1.
Introduction
1. All
of
us
need
encouragement,
which
means
all
of
us
should
be
encouragers.
So
far,
we
have
studied
many
facets
of
faith-­‐
victory,
understanding,
pleasing,
and
rewarding.
I
am
looking
forward
today
to
our
study
about
how
faith
is
encouraging.
2. It’s
my
prayer
that
this
study
encourages
you
to
keep
your
eyes
fixed
on
Jesus,
the
object
of
our
faith,
who
not
only
saves
us
but
also
strengthens
and
directs
our
way.
3. You
know
regardless
of
where
or
who
you
are
you
have
within
you
by
the
power
of
God
to
be
encouraged
by
Him
and
to
be
an
encouragement
to
others.
4. The
writer
to
the
Hebrews
tells
us
that
one
of
the
things
we
want
to
accomplish
whenever
we
assemble
together
as
the

2. church
is
“to
encourage
one
another.”
Hebrews
10:25
5. Paul
really
wanted
to
visit
Rome
so
he
writes
this
great
letter
to
Romans
that
contains
a
lot
of
great
Christian
advice
and
doctrine.
But
when
you
read
the
letter
through
in
its
entirety
you
are
struck
by
how
encouraging
it
is.
6. For
example,
in
the
very
first
chapter-­‐
he
tells
them
he
can’t
wait
to
see
them
to
“impart
some
spiritual
gift
to
them
to
make
them
strong-­‐
that
is,
that
you
and
I
may
be
mutually
encouraged
by
each
other’s
faith.”
7. Or
how
about,
“in
all
things
God
works
for
the
good
of
those
who
love
him,”
(8:28);
“in
all
these
things
we
are
more
than
conquerors
through
him
who
loved
us.”
*8:37;
“nothing
in
all
creation
will
be
able
to
separate
us
from
the
love
of
God
that
is
Christ
Jesus
our
Lord”
(8:39);
then:
Romans
15:5
May
the
God
who
gives
endurance
and
encouragement
give
you
a
spirit
of
unity

3. among
yourselves
as
you
follow
Jesus
Christ,
so
that
with
one
heart
and
one
mouth
you
may
glorify
the
God
and
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ.”
8. Encouraging-­‐
get
ready
for
the
rest
of
the
lesson
as
we
study
how
faith
is
so
encouraging.
Faith
is
encouraging
because
it
is
strength
for
my
troubles.
1. When
we’re
weary,
pressed,
discouraged,
or
disappointment
our
mind
begins
to
be
filled
with
all
sorts
of
negative
thoughts,
concerns,
and
fears.
We
begin
to
dwell
on
our
troubles
and
problems.
Have
you
ever
noticed
that
the
more
you
think
about
your
troubles
the
worse
they
become?
2. I
want
you
to
be
encouraged
that
in
your
troubles
when
you
turn
to
God
by
faith
he
strengthens
you.
He
is
the
God
you
gives
endurance
and
encouragement.
3. A
common
image
in
the
Old
Testament
is
the
vineyard
owner
tending
to
his

4. vineyard.
Israel
is
compared
to
the
vineyard
and
God
is
the
vineyard
owner.
The
picture
is
of
God
tenderly,
firmly,
and
diligently
taking
care
of
Israel
as
a
vineyard
owner
would
with
his
vineyard.
4. Vineyards
are
subject
to
weather
conditions.
Stormy,
windy
conditions
can
knock
some
vines
down
off
their
trellis,
break
them
and
they
are
fallen
on
the
ground.
If
the
branches
of
the
vine
remain
on
the
ground
they
might
die,
go
wild,
and
cannot
bear
fruit.
5. So,
the
vineyard
owner
takes
the
fallen
branches
of
the
vine
and
lifts
them
back
up
on
the
trellis
so
they
can
bear
fruit.
6. The
act
of
“lifting
up”
the
branch
back
onto
the
trellis
to
bear
fruit
is
a
recurring
thought
throughout
the
Old
Testament.
God
lifts
up:
the
burdened
the
distress
the
needy

5. the
broken
the
grieving
the
sick
How
encouraging
that
he
lifts
us
up
out
of
our
burdens,
distress,
need,
brokenness,
sickness,
and
suffering.
7. Job
refers
to
this
in
22:29
When
men
are
brought
low
and
you
say,
“Lift
them
up!”
then
he
will
save
the
downcast.”
Job
knew
and
experienced
tremendous
suffering
and
troubles.
You
read
his
testimony
and
he
goes
through
all
the
emotions
that
are
associated
with
suffering.
He
knew
what
it
was
to
be
downcast-­‐
to
be
fallen-­‐
but
he
was
encouraged
by
his
faith-­‐
that
God
lifts
up
the
downcast.
8. Storms
are
not
the
only
thing
that
can
cause
a
vine
to
fall
down.
Solomon,
when
addressing
the
importance
of
neglecting
your
marriage
wrote:
Catch
for
us
the
foxes,
the
little
foxes
that
ruin
the
vineyards,
our
vineyards
that
are
in
bloom
Song
of
Songs
2:15
Solomon’s
point
is
that
the
love

6. between
a
husband
and
wife
is
usually
not
afflicted
with
a
major
problem
to
overcome
but
over
the
course
of
time
the
little
things,
the
little
foxes,
gnaw
at
the
relationship,
to
the
point
that
a
strong
marriage
of
love
is
brought
down
by
accumulation
of
little
things.
So,
he
says
you
got
to
catch
the
little
foxes,
pay
attention
to
them.
9. Our
faith
is
the
same
way.
Most
of
us
will
not
a
major
crisis
of
faith
moment
where
we
are
suddenly
faced
with
a
major
issue
that
challenges
our
faith.
No,
the
little
things,
the
little
foxes,
like
fear,
worry,
stress,
unhappiness,
discouragement,
disappointment,
begin
to
take
their
toll
and
we
stop
exercising
faith,
believing
in
the
power
of
prayer,
and
gradually
over
time
we
start
to
rely
less
on
God
and
are
controlled
more
by
our
emotions
and
circumstances.
10. Instead
of
fruitful
faith
that
encourages
us
and
strengthens
us,
we
are
left
discouraged,
weak,
and

7. unfruitful.
Here
is
the
good
news-­‐
the
encouraging
news.
I
don’t
have
to
stay
that
way-­‐
I
can
exercise
my
faith-­‐
whatever
faith
I
have-­‐
and
God
is
going
to
give
me
strength
for
my
troubles:
When
you
do,
get
ready
because
he
is
going
to
lift
you-­‐
that
is
what
he
promises
and
in
Christ
Jesus
all
the
promises
of
God
answered.
11. Are
the
little
foxes
gnawing
at
your
faith?
Are
you
feeling
downcast,
weak
and
fearful?
Here’s
a
promise
from
Peter’s
letter
5:7
Cast
all
your
anxiety
on
him
because
he
cares
for
you.
12. In
the
New
Testament,
Jesus
says
He
is
the
vine
and
we
are
the
branches
(John
15:1-­‐5.
The
encouraging
promise
to
Christians
is
that
if
we
remain
in
him
we
bear
fruit,
glorify
God,
and
experience
the
incredible
lifting
power
of
God’s
love.
13. Oh
course,
the
greatest
example
of
God
lifting
us
up
is
on
the
cross.
Just

8. prior
to
his
crucifixion
as
he
was
predicting
what
would
happen
to
him,
and
the
crowd
is
challenging
his
statement
about
death,
he
said,
“But
I,
when
I
am
lifted
up
from
the
earth,
will
draw
all
men
to
myself”
(John
12:32).
14. Who
would
have
thought
that
in
the
dark
despair
of
the
sinless
Jesus
being
nailed
to
the
cross
beams
and
then
lifted
up
on
cross
between
earth
and
heaven,
that
the
most
encouraging
act
of
God
was
about
to
be
achieved-­‐
that
from
the
death
of
Jesus-­‐
everyone
who
would
put
their
faith
in
him-­‐
would
have
their
sins
forgiven.
So,
we
can
sing,
lay
your
burdens
down
at
the
feet
of
Jesus,
lift
up
your
hearts,
lift
up
heads
…
15. Jesus
said
that
in
this
world
you
will
have
troubles,
but
let
not
your
hearts
be
troubled,
believe
in
God
believe
also
in
me-­‐
and
be
of
good
cheer
for
I
have
overcome
the
world.

9. Faith
is
encouraging
because
it
is
protection
in
temptation.
Everyone
faces
temptation.
Even
Jesus
did.
Maturing
in
faith
is
not
the
absence
of
temptation
but
how
you
deal
with
temptation.
1. Faith
is
encouraging
because
it
provides
protection
in
times
of
temptation.
While
the
temptations
are
the
same
that
face
every
generation,
we
are
not
the
same.
Some
things
that
tempt
me
might
not
tempt
you.
Or,
we
may
find
ourselves
tempted
by
the
same
things.
2. The
point
the
New
Testament
clearly
makes,
is
that
a
Christian
is
not
helpless
in
the
face
of
temptation.
In
fact,
just
the
opposite.
Throughout
the
New
Testament
we
are
told
that
by
faith
in
Christ
we
can
resist,
escape,
fight,
and
be
strong
in
the
Lord.
3. Can
you
think
of
some
things
that
tempted
you
prior
to
being
a
Christian
that
are
no
longer
have
that
great
pull

10. on
you?
What
is
the
difference?
Will
power
or
the
Holy
Spirit
changing
you
from
the
inside
out?
You
know
the
answer.
4. Even
as
a
Christian
there
are
some
things
that
use
to
be
a
real
strong
temptation
that
do
not
have
the
same
strength
they
use
to?
Why
is
that-­‐
because
you
are
maturing,
you
are
trusting
in
God’s
protection,
and
He
is
changing
you
from
the
inside
out.
5. Listen,
there
will
always
be
some
things
that
will
be
a
strong
temptation
for
you
no
matter
how
old
you
get-­‐
hang
in
there.
Here’s
the
encouraging
part.
God
protects
us
in
temptation.
How?
6. 1
Corinthians
10:13
God
is
faithful;
he
will
not
let
you
be
tempted
beyond
what
you
can
bear.
But
when
you
are
tempted,
he
will
also
provide
a
way
out
so
that
you
can
stand
up
under
it.
Isn’t
that
an
encouraging
verse!
Temptation
is
designed
to
make
us
unfaithful
to
a
faithful
God.
God
is

11. protecting
us
even
when
we
are
thinking
about
being
unfaithful
to
him-­‐
how
encouraging.
In
my
temptation-­‐
when
I
feel
there
is
no
escape,
trapped,
I
have
to
give
in-­‐
here
is
my
faithful
God-­‐
showing
me,
providing
for
me
a
way
out…
If
I
will
just
take
my
eyes
off
the
temptation
and
focus
on
him-­‐
the
way
out
will
be
clear
and
obvious.
7. Incidentally,
do
not
make
this
verse
say
more
than
what
it
says.
I
hear
this
verse
quoted
incorrectly
quite
often.
I
hear
people
say,
remember
the
word
of
God
says
that
God
will
not
give
you
anymore
than
what
you
can
bear
or
handle.
So,
if
you
going
through
this
trial
God
knew
you
could
handle
it.
8. Look
at
this
verse-­‐
it
is
referring
to
temptation
not
trials
or
troubles.
The
promise
refers
to
temptation-­‐
it
says
nothing
about
trials
or
troubles.
I
can
point
to
other
scriptures
where
God

12. cares
for
us
and
comforts
us
in
our
trials
and
troubles
but
this
is
not
one
of
them.
9. This
verse
deals
with
his
protection
in
times
of
temptation:
Two
things:
a)
In
his
faithfulness
he
knows
my
limits
and
won’t
let
me
tempted
beyond
my
abilities
through
faith
to
overcome.
b)
In
my
temptation,
God
provides
a
way
out-­‐
an
escape.
10. Now,
let’s
think
about
that
for
a
moment-­‐
the
first
promise:
won’t
be
tempted
beyond
what
I
can
bear.
When
sharing
with
other
Christians
throughout
the
years,
I
use
to
say
about
certain
temptations-­‐
that
is
not
a
temptation
for
me.
Here
is
where
I
am
tempted.”
11.
So,
over
the
course
of
time,
without
realizing
it,
it
became
somewhat
a
source
of
pride
for
me
to
say-­‐
that
is
no
temptation
for
me-­‐
as
if
I
was
not
capable
of
that
particular
sin
because
it
did
not
appeal
to
me.
You
know
what,
I

13. began
to
realize
my
view
of
this
was
a
little
skewed.
12. It
was
too
much
about
me-­‐
that
does
not
tempt
me.
I
started
thinking-­‐
why
is
not
tempting
to
me
but
this
is
tempting
to
me.
Then
it
dawned
on
me-­‐
the
reason
why
I
am
not
tempted
by
certain
things
is
because
God,
in
his
faithfulness,
knows
me
better
than
I
know
myself-­‐
and
He
knows
if
I
was
tempted
by
that-­‐
I
could
not
stand
up
under
it-­‐
I
would
fall
into
sin-­‐
it
would
be
beyond
my
ability
to
endure.
13. So
now,
when
someone
is
describing
to
me
a
temptation
they
are
having
and
it
is
not
a
temptation
for
me,
I
say
a
prayer
to
God
thanking
him
for
his
grace
to
protect
me
from
being
tempted
by
that.
14. And
you
should
be
so
encouraged
as
a
Christian,
that
God
loves
you
so
much
that
he
protects
you
from
the
things
that
would
drive
you
into
sin
by
not
letting
you
be
tempted
by
them,
and
letting
you

14. know
that
are
you
being
pulled
towards
to
make
you
unfaithful
to
him
by
sinning-­‐
He
knows
what
you’re
going
through
and
he
is
providing
a
way
out.
15.
He
also
knows
how
human
we
are-­‐
there
is
only
one
human
that
will
ever
leave
this
earth
being
tempted
with
every
imaginable
temptation-­‐
yet
he
never
sinned.
His
name
is
Jesus.
It
is
because
Jesus
know
the
pull
the
temptation
and
did
not
sin
that
Hebrews
writes
Let
us
then
approach
the
throne
of
grace
with
confidence,
so
that
we
may
receive
mercy
and
find
grace
to
help
us
in
our
time
of
need.
Hebrews
4:16
Faith
is
encouraging
because
it
brings
mercy
to
my
discouraged
heart.
1. In
recent
conversations
with
different
people
a
common
thread
linked
them
all
together.
One
was
talking
about
financial
hardships
from
underemployment,
another
stressed
that
insurance
would
not
cover
the

15. medicine
they
needed,
another
perplexed
as
to
why
their
marriage
failed,
in
a
conversation
with
a
preacher
for
over
30
years
who
now
finds
himself
under
heavy
criticism
and
his
job
threatened
not
because
of
anything
he
preached
or
taught,
but
over
personality
conflicts.
What
is
the
thread
that
links
all
these
Christians
together?
2. Discouragement.
All
of
them
need
a
heavy
dose
of
encouragement.
They
need
mercy,
grace,
help,
comfort,
and
encouragement.
They
are
losing
heart
because
they
are
discouraged.
3. Are
you
discouraged
this
morning?
Something
gotten
you
down
where
you
are
losing
heart?
You
don’t
have
to
stay
there.
God
promises
us
mercy
for
our
discouraged
heart.
Discouragement
is
contagious
and
deadly.
4. It
certainly
was
afflicting
the
Corinthian
congregation.
The
two
letters
contained
in
the
New
Testament
has
Paul
encouraging
the
Corinthians
to

16. trust
more
in
God
and
have
more
faith
in
him.
In
the
2nd
letter
4:1-­‐18
he
deals
with
it
extensively.
He
writes:
2
Corinthians
4:1,7-­9
Therefore,
since
through
God’s
mercy
we
have
this
ministry,
we
do
not
lose
heart.
But
we
have
this
treasure
in
jars
of
clay
to
show
that
this
all-­surpassing
power
if
from
God
and
not
from
us.
We
are
hard
pressed
on
every
side,
but
not
crushed;
perplexed
but
not
in
despair:
persecuted
but
not
abandoned
struck
down,
but
not
destroyed.
5. We
do
not
lose
heart-­‐
God
encourages
us
by
giving
us
mercy
when
we
are
discouraged.
Sure
things
in
life
get
tough-­‐
Paul
says
he
has
been
hard
pressed,
perplexed,
persecuted,
and
struck
down.
That
is
tough-­‐
every
one
of
those
could
bring
on
a
bout
of
discouragement.

17. 6. But
do
you
hear
the
triumph,
the
victory
in
Paul’s
voice:
By
God’s
mercy
we
will
not
lose
heart:
In
life
I
have
taken
the
shot
of
being
hard
pressed-­‐
but
not
crushed
been
perplexed-­‐
but
no
despair
been
persecuted-­‐
but
not
abandoned
been
struck
down-­‐
but
not
destroyed.
7. In
other
words,
the
devil
has
thrown
his
best
punches,
and
they
hurt
and
sting
and
leave
their
marks-­‐
but
I
have
put
may
faith
in
God-­‐
and
by
God’s
grace
I
am
still
standing
and
I
will
not
lose
heart.
8. God’s
mercy
in
time
of
need
is
greater
than
the
fear
of
discouragement.
When
I
feel
like
a
fragile
clay
jar-­‐
God
says-­‐
no-­‐
my
surpassing
power
will
energize
you
and
get
you
through
the
pressing
times,
the
perplexing
times,
the
persecuting
times,
the
times
when
you
are
about
to
cave
in.

18. 9. Be
encouraged
in
the
times
you’re
discouraged
and
claim
God’s
promises
of
mercy.
Faith
is
encouraging
because
it
gives
eternal
perspective
to
life.
1. Whether
it
is
trouble,
temptation,
or
discouragement,
they
all
can
distract
us
from
focusing
on
the
strength,
protection,
and
mercy
provided
by
God.
2. In
fact,
we
often
reminded
in
the
New
Testament
that
the
very
things
the
devil
uses
to
discourage
us-­‐
God
can
use
to
stretch
and
grow
our
faith.
3. What
are
apparent
defeats
and
failures
are
sometimes
the
very
areas
where
God
is
doing
his
greatest
work.
So,
we
are
encouraged
to
fix
our
eyes
on
Jesus,
to
focus
on
heaven.
4. Back
in
October,
my
son
David
and
I
were
guests
of
people
who
owned
terrific
seats
in
the
Tennessee
Titans
stadium.
The
game
was
also
on
the
NFL
Thursday
night
Network:
It
was
between
the
Tennessee
Titans
and
the

19. Pittsburgh
Steelers.
We
had
great
seats
and
it
was
perfect
weather
conditions.
And
the
evening
was
topped
off
with
the
Titans
upsetting
the
Steelers
in
overtime.
5. It
had
many
decades
since
I
had
been
to
a
pro
game.
With
the
seats
we
had
we
had
a
close
up
view
of
the
players
and
field.
The
players
are
super
athletes-­‐
giants-­‐
and
the
game
was
played
at
a
very
fast
speed
and
the
hits
sounded
very
violent.
6. I
particularly
enjoyed
watching
Ben
Rothsberger-­‐
the
quarterback
for
the
Steelers-­‐
superstar
quarterback.
What
I
noticed
in
watching
the
game
live
as
opposed
to
being
on
T.V.
were
the
passing
routes.
Ben
would
call
the
play,
the
ball
was
hike
and
Ben
released
the
ball
and
threw
it
to
a
certain
spot
while
we
watched
the
play
unfold,
as
the
receiver
in
his
route
would
run
to
the
spot
to
catch
the
ball.

20. 7. If
Ben
threw
in
the
direction
of
the
player
it
was
either
real
low
so
the
player
could
look
back
and
catch
the
ball
as
he
hit
the
ground
or
it
was
over
his
head
leading
the
player
to
the
spot
in
front
of
him.
8. The
only
time
Ben
would
throw
directly
to
the
player
was
pretty
much
on
a
very
short
pass
or
broken
play.
9. As
I
watch
this
transpired-­‐
I
thought
of
faith.
The
coaches
drew
up
the
plan
and
route,
the
quarterback
trusted
the
plan
to
throw
to
the
spot,
and
the
receiver
ran
his
route
trusting
that
at
a
certain
time
if
he
got
there
the
ball
would
be
there
to
catch.
10. Here’s
the
connection
I
want
to
make.
God
wants
to
walk
by
faith
and
not
by
sight.
As
much
as
we
want
him
to
just
focus
on
our
current
trouble
or
trial
or
discouragement-­‐
God’s
purpose
is
to
stretch
us,
to
make
us
in
faith
trust
him
to
run
to
the
spot
where
he
wants
us.
If
we
do
not
trust
him,
we
will
not
run
the

21. route
and
we
miss
what
he
has
in
store
for
the
place
where
he
wants
us
to
be.
11.
Walking
by
faith
encourages
me
to
trust
God
and
his
ways.
To
know
he
is
stretching
me,
leading
me,
and
sometimes
directly
me
to
cut
to
the
left
or
slant
off
my
course
to
meet
him
where
he
wants
me
to
be.
Isn’t
that
what
Paul
is
speaking
of
in
the
rest
of
2
Corinthians
4
v.13
I
believe;
therefore
I
have
spoken.
With
that
same
spirit
of
faith
we
also
believe
and
therefore
speak
because
we
know
that
the
one
who
raised
the
Lord
Jesus
from
the
dead
will
also
raise
us
with
Jesus.
The
next
time
you
are
discouraged
and
waiting
on
God
where
you
are,
instead
of
speaking
words
of
discontent,
confusion,
fear,
or
worry-­‐
why
not
pray
and
begin
to
speak
words
of
faith
into
your
situation.
12. Say
a
prayer
like
this:
Dear
God,
I
know
by
the
power
of
your
words
this

22. creation
came
into
existence.
By
your
power
your
raised
Christ
Jesus
from
the
dead.
You
have
promised
me
strength
and
mercy
and
with
confidence
I
believe
in
your
promises
and
therefore
I
will
speak
words
of
faith
into
my
situation.
13.
When
we
turn
it
over
to
God
and
trust
him
I
will
go
to
whatever
place
He
wants
me
to
be
–
because
my
faith
encourages
me
to
speak
words
of
faith.
14.
Again
from
2
Corinthians
I
keep
my
eternal
perspective
by
doing
the
following:
The
grace
that
is
reaching
more
and
more
people
may
cause
thanksgiving
to
overflow
to
the
glory
of
God.
Therefore
we
do
not
lose
heart.
When
I
respond
to
my
troubles,
temptation,
and
discouragement
with
words
of
faith
that
claim
God’s
strength,
protection,
and
mercy-­‐
it
not
only
encourages
me
but
also
encourages
those
around
me.
I
become
a
great
witness
for
my
loving
and
generous

23. God.
Others
will
be
drawn
to
the
mercy
and
strength
of
God
because
of
how
I
respond
in
faith.
That
thanksgiving
gives
glory
to
God.
That
thanksgiving
takes
the
place
of
my
troubled,
tempted,
or
discouraged
heart-­‐,
which
keeps
me
from
losing
heart.
Now,
that’s
encouraging.
15.
So,
Paul
concludes:
2
Corinthians
4:16-­18
So
we
fix
our
eyes
not
on
what
is
seen,
but
on
what
is
unseen.
For
what
is
seen
is
temporary,
but
what
is
unseen
is
eternal.
He
is
speaking
to
you
this
morning
and
saying
is
encouraged-­‐
keep
your
eternal
perspective
to
life.
Heaven
is
your
spot-­‐
it
is
your
goal.
Will
you
trust
God,
run
the
route
he
sets
before
you,
and
trust
that
he
will
be
there
when
you
arrive
in
faith?
16.
Just
like
he
did
with
Moses
who
was
living
in
Egypt
but
trusted
God
to
meet
going
towards
the
Promised
Land.

24. 17. Just
like
Joshua
who
on
the
this
side
of
the
Jordan
but
trusted
God
to
go
into
the
promise
land
and
found
God
and
victory
in
Jericho.
18. Or,
David
who
was
living
as
the
youngest
among
many
brothers
and
a
shepherd
who
by
faith
trusted
God
and
by
God’s
power
became
the
great
King
of
Israel.
19. Just
think
of
Jonah
who
wanted
to
keep
running
in
Israel,
to
run
his
own
route
but
eventually
after
running
from
God,
he
ran
to
God,
and
finally
ran
with
God
and
found
God’s
awesome
forgiveness
in
the
repentant
land
of
Nineveh.
20. I
could
give
you
many
other
illustrations
of
fixing
our
eyes
on
where
God
wants
us
to
go
in
faith
but
I
think
you
get
my
point.
21.
May
you
leave
worship
this
morning
encouraged
in
your
faith.
Fix
your
eyes
on
Jesus-­‐
trust
him
to
lead
you
where
you
need
to
go,
claim
by
faith
that
God

25. will
lift
you
in
times
of
trouble,
be
confident
that
God
will
give
you
the
protection
you
need
in
times
of
temptation,
and
fill
your
heart
with
his
mercy
so
that
instead
of
being
discouraged
and
losing
heart-­‐
you
are
encouraged
and
overflowing
with
thanksgiving
that
God
is
being
glorified
by
your
faith
in
Christ
Jesus.
22.
Let’s
close
with
an
invitation,
that
in
light
of
what
we
talked
about
this
morning
now
has
even
greater
impact
upon
us.
Here
it
is-­‐
is
from
Jesus
himself:
Matthew
11:28-­30
“Come
to
me,
all
you
who
are
weary
and
burdened,
and
I
will
give
you
rest.
Take
my
yoke
upon
you
and
learn
from
me,
for
I
am
gentle
and
humble
in
heart,
and
you
will
find
rest
for
your
souls.
For
my
yoke
is
easy
and
my
burden
is
light.”