Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. To watch the video, click here.
Lessons from the life of BarnabasSon of Encouragement
Encourage - to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.
Thesis - The Body of Christ needs encouragers.
Acts 4:36-37
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 9:26-27
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 11:23,24
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Acts 11:29,30
29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 12:25
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
Acts 13:1
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas,
Outline
- Barnabas was an extravagant giver (Acts 4:36-37)
- Barnabas believed in people, he trusted them, networking Paul successfully in with the other apostles and later with the new Grecian believers at Antioch (Acts 9:26,27)(Acts 11:25,26)
- Barnabas was an encourager (Acts 11:23,24)
- He rejoiced with the will of God being accomplished
- He was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord
- He was considered a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
- He played a role in successful outreach
- Barnabas was a conduit for financial blessing (Acts 11:29,30)
5. Barnabas is Considered a Prophet and Teacher (Acts 13:1)
6. Barnabas’ belief in people causes a rift between he and Paul in regard to John Mark (Acts 15:37,38)
Body
1. Barnabas was an extravagant giver (Acts 4:36-37)
Barnabas sold some land and laid it at the Apostles feet. Barnabas had land and possibly some wealth. Perhaps he gave out of his abundance. Maybe that was his primary land?
2. Barnabas believed in people, he trusted them, networking Paul successfully in with the other apostles. (Acts 9:26,27)
When all the apostles were afraid of Paul because of his reputation Barnabas took a chance on him. Believing his story to be true. He then confirmed the truth for himself before introducing him to the other Apostles.
3. Barnabas was an encourager (Acts 11:23,24)
a. He rejoiced with the will of God being accomplished
Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Barnabas rejoiced with God’s will being accomplished
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
b. Barnabas was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
c. He was considered a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
1. Good
2. Filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Filled with Faith
d. He played a role in successful outreach
I believe when it comes to outreach…
Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
We’re called to be faithful
Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
e. Barnabas was a conduit for financial blessing (Acts 11:29,30)
Barnabas was used in this way to bring relief to part of the body of Christ sent from another part. Here again he’s networking resources to a need.
4. Enter John Mark (Acts 12:25)
Was John Mark the rich young ruler who fled Naked?
A rich young ruler questioned Christ about what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Mark's Gospel includes a detail that Matthew and Luke failed to mention: "And Jesus looking upon him loved him..." This hints at the possibility that young John Mark himself may have been that rich young man. An early church tradition also suggests that it was this same Mark who was "the certain young man" who followed Christ right up to His entry into the house of the high priest and then, when the guards tried to lay hold of him, left the linen cloth that he was clothed with in their hands and fled naked! (Mark 14:52; was the only one who included this incident.)
5. Barnabas is Considered a Prophet and Teacher (Acts 13:1)
Often when thinking about Barnabas I don’t really give him much credit for anything. He however was a very foundational pillar in the early Church.
6. Barnabas’ belief in people causes a rift between he and Paul in regard to John Mark (Acts 15:37,38)
Paul being more principled in his approach to the ministry brought him into conflict with Barnabas who seems to have a mercy gifting.
Fortunately, Paul and Mark later reconciled when Paul was in prison in Rome. Mark served as his aide and then as a delegate on an important mission to Asia Minor. Later Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark back with him to Rome because he was useful in service. (2 Tim 4:11) When Peter was writing 1st Peter, he affectionately called Mark "his son.“ (1 Peter 5:13)
Conclusion: We need encouragers in the body of Christ. Encouragers are used by God to breathe life into us when we’re feeling flat.
Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124
View Larger Map