A Good Man

Acts 11:19–25 ESV

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

The church scattered after the persecution of Stephen. This happened in Acts 8.

Acts 8:1 ESV

1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Over a period of time, those scattered throughout Judea and Samaria also continued to travel to Phoenicia, present day Lebanon, Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean, and Antioch, the third largest city in the Roman Empire and located in present day Syria.

Acts 11:19 ESV

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.

The first group spoke about Jesus to fellow Jews. A second group from Cyprus and Cyrene, a city in present day Libya, also spoke to the Hellenist, the Greek speaking people who were non-Jewish.

Acts 11:20–21 ESV

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

We know that there were small bands of Christians in Samaria, Judea, Crete, Cyprus, and Cyrene. But the church in Antioch exploded.

Acts 11:22 ESV

22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

The church in the first century viewed itself as one church. Many modern churches have satellite venues where the main church uses video feed and other means to broadcast their services at other locations. In the first century, they didn’t do video feed. There were no denominations. The church at Jerusalem was the center because that was where the apostles lived. But they viewed the Christians in Cyprus, Cyrene, and Antioch as extensions of this one body.

When the church heard about the growth in Antioch, they sent Barnabas. Antioch did not ask them to do so. Because they saw Antioch as an extension of the church, they decided to help Antioch and sent Barnabas.

Barnabas

We are going to look at Barnabas because he is the kind of person anyone would want in their church. He was a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. He was someone who was a real help to the church. As we look through some of his characteristics, many of these are traits that will help this church. If you and I could see what God has done in Barnabas’ life and model his Christianity, we would be a blessing to all around.

Barnabas: A good man

Barnabas was a good man. You would have liked Barnabas for several reasons.

An encourager

First, he was called Barnabas because he was a real encourager.

His real name was Joseph. But his positive attitude and his willingness to help people caused the apostles to rename him.

Acts 4:36 ESV

36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,

We all like encouraging people. People who put us down or find fault with us are not on our list of most favorite people. Those who encourage us and love us in spite of our faults, who lift us up rather than tear us down, are welcome people in our lives.

Take a moment and think of the name of a person who is like Barnabas to you… That is a good person.

From Cyprus

Second, Barnabas was a good man for the job because he was from Cyprus.

If you remember, the people who started the church were also from Cyprus. He no doubt knew them from their time in Jerusalem. He was from that island, he had family there, and was in a perfect position to help this new church. He was one of them and so he would be accepted by the leadership. And because he was an encourager, he would not be a threat to them.

The best people to reach Palermo, China, Freedom or any community are the people who live there.

Enthusiastic support

Third, Barnabas was a good man because he enthusiastically supported the work that was going on in Antoich.

Acts 11:23 ESV

23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

We have to understand how ticklish the situation was. Most of the preaching about Jesus was done to Jewish people. Jewish people accepted Jewish people, but didn’t feel they were on equal terms with the lowly gentiles.

When the gospel of Jesus Christ was sent out, the Hellenists, the Gentiles responded in an amazing way. Even though Peter had spoken about how God had opened the door to the Gentiles after meeting with Cornelius, prejudices are hard to overcome. We may know something is ok, but if we have been against something, even though our minds say that we were wrong, our hearts often have trouble following our minds.

Who knew what Jerusalem’s reaction would be to this mixed group of people! When Barnabas saw the grace of God which included Jews and Gentiles and he saw them worshipping God together and serving Jesus together, he was glad.

What an encouragement to the leaders to have that confirmation.

What an encouragement to people in this church when they are greeted with joy from others when they serve the Lord.

We can guess that he might have tweaked some things. But his first response was of joy.

Focus on Jesus

Fourth, Barnabas was a good man because his whole focus was on Jesus.

Coming from Jerusalem, he could have said to them, “Listen to me. I represent the apostles. Let me take over and get this thing right.” He didn’t do that. His exhortation was for them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.

This is the message we all need to hear. Jew, Gentile, man, woman, older person, child… remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.

Barnabas was not about himself, he was all about Jesus.

You will fit in well here if you are all about Jesus. We want people who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Full of the Holy Spirit and faith

Fifth, he was a good man because he was full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

Acts 11:24 ESV

24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

One of the purposes of the Holy Spirit is to point people to Jesus. When you find someone who is all about Jesus, you have a person who is full of the Holy Spirit. When you find a person who is all about themselves, you find a person who is not full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s manifestation in our lives increases the more we are about Jesus. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, I must decrease.”

People who are all about Jesus are good people. They are not easily offended. They are concerned about your well-being. They have love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, meekness and faith.

Which was evident in Barnabas. He was full of faith. He trusted Jesus. He saw what Jesus had done for the church at Antioch and he believed that Jesus would continue to bless the church.

What a blessing to have people around you that are not all for themselves, but are all for Jesus. Those who are full of the Holy Spirit are listening and responding to Jesus. What a blessing to be around people with no agenda but to serve the Lord.

Barnabas did not impede the growth. As a matter of fact, God used him to help the church. As a result, this large church got larger. A great many people were added to the Lord.

Realized his limitations

Sixth, Barnabas was a good man because he realized his limitations.

Acts 11:25 ESV

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

The church needed help. Instead of heading back to Jerusalem he went to Tarsus to look for Saul. Saul had a dramatic conversion. He turned from an educated Jewish leader who felt he was doing God a favor by killing and throwing Christians into prison, to a man who fully embraced Jesus Christ. He was a committed follower of the one he used to persecute.

Barnabas went to him because Saul had shared that God had called him to minister to Gentiles. Here was an opportunity, a God-moment. Here was a man with a calling to minister to Gentiles and here was the first church that included Gentiles in a significant way. What better mix could there be than a respected Jewish scholar who also welcomed Gentiles and viewed them as full members of the church.

Barnabas knew his limitation. He did not take a back seat, but actively sought our someone who could compliment his ministry. Barnabas was an encourager, Paul was a teacher. What a great team!

The church is strongest when people are using their spirit given gifts to help strengthen the body. When people are lackadaisical or uncommitted, it quenches the Spirit and puts a drain on those who step up to do what others are unwilling to do. What a blessing when we know people are on our team and are working with us for the glory of God.

Barnabas must have been overjoyed when Saul, or Paul as we know him, said, “Yes.” Saul came and provided what Barnabas was unable to provide.

Followed the Lord’s leading

Seventh, Barnabas was a good man because he was willing to follow the leading of the Lord.

Acts 13:1–2 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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.”

This is amazing! Barnabas was sent to Antioch. Great things were happening. He went and got Saul. The two of them invested heavily in the church.

Yet, when the Spirit of God said to Barnabas and Saul, “It’s time to move on…” they moved.

I have sensed the Spirit of God telling me that it is time to move on. I shared with the Elders that I will be resigning from this church effective December 31st. After much prayer and discussion, we believe that it is time. God has blessed this church and has blessed us. We believe that the Spirit of God will lead this church to find the right man to fill the gap. Jesus is the head of this church and He is in control.

My hope is that each person will step up to the plate and follow Jesus. We will need people to be faithful and committed to the Lord and to this church. I have heard of churches that have grown during the transition time between pastors. I have heard of churches that have had major splits during that transition time. If, in fact, you are a follower of Jesus, I challenge you, as Barnabas did, to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.

I count the success of my time with you in two measurable ways. First, how many people are doing the work of the ministry? One of the strengths of this church has been the large percentage of people who are using their gifts and abilities for the work of the Lord. Those of you who are serving the Lord in this church are living fruit of God’s work here.

The second measure of success is fruit that remains. Has my ministry among you caused you to follow me or has it encouraged you to follow the Lord? If you are a committed follower of Jesus Christ, then you are the person who gives this church the hope of a good future.

Pray for this church. Transition is hard. It is emotionally hard on us and it will be hard on many of you. We need to pray that God will give us wisdom and strength for the days ahead.

Commit yourself to supporting the transition. The church needs you to fill the gaps and do your part. Don’t sit on the fence and wait for others to do what you could or should do. Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t lean on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge him. He will make the path straight.