Let us first look at material goods. It is important to meet the needs of church members who are in need. The "rich" of the congregation donate possessions, and the congregation passes them on to those in need so that no one suffers a deficiency. We find this principle in the first congregation.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. (...) Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
Do you notice the extraordinary nature of the first church of Christ? The believers had all in common, so no one was lacking. God doesn't want any of His children to suffer deficiency. We see this in a typical family. As a child, you may use your parents' couch, television, refrigerator, microwave, bed, food, etc. The home is "communal," and your parents don't want you to starve while food is abundant. This thought also belongs in the church. We are one big family and do not want our brothers or sisters to go hungry or lack clothing. We may encourage and bless one another with material possessions. Of course, this can be done one-on-one, where the giver gives it directly to the recipient, but this can also be done through the congregation. For example, the giver gives two hundred dollars to the congregation, and the congregation buys food from this and gives it to those in need. We also see this principle in the first congregation (Acts 6:1-6).
Besides, help can be given to more than just the local congregation. It is also Biblical to bless other congregations with possessions when needed. We see this in the Book of Acts. The prophet Agabus predicted a great famine, and in response, the believers decided to set aside money to send to the brethren in Judea. They cared for people experiencing poverty in other congregations.
And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30)
In conclusion, let us read some verses urging us to care for one another.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
In this regard, Paul also speaks of the needs of others. We must look not only at our own needs but also at the needs of others (in the church).
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
1 Timothy 5 is about caring for family or household members. If they cannot care for themselves, our job is to properly care for or support them.
Let us now consider the words of encouragement. In addition to giving material goods, encouraging or comforting one another with our words is a big deal. The following Bible passage is about the fact that we will see our deceased believers again during the rapture of the church.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
In the book of Hebrews, Paul also calls us to encourage one another in the meetings.
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25, NAS)
The key is to watch out for one another. Paul doesn't mean here that we criticize and condemn one another; Paul intends that we encourage one another to do good works and to maintain love. We are to build each other up and not burn each other down. This is best accomplished in a congregation, so it is essential not to neglect meetings. The meetings are meant to encourage one another to do good work in a loving way.
(…) and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
In this Bible verse, Paul encourages us to be kind, merciful, and forgiving. These are three great qualities of a local congregation. Through love among congregation members, people outside the congregation will see that God is alive.
So, how can I encourage people? In the beginning, we should know people's needs. For example, one person may need more food. You can encourage such a person by sharing your food. Another, for example, may be sad because her husband has died. Then, we must listen to her story and speak words of comfort. In addition to human encouragement and gestures, we can encourage people with words from the Bible or words the Holy Spirit speaks to us. We can also encourage people with the gifts God has given to us, which the next paragraph talks about.
Gifts of the Spirit
The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows on the believer. Initially, these gifts are given to the church of Christ so that everyone can contribute something valuable to the services and to help so that the church functions well. 1 Corinthians 12 talks about the gifts of the Spirit and shows several spiritual gifts.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
All the gifts are supernatural gifts that the Holy Spirit is giving. There are various gifts, but it is always the same Holy Spirit who bestows the gifts. This is also true of the ministries and works associated with the gifts. The ministries and works differ, but they come from the same source. What I love about this text is that the Trinity "works together" to equip people with the gifts and causes miracles and signs to happen. Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father are actively working to bless people with supernatural signs and wonders. This shows that the Trinity is one of will.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
The gifts of the Holy Spirit aren't given to you personally. The gifts are to bless and help to encourage others. Essentially, they are for blessing the brothers and sisters in the church (1 Corinthians 14:26) and allowing them to strengthen their faith. This verse says that the gifts of the Spirit are given to everyone. Every believer baptized with the Holy Spirit has a claim to one or more gifts. The ability to function with all gifts is possible; it is just that some gifts will be stronger than others. Sometimes, the gifts of the Spirit blend. Let us first look at the gifts in this chapter.
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
It would take us too long to study all the gifts in this book. A miracle or revelation may require different gifts. For example, the gift of healing may cooperate with the gift of faith and the gift of a word of knowledge.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
The Holy Spirit gives the gifts and hands them out to everyone as He wills. This doesn't mean we can lean back quietly. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts as He wills, but our job is to strive to provide the best gift.
So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Striving for the best gift does not suggest that one gift is better. Striving for the best gift means that at a certain moment, you strive for the gift that is most needed. If someone wants to be healed, having the gift of interpreting languages makes no sense. At that moment, you need the gift of healing. Thus, we may strive for the best gift in every situation. Let's compare this to the natural. A carpenter has several tools. The moment he needs to saw, a drill is of no use to him. He then needs a saw. The moment he wants to drill screws, he needs a drill and not a saw. It depends on the situation and whether he needs a saw or a drill. This also applies to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
These gifts come for the congregation and only apply to congregational service. It is everyone's mission to heal the sick, but in the congregation, you can have a bunch that has the gifts of healing and a bunch that does not, or less so. God instituted this to keep order. One is appointed for this and the other for that. It is essential to distinguish congregational service from "normal" life; otherwise, there will be great misunderstandings. Let us look at the texts that show that the gifts are given to the church.
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:28-31)
The above Bible text speaks specifically about the congregation. In the church, there is a division of ministries. In "normal" life, the assignment is the same for everyone. Out of love, we may talk about Jesus' work and show why He went to the cross. Out of love, we may get out, both in the church and in the outside world. Through His love and goodness, we may walk in love.
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. (1 Corinthians 14:12)
In the text above, Paul again connects the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 with congregational life. When Paul wrote about the spiritual gifts, he did so in light of congregational life. Then Paul explained how the spiritual gifts belong in the church and that each is needed.
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Every gift and every believer are necessary. Let us build the congregational service together and encourage one another with what God has specifically given us.
Taking care of the Body of Christ
After Paul summarized the spiritual gifts, he talked about the body of Christ. In this context, caring for one another is essential, just as you would caring for your own body. We must know that each part of the body functions differently. With the ear, we can hear, and with the eye, we can see. It would be useless if the eye could listen because it is not the purpose of the eye to hear. So, it is with the body of Christ, the church. In the church, you can find many people, all with diverse ministries. Each ministry is equally important, and we need everyone in the body. We must take care of the body of Christ. You may serve this body with the ministry and talents you have received from God. If you are an encourager, then you encourage people in the congregation. If you are a speaker, you speak in the congregation. If you are a teacher, you teach in the congregation. If you have talents in cleaning, you help clean up the congregation. If you have skills in engineering, you help in engineering. This is how we care for one another and ensure the body of Christ functions appropriately. This is not possible without each other.
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)
Every believer is a unique creation and is precious in God's eyes. Every believer is a member of the body, and together with the other members of the body, we take care of the body of Christ together. Only together and not alone.
Summary
God positioned us all in one body, the body of Christ. Therefore, it makes sense to encourage and help one another in our walk on earth. If someone is struggling, supporting them with material goods and/or encouraging words is good. We all need to be encouraged, and we may encourage other people with our words or actions. We also encourage one another with the supernatural gifts that God has given us, and together, we build up a congregational service.