Sanctification

Barnabas’ Trip

Overview: He came, He saw, He rejoiced, He Exhorted...

History behind this trip.

The Jews were scattered. In fleeing some who arrived in Antioch preach the Word to the Greeks and are blessed by God.

God often blesses where we would least expect it.

Barnabas is sent.

Barnabas’ Trip

He came

The gospel is good news. It is a privilege to work with God and to see His work. The importance of this work should be motivating us to reach out to all.

Romans 10:14-15 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!””

He Saw

What is the Grace of God. Answer: Salvation in it’s fullness.

Our election in Christ Jesus from before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of His will.

Eph. 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,”

We are justified freely by His grace through Christ Jesus

Our regeneration flows from the same fountain, as does our glorification.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Our salvation is by Grace alone, yet its effects and evidence is that of good works.

Romans 3:8 “And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.”

Grace rejoices in the Saving and Converting of the lowest of sinners. (Gentiles)

God’s Glory is at stake with new converts claiming Salvation.

They are young converts with little to no background in God’s Word.

He rejoiced

Heart and Soul rejoice to see the Lord at work.

He Exhorted them to Cleave to the Lord.

The Nature and Importance of continuing / cleaving to the Lord.

Some Reasons for Continuing / cleaving.

Some direction for Continuing / cleaving.

Advice to those who have not yet come to Christ.

The Nature and Importance of Cleaving

The word implies a turning to the Lord. We can not cleave to someone we have not turned to.

The word emphatically implies a close adherence to the Lord with heart, mind and soul.

Romans 12:9 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

Must start with our understanding and knowledge of God.

Knowing the Word of God and way to cleave.

Knowing the cost.

It implies a strong Love. (Marriage)

Ephesians 5:30-32 “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

To not love God above all else is to dishonor God exceedingly.

To cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart implies a noble resolution of will, willing to push through difficulties.

Matthew 11:29-30 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Luke 13:24 ““Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”

To cleave implies a final perseverance in this love.

1Co 9:24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”

2 Co. 12:9 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Knowing: God is Keeping us (1 Peter 1:5) & It is our duty to stay.

Jude 21 “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Some Reasons Why We are to Cleave

It is God’s Sovereign Command.

Because we must not turn back, bring reproach to Christ and embracing our damnation.

Because of the difficulties that lie in the way of those who follow the Lord.

Because it has eternal consequences.

Direction to Assist Us

Beware of resting in mere skin-deep convictions and a partial reformation, or in a notional head-faith.

Pro 23:26 “My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.”

Let us live under the very humble sense of the sad remains of our corrupt nature.

Diligently watch and guard against it.

Set ourselves with resolves to do whatever is needed up to plucking out or eye or cutting off a hand to mortify the flesh.

Beware especially of sins of the mind, of covetousness and worldly-mindedness and of being too deeply immersed and unnecessarily engaged in worldly business.

Few will guard against this.

Luke 18:18-23 The rich young ruler who went away sad.

Luke 12:15 “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.””

Pursue diligently righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (also 2 Peter 1:5-11)

Look well to your choice of friends, books, and company.

Don’t waste your time!

Invest in eternal gain. (Read bible, Bunyan, Matthew Henry .... ) Books that help you understand and know God’s word.

2 Co. 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Mal 3:17-18 ““They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.”

Labor to live a life of faith, love and dependence upon God.

Gal. 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Psa. 42:1 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.”

Daily rejoice and think of the unspeakable glories of heaven and the life which is to come.

Philippians 2:23 NKJV

Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.

7. Walk closely with God in the diligent and devout use of all the means of Grace.

a. Public and Private, reading, hearing, meditation, prayer, and the Lord’s super.

B. Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

1 Co. 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

An Appeal To The Lost

Consider the danger you are in. One step only between you and eternal death.

Heb. 12:14 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”

John 3:3-5 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Heb. 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Think of the Promise of God.

Romans 6:22-23 “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Those who fruit is holiness shall have their end be everlasting life.

So cleave to the Lord.