Sermon Tone Analysis

Christians are to be Encouraged by Continuing in God’s Grace and Engaging in God’s Work.

Expanding the Gospel’s Reach

The church in Antioch was planted by Hellenistic Jews dispersed from Jerusalem.

They spoke to the Jews first, but eventually, the Gospel crossed over to Gentiles in Antioch.

Antioch in Assyria was the third largest city in the Roman Empire.

What they preached is Jesus is “Lord”.

A term more readily understandable by gentiles than “Christ.”

Encouraging God’s People

Barnabas = “the son of encouragement” parakaleo.

He is a man who comes alongside, exhorts, and encourages others.

Be Encouraged in Christian Fellowship

We are called to get together as believers for worship and mutual encouragement.

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

To encourage means to come alongside for help, comfort, exhortation.

It is one of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit the paracaletonI.

John 14:16 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”

Be Encouraged in the Faith

Barnabas came and encouraged them to continue in the grace of God walking with the Lord.

To be encouraged in the faith we need to look back at what Christ has done for us, and look forward to His return.

1 Thess 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.

And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

1 Thess 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

We are called to speak the Gospel, the Hope of Christ’s return to one another.

Be Encouraged in Gospel Friendship

Barnabas went and found Saul (Paul).

Some 10 years had passed since Paul’s conversion.

Barnabas had introduced him to the disciples in Jerusalem, but due to threat of death he now lived in Tarsus (Cilicia).

We need to seek out opportunities with others to engage in God’s Work.

Engaging in God’s Ministry

Word came of an approaching famine.

The new believers cared for the Jerusalem church.

They engaged in charity toward other believers.

This became the foundation for future Gospel missions.

The believers heard