Barnabas the Faithful Servant

Sermon: Barnabas the Faithful Servant

BARNABAS THE ENCOURAGER

Encouraging with his Possessions (Acts 4:36)

Encouraging the Unwanted (Acts 9:27)

BARNABAS THE MESSENGER

Messenger from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 11:22)

Messenger from Antioch to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30)

BARNABAS THE MISSIONARY 

Barnabas the Leader (Acts 13)

Barnabas the Servant  (Acts 14)

BARNABAS THE DEFENDER

Defender of Sound Doctrine  (15:1-35)

Defender of the Fallen (Acts 15:36-41)

BARNABAS THE IMPERPECT  Galatians 2:1-13)

Sermón: Bernabé el Siervo Fiel

BERNABE EL ANIMADOR

Ejemplo #1: Animando con sus posesiones (Hechos 4:36)

Ejemplo #2: Animando a los que otros no quiren (Hechos 9:27)

BERNABE EL MENSAJERO

Mensajero de Jerusalen a Antioquia (Hechos 11:22)

Mensajero de Antioquia a Jerusalen (Hechos 11:30)

BERNABE EL MISIONERO

Bernabé el Líder (Hechos 13)

Bernabé el Siervo (Hechos 14)

BERNABE EL DEFENDOR

Defiende la Sana Doctrina  (Hechos 15:1-35)

Defiende los que ha caído (Hechos 15:36-41)

BERNABE EL IMPERFECTO   (Gálatas 2:1-13)

Sermon: Barnabas the Faithful Servant                                                                      7-1-2007

BARNABAS THE ENCOURAGER

 Encouraging with his Possessions …....don’t give 2nd best stuff

Acts 4:42-47 (36) Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement / the Encourager), (RV60)  Entonces José,  a quien los apóstoles pusieron por sobrenombre Bernabé  (que traducido es,  Hijo de consolación / el Consolador),  levita,  natural de Chipre,

1 Cor 9:6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? (NVI)  ¿O acaso Bernabé y yo somos los únicos que no tenemos derecho a que la comunidad nos mantenga?

Malachi 1:6 The Lord [Almighty] of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! 7 “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.“Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. 8 When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 11 But my name is [will be] honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 14 “Cursed is the cheat [swindler] who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations. 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings.  9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Span) Ustedes traen a mi altar pan indigno, y preguntan todavía: ‘¿En qué te ofendemos?’ Ustedes me ofenden cuando piensan que mi altar puede ser despreciado  8y que no hay nada malo en ofrecerme animales ciegos, cojos o enfermos.” ¡Vayan, pues, y llévenselos a sus gobernantes! ¡Vean si ellos les aceptan con gusto el regalo! 11En todas las naciones del mundo se me honra; en todas partes queman incienso en mi honor y me hacen ofrendas dignas. 14¡Maldito sea el tramposo que me promete un animal sano de su rebaño y luego me sacrifica uno que tiene defecto! Yo soy el gran Rey, y soy temido entre las naciones.” Esto dice el Señor todopoderoso. 8 “¿Robará el hombre a Dios? Pues ustedes Me están robando. Pero dicen: ‘¿En qué Te hemos robado?’ En los diezmos y en las ofrendas. 9 “Con maldición están malditos, porque ustedes, la nación entera, Me están robando. 10 “Traigan todo el diezmo al alfolí, para que haya alimento en Mi casa; y pónganme ahora a prueba en esto;” dice el Señor de los ejércitos “si no les abro las ventanas de los cielos, y derramo para ustedes bendición hasta que sobreabunde

Encouraging the Unwanted …….….the gift of time

Acts 9:27  [read 19-30]But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly [boldly] in the name of Jesus. (RV1960)  Entonces Bernabé, tomándole, lo trajo a los apóstoles, y les contó cómo Saulo había visto en el camino al Señor, el cual le había hablado, y cómo en Damasco había hablado valerosamente [con toda valentia] en el nombre de Jesús.                                                            [v.23 comp.Gal.1:17-18]

·         2 Tim.1:16-18  Onesiphorus

MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO HAVE THE REPUTATION OF BEING AN “ENCOURAGER”

BARNABAS THE MESSENGER (Acts 11:19-30)

Messenger from Jerusalem to Antioch

Acts 11:22  News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. (RVR)  Llegó la noticia de estas cosas a oídos de la iglesia que estaba en Jerusalén; y enviaron a Bernabé que fuese hasta Antioquía.

Messenger from Antioch to Jerusalem

Acts 11:30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (DHH)  Así lo hicieron, y por medio de Bernabé y Saulo mandaron unaofrenda a los ancianos de Judea.

Messenger to Paul

Acts 11:25  Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26  and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (RVR)  Después fue Bernabé a Tarso para buscar a Saulo; y hallándole, le trajo a Antioquía. 26Y se congregaron allí todo un año con la iglesia, y enseñaron a mucha gente; y a los discípulos se les llamó cristianos por primera vez en Antioquía

What kind of messenger was Barnabas?

Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of  [God’s blessing] the grace of God, he was glad [filled with joy] and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (NVI) Cuando él llegó y vio las evidencias de la gracia de Dios, se alegró y animó a todos a hacerse el firme propósito de permanecer fieles al Señor, 24 pues era un hombre bueno, lleno del Espíritu Santo y de fe. Un gran número de personas aceptó al Señor

Phil 2:25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs  (NBLH) Pero creí necesario enviarles a Epafrodito, mi hermano, colaborador y compañero de [milicia] lucha, quien también es su mensajero y servidor (ministro) para mis necesidades

I AM “JUST” THE MESSENGER !!!!

BARNABAS THE MISSSIONARY  (Acts 13-14)

Antioch, Seleucia,  Cyprus, Salamis, Pathos, Perga in Pamphylia, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Lysta, Inconium, Antioch, Pisidia, Pamphlia, Perga, Attalia, Antioch

            Key is a change of name order ……indicating his humility and servanthood

Barnabas the Leader

Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: *Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

Acts 13:2 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.”3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.  4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

Acts 13:7  who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.

Barnabas the Servant

Acts 13:42 as Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing & the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul & Barnabas & expelled them from their region

Acts 14:1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.

Acts 14:3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Acts 14:12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:

Acts 14:20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

* missionary at your workplace                     

* missionary strategy to reach the families of our church members

BARNABAS THE DEFENDER

Defending Sound Doctrine  (15:1-35)

Acts 15:2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute [arguing vehemently, great dissension, fierce argument] and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. RVR Como Pablo y Bernabé tuviesen una [fuerte, gran] discusión y contienda [serio debate] no pequeña con ellos, se dispuso que subiesen Pablo y Bernabé a Jerusalén, y algunos otros de ellos, a los apóstoles y a los ancianos, para tratar esta cuestión.

Acts 15:12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Don’t eat solid food until you have eaten spiritual food

Defending the Fallen   (15:36-41)

Acts 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,

Acts 15:39 They had such a sharp disagreement [argument] that they parted company [separated from one another]. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus RVR  Y hubo tal desacuerdo [tan serio conflict] entre ellos, que se separaron el uno del otro; Bernabé, tomando a Marcos, navegó a Chipre,

Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Give someone another chance!....in spite of the past failures!

BARNABAS THE FALLIBLE  falible

Galatians 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

2:13 The other Jews joined [Peter] in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. [swept along by their cowardly action] DHH  Y los otros creyentes judíos consintieron también con Pedro en su hipocresía, tanto que hasta Bernabé se dejó llevar por ellos. NHLH  Y el resto de los Judíos se le unió en su hipocresía, de tal manera que aun Bernabé fue arrastrado por la hipocresía de ellos.

2 Pet.3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. DHH  Por eso, queridos hermanos, ya que ustedes saben de antemanoestas cosas, cuídense, para que no sean arrastrados por losengaños de los malvados ni caigan de su firme posición.

WE ARE ALL IN PROCESS…..BE PATIENT WITH OTHERS

3874 παράκλησις [paraklesis /par·ak·lay·sis/] n f. From 3870; TDNT 5:773; TDNTA 778; GK 4155; 29 occurrences; AV translates as “consolation” 14 times, “exhortation” eight times, “comfort” six times, and “intreaty” once. 1 a calling near, summons, (esp. for help). 2 importation, supplication, entreaty. 3 exhortation, admonition, encouragement. 4 consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment. 4a thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter). 5 persuasive discourse, stirring address. 5a instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse.3874. παράκλησις paráklēsis; gen. paraklé̄seōs, fem. noun from parakaléō (3870), to beseech. The act of exhortation, encouragement, comfort. All of Scripture is actually a paráklēsis, an exhortation, admonition or encouragement for the purpose of strengthening and establishing the believer in the faith (Rom. 15:4; Phil. 2:1; Heb. 12:5; 13:22). Paul speaks of his preaching of the gospel as paráklēsis in 1 Thess. 2:3 (Acts 13:15; 2 Cor. 8:4, 17). The contents of the letter addressed to the church at Antioch from the Apostolic Council are paráklēsis in Acts 15:31. Comforting words, consolation (Acts 9:31; 2 Thess. 2:16; Phile. 1:7; Heb. 6:18), the opposite of tribulation and suffering in 2 Cor. 7:4 and joined with joy in 2 Cor. 7:7, 13 (2 Cor. 1:3–7). In Luke 6:24, used to designate the comfort in heaven which will be denied the wicked who enjoy the riches and comforts of this world. See the Beatitudes and woes in Luke 6:20–26. In Luke 2:25, the title of Messiah, “the consolation of Israel,” is eschatological pointing to Him as the one who brings the predicted and long–awaited comfort to Israel. In Acts 4:36, Barnabas is called “the son of consolation,” referring to his prophetic gift manifested especially in the exercise of comforting others. In connection with Acts 13:15; 1 Tim. 4:13, paráklēsis was regarded as based on the reading of a portion of Scripture (Luke 4:20, 21, an expository application of the prophetic word), although this was by no means the whole.Syn.: paramuthía (3889), consolation, comfort; nouthesía (3559), admonition.

MacArther:

Acts 2:42-49 2:42 apostles’ doctrine. The foundational content for the believer’s spiritual growth and maturity was the Scripture, God’s revealed truth, which the apostles received (John 14:26; 15:26, 27; 16:13) and taught faithfully. See  2 Pet. 1:19–21; 3:1, 2, 16. fellowship. “partnership,” or “sharing.” Because Christians become partners with Jesus Christ and all other believers (1 John 1:3), it is their spiritual duty to stimulate one another to righteousness and obedience (Rom. 12:10; 13:8; 15:5; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 4:2, 25; 5:21; Col. 3:9; 1 Thess. 4:9; Heb. 3:13; 10:24, 25;1 Pet. 4:9, 10). breaking of bread. A reference to the Lord’s Table, or Communion, which is mandatory for all Christians to observe (1 Cor. 11:24–29). prayers. Of individual believers and the church corporately (1:14, 24; 4:24–31; John 14:13, 14). 2:43 wonders and signs. See v. 19. In the NT, the ability to perform miracles was limited to the apostles and their close colleagues (Philip in 8:13; cf. 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:3, 4). These produced awe and respect for divine power. 2:44 all things in common. See 4:32. This phrase conveys not that the early Christians lived in a commune or pooled and redistributed everything equally, but that they held their own possessions lightly, ready to use them at any moment for someone else, as needs arose. 2:45 sold their possessions. This indicates that they had not pooled their resources (see v. 44) but sold their own possessions to provide money for those of the church in need (v. 46; 4:34–37; 2 Cor. 8:13, 14). 2:46 daily … in the temple. Believers went to the temple to praise God (v. 47), observe the daily hours of prayer (cf. 3:1), and witness to the gospel (v. 47; 5:42). breaking bread from house to house. This has reference to the daily means that believers shared with one another. gladness and simplicity of heart. The Jerusalem church was joyful because its single focus was on Jesus Christ. See 2 Cor. 11:3; Phil. 3:13, 14. 2:47 the Lord added. v. 39; 5:14. See Matt. 16:18. Salvation is God’s sovereign work.                         

Acts 9: 9:20 He is the Son of God. The content of Paul’s message was that Jesus Christ is God (Heb. 1:4, 5). 9:23 after many days were past. A period of 3 years, in which he ministered in Nabtean Arabia, an area encompassing Damascus S to the Sinai peninsula (Gal. 1:17, 18). 9:24 gates. Damascus was a walled city, thus the gates were the only conventional means of escape.9:25 let him down … in a large basket. “Basket” was a large woven hamper suitable for hay, straw, or bales of wool.9:27 Barnabas. See 4:36. 9:29 Hellenists. The same group Stephen debated (see 6:1).9:30 Caesarea. Cf. 8:40. An important port city on the Mediterranean located 30 mi N of Joppa. As the capital of the Roman province of Judea and the home of the Roman procurator, it served as the headquarters of a large Roman garrison. sent him out to Tarsus. Paul disappeared from prominent ministry for several years, although he possibly founded some churches around Syria and Cilicia (15:23; Gal. 1:21).

ACTS 11: 11:19 See 8:1–3. Phoenicia. The coastal region directly N of Judea, containing the trading ports of Tyre and Sidon. Cyprus. See 4:36. Antioch. Located some 200 mi. N of Sidon, Antioch was a major pagan metropolis, the third largest in the Roman Empire, behind Rome and Alexandria. 11:20 men from Cyprus and Cyrene. See 6:9; 13:4. Hellenists. Cf. 6:1; 9:29. The preferred reading is “Greeks,” or Greek-speaking non-Jews (see 6:1). 11:21 hand of the Lord. This refers to God’s power expressed in judgment (Ex. 9:33; Deut. 2:15; Josh. 4:24; 1 Sam. 5:6; 7:13) and in blessing (Ezra 7:9; 8:18; Neh. 2:8, 18). Here, it refers to blessing. 11:22 Barnabas. See note on 4:36. Since he was a Cypriot Jew, he came from a similar background to the founders of the Antioch church. 11:25 Tarsus. See note on 9:11. to seek Saul. This was to be no easy task. Several years had elapsed since Saul fled Jerusalem (9:30). Apparently, he had been disinherited and forced to leave his home due to his new allegiance to Christianity (Phil. 3:8). [Baker - a. “Barnabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul.” The geographic distance between Antioch and Tarsus was relatively short and by traveling on foot could be covered in a few days. Tarsus was a major city in Cilicia, a Roman province in the southwest corner of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was a university city that ranked higher academically than Alexandria and Athens. In this city Paul was born; he describes himself as “a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no unimportant city” (21:39). E. M. Blaiklock suggests that influential Jews in that city had petitioned Rome to confer on them Roman citizenship with the provision that this privilege be transmitted by birth to their descendants. Rome granted their request and as a consequence Paul enjoyed the protection of Roman citizenship (16:37; 22:28). After Paul left Jerusalem and traveled via Caesarea to Tarsus (9:30), he seemed to have disappeared. However, in view of Luke’s reference to churches in Cilicia (15:41), we presume that Paul, as the energetic missionary to the Gentiles, proclaimed and taught the gospel in that area. No wonder that Barnabas chose Paul to be his right-hand man to teach the Word to the Gentile Christians in Antioch.  b. “When he found him he brought him to Antioch.” Luke does not disclose how long Barnabas had to look for Paul in Tarsus and its vicinity. He merely states that he found Paul and brought him to Antioch. Barnabas knew that Jesus had called Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles (9:27). And even if many years had elapsed since they both had been in Jerusalem, Paul’s call remained intact. Barnabas informed Paul about the influx of the Gentiles into the Antiochean church and invited him to be their teacher.  When Paul agreed to accompany Barnabas and work with him in Antioch, he made his debut as a teacher of Gentile Christians 11:26 Christians. A term of derision meaning “of the party of Christ.” Cf. 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.11:27 prophets. Preachers of the NT (1 Cor. 14:32; Eph. 2:20; see 13:1; 21:9; Eph. 4:11). 11:28 Agabus. One of the Jerusalem prophets who years later played an important part in Paul’s ministry (21:10, 11). a great famine. Several ancient writers, Josephus and Suetonius affirm the occurrence of great famines in Israel ca. a.d. 45–46. all the world. The famine reached beyond the region of Palestine. Claudius Caesar. Emperor of Rome (a.d. 41–54).11:30 elders. This is the first mention of the men who were pastor-overseers of the churches (15:4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 21:18); i.e., a plurality of godly men responsible to lead the church (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9). They soon began to occupy the leading role in the churches, transitioning from the apostles and prophets, who were foundational (Eph. 2:20; 4:11).

ACTS 15:36-41 15:36 see how they are doing. In addition to proclaiming the gospel, Paul also recognized his responsibility to mature the new believers in their faith (Matt. 28:19, 20; Eph. 4:12, 13; Phil. 1:8; Col. 1:28; 1 Thess. 2:17). So he planned his second missionary journey to retrace his first one. 15:37, 38 John called Mark. See 12:12; 13:13.15:39 contention … parted. This was not an amicable parting—they were in sharp disagreement regarding John Mark. The weight of the evidence favors Paul’s decision, especially since he was an apostle of Jesus Christ. That alone should have caused Barnabas to submit to his authority. But they eventually did reconcile (1 Cor. 9:6). Cyprus. See 13:4. 15:40 Silas. He was perfectly suited to be Paul’s companion, since he was a prophet and could proclaim and teach the Word. Being a Jew gave him access to the synagogues (6:9). Because he was a Roman citizen (16:37), he enjoyed the same benefits and protection as Paul. His status as a respected leader in the Jerusalem fellowship helped to reinforce Paul’s teaching that Gentile salvation was by grace alone through faith alone (see v. 22). 15:41 Syria and Cilicia. Paul visited congregations he had most likely founded before his connection with the Antioch church (Gal. 1:21). The circumcision question had been raised there also.

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