Title: Praise and Encouragement / Philippians 2:19-30
There is a book called "Praise makes even whales dance". This book was written by Ken Blanchard and others. The killer whale weighing over three tons can put on a great show in front of a crowd because of the positive attitude and praise of its trainers towards the whales.
People want to compliment you with a positive attitude. However, in reality, there are very few people who properly know and practice the importance of positive attitudes and compliments. Rather, our lives are surrounded by indifference and negative reactions. This book will teach you the importance of positive relationships and the true meaning and method of compliments.
The book “Praise Makes Even Whales Dance” speaks of the power of praise.
If you look at the book titled “The Miracle of One Word of Praise that Changes,”
“You did great. That's great! yes you will be fine I believe in you!”
It is said that one word makes the protagonist of a miracle.
Victor Marie Hugo's childhood was a series of wanderings due to the unusual life of his parents. Then, when he was 13 years old, he won the Excellence Award at the school's 100th anniversary. With that, he became an epic. He wrote plays and novels, and every time the teachers praised him as “an excellent boy”. As a result of his continued efforts, he left behind an immortal masterpiece, Les Miserables. A word of praise from the teacher gave me confidence and gave me the power to create masterpieces.
What aspect of Timothy is Paul praising?
Second, while others are self-seekers, Timothy says that he is working for the good of Jesus Christ. There are many people who claim to be servants of Jesus Christ, but are desperate to seek their own benefits, but Timothy is a wonderful worker who will work for Jesus Christ.
Third, for the gospel together with the apostle Paul, just as a child does to a father.
He said he was working hard. Timothy was Paul's son of faith. It means that they took good care of their children with such sincerity and care as they would their fathers. In addition, he recommended this Timothy as a member of the Philippian church.
In fact, Timothy also had many weaknesses. Because of poor health, the Apostle Paul even admonished Timothy to drink a little wine for health. Timothy lacked determination and weakness because his father passed away early and he was raised by his grandmother and mother. Nevertheless, Paul was able to stand as a great leader of the early church by praising and encouraging Timothy's strengths.
Next, in verses 25-30, the apostle Paul did not spare praise for Epaphroditus.
What aspect of Epaphroditus is Paul praising?
First, the apostle Paul referred to Epaphroditus as “my brother” (a brother of faith), “a person who labors together” (a co-worker in evangelism), “a soldier together” (comrade in adversity), and “my messenger as your messenger. one who helps.”
Epaphroditus not only delivered money from the Philippian church directly to the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned in a Roman prison, but also dedicated himself to serving the apostle Paul in a Roman prison.
In Romans 16:3-4, Priscilla and Aquila married the apostle Paul.
He praised him for being the one who gave up his neck.
Also, in Galatians 4:15, the members of the Galatian church are moved to say that they loved Paul so much that they gave them eyes for the apostle Paul.
If you read the Bible, you will know that God is a God who praises and encourages.
In Exodus 3:11-12, we see a scene where God encourages Moses.
“Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? “Surely I will be with you,” said God.
In Joshua 1:5-6, 9, God encourages Moses' successor, Joshua.
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life, for I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not leave you nor forsake you; be strong. You will make this people inherit the land that I swore to their fathers.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid and do not be surprised. Wherever you go, the LORD your God is with you.”
In Haggai 2:2-5, God has a word of encouragement through a prophet named Haggai, when the people who returned from the Babylonian captivity were in the midst of discouragement because they were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and saying that the temple was too shabby compared to the old Solomon temple.
“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest, and the rest of the people, saying, Who is left among you, who has seen the former glory of this temple? Now how does this look to you, is it not worthless in your eyes? But saith the LORD. Make yourselves strong, Zerubbabel. Strengthen yourselves, Joshua the son of Jehozadak the priest. I am the LORD, saith the LORD. Strengthen yourselves, all peoples of the land, and do your work. I am with you. saith the LORD of hosts. Fear not, for the word I made with you when you came out of Egypt and my Spirit remain among you.”
In the Gospels, Jesus often praised and encouraged. In Matthew 15:28, about the Canaanite woman who came to Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter, he said, “Woman, your faith is great. It will be done as you wish.”
In Matthew 8:10, the Roman centurion who came to Jesus to be healed of a paralytic was highly praised, saying, “I have not found such faith in any of Israel.”
There are 10 commandments to praise.
1. Praise immediately when there is something to praise.
2. Praise specific things you did well.
3. Praise as openly as possible.
4. Praise the process rather than the result.
5. Praise the person you love.
6. Praise with sincerity and without lies.
7. If you look at it positively, you will see things to praise.
8. Be more encouraging when things are not going well.
9. When something goes wrong, divert attention.
10. Praise yourself from time to time.
Also, it is very important to praise and encourage others, but at the same time, you must be a person who accepts praise.
In Proverbs 31:28 and below, it is said about the blessed woman:
“Children get up and give thanks, and her husband praises her, saying, There are many virtuous women, but you are superior to many. Beauty is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. The fruit of his hands will return to him, and he will be praised in the gates for what he has done.” Blessed are those who hear praise from their husbands and praise from men at the gates, and only those who fear the Lord will be praised.
In Acts 6:3, the early church in Jerusalem presented the selection criteria when choosing the seven things, and it was said that “a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom and receiving praise”.
It is truly a blessing that we live while being praised by others. Being able to please others is truly a meaningful life. But when you receive compliments, you have to accept them well. Accepting compliments properly is also one of the ways to live well. Denying or refusing to give compliments is wrong. When others compliment you, it is a beautiful thing to naturally accept it with a happy heart.
A life that praises and encourages others is the right life of faith for the saints.