If you want to last for God, you need more than a six-month burst of zeal. You need the Holy Spirit’s gift and practice of encouragement. In this message Pastor Adam unpacks why encouragement offers the highest return on the smallest investment, how Satan uses discouragement to stall momentum, and how to become a Barnabas in real life.Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, Proverbs 15:23, 1 Samuel 25, Acts 9, 11, 15, 23; Psalm 27:14; Exodus 33:14; Romans 8:28Big ideas: • Cost vs return of encouragement • The Paraclete makes us encouragers • A 3-step playbook from Jesus to Paul: remember God’s past faithfulness, take courage now, look ahead to God’s purpose • Barnabas models generosity, inclusion, discipleship, and restorationChapters00:00 Cold open: Long-haul faith needs one skill01:00 Title and setup: Why encouragement never saturates02:04 Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NLT)03:15 Cost vs return of encouragement04:13 The risk of getting close to people06:38 Right word, right time — Proverbs 15:2309:00 Abigail stops David’s rage — model of wise encouragement12:54 The devil’s yard-sale story — discouragement as a tool15:20 Greek word study: parakaleo and the Paraclete17:03 Meet Barnabas, the “son of encouragement”19:18 Evangelist Richard Brooks — contagious courage21:35 Be a fountain, not a drain23:48 Jesus encourages Paul — three moves that work26:12 Take courage in the moment — Psalm 27:14, Exodus 33:1428:32 Look ahead — God still has Rome for you32:00 Barnabas profile: generosity and inclusion35:42 Barnabas vouches for Saul38:08 Barnabas disciples Saul at Antioch40:25 John Mark redeemed and restored42:16 Oxygen analogy — why encouragement must be continual51:09 Call to action: homework to encourage someone53:30 Live example of encouragement55:33 Personal story: phone call that reset perspective58:00 Final appeal and prayerShow Notes• Did you benefit from this message? Support our ministry with a generous donation: https://give.vbph.church (https://give.vbph.church/) • Keep up with all the latest events happening at VBPH: https://vbph.org/events• Subscribe to text updates by sending the keyword "ALERTS" to 757-785-9881• Follow our YouTube channel for all the latest video content: https://www.youtube.com/PottersHouseVB• Subscribe to our VBPH Sermon Podcast to never miss a message: https://podfollow.com/vbph-sermon-podcast• Want to read through the Bible with us this year? Join our YouVersion Bible Reading Plan here: https://bit.ly/VBPH-BiblePlan-2025• Let us know if this message has influenced you by connecting with us using one of these options: • Website: https://vbph.church • Let us know you're coming: https://form.church/vgSQszyXdkGlOgqDFnG6 • Looking for more fellowship sermons? Check out TAKING THE LAND - CFM Sermon Podcast: https://takingthelandpodcast.com