The Man We Would All Like to Have as a Friend - Acts 9:23-31

Copyright 2003 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, June 22, 2003

There is a good chance that somewhere in your past there was a person who was very instrumental in determining the person you are today. For some, it may have been a person who taught you your trade. For others it was a teacher who “believed in you” or one who took the time to patiently instruct you. For still others, it was perhaps a parent who affirmed you and nurtured you.

There is of course the negative side of the coin. Some of you may be shy, withdrawn and uncertain because someone significant rejected you or told you that you did not measure up. These people depleted your enthusiasm for life.

In our text this morning we are going to look once again at a man who was the kind of person we would all like to have as a friend. In Acts chapter 4:36 we find out that the man’s real name was Joseph, but people called him “Barnabus” which means “Son of encouragement”. When we first met him he was selling a field he owned so that the proceeds of the sale could be used to help the needy.

The next time we see Barnabus is in this chapter. Saul/Paul has had an incredible conversion and transformation. In the letter to the Galatians Paul tells his story,

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. (Galatians 1:15-18)

The first three years after Paul’s conversion, Paul stayed in the area of Damascus. Sometime in that three-year period he also spent time in Arabia. Most people believe that Paul went to Arabia to study. It was in effect, the seminary training of Paul. He took his Old Testament scrolls, searched the Scriptures, and sought God in prayer. After his sojourn in Arabia, Paul returned to Damascus.

After this three years Paul went came to Jerusalem to meet the leaders of the church. In Acts we are told, “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.” (v. 26) The Greek words indicate Paul made frequent efforts to join the leaders of the church but he was rebuffed. The leaders of the church (rather than just the 12 disciples) refused to meet with Paul because they didn’t trust him.

It seems silly now, but put yourself in their shoes. Would you have trusted Paul? This was the same man who had killed many of the members of the church. He probably was responsible for the death of many of the friends and co-workers of these leaders. They had gone to too many funerals because of Paul. Saul was a changed man, a redeemed man, but his past still cast a huge shadow over his life.

That’s when our friend Barnabas enters the story. “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 in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:27-28).

Barnabas came to the disciples in Jerusalem and put his reputation on the line to vouch for Paul! Barnabas introduced Paul to Peter and to James, the brother of Jesus. Because of this intervention by Barnabas, Saul was welcomed into the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem. He stayed in Jerusalem for two weeks and then headed back to Tarsus.

Barnabas appears several other times in the book of Acts.

· In chapter 11 Barnabus was sent to Antioch to help lead and train the new believers.

· Later in the same chapter, Barnabus sought help and went to Tarsus to get Paul (this was perhaps ten years after today’s text!)

· In chapter 13 Barnabas went on the first missionary journey with his friend Paul.

· Later in the same chapter, Barnabus stepped aside and let Paul become the dominant member of the ministry team.

· In Acts 15 Barnabas defended Mark before Paul. When Paul said he didn’t want to take Mark with them on their journey, Barnabas chose to travel with Mark (encouraging yet another person) while Paul traveled with Silas.

Barnabas was an encourager. The word “encourage,” means to “put courage into”. The opposite of an encourager would be a “dis-courager” (one who siphons courage from another). We draw energy from those who encourage and become worn out by those who are discouragers. Barnabas spurred others on.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ENCOURAGE?

As you look through the Bible at the various examples of encouragement I think you see several things.

First, we encourage one another when we remind each other of the promises of God. If you are visiting with someone who is dying, one of the best things you can do for that person is read some of the great promises of scripture. God’s word gives strength, when we share God’s promises we encourage another. An encourager ebelieves and affirms the promises of God.

Can you hear Barnabas saying to Paul, “Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding and God will guide your steps?” Maybe Paul felt unacceptable before God (after these rejections) and Barnabas had to remind him that Jesus said, “to any who received him he gave the right to be children of God.”

I’d bet Barnabas also encouraged the disciples with the promise of God. He reminded them of the transforming touch of Jesus. He reminded them of the Lord’s promise to reach the sick and lost. I’m sure he reminded them that God’s grace and power was sufficient to save even Saul or Tarsus.

Second, we encourage when we stand with one who is alone. Barnabas stood with Paul when no one else wanted to be stained by his reputation. Maybe you have had this experience. You did something stupid. Maybe you did something sinful. The people you thought were your friends deserted you. It may not have even been a time when you did something wrong. It may simply have been a hard time. Perhaps someone you loved died. Maybe you were diagnosed with a disease. Maybe a family member got into some trouble. Some people deserted you at that time because “they didn’t know what to say” or “it was awkward”. The encourager stayed by your side.

I see this in my own family. My mother easily gets overwhelmed and worn out by my dad’s disease. As dad finds it more and more difficult to understand what others are saying my mom gets more and more frustrated. She gains strength from those who stand by her side. There is a neighbor who will take dad golfing; a friend who will bowl with my dad; my sisters will go with my parents to doctors appointments; friends will come over and play card games (which dad still enjoys). None of these things is easy for these people. The easy thing would be to stay away. However, when they draw near, they take some of the burden off of my mom and give her courage to hang on a little longer.

Third, we encourage others when we overlook an offense. Barnabas overlooked Paul’s offense. He forgave Paul for his attack against the church. When others wanted revenge Barnabas did not. He forgave this new believer and set him free to grow in grace.

The story is told in a country church of a small village an altar boy serving the priest at Sunday mass accidentally dropped the goblet of wine. The village priest struck the altar boy sharply on the cheek and in a gruff voice shouted: "Leave the altar and don't come back!" That boy became Tito, the Communist leader. In the cathedral of a large city an altar boy serving the bishop at Sunday mass accidentally dropped the goblet of wine. With a warm twinkle in his eyes the bishop gently whispered: "Someday you will be a priest." That boy grew up to become Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

When we forgive we set another free. Proverbs 19:11 says, “it is to a man’s glory to overlook an offense”. When we forgive an offense we give another the courage to begin again.

Fourth, an encourager underscores the significance of another. Barnabas made time for Saul. Barnabas placed Paul in positions of service and significance. He let Paul know he was a man who was valued.

A waitress was taking orders from a couple at the table and their young son; She jotted on her order pad deliberately and silently as the father and mother gave their luncheon selection and gratuitous instructions as to what was to be substituted for what, and which dressing changed to what sauce. When she finally turned to the boy, he began his order with a kind of fearful desperation. "I want a hot dog-" he started. And both parents barked at once, "No hot dog!" The mother went on. "Bring him the potatoes and the beef, both vegetables, and a hard roll and . . ." The waitress wasn't even listening. She said evenly to the youngster, "What do you want on your hotdog?" He flashed an amazed smile, "Ketchup, lots of ketchup, and-and bring a glass of milk." "Coming up," she said as she turned from the table, leaving behind her the stunned silence of utter parental dismay. The boy watched her go before he turned to his father and mother with astonished elation to say, "YOU KNOW WHAT? She thinks I'm real! She thinks I'm real!"

Do you realize how many people there are who feel just like this? They believe their opinion doesn’t matter. They sense they are insignificant. They have come to believe they have noting to offer the world. When someone really listens to these folks they come to life.

Barnabas was an encourager. He stood with Paul when others would not; he saw potential in Paul when others did not; he treated Paul as a child of God when others saw him as the son of the Devil. Barnabas was the kind of friend we would all like to have.

HOW CAN WE BECOME AN ENCOURAGER?

Let me share some ideas about how we can be better at the gift of encouragement.

The first thing we need to do is have a clear view of ourselves. We need to realize how much an encouraging word means to us. We need to think about how the words of others have helped us move forward in difficult times; how they can help us move past a painful failure; or can energize us when we are tired and worn out. When we realize how much these things mean to us, we will be eager to extend this grace to others.

I have been very fortunate. It seems almost once a week God sends someone to my side to encourage me. It may be a note from someone in another part of the world, or someone who tells me my writing has helped them; or someone who simply takes the time to minister TO me. These brief encounters keep me going. If I can remember that fact, perhaps I can be that brief encounter for another.

As we look at ourselves we also need to remember that we are sinners. We must always remember that we are flawed people. We do not do everything perfect. We still sin and we still have bad days. If we remember our weakness it will be easier to overlook the weaknesses of others.

Second, share your struggles with another. Sometimes the most encouraging thing you can do for another is let a person know that they do not struggle alone. I’m not saying you have to share all the gory details or advocating that you monopolize every conversation by talking about your struggles. There is something powerful in finding out that someone you look up to struggles just like you do. It helps you realize that you are not a failure because you struggle. This realization gives a person new hope.

Someone says, “I must be a terrible Christian because I struggle with my prayer life.” Your honest sharing of your own struggles may keep that person from giving up . . . it will spur them on to keep growing in the faith. It will help them to realize they do not struggle alone.

Third, try to spotlight the positive while you try to overlook some of the negative. We seem to be very good at spotlighting the negative things people are doing, I’m suggesting we try to “catch them” doing something positive. Columnist Art Buchwald tells this wonderful illustration,

I was in New York the other day and rode with a friend in a taxi. When we got out, my friend said to the driver: “Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving." 

The taxi driver was stunned for a second. Then he said, "Are you a wise guy or something?" 

"No, my dear man, and I'm not putting you on. I admire the way you keep cool in heavy traffic." 

"Yeah," the driver said and drove off. 

"What was that all about?" I asked. "I am trying to bring love back to New York," he said. "I believe it's the only thing that can save the city." 

"How can one man save New York?" 

"lt's not one man. I believe I have made that driver's day. Suppose he has 20 fares. He's going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was nice to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families. Eventually the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people. Now that isn't bad, is it?"

 "But you’re depending on that taxi driver to pass your goodwill to others." 

"I'm not depending on it;' my friend said. I'm aware that the system isn't foolproof so I might deal with ten different people today. If out of ten I can make three happy, then eventually I can indirectly influence the attitudes of 3,000 more." 

"It sounds good on paper." I admitted, "but but I'm not sure it works in practice."

 "Nothing is lost if it doesn't. It didn't take any of my time to tell that man he was doing a good job. He neither received a larger tip nor a smaller tip. If it fell on deaf ears, so what? Tomorrow there will be another taxi driver I can try to make happy."

"You're some kind of a nut,' I said.

"That shows how cynical you have become. I have made a study of this. The thing that seems to be lacking, besides money of course, for our postal employees, is that no one tells people who work for the post office what a good job they're doing." 

"But they're not doing a good job.."

 "They're not doing a good job because they feel no one cares if they do or not. Why shouldn't someone say a kind word to them?"

 We were walking past a structure in the process of being built and passed five workmen eating their lunch. My friend stopped. "That's a magnificent job you men have done. It must be difficult and dangerous work" 

The workmen eyed my friend suspiciously. 

"When will it be finished?" 

"June," a man grunted. 

"Ah. That really is impressive. You must all be very proud."

"We walked away. I said to him, "I haven't seen anyone like you since The Man From LaMancha." 

"When those men digest my words, they will feel better for it. Somehow the city will benefit from their happiness." 

"But you can't do this all alone!" I protested. "You're just one man."

 "The most important thing is not to get discouraged. Making people in the city become kind again is not an easy job, but if I can enlist other people in my campaign. ." 

"You just winked at a very plain-looking woman," I said. 

"Yes, I know" he replied. "And if she's a schoolteacher, her class will be in for a fantastic day." [Chicken Soup for the Soul p. 32-34]

We can all do this. In fact, as a follower of Christ we have every reason to work hard to encourage the people around us. We know how much God loves people. We also know how much people need to hear about God’s love and see it in action. When we encourage one another we are an extension of God’s love.

Where would the apostle Paul have been if it wasn’t for the encouragement of Barnabas? Frankly, we don’t know. Would the leaders of the church ever have accepted Paul? Would he ever have made a missionary journey? Would we have the 13 (or 14) books written by Paul in our Bibles?

We can’t know for sure. What we do know is that Paul did become a leader in the church and the chief missionary to the Gentiles. We know he wrote almost half of the New Testament books. And we know that Barnabas, (the encourager), was used by God to get Paul started.

Maybe your kind and encouraging words will change 1000 people. Maybe your kind words will lead someone to Jesus. Maybe your encouragement will keep someone from giving up on life. Who knows, maybe your kind words will encourage someone who will be used by God to change the world. We’ll never know, of course, until we make the effort.

ÓCopyright 2003 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, June 22, 2003