Lesson 7 Barnabas Son of Encouragement Part 4

Lesson 7: Barnabas, Son of Encouragement (Part 4 of 4)

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Ways Barnabas Was an Encourager in Acts 4, 9, 13, 15 – He was generous with his material goods for others in need – He demonstrated great selflessness with pure motives: • More concerned about others than himself & went out of his way • Looked for opportunities to help and didn’t look for the credit – He put the kingdom of God first in his life – He had a basic concern for people, esp. those being rejected – He was willing to put his trust in people when others did not – He was willing to become vulnerable for others – He was willing to sacrifice his time & get involved in lives – He stood up for others even in uncomfortable situations

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Barnabas Was Sent to the Work in Antioch in Acts 11 – Reason: To help the work? To investigate the new work? – Gladness for the work of God is encouraging! • “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad” – Acts 11: 23 • How much joy and gladness do you have for the work of the Lord? • What kind of attitude do others see in you for the work of the Lord?

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Barnabas Was Sent to the Work in Antioch in Acts 11 – Barnabas encouraged (steadfastly) all the Christians to: • With purpose of heart, with resolute heart, with steadfast purpose – requires determination – 11: 23 • Continue with the Lord, remain true to the Lord, remain faithful to the Lord, cleave unto the Lord – Present tense – keep on staying with the Lord – It was possible for them to break away and fall. It was possible for them to stop staying with the Lord. • On a spiritual level, involving their relationship with God: – Barnabas urged them to keep on keeping on • On a practical level, what would Barnabas tell Christians to do in order to continue, remain true & cleave to God?

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Barnabas Was Sent to the Work in Antioch in Acts 11 – Barnabas was the lead worker in Antioch from Jerusalem • He evidently sensed the need for help – 11: 25 -26 • He went to seek Saul & brought him to Antioch to help – Barnabas didn’t always have to be first! • • • Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles – 9: 27 Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul – 11: 25 sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul – 11: 30 Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem – 12: 25 Certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas…and Saul – 13: 1 Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work – 13: 2 This man called for Barnabas and Saul – 13: 7 Many of the Jews…followed Paul and Barnabas – 13: 43 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said – 13: 46 Raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas – 13: 50

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Barnabas Was Sent to the Work in Antioch in Acts 11 – Barnabas was the lead worker in Antioch from Jerusalem • He evidently sensed the need for help – 11: 25 -26 • He went to seek Saul & brought him to Antioch to help – Barnabas didn’t always have to be first! • • When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this – 14: 14 Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension…with them – 15: 2 They determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others – 15: 2 The multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul – 15: 12 To send chosen men…to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas – 15: 22 To send chosen men…with our beloved Barnabas and Paul – 15: 25 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching – 15: 35

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Barnabas Encouraged When It Wasn’t Easy in Acts 14 – After being persecuted, returned to encourage – 14: 21 -22 • In Lystra, persecuted almost to death – 14: 19 -20 • On return to Antioch, went back to same cities – 14: 21 – Purpose of returning to these new converts: • Strengthen (confirm; lit. “prop up”) their souls – 14: 22 • Encourage the disciples to continue in the faith – 14: 22 – “The faith” = the gospel system – Gal. 1: 11, 23; Acts 6: 7 – There is “one faith” – Eph. 4: 4 -5; Jude 3 – Is doctrine (“the faith”) important or unimportant? » If unimportant, why did they exhort to continue in the faith? – Is a child of God never in danger of being lost? » If so, why did they exhort to continue?

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • To Be an Encourager: – We must ourselves: • Continue with and remain true to the Lord • Continue in and remain true to the faith – We must encourage our brethren to: • Continue with and remain true to the Lord • Continue in and remain true to the faith