The Encourager of a New Work

Barnabas #3

Acts 11:19–26 KJV (WS)

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Introduction

Barnabas is an encourager.

He encouraged the first church in Jerusalem.

He encouraged Saul when he was rejected.

But what about when Barnabas is the new guy?

How would Barnabas’ encouraging nature break through in a new environment?

Many people dread being the new guy.

We like the familiar.

We like the comfortable.

Just because we are new, though, doesn’t mean that we can’t still be a blessing.

Barnabas is the new guy in our passage this morning.

We are going to see how his encouraging nature blessed others even though he was new to the group.

Luke records the results of the Christians being dispersed.

They were scattered because of the persecution that started after the death of Stephen.

Who started that persecution?

None other than Saul of Tarsus.

This persecution pushed the disciples out of Jerusalem like a fountain.

Phenice is straight north of Jerusalem.

Cyprus is NE of Phenice.

And Antioch is slightly NW of Phenice.

As they fled, they preached the word.

The fact that preached to the Jews only is not really a negative.

It is simply a natural explanation of what they did.

It was Jews that were fleeing.

As they entered city after city on their journey, they would have sought out other Jewish communities that could offer them hospitality.

Since there was no news, the Jews they stayed with would have expected a report of what had been going on in Jerusalem.

This was an open door for these believers to witness.

That’s exactly what they did; they preached Jesus.

Like a virus, these believers carried the gospel.

Everywhere they went they infected more people with the story of Jesus.

Though christianity had been mainly confined to Jerusalem, that was not God’s plan.

As they moved further and further away from the epicenter, the Lord was with them.

God is not confined by geography.

God has always wanted the world to believe in him.

He blesses the preaching of the refugees.

In Antioch, God even blesses the preaching to the Grecians.

A great number believed.

Anytime multiple believers live in close proximity to each other, the outcome is always the same.

Churches are born.

The church that is born in Antioch becomes the focal point of the passage.

News gets back to Jerusalem about this church.

Jews and Greeks worshipping God together?

This needs a closer look.

The church at Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch.

Why did they send Barnabas?

Because he was the son of consolation.

Barnabas would not go with a critical eye.

He would go to Antioch with a positive outlook.

He would go and he would be an encouragement to this young church just as he had done for the church in Jerusalem.

What did Barnabas see in Antioch?

He saw the grace of God in the church.

We know that grace is undeserved favor.

The people, Jews and Greeks, were unified in the gospel.

This unity was not because they were all so awesome.

It was because God had blessed them.

The grace of God, made evident among them, made Barnabas glad.

He was the son of consolation.

He was consoled by a church experiencing the grace of God.

He exhorted them to stay close to the Lord.

Actually, the word is a bit stronger than just standing close to the Lord.

Instead, it has the idea of holding to God as close as possible.

Barnabas realized that Antioch didn’t need him to fix them.

Instead, he encourages them to stay close to God so they don’t lose what they have.

Antioch had a big impact on Barnabas.

In fact, you could say that Barnabas’ time with the church in Antioch changed his life.

He was already a good man,

He was filled with the Holy Ghost

He was a man of faith.

He was a man committed to evangelism.

During his time in Antioch, he got involved in their outreach efforts.

The people of the Church at Antioch were passionate about reaching their city with the Gospel.

This passion will have lasting effects on Christianity.

Antioch was a special place that Barnabas was drawn to, and he knew someone else that needed to be there too.

When he leaves Antioch, he does not return to Jerusalem.

Instead, he goes to Tarsus.

Who is in Tarsus?

After last week’s message, the Jews in Jerusalem had sought to kill Saul.

So the man who had driven hundreds maybe thousands out of Jerusalem was himself driven away.

Tarsus is in modern day Turkey.

Barnabas travels there and finds Saul.

Barnabas brings Saul back to Antioch.

This church invite, changes the course of Christianity

Together they are a blessing to the church in Antioch.

How were they a blessing?

Did they do something extravagant?

Did they do something no one had ever done before?

No.

They just did two simple things.

They assembled with them.

They were present.

They gathered with the church when there was opportunity.

They also taught much people.

There is more than one way to teach.

They could teach people through their faithfulness, love, and example.

The church was strengthened by their involvment.

Barnabas was a blessing to the church in Antioch through his attitude and his actions.

God wants all believers to bless their church through their attitude and actins.

Application

How can you follow Barnabas’ example and be a blessing to a church.

Focus on the good.

No church is perfect.

You have to decide to focus on the good or the bad.

Your attitude will be decided by what you decide to focus on.

I can, in the same day, have a meeting with one person who doesn’t think we’re doing enough and another person who loves all that we’re doing.

Get involved with the evangelistic efforts of your church.

We have a commission to fulfill.

That is to equip believers to reach the lost.

One of the ways that we do that is by providing opportunities to share the gospel.

Another way is be reminding and encouraging you to leverage the life that God has given you to share the gospel with others.

Now if your attitude about your church is sour, you’re not going to do this.

Recruit other servants to get involved.

Barnabas traveled all the way to Tarsus to bring Saul to antioch.

Our country is in a time of upheaval.

People that never thought they would move are moving.

Invite them to Oklahoma.

Bring them to our church.

Or, if you don’t want to help someone move here, how about inviting someone that isn’t involved in a ministry to get involved in your ministry?

Assemble when the church assembles.

You don’t realize how big of a deal it is when you are faithful in your attendance.

It is good for you.

It is really good for others.

Use your gifts to benefit the church.

We don’t all have the same gifts.

If you are a Christian, you do have a gift.

God gave it to you to use in his church.

Use your gift to be a blessing to your church.

These are the types of actions that cause people to look at us and conclude that we are Christians.

Conclusion

Barnabas was a blessing to the church in Antioch through his attitude and his actions.

God wants all believers to bless their church through their attitude and actions.

Is your attitude a blessing to your church?

Are your actions?