“Barnabus was not even his real name...”
The New Testament is filled with interesting people and role models for us in our faith. One of my personal favorites and one of the most overlooked is Barnabus. He was a very influential and important person in the development of the early church. Barnabus was not even his real name, but rather his spiritual name reflecting his Christian character and life. In Acts 4:36, Luke tells us, “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles call Barnabus (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
What a great nickname to have! The title Son of Encouragement literally means that Barnabus was an encourager. He provides us with a great example of how important it is to be an encourager.
How did Barnabus gain this new name? In the passage mentioned above, he was generous in supporting the work of the early church. In Acts 9:27-28, he took Paul and brought him to the apostles. Luke says, Barnabus “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.” In being an advocate for Paul, Barnabus helped facilitate him becoming a crucial part of the early church. Considering how much fear Paul’s earlier actions had generated in the fledgling church, this was no small feat.
Barnabus was deeply trusted and respected. He was sent, for example, by the apostles to discern the move of the Holy Spirit in Antioch. Luke says in 11:23-24, “when he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” The encouraging presence of Barnabus led then to the spread of the Gospel and of God’s kingdom and to the spiritual transformation of many lives.
“The word “encourages” literally means to give support, courage or hope to others.”
What does this mean for us in our daily lives? First and foremost, God wants us to be like Barnabus. God wants us to be Godly people, who are full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be known for encouraging others to be more like Jesus. How encouraging are you? How often do you encourage others? I have met certain people who are gifted at encouraging. I have also met others who are gifted at discouraging others. Which are you? The word “encourages” literally means to give support, courage or hope to others. How faithfully and fruitfully are you doing this?
“Another key way is by fasting from negativity,”
Often, we can lose sight of how discouraging we really are, and so we must realize that we are either being contagious with discouragement or with encouragement. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul tells us we should enjoy “speaking the truth in love.” One key way that we do this is by encouraging others. Another key way is by committing ourselves to being people of grace, who focus on the strengths, rather than the weaknesses of others. Another key way is by fasting from negativity, because being negative gets in the way of our being encouraging. Being encouraging is telling others how they can be more like Jesus, and by telling them what God wants them to hear, rather than what we think they should hear.
In this month of August, let us rediscover this hero of the faith, Barnabus. Let us also rediscover the joy and blessing of being encouragers. Proverbs 11:25 shares, “A generous person will prosper; they who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Let us be generous in encouraging others, for as we do, we too will be encouraged to be more like Jesus. Our world is sadly lacking in encouragers. May each of us be like Barnabus and like Jesus in encouraging others and may God bless you as you encourage others!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Brian
Sermons for August 2007
Enjoying New Life in Light of the Resurrection
A Study of 1 and 2 Peter
August 5, 2007: “The Power of God’s Words”
“Psalm 24:1-10; 2 Peter 3:1-7
“Communion Sunday
August 12, 2007: “God is Patient”
“Psalm 901:1-17; 2 Peter 3:8-9
August 19, 2007: Looking Forward to What God Will Do
“Isaiah 61:17-25; 2 Peter 3:10-13
August 26, 2007: “Being on Guard”
“Psalm 141:1-10; 2 Peter 3:14-18
As we celebrate the God’s goodness during July, we will look at the letter of 2 Peter as we learn how to enjoy new lives in Christ in the knowledge that His tomb is empty and that Christ is risen. When provided, please read and reflect on the Scriptures ahead of time in preparation for hearing and responding to God’s Word as it is read and proclaimed.
