The Act of Refreshing Others
Romans 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Intro: One of the most important aspects of the Christian life is the positive effect that we can have on other believers.
This concept is repeated throughout the Word of God.
No man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
If you are refreshing to others, it is most likely done on purpose.
Not to say that some people are refreshing to be around and they don’t even realize it.
But that is because they have developed a relationship with God and others that makes it look easy.
Notice the text:
A. It is a Desired Act
In our text, Paul mentioned several times just how much he wanted to meet up with these saints and be refreshed.
- 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
- 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
We get tired, we get discouraged, we wear down, and we need to be refreshed.
God created the sabbath for that very reason.
It was a time to be physically refreshed and rest from six days of physical labor and work.
- Exodus 23:12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
One thing is true: when it comes to refreshment, everyone wants it and everyone needs it.
No matter how spiritual, how important, how confident and how strong they are, they need it.
They actually long for it at times.
Illustration: 2 Samuel 23
- 14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
- 15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
B. It is a Delivering Act
Refreshment helps a person escape a current physical, spiritual and mental.
Paul mentioned in Romans 15 –
- 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
- 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
- 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
- 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
This verse was Paul’s prayer request to be literally delivered from unbelievers.
But make no mistake; the act of refreshing someone delivers them:
- From being tired to being inspired.
- From a state of discouragement to a state of encouragement.
- From a feeling of hopelessness to hope.
- From thinking they are worthless to feeling valuable
- From being frustrated to having clarity and focus.
- It provides health to those that are hurting.
Here’s an example of this in the ministry of the Apostle Paul.
- Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
After a horrible storm, two weeks at sea with no sun, a devastating shipwreck, being cast upon the island of Melita, being bitten by a venomous snake while gathering firewood, being accused of being a murderer, then worshipped as a god, spending three months healing people with bloody fluxes and diseases, I can imagine that Paul needed some refreshing!!
C. It is a Delightful Act
Notice Paul’s language when talking about the prospect of meeting up with these saints.
- Romans 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
The word REFRESHED in our text means “to take mutual rest and mutual refreshment by mutual interaction.”
The word REFRESH in Exodus 23:12 literally means “a breath.”
- Exodus 23:12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
When you and I refresh someone, it is quite literally a breath of fresh air.
It has a healing effect on the inside of a person that is difficult to describe.
Paul worded it like this when writing to Philemon:
- Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
What are some things that God uses in our life to help refresh other people?
I’m not talking about the physical refreshing of hospitality, preparing meals, providing accommodations, etc.
I’m speaking of the deeper, spiritual refreshing of God’s people that is so desperately needed today.
What can you and I do to refresh God’s people and be a source of refreshment?
I. Fervent Sincerity
One of the greatest ways to refresh God’s people is for your testimony to be real.
It is refreshing when you hear about how great somebody is, and once you meet them, it turns out to be true!
- 2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
Read vs. 11-16
Titus was refreshed by the church of Corinth when he witnessed Paul’s report was true.
They had repented, they were filled with vehement desire, zeal and received him with fear and trembling.
Paul’s boasting of them to Titus was found to be true – vs. 14.
Paul wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed for what he had told Titus because it was true.
II. Forgiving Spirit
- Philemon 1:20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Paul’s letter to Philemon was a plea for mercy and forgiveness on a runaway slave.
He had every right legally to pursue justice, but Paul begged him to go easy on Onesimus.
Paul’s acknowledging of Philemon’s already existing acts of refreshment were referenced in verse 7.
- Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Paul was now asking for another act of refreshing – the one that comes with having a forgiving spirit.
There is so much animosity, bitterness, hatred, variance, strife and debate in our world today.
How refreshing is it when a person just takes the high road and says to those that wrong them, “I forgive you!”
Paul worded it like this to Philemon – refresh my bowls in the Lord – just have a forgiving spirit.
Don’t keep score.
Don’t hold a grudge.
Don’t let this thing grow into something big and ugly and painful.
Just let it go.
Paul then used a little psychology on him in verse 21:
- 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
III. Faithful Service
A Christian that is dependable, reliable, faithful and consistent is so refreshing!
An unfaithful person is a source of pain and frustration.
- Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
But in the same chapter, it says this…
- Proverbs 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
Notice this Old Testament example of how faithful service can be refreshing.
- 1 Samuel 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
David, who was just a shepherd boy was a source of refreshment to the king of the nation.
This wasn’t just a one-time event. David was on standby to serve whenever he was needed, and to serve until the purpose for which he was there was fulfilled.
The Apostle Paul was greatly refreshed, and often refreshed by a man by the name of Onesiphorus.
Paul testified to Timothy of this man’s faithful and diligent ministry.
2 Timothy 1
- 16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
- 17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
- 18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Another example of the refreshing qualities of people that are FAITHFUL SERVANTS.
1 Corinthians 16
- 15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
- 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
- 17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
- 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.