Barnabas - Son of Encouragement
Encouragement is something that we all need at one time or another. It comes in many different forms, sometimes soft and gentle, and other times bold and strong.
Encouragement is something that we all need at one time or another. It comes in many different forms, sometimes soft and gentle, and other times bold and strong. I believe that we don't always see the encouragement that surrounds us in life. Sometimes we get caught up in the presents of the moment in which we are in. We become tunnel versioned and unable to see clearly. But if we are able to look beyond the moment, we can see the encouragement that surrounds us.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, called Barnabas
- Acts 4:33 - 37
- This is the first mention of Barnabas in scripture.
- What can we tell about him from these versus?
- Land owner
- Believer in Christ
- Part of a Community
- Acts 9:26 - 27
- Barnabas stands up to encourage the disciples that Saul (Paul) had been changed through the power of Christ
Barnabas Called to Antioch
- Acts 11:21 - 23
- Why did they send Barnabas?
- As any new believer, we need people to surround us to encourage and lead down the path that Christ has called us.
- He first saw the grace of God
- Then Rejoiced
- Then him encouraged
- Why did they send Barnabas?
- Acts 11:24
- But why?
- He was a good man, full of faith
- What happened when he stepped into God's calling to antioch?
- A significant number of people were brought to the Lord.
- But why?
Commissioning
- Acts 13:1 - 3
- How encouraging must it have been for Saul and Barnabas to have others lay hands and pray over them for the journey they were called?
- Acts 13:4 - 5
- How did the encouragement they receive affect them?
- Acts 13:46 - 48
- How bold of an encouragement this was to the Gentiles?
- Acts 14:21 - 22
- They encouraged others to continue even in the face of struggles and persecutions.
Just as we all need encouragement from time to time, we should also be mindful that we may be called to encourage others. It can be easy to rest in the good times and enjoy that season in life. But we should also be mindful that sometimes our good seasons come to us, so we can be the encouragers for someone who may be needing it in a different season in life. This is why it is important for us to do life together in community with one another.
Like Iron sharpens Iron, so do men sharpen one another.