Being like Christ
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Acts 4:32 – 37
Acts 4:32 – 37
Introduction: As we begin
This evening...
Allow me..
To tell you a story.
Many years ago...
Adoniram Judson..
Went to Burma..
To preach the gospel.
It was during
The 1800s.
But one day..
When his wife ..
told him ...
that..
a newspaper article
likened him ...
to some of the apostles.
so..
Judson replied, .
"I do not want
to be like a Paul...
or any mere man.
I want to be .
like Christ...
I want to follow …
Him only.
copy
His teachings,
drink in
His Spirit,
and place my feet …
in His footprints...
Oh,…
He said…
to be more like Christ!"
And with that in mind…
Open your Bibles
To the book of Acts
If you would please.
And
To chapter 4
And let’s read
Versus 32 – 37
The Bible says
in Acts 4:32–37 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Let’s go to the Lord
In a word of prayer
(Pray)
I. Endeavored to win the lost
Declaration
Now then
Notice our text
If you would again
Please.
And pay particular attention
To versus 36 to 37.
The Bible says
Acts 4:36–37 “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Now
Do you see
The word
Consolation?
well...
In the Scripture, …
the word
Consolation
encompasses …
encouragement.
It
Involves
comfort...
The bringing of solace.
It can be
exhortation,
and even
Providing strength.
And as you look
At what Barnabas
Was doing
Here
In our text.
That definition
Is clearly seen.
Barnabas
Was endeavoring
To Bring solace…
To some of the people…
In the Jerusalem church.
He
Was endeavoring
To encourage
Those
Who were struggling.
And to provide comfort
For them.
Barnabas
Was the son
of consolation!
But
I want to show you something
From the Scripture.
When I say that…
Barnabas…
Was the son of consolation.
I mean
that…
He was only
Being like Christ!
Because
Christ too..
Was One
Who endeavored
To encourage others.
Who endeavored
To strengthen others…
And to comfort others.
In fact
The Bible says
In 2 Thessalonians 2:16 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,”
Now think about that.
God the Father
And even
The Lord Jesus Christ…
Has given us
Everlasting consolation…
And
Good hope
Through grace.
But again…
There was Barnabas…
Endeavoring
To be like Christ.
Because just like…
The Lord Jesus Christ…
Provides…
Consolation…
For people.
Barnabas did too!
Now then
We’ve been looking
An important statements
In the Word of God
For some time now.
Trying
To find
At least
One statement
To
Help us
In our Christian life.
And…
We began
In the book of Genesis
And worked our way
All the way through
To the book of Malachi.
Finding
Statement
After statement…
And hopefully
Learning lessons…
Along the way.
We then
Opened the New Testament
To the book of Matthew…
And then Mark…
And
Then
The gospel of Luke…
And the Gospel of John.
But this evening
We come
To the book of Acts.
One
Of the most important books
In
All of the Word…
Of God!
Now
Acts begins …
where Luke’s Gospel …
concludes.
with Jesus …
instructing His followers...
Then
ascending …
to heaven.
It details the time
When the disciples …
Were returning to Jerusalem …
to await the Holy Spirit.
Now…
The book
chronicles
roughly
three decades
of early Christian history
around AD 30/33–61/62),
tracing the faith’s expansion
from Jerusalem
through Samaria,
into gentile territories,
and ultimately
to Rome.
And
The narrative
of Acts
Is divided
into two major sections:
the first half
emphasizes
Jerusalem church leaders
like Peter
and Stephen,
while
the second half
Of the book
centers on the apostle Paul
and his missionary endeavors.
And
More specifically,
chapters 1–5
focus on
the Jerusalem church’s ...
Solidification.
While
chapters 6–12
describe
The expansion
Of the faith
into Judea
and Samaria,
Then
chapters 13–20
recount
Paul’s three missionary journeys.
and chapters 21–28
detail his arrest,
trials,
and voyage to Rome.
Discussion
But
Be that
As it may.
There are
Numerous
Important statements
We can find
In the book of Acts.
Statements
Like Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Or
Statements
Like
Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Or statements
like Acts 2:47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Or even like verse 42
There
In chapter 2
(Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
My
How important
These statements are.
What truths
They teach us.
Especially
In the local church.
Then…
We could read
Something
The apostle Peter said
In chapter 10.
Turn there please
And notice…
Verses 34 – 35.
It says
Acts 10:34–35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
Oh
What a precious truth
That is.…
For all of us.
Especially
As Gentiles.
And what about
Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
And there are…
Way
Too many…
The number…
In the brief discussion…
We have for this evening.
But see
The book of Acts
Has many important statements
That we Could literally
Spend
Months
Digesting.
Mining for gold nuggets…
That can help us…
Live our Christian life…
More effectively.
But
Be that
As it may.
This evening
I want to talk about
Something specific…
About Barnabas.
Notice again
In our text
In chapter 4
Verses 36 – 37
Again
The
Bible says
(Acts 4:36–37 “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Now Barnabas
Or Joses…
Was a man
Who
Had received Christ.
But
Since
he was a Levite
a member
of the Jewish
priestly tribe…
he then likely
spent time
in Jerusalem.
and
may have heard
the apostles preach.
Or
He might’ve even been led
To faith
By the Lord Jesus Christ…
Himself.
But
The
Truth is.
the exact moment
of his conversion
is not recorded.
He is simply introduced
here
in Acts 4:36
as
an existing Christian …
who
sells his land
to give the money
to the church
in Jerusalem.
And more specifically
To give the money
To the needy…
In the church in Jerusalem.
In
other words.
He endeavored
To provide consolation
For those
Who were in great need.
see
Barnabas
Was Christlike.
He
Was an encourager
Like Jesus.
And ladies and gentlemen
We too
Need…
To be an encouragement
To one another.
Because
How
Helpful
Encouragement can be…
To a brother in Christ.…
Who is bearing a load.
And how helpful
Encouragement can be
To a sister in Christ…
Who is enduring…
Some trial.
And
By way of illustration.
Some years ago
The old preacher
Dr. George Truitt
Total a story.
He said
There was a fire...
In the big city.
And
The firemen
Flung their ladders together
And went up
In their brave fashion
To the very topmost story
To rescue people
That were trapped.
And
One
After another
Was rescued
By the brave firemen!
In fact
All
Had been rescued
It seemed.
But
Truitt said…
Not all were.
Because
As the fireman
Looked up…
They saw a white face
At the uppermost window.
So…
They
Wrapped something
About
One of their firemen.
And
Braving the fierce Flames…
He went to that window
Where…
The little paleface was.
It was…
a helpless
Poor woman.
So he put a robe
Around the little woman.
And started down.
But then on the ground.
The other firemen
Saw him trembling.
As
The fire
Raged
All around him.
And it seemed that
He would fall…
With this woman…
In his arms.
But
The
Fire Chief
Cried out to his men
Cheer him boys.
Cheer him!
And they did.…
With words of encouragement…
As he came down.
With the precious life…
Saved…
From the fire.
Deliberation
And
Barnabas…
If you read the Scripture…
Endeavored…
To do the same thing.
He endeavored
To provide consolation
For everyone
He encountered.
In endeavored to provide
Encouragement!
In fact
Number 1
Barnabas
Endeavored
To bring consolation
To the lost.
And
we are
going to talk about that
In just a moment.
But
It is important for us
To get some context.
Just a short time…
Before all these things…
The things
Reported on
In chapter 4.
But
a
A short time
Before all these things…
Took place.
The Lord Jesus Christ
There in the city…
Of Jerusalem…
Had died on the cross
To pay…
For the sins of the world.
We
Know the story.
Jesus died
To save the lost.
To give eternal life…
To the Lost.
But then
After He died…
They placed His body
In a tomb.
Oh…
But
Thanks be to God.
Three days later…
Jesus arose
Victorious.
Having conquered death.
Having conquered
Our sin.
In fact
The
Bible says
About Jesus
In Romans 4:25 “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
But the point is.
The Lord Jesus Christ
Made
An incredible sacrifice
So that
we
Could have life…
Life eternal.
But as you read on…
Especially
Here in the book of Acts.
You realize
That not long
After Jesus’ resurrection…
Persecution
Began
To plague the church.
In fact
We are told
in Acts 8:1 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
What an awful time…
That must’ve been!
It says likewise
in Acts 8:3 “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”
By the way
The word havoc
Means
To be maltreated.
And incidentally
The Church of God
Is certainly be maltreated
In our day…
Especially…
Around
The world.
In places
Like Nigeria
China
Russia
India
Canada
And unfortunately
Even
In the United States.
But again.
In that day…
In the book of Acts…
There was persecution.
Persecution
Came to their church…
The one in Jerusalem.
And
It came…
Because
Of the message
They preached.
And because of the Word…
That they believed.
For example
In chapter 7…
Stephen
Was martyred!
Turn their
For just a moment.
Now in chapter 7…
Stephen
Was preaching a sermon
From the Bible.
And
we
Are told
In verses 54 – 60
(Acts 7:54–60 “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
My
What awful persecution
Stephen faced!
Likewise
In chapter 5
And verse 18.
We are told that
The unbelievers
(Acts 5:18 “ laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”
But
As the persecution
Intensified.
Everybody
Everywhere
Began to hate…
Christians.
And keep in mind.
The church in Jerusalem
Had grown
Exponentially.
As souls
Were added to the church…
And then
Had multiplied…
And ultimately
They multiplied greatly.
Even in the face…
Of intense persecution.
But
As a part
Of the persecution.
When Jewish people
Converted
To Christianity…
During those times.
They often
Were persecuted…
Financially!
For
Example
Some Jews
Were fired from their jobs…
As a persecution
For converting…
To Christianity.
Others
Were disowned
By their family members.
And
As a result
Of these things.
There were many
In the church in Jerusalem
Who Were suffering…
Financially.
Oh but
That church…
Loved
Each other.
Because
The Bible tells us
Back in our text
in Acts 4:34–35 “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
That even though…
Those believers…
Had been scorned...
By
Unbelieving family members
or unbelieving bosses…
And they were despised
My unconverted neighbors.
They were disdained
By the community at large.
And as result…
Many
Of
The new converts…
And there were thousands.
But many
Of the new converts…
Lost everything.
But even
With all of the persecution…
That their church
Had
To endure…
Persecution
Against new converts.
Persecution
Against the preaching
of the Gospel.
Oh but
Even with all that persecution…
People like Barnabas
Stepped in
To provide
Consolation
For those in need.
Notice again
Verses 36 – 37
(Acts 4:36–37 “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
And like the others…
Who did likewise…
When
Joses
Brought that money…
And Laid it…
At the apostles feet…
(Acts 4:35 “...: distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
So
The fact is…
Barnabas
Delegation
Was
Providing
Consolation
Wasn’t he?
He was providing
Encouragement.
And the fact is
His consolation
Helped
To sustain their lives.
And
The point is.
That much like Jesus
Who sacrificed
His life…
So that others
Could have…
Eternal life.
Well
Barnabas
Sacrificed
His land
So that believers
Good continue…
In their earthly life.
And
What an encouragement
That
Was!
I mean
To be brought back
From the brink
Of starvation
And death…
unto life!
And again…
What
A picture
Of Jesus…
That was.
See…
Jesus sacrificed
His life
On Calvary
To encourage us
With eternal life.
And now
Here Barnabas was…
Much like Jesus Christ…
In sacrificing
To help others
With their life.
But as you read on
In the book of Acts.
You also Find
Barnabas
Sacrificing his time
To get the gospel
To lost people.
In fact
In chapter 13 …
Paul and Barnabas
travel
to the port
of
Seleucia
and then
sailed to the island
of Cyprus.
And while there
They begin preaching
God's message …
in the Jewish synagogues …
in the city of Salamis.
But again
Barnabas
Was a Christlike man.
He endeavored
To be like Christ.
In that…
He worked
To provide consolation
Not only…
to
The believer.
But likewise
To the unbeliever.
He made a great sacrifice
So that believers
Could have
A more abundant life.
And
At the same time too.
He made a great sacrifice
To endeavor
To provide
Eternal life
To the unbeliever!
My
How much like Christ
Barnabas was!
Determination
But
What about
You and I…
This evening?
In view…
Not only…
Of the sacrifices
That Barnabas made
To help others
With their life.
But
In view
Of the sacrifice
That Jesus made
on Calvary
To provide
Eternal life
For us
So
What about us?
Are we willing
To make sacrifices
So that others
Might have life?
Sacrifices
Of our time…
Or even
Of our talents?
Or
Even
Sacrifices
Of our treasure?
Are we willing
To make sacrifices
To help others
With their life?
Well
If the truth be known.
We sometimes
Are inclined
To hang on
To what is ours.
Aren’t we?
We sometimes
Endeavor
to
Guard our time.
Especially
Our free time.
We endeavor
Especially
To guard our treasure.
But
Let me remind us.
All
That we have…
Be it our time
Talents
Or treasure.
All that we have
Was given to us
By our Lord.
And therefore
He
Wants us
To use it
To help provide life
That is more abundant
For our fellow believer.
And He wants us to use it
To provide
Eternal life
To the lost.
And
I hope we will.
But nonetheless
Barnabas did.
Barnabas
Was Christlike.
In that
he endeavored…
To provide
Life
For others.
II. He provided love for others
Declaration
But
Not only
Did Barnabas…
Much like Jesus…
Provide life
For others.
But he likewise endeavored
To provide
Love…
For others.
In fact
Turn over
To chapter 9.
Now…
As this chapter
Opens up.
You find a man
Named Saul…
Who was a sinner.
In fact
He was one
Of the chief persecutors
Of the church…
During that time.
In fact
It tells us
In verses 1 – 2
(Acts 9:1–2 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”
see
Saul
At that time
Was a lost sinner.
Now by the way…
Saul was religious.
In fact
He was a Pharisee.
Which means
He
Had large portions
Of the Old Testament memorized.
He was in
The synagogue
Every time
The doors were open.
He regularly fasted
And prayed.
And he even tithed.
But
Saul had never
Trusted Jesus Christ
As his Savior…
Even though
The Bible tells us
in Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
So…
Even though Saul
Was religious…
Yet
He was lost…
And on his way…
To a Christ-less eternity!
Because see
Religion
Cannot save you
From your sins
And get you to heaven.
Only
A personal relationship
With Jesus Christ…
Can.
Oh but…
God so loved Saul...
that He gave His Son
To Die on the cross
For Saul’s soul…
And then…
In Saul’s lost condition…
Jesus sought…
For his soul!
In fact
The Bible says
in Acts 9:3–4 “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
And
The point is
Jesus
Came seeking
For Saul.…
In his lost condition.
And aren’t you glad
The Lord Jesus
Came seeking for you?
Man
I am!
But
The Lord Jesus
Came seeking for Saul.
And on that day
in Acts 9.
Saul of Tarsus
Met Jesus.
And On that day…
By faith…
he
Called Him…
Lord…
It says in verse 6.
And the Bible says
In Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
But
Not long
After his conversion.
Saul
Went through a time
of great difficulty.
Because see…
Right after
He got saved.
It tells us
in Acts 9:26 “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”
So
Think about that.
After becoming
A Christian.
And then
Attempting
To join up
With the church.
Well…
They were afraid
Of him!
Because
He had this baggage.
He had
A terrible reputation…
Among the Brethren.
Before becoming a believer.
Because the truth is…
He had lived
A pretty rough life…
Before getting saved.
Because again
It tells us
(Acts 9:1 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
And because of those things…
None of the brethren
Wanted
To have anything
To do with him.
Even
After
Saul got saved…
Because they were skeptical
Of his conversion.
And I’m afraid…
That so often
When a person gets saved…
In this day and time...
And
Because of their baggage…
I’m afraid
That sometimes…
They are Shunned.
Perhaps
Because of their reputation...
They are shunned.
In fact
I have heard
About new converts
Being shunned
Because of the way
they dress.
Or because of the way
They look.
But
listen please
That isn’t Christ like.
Because
(2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
So…
How un-Christlike
It is
To shun
New believers
For whatever the reason.
But
The church in Jerusalem
Essentially
shunned Saul…
Of Tarsus.
Even though the Savior
Had justified him…
Which by the way
Means that
Jesus
Made him
Just as if
He had never sinned.
That’s what Jesus…
Has done…
For all of us.
But be that
As it may.
(Acts 9:26 “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.”
The Bible says
And
I truly hope
None of us
Would ever be guilty
Of such a terrible thing.
But the Jerusalem believers…
Did.
Discussion
But
Read with me
Versus 26 – 27
in Acts 9.
The Bible says
(Acts 9:26–27 “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”
Now
Did you notice that?
Even though
the
Brethren
Were afraid of Saul
Because of his baggage.
Well
Listen please.
Barnabas
Took him…
It says.
Which means
Barnabas
Took a chance
On Saul.
And let me ask you…
Why
Take such a chance
On one
Who had obviously
Been such a wretched sinner?
Well
Barnabas…
Took a chance on Saul.
Because
he Was Christlike.
Because
He exercised
The love of Jesus.
he
Took a chance
On Saul…
Because the Lord Jesus Christ
Had taken a chance…
On him.
And let’s be honest.
The Lord took you…
Like you were too!
Even
If nobody else would!!
He took you.
Aren’t you glad He did?
Aren't you so glad that…
He didn’t act…
Like some Christians…
Who are afraid
That
a sinner
Might mess up the church?
By the way.
Our church
Is made up
of sinners!
Determination
But
What about us
As a congregation?
Are we willing
To take a chance on people?
Even
If they don’t quite look like
Independent Baptists?
Or act
Lack independent Baptist?
Well
Barnabas
Was not only willing
To provide life
For others…
Much like Jesus.
But Barnabas
Was willing
Much like Christ
To
Provide love…
For others as well.
He loved Saul
Into the church.
Which reminds me
Of a time
When I first started attending
An independent Baptist church.
I
Was a young soldier
At Fort Meyer Virginia.
I didn’t have
Any suits.
Except my army suits.
I didn’t know
All of the hymns…
that
They sang.
I
Didn’t have
All of the lingo down.
But I was saved.
And I was trying.
And a couple
In that church
Took me!
Alan
And Janie Edmonson
Took
A chance on me.
They invited me
Into their home…
So many times.
They fed me.
They discipled me.
They loved me
Into that church!
And
I wouldn’t be
In the ministry today
Had they not!!
I’m so glad
For people
Like the Edmonsons…
And for people
Like Barnabas.
Those
Kinds of people
Are Christlike!
But what about you?
What about us?
Are we Christlike?
Are we as believers…
Endeavoring
To be like Christ?
That
Like Barnabas
We try hard
To provide
Life
For others.
Whether it is
A more abundant life
For the believer…
Or
Eternal life
For the lost?
Do we like Christ
Endeavor…
To provide life
For others?
And Do we
like Christ
Endeavor....
To
Provide love
For others?
To be willing
To take a chance on them?
I hope we are...
Christlike!
But Barnabas was!!
III. He provided something that was lasting
Declaration
Thirdly
Barnabas
Provided something
That was lasting
For others.
Much like the Lord Jesus.
Because see
The Lord Jesus…
Provided us
Not only…
With salvation…
Which lasts forever.
But He provides us
With sustenance
Throughout our life.
And security
And strength.
And
These things
Are lasting!
Praise God!!
Yet… there was Barnabas
Endeavoring to be…
Like Jesus Christ.
Because
Sometime
After Saul got saved…
We are told
IN Acts 11:25–26 “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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.”
Now
Think about that.
Barnabas took Saul
And they ministered
THE
Word of God
In Antioch.
Teaching the people
Lifelong lessons.
to that young church.
They opened the Scriptures
To those people
And taught them
What thus saith
The Lord!
They
Taught them lessons
Which would help them
Their whole life long
And Notice.
They spent a whole year there
Teaching
And ministering...
In that church.
And I’ll guarantee you.
That many in that church…
Many
Of
Those new converts…
Never forgot
Many of those lessons.
Which reminds me
Of my own pastor
Dr. Bud Calvert.
When I went to his church
In Fairfax…
In the 1980s
In the 1990s…
he
Taught me
So many lessons
That have lasted with me
Downs of the decade.
And what an encouragement
That has been to me.
And must have been
To that young church
In Antioch.
to
Have Barnabas
Teach God Word
Must have been
A lasting encouragement.
Discussion
But see
Barnabas
Was Christlike.
But not only…
Did Barnabas…
Minister in Antioch.
But
He likewise ministered
In Asia minor.
In fact
Later on
in Acts 13
That church
The one in Antioch
We are told that
(Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
And that work
Referenced there
Was
The winning
Of the lost
And the edifying
Of the saved
All throughout Asia minor.
My…
What a lasting work
That was.
But why?
Why did Barnabas
Take the time…
To spend the whole year
In Antioch?
And why did Barnabas
Along with Paul
Spend
an
Additional year
Or a year and 1/2
In Asia minor
Teaching
And preaching the Word?
Well
Barnabas
Wanted to provide them
With something
that would last.
see
He was Christlike.
see
Christ was consumed
With ministering to people.
In fact
He said
Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Determination
But
What about us
As individuals?
And what about us
As a church?
Do we encourage others
By ministering to them
Helping them
With something that will last?
Like
Great lessons
Of the faith?
And by the way
In our church
There are a lot of ways
We can do that.
There is
The children’s ministry.
Which involves
Outreach
To the children…
Sunday school…
And children’s clubs.
And then
there is
The youth ministry
And
Especially
The bridge of hope
Coming up soon.
There is
The discipleship ministry
And the adult Sunday school…
Which seriously
Needs outreach.
But
Are we willing
To provide others
With something
That will last?
Like Biblical edification?
Well
Barnabas was.
.. Because.....
He endeavored…
To be like Christ.
IV. He provided loyalty
Declaration
But
finally.
Not only
Did Barnabas
Like Christ
Provide life
For others.
And not only
Did Barnabas
Provide
Love
For others.…
Like Saul of Tarsus.
And not only
Did Barnabas
Provide that…
Which was lasting…
To others.
But
Finally
Like Christ…
Barnabas
Provided loyalty…
To the people he cared about.
And let me explain
What I mean by that.
There
Was a young man
Named John Mark
Who we read about
In this book.
And listen please.
John Mark
Had a godly heritage.
In fact
Barnabas
Was his uncle.
And
It was his home
That had become
A Cottage prayer meeting place.
His family
Was faithful
In the Jerusalem church.
And when Barnabas and Saul
Were called
To
Take the gospel
To Asia minor…
John Mark joined them.
But somewhere along the line.
Mark dropped out.
And we know that
Because later
When Barnabas and Saul
Were
About to take
A second missionary journey.
It says
In Acts 15:37 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
But it goes on to say
In verse 38
(Acts 15:38 “But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”
So
Apparently
John Mark
Quit
In serving the Lord.
And unfortunately
A lot of people today
Still quit
In ministering to people.
Sometimes
They get burned out.
Or sometimes
Sin takes over.
But like John Mark…
They quit.
And
When he did…
Paul thought it not good
To give Mark
A second chance.
But there once again…
Was Barnabas…
The son of consolation.
see
Barnabas determined
To take John Mark
With him.
And he did!
And
Do you know why?
Well
I will tell you why.
Much like
The Lord Jesus Christ…
Barnabas
Believed in second chances.
And let me ask you…
Aren’t you so glad
Jesus Christ…
Gives second chances?
And third chances?
And fourth chances?
Well…
Sadly
Christians sometimes
Don’t do that.
But that’s not Christlike!
Determination
But
What about us
This Evening?
Are we Christlike?
Are we endeavoring
To be like Christ?
Who always
Was trying
To provide life
For others?
And
Are we
Like Christ
Who always
Gave love
To others?
And Gave that
Which is lasting
To others?
And
Are we like Christ
Who was loyal
To others?
Being willing
To give them a second chance
When they fall down?
Or…
Maybe
We are un Christlike
In some ways?
And if we are.
Then
When the piano begins to play
In just a moment.
I want to ask you
To do some soul-searching.
Either
Here the altar
Or at your seat.
Would you do that?Hello
Conclusion: Let’s close in prayer
