by Larry Judd
Being an Encourager
Acts 4: 32 – 37
“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.”
“Character is what God knows you are. Reputation is what people think you are.” Often times there can be a difference between the two; however with Barnabas there is harmony between the two. We see his influence in
- Encouraging the church
Luke wrote in (Act 20:35) and recorded words of Jesus:
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
- Barnabas displayed this by selling a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
- Encouraging someone who had been ostracized.
Saul of Tarsus; a severe persecutor of the church had obeyed the gospel and notice what happened as recorded in Acts 9: 26 - 32
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
- Encouraging someone who had failed
John Mark had started on a missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas; however for some reason returned home. There was debate between Paul and Barnabas about whether to take John Mark on another missionary journey. Notice Acts 15: 36 - 41
“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”
- Barnabas gave up traveling with the apostle Paul
- Encouraged a young man, John Mark
- Giving John Mark a 2nd chance.
Conclusion: If it hadn’t been for Barnabas; what we might have missed. We might have missed some of the work of Paul and certainly the work of John Mark --the importance of encouragement. Who will you encourage this week? Who will you encourage today?
