Due to a technical issue, todays sermon is not fully available. We aplogize for this problem. We invite you to listen to the two additional items posted today in addition to this portion of the sermon.

1. Listen to the Journey Groups Message
2. Listen to the report from the Ukraine
3. The good portion of todays message that includes goodbye to Pastor Gilbert and goodbye to Whitney Anderson


Last week we talked about the power of relationships, and that we have been created, at least in part, to experience them: relationships with God and with each other. This morning we want to begin to examine what healthy relationships look like.  One vital aspect of any healthy relationship is the ongoing experience of encouragement. People need to be encouraged, to be helped along the way. We need someone in our corner saying – you can do this! God has called you to it! He is with you!

  (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 (Acts 9:31 NIV)  Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

(Ephesians 4:29 NIV)  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

 (Romans 15:4-6 NIV)  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV)  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

2 Chronicles 22:2-3 NIV)  Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother's name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri. 3 He too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong.

 Hebrews 3:13 NIV)  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

 (Acts 27:22-25;34-36 NIV)  But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.   . . . 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

(Acts 14:21-22 NIV)  They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

 (Philippians 1:14 NIV)  Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

(Deuteronomy 3:28 NIV)  But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see."
 
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)  May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

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