The Gift of Exhortation
Introduction
So far, we have studied the gifts of prophesy, serving, and teaching together. Today, we get to get into the next gift, the gift of exhortation.
But before we do, let’s read our text to start off with.
Romans 12:4–8
KJV 1900
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The Gift of Exhortation
Just like we have done for the previous gifts, we will discuss this in three parts.
What is the gift, what are its characteristics, and what are the dangers.
First off, what do you think of when you hear the word exhortation? Encouragement is part of the meaning of the word, but the word exhortation has a much deeper meaning. It means:
to call to one’s side
to implore
to intercede
to console or comfort
a persuasive discourse or stirring speech
The word that is translated exhort, is the Greek word parakaleo. It is one of the words used to describe the Holy Spirit in John 16:7
John 16:7
KJV 1900
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
It is the word “comforter” in that verse. The Holy Spirit is the one who comes along side us, comforts and consoles us, implores us to follow the Lord and is persuasive about it. He convinces the world of sin and of righteousness.
What Is the Gift of Exhortation?
Basically, to exhort is to encourage someone to do what is right or to stop doing what is wrong. It is a gift of encouragement. This is not encouragement from afar, but close-up encouragement. The person with this gift is not the person that stands on the sidelines and cheers a runner on; it is the person that goes and runs next to that runner saying, “You can do this.”
When I think of a real example of that, I think of Specialist Klein, a buddy of mine when I was stationed with in Fort Irwin. I know I talk about being out of shape now and again, and how I hate running. There was a time, though, when I was in really good shape. However, I have always despised running. Even when I was in the army, I hated it and never got as good as I would have liked at it.
It would happen that about 50% of the time, I would fail my physical fitness test because of the run. Then, I would have to do it the next day, and I would barely pass the run.
When I was stationed in Fort Irwin, there was this guy named Klein who was an amazing runner. He began to pace me on my PT runs. He would encourage me, point out where I could improve, remind about certain things while we ran together, and anytime that I ran with Klein, or rather, any time that Klein ran with me, I was sure to pass the run.
Klein would run the majority of the two mile backwards as he talked to me and encouraged me and kept me focused on proper technique and on the goals ahead. Klein was a person who came alongside me when I needed help.
That is what the gift of exhortation is.
What Are the Characteristics of the Gift of Exhortation?
With each gift we have seen, we have had an example that we have been able to look at as we go through the characteristics of those gifts. Who remembers the example for the gift of prophecy? Peter What about the gift of ministry? Timothy And for the gift of teaching? Luke
Today, the person that we will be looking at as an example is Paul.
Those who have this gift...
1 … Motivate others to mature in their walk with Christ.
Colossians 1:28–29
KJV 1900
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Those with the gift of exhortation can more easily discern the level of spiritual maturity in others. 1 Corinthians 3:1
1 Corinthians 3:1
KJV 1900
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
All of Paul’s epistles to both churches and individuals are full of steps to take so that the believers in Christ will grow in their spiritual maturity. The person with this gift has the desire to see others progress in their walk with the Lord.
This can desire to motivate others to mature in their walk with God can present itself in the the encourager giving practical steps to spiritual maturity. Those receiving encouragement from the exhorter along with the steps may misunderstand what is meant as encouragement.
If the encourager emphasizes these steps too much, it can seem like he is over-simplifying large problems.
It may seem that the encourager places too much trust in the steps.
And the use of giving steps to fix a problem may give the impression that the exhorter is not taking other’s feelings into consideration.
Those that have this gift appreciate being given steps for practical application when being taught as well and can be discouraged themselves if no practical application is offered.
2 ...Has the ability to visualize goals for their listeners
They use this to help motivate others. Philippians 3:17
Philippians 3:17
KJV 1900
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Paul uses himself as an example to give others a visual of how to follow Jesus.
It is not wrong to use people as examples if done in the proper context and with humility.
3 …Has the desire to explain the truth with logical reasoning
Paul used logical reasoning to speak to the Jews, the Gentiles, and King Agrippa. Acts 18:4
Acts 18:4
KJV 1900
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 26:28–29
KJV 1900
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
The logic Paul used was consistent with God’s word. We should never trust logic alone. Sometimes, what is logically deduced is contrary to God’s word (e.g.: the Beatitudes).
4 ...Has the desire to talk to people face to face to ensure a positive reaction to their encouragement
1 Thessalonians 2:11–12
KJV 1900
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Paul had taken the time to encourage the Thessalonian believer individually while he was there. His desire was to see them personally.
1 Thessalonians 2:17
KJV 1900
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
1 Thessalonians 3:10
KJV 1900
10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
2 Timothy 1:4
KJV 1900
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5 …Has the ability to relate to people of different social classes and backgrounds
This allows them to be a greater influence to a greater number of listeners. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
1 Corinthians 9:19–23
KJV 1900
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
6 …Is highly motivated to bring harmony and unity to groups of believers
The encourager knows that harmony and unity are important to Christian growth. Paul had a great desire to resolve conflicts that brought divisions. 1 Corinthians 3:3-4
1 Corinthians 3:3–4
KJV 1900
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Philippians 2:2
KJV 1900
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Paul was very interested in encouraging others to unity in Christ.
7 …Has the ability to welcome personal trials seeing that they bring growth with them
2 Corinthians 1:5
KJV 1900
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:9
KJV 1900
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul was willing to suffer and do so joyfully so that the work of the Lord could grow.
What Are the Dangers of the Gift of Exhortation?
The one who has the gift of exhortation is in danger of...
1 ...Not rejoicing in hope
Romans 12:12
KJV 1900
12 Rejoicing in hope...
The blessed hope that we have as Christians is in the return of Christ. Romans 5:2-5
Romans 5:2–5
KJV 1900
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The exhorter can forget that his ultimate hope, his sure hope is in Jesus’ return. They worry so much about today’s work or today’s practical steps for growth and advice for the problems of today that they forget to look with hope to the future of the Lord’s return.
In other words, they tend to focus on the problems and not the joy of the hope that is before them. In doing so, they lose their joy.
Paul learned the joy of suffering for the Lord. Philippians 1:16-18
Philippians 1:16–18
KJV 1900
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Some people preached Christ out of spite for Paul. It caused him different kinds of suffering, but Paul was joyful in the fact that at least they were preaching the Gospel.
2 ...Not being patient in tribulations
Romans 12:12b
Romans 12:12
KJV 1900
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation...
When encouragers suffer, they also need to be encouraged. They respond to it well because it is their gift, but if they receive no encouragement from others, they can easily fall into despair. It is difficult for the exhorter to encourage himself.
Like Paul, the exhorter needs to learn how to be patient and remain hopeful in their own tribulations. 2 Corinthians 12:15
2 Corinthians 12:15
KJV 1900
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
3 ...Not being constant in prayer
Romans 12:12
KJV 1900
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Those with the gift of exhortation are encouraged to be constant in prayer because it is easy for them to fall out of the practice of prayer. They may not see the need for prayer until they themselves are hit with tribulations.
When the encourager uses his gift without prayer, they can fall into the following traps:
a. Using illustrations or examples without permission or before seeing the final result
They may use people as examples without having their permission to tell their stories, or before seeing the end result in their lives. (Look, you should take these steps that Billy has taken to get sober and connect with God. Be like Billy! But then three weeks later, Billy has fallen off the wagon again.)
b. He may encourage others to rely on him instead of on God
(“Trust me, I know what I am talking about.” This is the same danger that the previous gifts had- trusting our own logic instead of trusting God)
c. He will look for visible results over heart changes
Heart changes tend to be more subtle and take longer to manifest fully. The encourager may tempted to emphasize practical change over heart changes.
Paul fell to this danger when he wrote off John Mark, who had at one point abandoned Paul and Barnabas during one of their missionary journeys. When discussing a future journey, Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along, but Paul refused. Such was their disagreement that Paul and Barnabas parted ways. Later, Paul would recognize that there had been a heart change in Mark, and called for him by name because he was “useful for the ministry.”
d. He will neglect basic Bible doctrine in order to find practical applications
He can be tempted to use verses out of context for the purpose of encouraging others to do right or stop doing wrong.
4. The encourager will struggle with the two following areas:
a. Time
i. The encourager will often forget to inform those they are encouraging that it will take time to get through the current trial or problem.
ii. The encourager will take time that needs to be given to their families and spend that time encouraging others.
Remember, your family is your first ministry. Paul recognized that this would be a struggle in his life, and was happy that he was not married. He recognized that this can be a struggle in others’ lives as well, and recommended that if they were able, those in the ministry not marry so that they could give all of their time to the work of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:7-8
1 Corinthians 7:7–8
KJV 1900
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
iii. If they are not careful, the encourager will spend too much time on someone who does not wish to deal with their problems, issues, or sin.
This is something that Paul fell to. Though he was the apostle to the Gentiles, he tried to ingratiate himself with the Jews in order to win them to Christ, and all he got from it was trouble.
b. Projects
i. Sometimes he treats people like projects instead of people (similar to the gift of ministry)
ii. Sometimes he jumps from one project to another without seeing them through
The encourager, generally speaking, should encourage one person or group at a time and see it to completion, or they can be tempted to quit on one when the encouragement get difficult.
iii. They can sometimes begin to give advice before hearing the whole matter
or before considering the whole situation or the person they are giving advice to.
iv. They can be prideful in their accomplishments
The one with this gift struggles in praying, being patient in tribulations, and having joy as they help others. They also struggle in their time management and project management areas.
General Application
The exhorter is one who helps others and encourages them in their problems, and seeks to lead others to take steps toward spiritual maturity.
Because those with this gift are often dealing with the trials, problems, and sins of others, they need to be sure not to adopt a negative mentality that will rob them of their joy in Christ.
The church need people that have this gift, and the church needs to make sure they encourage the encouragers also.
If you have this gift, use it for the Lord, for the benefit of others, and not in a prideful manner.
