The Ministry of the Word – Part 8
In a previous post, we introduced the concept of aspects of the ministry of the Word. You will remember that we mentioned:
Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting
Rebuking
Warning
Reminding
In this post, we will consider the concept of Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting as an aspect of the ministry of the Word.
Romans 15
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
For other aspects of the ministry of the Word, it's easy enough to pick one word to describe them. For the one we're considering in this post, I am of the opinion that all three words (encouragement, exhortation and comfort) contribute indispensably to our understanding of the aspect.
The root meaning of the word “exhort", is "to call near". The picture here is that of a parent who wants to speak words of encouragement, reassurance, comfort, etc. and thus calls their child near. This is the mental picture a preacher should have every time he or she exhorts, encourages or comforts people from the pulpit.
1 Thessalonians 2
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Notice Paul says he and his companions preached the gospel to the Thessalonians, because “we would not be chargeable unto any of you". We do people a disservice when we have the opportunity to share the gospel with them, but do not take it. We owe them a debt we may never be able to repay.
Also notice that Paul and his companions exhorted and comforted the Thessalonians while charging them. Encouragement, exhortation and comfort as an aspect of the Ministry of the Word is most effective when we mix it up with the others and use it to make them more endurable.
This aspect of the Word provides the warmth, affirmation and emotional well-being every believer needs to feel loved of God. Without it, the ministry of the word of God leaves the hearers feeling like they are listening to lectures from a schoolmaster, or proclamations of the law from a judge, or marching orders from a superior military officer, rather than expressions of love and affection from our Father.
Many times, the most important thing Paul would ask his companions whom he sent on apostolic journeys to do would be to comfort the saints.
Ephesians 6
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Colossians 4
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
1 Thessalonians 3
1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
These verses do not mean that the only thing Tychicus and Timothy would do in their errands would be to encourage or exhort or comfort the saints. It does mean that the aspect of the Ministry of the Word would be the most obvious in their ministration.
1 Corinthians 14
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
The whole point of the gift of prophecy is to edify us, to exhort us, and to comfort us.
Hebrews 13
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
The thirteen chapters of the Letter to the Hebrews are described simply as a “word of exhortation". All of the writer's efforts are assessed and the value of the words he wrote by inspiration of the Spirit of God is declared as
Too Little Emphasis on Encouraging/Exhorting/Comforting?
Sometimes some preachers look down on messages which encourage the saints. Sometimes, they believe that churches which feature these types of messages end up with believers who lead loose, lax and lascivious lives instead of walking in holiness.
The opposite is true.
When a church has little or no emphasis on encouraging the saints, it ends up with saints who are discouraged. They become frustrated with the challenges of living as believers and become unhooked from the anchor that God's Word represents. Many times, they live as hypocrites.
Encouragement strengthens weary hands. Exhortation sharpens dull resolve. Comfort restores shaken faith.
All are part of the ministry of the Word.
If a minister only informs and explains, he may produce knowledgeable hearers. If he only instructs, he may produce disciplined followers. But if he also encourages, exhorts and comforts, he will help produce enduring saints.
The ministry of the Word is not merely about clarity of thought. It is about strength of heart.
And sometimes, the most powerful sermon is not the one that dazzles the mind, but the one that quietly gives a believer courage to continue.
Continue in grace!