September 22, 2019

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR: THE POWER OF AFFIRMATION
September 22, 2019
Dr. Thomas Mullins

 

 

Did you have an opportunity this week to speak a word of encouragement to someone? Can you share?

Neighbors are not always in need of material help. Sometimes they are running low in their reserve tank of kind, encouraging words—words that will build them up and cause them to keep going. Today we continue the series “Who Is My Neighbor,” as we look at the topic The Power of Affirmation. We want to be very intentional in letting the light of our love for Jesus Christ shine wherever we can, as we uplift and inspire others to continue in this journey of life.

Key Verse:Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Opening:

Demonstrating God’s love

  • Read Matt. 5:16. What is the first way you can get an open door to allow you to demonstrate God’s love to others? Does it matter whether you know them or not?
  • If you had to guess, what is the one thing everyone you meet is longing for?

What can you give them that costs you nothing?

  • Read Matt. 3:16-17. What did this affirmation do for Jesus, the Son of God? How do most children react when their father tells them, “I am proud of you”?
  • Read 1 Thess. 5:11. What are you called to do? What is another word for edify?

Secure in your identity in Christ

  • What is the highest role you can imagine for yourself on this earth? Read 1 John 3:1. What does this verse say your highest position should be? Is there any way you can encourage others if you see yourself as a failure?
  • Why is this quote by Neil Anderson correct: “The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity” *?
  • Read Judges 6:11-12. How did God affirm Gideon’s identity? What did Gideon go on to accomplish after Jesus (pre-incarnate) spoke with him?

How To Establish a Life That Affirms

Focus your thought life

  • Why is it so important to guard your mind? Read Eph. 4:23 and James 1:14-15. What happens when thoughts are not taken captive as soon as they light upon the mind? What does James say the thoughts can lead to?
  • Read Phil. 4:8. What happens if you do not replace the bad thoughts with scripture, prayer, or something else that is resisting Satan and sin?
  • If you keep your thoughts and your mind filled with pure treasures, what will your speech be like when you interact with people?

Hang with like-minded people

  • Read Proverbs 12:26. Have you ever experienced a friendship that you soon had to cut off, as you found yourself picking up some of the bad habits of your “friend” (attitudes, language, etc.)? Can you share?
  • What would you do differently if you knew one or more of the people you could encourage today were having a pivotal mental crisis, where a positive comment might make a difference in their “keeping on keeping on”?

Keep focused on your mission

  • Read 2 Timothy 2:4. Why is it so important that you not turn aside to the world as you live for Jesus Christ?
  • What can you do to be intentional in uplifting your own life, in order to pour out inspiring, loving words of encouragement to those you meet daily?

Close:

What a challenge Dr. Mullins has left us with, as we go from understanding our personal relationship to our loving Father, who is so proud of us, to fully grasping His desire for us to bring  everything in our lives—the good, bad, and the ugly—to Him in prayer.  Once we are secure in our relationship with Him, the joy and confidence will begin spilling over from our lives to others around us, making us a conduit of encouragement, love and uplifting words for those with whom we come into contact. If we are not filled with the light of His presence, we will only dispense darkness to those we meet! As we love Him more, we love our neighbors more. It is a beautiful cycle that He has created within us, and if we are His willing vessels, His love will be poured out on those we meet.

We are created for good works (Eph. 2:10), which are to be used for His glory. We are meant to share His love with others, even if it’s only by a cheerful, loving countenance, a compliment for a stranger, a helping hand as someone needs a door open for them, a smile for a frown—it all starts with kindness and love. That is not too much to do, to bring glory and honor to our Savior.

* Neil T. Anderson, Dave Park (2008). “Stomping Out the Darkness: Discover Your True Identity in Christ and Stop Putting Up with the World’s Garbage!”, p.26, Baker Books­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­