#1511. Sent to Encourage (7/5/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

The Holy Spirit wants to work through us to encourage others

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

(See also Colossians 4:7-9)

1. A good leader, and friend, is concerned for others

Having spoken about the character of Tychicus, Paul now gives the reason why he is sending him with this letter and news:

Paul has a clear purpose in sending him. He is deeply concerned for the welfare of the churches to whom he writes. A good leader is marked by genuine care for people—not just an interest in productivity or getting things done, but a real concern for their well-being.

Paul knows they may be discouraged because of his imprisonment. Earlier, he writes:

A good leader—and a good friend—is concerned for others. Even in the midst of personal suffering and difficulty, they remain attentive, empathetic, and eager to strengthen those around them.

They don’t turn inward; they look outward. They don’t withdraw; they encourage. This is the heart we are called to reflect.

2. A good leader and friend seeks to encourage

Paul explains his purpose in sending Tychicus:

A good friend seeks to encourage.

Many times, we meet people who moan, complain, gossip, or vent—but how often do we meet people who truly encourage us? And more importantly, are we those people?

The word encourage translates the Greek parakaléō—to come alongside, to comfort, to exhort, to urge.

This connects beautifully with what Jesus says about the Holy Spirit:

Parakaléō and paraklétos share the same root idea: to call someone to one’s side. You could say that parakaléō is what the paraklétos does.

In other words, those who are filled with and led by the Spirit will come alongside others to minister as the Holy Spirit does—bringing encouragement.

Imagine someone going through a difficult week—discouragement, pressure, even spiritual attack. They pray, “Lord, help me… strengthen me.”

How does God answer?

Sometimes not with a dramatic moment—but with a person.

• A message at just the right time

• A conversation after church

• Someone who listens, prays, and speaks truth

They come alongside… and something lifts. That’s parakaléō in action.

But here’s the deeper reality: as Jesus teaches in John 16:7, through us the Helper—the paraklétos, the Holy Spirit—comes alongside people.

The Spirit (paraklétos) works through those who choose to encourage (parakaléō).

So the question is simple: Are we making room for the Spirit to use us in this way?

Response

The Holy Spirit wants to work through us to bring encouragement to others.

Firstly, are we allowing God to encourage us?Through His Word, through prayer, through fellowship—are our hearts being strengthened and lifted?

Secondly, are we ready to be sent - by people, but, ultimately, by the Holy Spirit -  to encourage others?Are we available to come alongside people, to listen, to pray, and to speak life?

We cannot give what we have not received.But as we are encouraged by God, we become channels of His encouragement to others.

Community Group Study

(This week is ‘SIV’ (Serve, Invest and inVite) Week, so we’ll be focussing on this during our time together. 

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

3. Study and pray together

(This week is ‘SIV’ (Serve, Invest and inVite) Week)

What is SIV? 

SIV stands for Serve, Invest and inVite. This is our very simple strategy to help bring our community to Jesus. We believe that God has placed us in relationships and in specific locations to be 'salt and light.' and to ‘fish for people’.  We can effectively bring people to Jesus by: 

• 'Serving' them - Demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways; 

• 'Investing' - Investing in the ‘people of peace’ those whom we feel the Spirit is leading us. 

• 'Inviting' - Inviting them into our homes by showing hospitality and inviting them to church events, to Alpha, and ultimately, inviting them to come to Jesus through the gospel. 

In your groups: 

• Share stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Think about practical next steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Pray together:

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• Pray for our Alpha ministry and Phil Mash who heads up this team 

• Pray for our mission in Roehampton - that He would lead us in reaching that community with the gospel. 

• General prayer: how do people want prayer at this time?