Suggested Friends: Barnabas
Part 5 of the “Suggested Friends” message series
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts 11:22-26 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
Barnabas, the original “Son of Encouragement,” modeled what it means to be an encourager for others. Through encouraging through timely provision, prophetic perspective, and by simply being present, God can work in and through us to make a real difference in the lives of others as they grow and mature in their faith. An open heart will yield new beginnings and surprises. What new beginnings and surprises do you sense God preparing you for right now? What would happen if we all held loosely to what we owned and tightly to the One who owns us as followers of Jesus?
ILLUSTRATION: Truett Cathy tribute video
ILLUSTRATION: The police encouraging good drivers.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.
– I Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)
Encourage = to give support, confidence, advice, or hope to someone. (Websters, 2022)
We encourage through timely provision.
ILLUSTRATION: The Assistant in Guatemala who sold her motorcycle so the Church could purchase new property to assist the growth. JOY!
Encourage through prophetic perspective.
26 When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. – Acts 9:26-28 (NASB)
Encourage by simply being present.
Everyone needs a Barnabas and every Barnabas needs a Barnabas.
Questions for Reflection
How will you be an example of an encourager?
Who will you choose to encourage this week?
What encouraging gestures/words can you share with others?
What examples of encouragement can you share with others?
How will you make sure that you are holding yourself accountable to being an encourager?
An open heart will yield new beginnings and surprises. What new beginnings and surprises do you sense God preparing you for right now?
What would happen if we all held loosely to what we owned and tightly to the One who owns us as followers of Jesus?
The BIG Idea:
Barnabas, the original “Son of Encouragement,” modeled what it means to be an encourager for others. Through encouraging through timely provision, prophetic perspective, and by simply being present, God can work in and through us to make a real difference in the lives of others as they grow and mature in their faith. An open heart will yield new beginnings and surprises. What new beginnings and surprises do you sense God preparing you for right now? What would happen if we all held loosely to what we owned and tightly to the One who owns us as followers of Jesus?
ILLUSTRATION: Truett Cathy tribute video
ILLUSTRATION: The police encouraging good drivers.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.
– I Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)
Encourage = to give support, confidence, advice, or hope to someone. (Websters, 2022)
We encourage through timely provision.
ILLUSTRATION: The Assistant in Guatemala who sold her motorcycle so the Church could purchase new property to assist the growth. JOY!
Encourage through prophetic perspective.
26 When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. – Acts 9:26-28 (NASB)
Encourage by simply being present.
- It takes a willingness to not only reach out and release, but also to be sent out.
Everyone needs a Barnabas and every Barnabas needs a Barnabas.
Questions for Reflection
How will you be an example of an encourager?
Who will you choose to encourage this week?
What encouraging gestures/words can you share with others?
What examples of encouragement can you share with others?
How will you make sure that you are holding yourself accountable to being an encourager?
An open heart will yield new beginnings and surprises. What new beginnings and surprises do you sense God preparing you for right now?
What would happen if we all held loosely to what we owned and tightly to the One who owns us as followers of Jesus?