Incentive by PM 198 1995 We are going to learn the meaning of the Greek word "Paramuthia" in this lecture.

In my opinion this word has two basic meanings. "Paramuthia" may mean to encourage, or stimulate one to take action. This word may also mean to comfort, or console. Many Christian denominations spend a great deal of time in judgement of other Christian denominations. Some times they become so wrapped up in judgement of others, they forget the number one incentive that allows Christians to show the world that life is far better in the Body of Christ than outside of the Body. Motivate others to Christianity through the teachings of Christ concerning comfort. Christ taught us that we must walk closely with others to be able to comfort them. First,let's look at an example of how not to comfort someone. Job means persecuted in the Hebrew language. He was an example of how the elect would be persecuted in the end times, if they allow themselves to be persecuted by Satan. I want you to think of this example as how not to comfort a family member that is persecuted. Job had recently learned all of his children had been killed when the following happened. Job 2:7-8 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. (8) And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Job was covered from head to toe with boils. He tried to use a broken piece of pottery to scratch with and lye from the ashes to ease the itching. The ashes are also symbolic of mourning. Job's wife then offered her opinion. Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die." Yes, Job's wife had a lot to be angry about; however, this is absolutely not the way to comfort someone. We receive hundreds of letters each week from those that have done something, and they are fearful God will not forgive them. We as Christians, have a powerful means of comforting such people. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. If you believe in Christ, repent your sins and ask for forgiveness, you have a clean slate. No one is without sin. You will fall short again after having asked for forgiveness. This is what is so powerful about the comfort God's love offers His children. When you fall short, repent and ask forgiveness. Christ taught us to comfort those taken in sin. Many that profess to be Christians today do the opposite. For example, how many churches today make divorcees second-class Christians.They might say , "You that are divorced move to the back of the room and don't even think about trying to become an elder of this church." Let's take our example from Christ. John 8:3-4 And the scribes and Pharisees brought into Him a women taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto Him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. The scribes and Pharisees were the church leaders in this time. They caught this woman in the very act and sat her down right in the center of attention. I can not help but wonder where the man they must have also caught in the very act was at this point. Don't form opinions based on how some churches would handle this situation. Listen to how Christ handles this situation. John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?" The "scripture lawyers" were drawing on Deuteronomy 22. Make a side study, if you wish, of Numbers 5 which more closely fits the circumstances, however, I want you to focus on the fact that the church leaders had already decided she was guilty and should be stoned to death. John 8:6-7 This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him, But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. (7) So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Again, I can not help but wonder what Christ had written in the sand as He ignored His tempters. Maybe He did write, "where is the man you also caught in the act." Or, maybe He was writing a note to one of the Pharisee's. Let's call him Ralph. "Ralph you were with this woman last week, " perhaps Christ wrote. John 8:8-9 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Sometimes the truth hurts. I think Ralph and the others got a good dose of their own medicine and decided to leave well enough alone. John 8:10-11 When Jesus had lifted Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?" (11) She said, "No man, Lord." And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." The women repented and was forgiven. We should use Christ's example as an incentive to those taken

in sin. Don't condemn them, as the scribes and Pharisees would do. Tell them there is a God that loves His children so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Tell them to repent and ask forgiveness. Give them incentive to follow Christ and be a comfort to others in need. This , my friends, is the most powerful force to draw nonbelievers to Christianity. There is another occasion when Christians have the opportunity to comfort others. The loss of a loved one causes deep sorrow and grief. Especially, if those grieving believe the lost one is in a hole in the ground. Student's of God's Word know that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. The instant we leave the flesh body, the spirit returns to the Lord (Eccl.12:6-7). Christ taught us how to comfort the family and friends of those which have passed away. Lazarus was dead. Let's take a look how Christ comforted Mary and Martha. John 11:21-22 Then said Martha unto Jesus. "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (22) But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee. Martha obviously had a great deal of faith; however, she did not understand death. John 11:23-24 Jesus saith unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." (24) Martha saith unto Him, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Many would say, "There you have it. Right there in the Bible it says the dead are in the ground and will rise in the resurrection at the last day." Don't listen to what men and women said. Listen to what Christ said. John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die, Believest thou this?" Armed with the comfort of God's Word, you are able to make a real difference at a time when your family and friends need help the most. You have the ability to comfort them and provide the incentive for them to want what you already have, peace of mind through Christianity. Those you comfort will still grieve their loss, but their grief will be eased through the knowledge that their loved one is with the Father, not in a hole in the ground. What did Paul teach on the subject of comfort? II Corinthians 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: (2) Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (3) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Where does all comfort originate? II Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Now, let's see if we have this straight. God comforts us in our troubles so we may comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort we were comforted of God in the first place. Boy, this comfort sounds contagious. Believe me; it is! Once you have been down a road of trouble and God's love pulls you through, you will be anxious to help those going down that same troubled road. II Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. Do you ever stop and reflect on the suffering Christ endured for you? You should. II Corinthians 1:6-7 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (7) And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. God doesn't want a bunch of "hot house lilies" that wilt at the first sign of trouble. You will suffer for His namesake, if you serve God. You will also be comforted. He will never give you more than you are able to handle. You are in a unique position to help and comfort others. People are starved for God's Word and basically ignorant of the Bible. Understanding the scriptures we have discussed today puts you in an excellent position to witness to others. Not only will you be able to comfort others in times of trouble, you will give them the incentive to change their lives for the better. In His Service, Arnold Murray