"IMPARTING GRACE TO THE HEARERS"
               (The Art of Encouragement)

TEXT:  2Timothy 1:3-12
Introduction:
    A. 2Timothy 1:16-18
        1. You can't help but like Onesiphorus.
        2. Upon what do you base that attraction?  Paul's
           compliment!
        3. What did it cost him?
            a. A moment's thought and thoughtfulness.
        4. What was the return on his investment?
            a. An hundred-fold to everyone who heard it directly
               or in..
    B. What is a compliment?
        1. "An expression of praise, admiration or congratulation;
           a formal act of praise, courtesy, or respect;  a
           ceremonious greeting or remembrance;  'to pay a
           compliment' is to show fondness, regard, respect, or
           favor;  From Latin word meaning to complete or fill up
           courtesy or proper behavior."
        2. Sounds as if it should be a part of the Christian's code 
           of conduct. 
        3. This study will help show that indeed it is to be an 
           activity God's people habitually engage in.

I. WHY?  BECAUSE OF...
    A. Obligation - Phil. 2:25-30;  1Thes 5:12-13.
    B. The effect on the receiver - Rev. 3:8-11;  2Tim. 3:14-15.
    C. In payment of gratitude - 2Tim. 4:11.
    D. To draw nearer to the saints - Philemon 4-9.

II. KINDS OF COMPLIMENTS
    A. Direct Statement - 2Tim. 1:4-5;  Heb. 6:9-11.
    B. Recommendation - Phil. 2:19-23;  2Tim. 1:6-7.
    C. Caring reproof - Gal. 2:11-14.
    D. Assignment of a task - 1Cor. 15:8-10.

III. WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?
    A. Renewed confidence in the hearer - Col. 4:9,12-13.
        1. On the part of the one complimented and on those who
           hear him spoken well of.
    B. A growing fellowship - 3John 3-6.
    C. Increased unity among the saints - 2Peter 3:15.
        1. What will those who heard Paul rebuke Peter think when
           they read what Peter said of Paul?
    D. Returns blessings to the speaker - 1Thes. 2:13-14,19-20.

IV. RECEIVING A COMPLIMENT
    A. For some folks, compliments are more difficult to accept than to
       give.  Some find it easier to accept criticism than a compliment.
    B. Accept the compliment without deflecting it.
        1. "It's really nothing" or "I didn't do anything, really" 
           undermines both your own good and the word of the person
           speaking of it.
    C. Choose an appropriate time to return your own compliment.
        1. Automatically returning a compliment sounds forced and a
           bit insincere.
    D. Avoid fishing for more compliments.
        1. "Do you really think so" questions the integrity of the
           speaker.  Sometimes we feel unworthy and would like to 
           hear more to build our confidence.  The person 
           complimenting you believes in your goodness.  It is not
           conceited to accept that someone thinks well of you.
    E. Thank the speaker!  Courtesy is like cool water in this desert of
       incivility in which we live today.

Conclusion:
    A. Has God ever paid us a compliment? - Rom. 5:8!