As we continue our study on the Holy Spirit, we are in a section that deals with gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to the church to build us up. These spiritual gifts are important for a church to remain healthy and strong.

We have completed the section in Ephesians chapter 4 and I Corinthians chapter 12, and we are presently looking at the gifts that Paul mentions in Romans chapter 12. And so lets begin reading in verse 1 of Romans chapter 12, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation..." Romans 12:1-8a.

The gift we will be looking at is the gift of exhortation. Many people today can exhort others, and we should all be doing that, but this is a supernatural gift given by the Holy Spirit that stimulates people into action. William MacDonald put it this way as he said: it "is the gift of stirring up the saints to desist from every form of evil and to press on to new achievements for Christ in holiness and service." And when a person who has this gift comes alongside of you, they get you moving!

Let me give you an example of how exhortation can spur someone into action. There was a young boy who worked long hours in a factory in Naples, Italy. And this young boy yearned to be a singer. When he was ten years old, he took his first lesson in voice. His teacher, not being an exhorter, said to him "You can’t sing. You haven’t any voice at all. Your voice sounds like the wind in the shutters." He definitely was a discourager, and that is not a gift as some would have you think!

The boy’s mother saw something that the teacher did not see in her son, and she saw visions of greatness in her son, a diamond in the ruff you might say. She truly believed he had the talent to sing and even though she was very poor, she would do what she could to help her son achieve his dream. As dejected as he was at hearing those words from his teacher, she lovingly put her arms around him and encouraged him by saying, "My boy, I am going to make every sacrifice to pay for your voice lessons."

Her confidence in him and constant encouragement paid off. That young boy became one of the world’s greatest singers - Enrico Caruso!

Do you see the difference between exhortation and condemnation? Exhortation stimulates you, it motivates you into action. Condemnation causes you to withdraw and give up. Many today are good with condemnation, it is easy, but it is not a gift from God. We also need to understand that condemnation is not speaking rebuke! There are times when someone needs to be corrected, rebuked with the intention of stimulating them and motivating them to move away from the evil and back towards God.

The word "exhort" in the Greek is PARAKALEO, and it is made up of two different Greek words, PARA which means "by the side", and KALEO which means "to call". Thus, the word exhort means "to call by the side". It can be translated "helper, counsel, urge, comfort, encourage." In fact, when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit He called the Holy Spirit the PARAKLETOS, which has the same basic idea, to comfort. In fact, that is how this word is translated when Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, "comforter" or "helper"! And this gift of exhortation, many times works in conjunction with some of the other spiritual gifts, like pastor-teacher, teacher, mercy, ministry and-so-on.

Now exhortation does take work, there is an effort that must be put forth if you are going to exhort someone. And because of that many refuse to take those steps. Let me give you a worldly example to this spiritual principle that I want to share with you. People are obsessed with losing weight today. You go to the grocery store and every month you will find magazines with new ways to lose weight, all claiming that this is the answer, until the next month when another one comes out. On television you see this program and that program to help you lose weight and you are bombarded by women that are nothing more than flesh on bone, and that is how we are encouraged to look. There are many books out there promoting their new found way to lose weight fast and easy!

There is a way that will work, even though it is very simplistic and it won’t cost you any money. If your physical activity, if the things you do are more than what you take in, you will lose weight. And in the spiritual realm it is very similar. People are feeding on the Word of God, which is good, it is healthy, but sometimes that is all they are doing. They are gorging themselves on the Word of God and they are becoming spiritually overweight! The key is to get up and put into practice that which God is showing you. Put what you have taken in into action. If you do, you will become spiritually fit.

Paul, in Colossians 3:12-17 said, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Notice what Paul is saying. What you are taking in from the Word of God, let it flow from your life and touch others, bringing glory to God, and in the end you will be blessed. You can’t give out without getting back in return!

Now one example of how this gift works is seen in the life of pastor Romaine, who is pastor Chuck’s assistant at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. This is just one way the gift works, but it is effective. He will tell you, "Okay, get off your duff and get out of here and trust in the Lord. Don’t come crying to me about your problems. Trust the Lord! Don’t look to me for help, look to the Lord. I can’t help you, but the Lord will." He exhorts people to put into practice the things they have learned from the Scriptures. Now some are not so blunt, but I will tell you this, it does move people to action and that is just how the Holy Spirit works through pastor Romaine.

Now to understand exhortation or comfort, we need to look to God, the creator of heaven and earth as our example. Too often today people have a warped concept of God. They see Him as this mean, vengeful, impatient God who is ready to strike anyone who gets out of line. Not a pretty picture, and not at all the picture that God gives us through the Scriptures. And if you think of God in that manner, it is very hard to get close to a God who is ready to strike you. Why would you want to get close, you would stay at arms distance from Him! Again, that is the wrong concept of God as we shall see.

I want to share with you two Scriptures in regards to this issue, for if you don’t understand the character of God, the nature of God, your concept of Him is going to be very warped. The first Scripture I would like to look at is in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, chapter 18. We read in verses 23 and 31-32, "‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord GOD, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’...‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Therefore turn and live!’"

Notice the compassionate heart of God even in the Old Testament! He is exhorting us to turn from our evil ways so that we might live. He is spurring us into action so we won’t be destroyed. Why? Because He loves us. He gets no pleasure from our death but there is rejoicing in heaven when a person turns to God and is saved. Luke 15:10 tells us of that, as we read "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

In the New Testament we can go to II Corinthians chapter 1 and begin reading in verse 3. It says "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." II Corinthians 1:3-4. In this section of Scripture Paul uses the same Greek words, PARAKALEO and PARAKLESIS when he was speaking, and we have translated them into our English words "comfort" and "comforted". And what Paul is saying is God has come and will come alongside us and help us, comfort us, and carry us through those difficult times we encounter in life. God loves to wrap His arms around us and many times He does that through the body of Christ who are coming alongside to help.

I have experienced this in my own life. My wife and I were going through some difficult times with one of our sons and it was something that was breaking our heart. And as I shared this with someone in the body, he gave me a big bear hug and shared with me some of the things that he and his wife went through as one of their children were growing up.

It did not take the problem away, but it truly was an encouragement that I needed at that point. I love hugs, and I truly needed one that day. It was as if God Himself was wrapping His arms around me, and I guess He did through this person. His words stimulated me and motivated me to continue on. And that is exactly what Paul was saying in II Corinthians chapter 1. As God has comforted you through those difficult times, you then can go out and comfort others as God has comforted you. This man reached out and comforted me with the comfort that God had showed him.

Let’s take some time and look at some Old Testament examples and some New Testament examples of this gift of exhortation being exercised. And keep in mind, when you look at the Old Testament prophets, and all through the New Testament, you see exhortation being exercised!

OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF EXHORTATION

1. JUDAH PLAYS THE HARLOT - JEREMIAH 3:1-5

Jeremiah was exhorting Judah to turn back to God and not to go after the false god’s. They were involved in spiritual adulatory and because of their actions, judgment had and was coming upon them. He goes on to say in Jeremiah 4:1-2 "‘If you will return, O Israel,’ says the LORD, ‘Return to Me; and if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, then you shall not be moved. And you shall swear, ‘The LORD lives,’ in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory.’" The call is to stir them up into action and to desist from every form of evil. To press on to new achievements in holiness and service unto the true and living God instead of going after these other god’s!

2. TRUST IN THE LORD - II CHRONICLES 20

In II Chronicles chapter 20, we see three nations rise up against the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Edomites, who were all blood relatives of Israel, and yet they were mounting an attack against Judah, and obviously Judah was outnumbered and outgunned!

And the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, calls for a fast to seek the Lord in this matter. And as the people gathered around their king, he exhorted them by refocusing them on God, God’s power, and he concludes by saying in verse 12 of II Chronicles chapter 20, "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." There is no other place to look but the Lord, and now they waited upon God to answer their hearts cry.

As they waited the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who said beginning in verse 15, "And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.’" II Chronicles 20:15-17.

Jahaziel exhorted them to look to God and see the salvation that He will bring in this battle. In fact the battle plan was to put the worship people in front as they went to battle and as they did, singing praise unto the Lord, the enemy was confused, and they began killing each other. Praise, especially during difficult times confuses the enemy. The people of Judah didn’t even lift a sword in this battle, all of the enemy had killed each other and it took 3 whole days for Judah to gather the spoils of this victory that God had given them. We can see that both Jehoshaphat and Jahaziel both exhorted the people to look to God, to trust in the Lord.

NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES OF EXHORTATION

1. YOU CAN’T STOP A GOOD MAN - ACTS 14

In Acts chapter 14 Paul was in Lystra with Barnabas, and Paul heals a man who never walked in his life, crippled his entire life, up to this point anyway. Now when the people saw this they thought "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" In fact they thought Paul, being the smaller guy, was Mercury, and Barnabas, being bigger, was Jupiter. And as the priest hear of this they come with sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. When they saw this Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and pointed them to the true and living God, explaining that they too are only men and not god’s!

Now when the Jews from Antioch and Iconium got word of what was going on, they came and stoned Paul to death, at least they thought he was dead, and they dragged his body out of the city, and left him for dead. And we read beginning in verse 20 of Acts chapter 14, "However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’" Acts 14:20-22.

You just can’t stop a servant of God. Paul was almost killed, he then gets up, goes and preaches in Derbe, and then goes back to the place where they tried to kill him! What in the world was he doing there? Not filing a compliant with the local law enforcement on how he was mistreated, beaten up. He was not protesting against those that tried to kill him. But he exhorted the believers to continue on in the faith. They saw the example of Paul and it encouraged them to continue walking in the faith.

Paul saw his life as nothing. His focus was pointing people to Jesus. Paul was a servant, a humble man. You see, a proud person would never do this because he is too consumed with himself. He is more interested in meeting his own needs, getting what he can out of life, rather than giving of himself. Paul, on the other hand, was others-centered! Because of that he was able to exhort the people.

2. BUILDING UP THE GENTILES IN THE FAITH - ACTS 15

In Acts chapter 15 a dispute arose over the gentiles that where coming to Christ. Some of the Jews believed that these gentiles should become a Jew, get circumcised, and keep the Law of Moses. And so before things got out of hand they had the Jerusalem council church meeting to help settle this situation.

After hearing all the arguments, James comes to a conclusion that the gentiles did not need to do these things, even the Jew’s couldn’t keep the Law of Moses! And so he sends a letter to the church back in Antioch, to the gentile believers. And we read beginning in verse 31 of Acts chapter 15 "When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words." Acts 15:31-32. Not only did this letter encourage the gentile church to continue on, but Judah and Silas did the same.

3. EXHORTING THE EPHESIAN ELDERS - ACTS 20

In Acts chapter 20 Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, and the ship docks in Miletus, which is about 30 miles or so from Ephesus. So Paul calls for the Ephesian elders to come so he may exhort them one last time, his farewell address to those he spent 3 years teaching.

And we read beginning in verse 27 of Acts chapter 20, "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all." Acts 20:27-36.

And we see in these verses Paul exhort these leaders to shepherd the flock that God has entrusted to them by feeding them, warning them, and protecting them. He exhorted them to live a life that is pleasing to God, to be an example to the people, to maintain a good reputation. Paul, seeing these men for the last time, poured out all that was on his heart, building them up in the faith, and exhorting them to continue on, and they responded in a way that shows how much they loved Paul. We read beginning in verse 37 of Acts chapter 20, "Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship." Acts 20:37-38.

4. BARNABAS - MR. ENCOURAGEMENT!

A. HE LIVED WHAT HE BELIEVED - ACTS 4

In Acts chapter 4 we see the church continue to grow in Jerusalem. And that was like a death sentence for most of the Jewish believers. They were excommunicated from the synagogues. They were fired from their jobs. Their friends left them and their families disowned them, they thought of them as being dead, some would even have a funeral!

And so they were hurting and hungry, while some of the other believers were doing better, and they sold some of their land and gave the money to the church to help those believers out who were in need. And we can read of this in Acts chapter 4, beginning in verse 32. We read "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. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 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. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4:32-37.

Now a man named Joses, who was also called Barnabas, also helped out. And I’m sure he got the name Barnabas out of the way he lived, his name means "son of encouragement"! Barnabas did not just talk about helping others, he lived it. His deeds matched up with his words. As John said "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18. Barnabas was concerned about the needs of others.

B. TAKING A CHANCE ON OTHERS - ACTS 9

In Acts chapter 9 we see Saul’s conversion experience. He went from persecuting Christians to defending the faith. And we read beginning in verse 20 of Acts chapter 9, "Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple." Acts 9:20-26.

Here is the dilemma. His old friends, the religious leaders saw him as the enemy to their faith, they wanted him dead. The believers in Christ were still afraid of him. They weren’t sure if Saul was legitimate or not in the faith. What could he do? Not a whole lot! But in Acts 9:27-28 we read "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out."

Barnabas took a chance and brought Saul to the Apostles and stood up for him. True ministry is not activity, but it is people. And here we see Barnabas stand up for Saul, which must have encouraged him, and the other believers. You see, Mr. Encouragement!

C. A HUMBLE SPIRIT - ACTS 11

In Acts chapter 11 we see the church moving out of Jerusalem, being scattered because of the persecution that was mounting in Jerusalem. And in Antioch a large number of Greeks got saved. And we read beginning in verse 22 of Acts chapter 11 "Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord." Acts 11:22-24.

Barnabas goes to Antioch and God is working in him and through him, things are happening. And as this is going on we read beginning in verse 25 of Acts chapter 11, "Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." Acts 11:25-26. Why did Barnabas do that? Because he saw his limitations and also saw that Saul, raised in the Greek culture, schooled in the Law of God, was better equipped for the job, so he goes to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him back.

You see, Barnabas was concerned with others and wasn’t interested in a position or recognition like so many people today. He was willing to step down and let Saul come in because he was the best man for the job here in Antioch. In fact, we read in Acts 15:35 "Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also." Notice, Paul is mentioned first, even though Barnabas was the older Christian and the one who was sent to Antioch. Barnabas stepped back and he let Paul shine!

D. THE PRICE YOU PAY - ACTS 15

Barnabas was a man who did not like to give up on anyone. He saw the diamond in the ruff. And when you go out on a limb for someone you do take a chance, you can pay a heavy price. In Acts chapter 15, beginning in verse 36 we read "Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.’ Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." Acts 15:36-41.

Paul was ready to do the circuit, to go back to areas where they had preached before, to encourage them and see how they were doing. And Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, but Paul didn’t. Paul saw how he did not finish the work last time, and he was not going to take him again. Barnabas, on the other hand, saw the potential of this young man and was not ready to give up on him. And because of that, because of all the contention, Paul and Barnabas split up and went their own way. Paul taking Silas with him and Barnabas taking John Mark.

What happened to John Mark? He ended up being one Paul’s most valuable co-workers in the faith. All because of one man who saw his potential and was willing to take that chance and work with him. Notice how Paul spoke of John Mark in Colossians 4:10, "Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)." And again in II Timothy 4:11 we read "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry."

And this man who struggled to complete the work early on in his life now has a Gospel that bears his name: The Gospel According to Mark! And some believe that it was Peter who gave Mark all the information he used in writing this Gospel. Again, all because one man stood up for him and exhorted him to go on, and he did!

Exhortation and the gift of exhortation is needed in the church today. We all need to be encouraged and exhorted to move forward. My pastor did that with me, as well as others in the church I came from. From teaching a Bible study to overseeing ministries, they were the result of someone exhorting me on. Exhortation stimulates and motivates people into action!

Most of us probably remember that old phone commercial that said "Reach out and touch someone!" God is calling all of us to do just that, to exhort people. You don’t know how you can impact a persons life and you may find that diamond that may be hiding in the ruff! The gift of exhortation, may we use it often in our lives!