How To Be A Hero-Maker

We are celebrating my mom’s birthday…

When I first thought about getting a cake for my mom, this is what I envisions (small cake, big candle)

As I was thinking about it, I began remember that this was not how birthday cake was when I was growing up.

Back then, we didn’t do a little cake.

We had a giant cake.

And we didn’t have these giant candles.

It was just those tiny individual candles.

We had one lighter or match, and we’d use that first lit candle to ignite all the others.

But that was then and this is now.

Today, we live in a world of big candles.

We live in a world where every person has to be a brand.

We have forgotten how to value people who are not the center of attention.

Everybody is an “influencer”.

Individual success is prioritized over collective good,

fame and power is more important than character and faithfulness.

Self-worth has become of function of likes, and follows, and shares.

And as much as I would like to say that it is only the way of the world, the reality is that this cultural mindset has seeped into our churches, our ministries, our homes, and even our spiritual lives.

The way to influence in the church is not long faithfulness, but rather viral moments.

We look to celebrity worship artists to feed our faith more than local pulpits.

We mock our traditions for likes

And live stream our morning prayers.

We live in a “Big Candle” world. But this is not the way of Jesus.

In the Kingdom of God, influence and impact flow from service, generosity, and faithfulness.

You don’t become the most important candle of the cake by being the only candle on the cake or even by being the biggest candle on the cake.

In the Kingdom, you become the most important candle on the cake by being that little candle lighting up all the others.

Today, our series in Acts brings us to Acts chapter 15. I’d like to read a bit this chapter in your hearing. (I’ll read verse 1-12 and then verses 36-40)

Acts 15:1–12 ESV

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:36–40 ESV

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.

When we read the narrative of Acts, with Western eyes…especially our modern American eyes…it is easy for Paul to emerge in our minds as the star…as the hero.

Paul is the one with the comeback story.

Paul is the one who does all the miracles.

Paul is the one who plants all the churches.

But there is an argument to be made that Paul is not the most important character in the Acts narrative. On that score, I think I’ve come to vote for Barnabas.

Barnabas spans Peter and Paul’s ministry.

Barnabas’ influence

helps get the church going,

helps reconcile the gentiles and jews,

propels Paul, and even continues to bless the church for another generation through his ministry to John Mark (who writes the first gospel and supports both Peter and Paul’s ministry)

PAUL MIGHT BE THE HERO OF ACTS, BUT BARNABAS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTER BECAUSE BARNABAS IS A HERO-MAKER.

We live in a world where everybody is the hero in their own, personal drama.

But, Jesus came to spark a movement of hero-makers.

For the balance of our time, I’d like to highlight the key role Barnabas plays in the Acts narrative as a model for us to follow in a sermon that I have titled, “How To Be A Hero-Maker”.

PRAYER

Hero-Makers Meet Needs

Acts 4:34–37 ESV

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.

In the very early days of the church, one of the things that distinguished this budding community of Jesus followers was a radical devotion to generosity.

Barnabas was an exemplar of this generous disposition.

He was a man of means.

But, he did not see his wealth as tool to expand his personal kingdom. But, rather he saw his wealth as a means of blessing others.

Hero-Makers asks, “What resources do I have that God wants me to use to bless others?”

Hero-Makers Open Doors

Acts 9:26–27 ESV

And when he [Saul] 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.

The disciples in Jerusalem did not trust Saul.

He had just been persecuting them weeks earlier.

Saul a shrill and aggressive in his approach.

Barnabas opened the door for Saul when everyone else shut him out.

Barnabas had a grace that Saul did not have.

Barnabas had relationships that Saul did not have.

Barnabas leveraged his own social and relational capital in order to give Saul a shot at ministry.

Hero-Makers Ask, “Who around me needs someone to believe in them and advocate for them?”

Hero-Makers Support Growth

Acts 13:2, Acts 15:22

Acts 13:2 ESV

[The beginning of the 1st Missionary Journey] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 15:22 ESV

[The beginning of the 2nd Missionary Journey] Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

Barnabas does something that we do not see often in today’s culture…AND ESPECIALLY NOT IN THE CHURCH

At the beginning of the 1st Missionary Journey, it was “Barnabas and Saul”

Barnabas was the ranking member in the partnership.

But as they are on the missionary field, Paul’s gifts come on-line.

While Barnabas’s gifts and his grace were necessary for Jerusalem, Paul was clearly the one anointed for the missionary work to the gentiles

Barnabas allowed Paul to step forward into his calling without feeling threatened.

By the time they set out on the second mission, it was “Paul and Barnabas”

Barnabas did not quit the team.

He was there for Paul when they had to go back to Jerusalem.

But, Barnabas submitted to Paul’s leadership…

Even though Barnabas had been walking with the Lord longer…

Even though Barnabas had initially been named the leader…

Even though Barnabas had been has been the one who trained and encouraged Paul…

Even though Barnabas might have been a little bit older…

Even though Barnabas had the support of the mother church in Jerusalem…

Hero-Makers ask, “Am I secure enough to celebrate and support others’ growth and advancement, even if it means stepping aside?”

The #1 sign of a toxic leader is that they do everything they can to keep you small so that they can feel big.

Don’t ever follow somebody who does not have a desire to see you grow beyond them.

Hero-Makers Practice Reconciliation

Acts 15:36–40 ESV

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.

If you want to fall out with a hero-maker, try to get in the way of them promoting other people.

Mark had failed in his first foray into ministry.

He chickened out and ran back home.

Paul did not want to compromise the next missionary journey by bringing along a coward like Mark.

I imagine that the reason the argument got so intense is that Barnabas probably told Paul, “I remember another young man who utter failed the first time he tried his hand at ministry”.

Barnabas restored John Mark…he gave him a second chance. And it proves to be the right decision.

The first gospel ever written was recorded by that same Mark.

He even proves to be a great resource to Paul’s own ministry: 2 Timothy 4:11 “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.”

Hero Makers ask, “Who around me needs restoration and encouragement after failure?”

Don't be a hero. Be a hero-maker.

Imagine what would happen in our lives, in our families, in our workplaces, and in our church if we chose to reject cultural pressure to build our own platforms and instead became obsessed with helping others shine for Christ.

How different would things look if we embraced Jesus’ model of leadership—serving others above ourselves?

The future of our communities, churches, and families doesn't need more superstars

it needs more people willing to step out of the spotlight to lift up others.

We think we need more Pauls, but what we truly need are more Barnabases—Hero-Makers who propel others forward in God's kingdom.

This week, ask Holy Spirit to show you clearly:

Who can I catalyze by generously meeting a need?

Who can I advocate for and open a door?

Whose growth and success can I intentionally support?

Who can I welcome back, forgive, and restore?