Son of Encouragement - Barnabas and the Church

Introduction: What does it mean to be encouraged?

en•cour•age

1 a: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: HEARTEN

b: to attempt to persuade: URGE

2: to spur on: STIMULATE

3: to give help or patronage to: FOSTER

Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.) 1

To gain encouragement is to be strengthened, to be given exactly what is needed to press on.

In our text today, we meet a man who brings such strength and help to Saul as he faces the first of many struggles for the sake of Jesus.

Turn to Acts 9, summarize the events (Preaching, Proving, Plotting, Parting), Read *Acts 9:27-28

Pray

An Example of Encouragement

Barnabas was there for Saul. He vouched for him and helped him on his way. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of this man.

First time we see him is in Acts 4:36-37

his name is Joseph, but the apostles and eventually the entire church will know him by something else - Son of Encouragement

3874. παράκλησις paraklēsis, par-ak´-lay-sis; from 3870; imploration, hortation, solace:—comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty. 2

We don’t know exactly where he got the name from but we do see how fitting it was

(Here in Acts 9:27)

When the gentiles are being converted in great numbers in Antioch, who does the Church in Jerusalem send? (Barnabas - Acts 11:19-22) - What does Barnabas do when he get’s there?

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.” Acts 11:23-24

When a collection is gathered for the believers in Judea during a great famine, who is entrusted to bring them aid? Acts 11:29-30

It’s Barnabas who is called by the Holy Spirit with Saul/Paul to witness to the Gentiles on his first missionary journey (Acts 13) to establish and strengthen churches in cities throughout Cyprus, Lycia, Galatia and Syria. Acts 13:1-3

He was there for the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 to give testimony to the work of God towards the Gentiles and to defend the liberty of the gospel against the Judaizers. Acts 15:1-2, 12

He is serving alongside Paul all the way up to Acts 15:39, where he leaves Saul’s side in order to defend another brother, (and his cousin) John Mark who he thought desereved another chance. (By the way, he was right as not only commends John Mark in 4:10, but it is that same Mark that gave us the earliest written gospel!).

The only bad thing we hear of him is what Paul says in Galatians 2:13 (at least we know he wasn’t perfect).

He was a man known for his faith, and for his faith in others (i.e. Paul, Gentiles, Mark). He loved Jesus and loved people and was willing to sacrifice for both. He was the epitome of encouragement and exhortation in the church.

The church needs Barnabas's and we all would do well to take him as an example to follow in our love and zeal for Christ, and our attitudes and actions towards each other and our desire to see the lost come to know Our Lord.

The Source of Encouragement

It wasn’t simply a cheery disposition, an innate ability to trust people or a desire to be liked that made Barnabas such an encourager of the church. The source of his encouragment came from outside of himself and went far deeper than personality and attitude.

He knew the comfort (paraklēsis) that God provided through the suffering of His Son

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

To seek comfort is not to find it, not for long at least. But to seek God in Christ, even amid suffering and hardship is to find comfort indeed. God redeems suffering!

Soul weary, heavy with sin? Christ has suffered that you may be comforted now and for all eternity. Look to Him who will take it from you, has paid for it with His own blood. Lay it down at the cross and live!

Are you seeking comforts, fighting dispair and coming up short? Friend seek Him who is the God of comfort and you will find the grace you need in any and every circumstance.

He knew the anchor of our soul, and the security of the Promises of God

Hebrews 6:17-20 - Strong encouragement (paraklēsis), full assurance of hope, and anchor for the soul that belongs to all who persevere in faith in Jesus Christ.

What is that encouragement? That Hope? It is the unchangeable, unfailing promises of God, passed down to us by faith and secured for us by Jesus who, as our Great High Priest, entered where we could not and reconciled us to the God of Promise. In Him, all the covenants are fulfilled. In Him, all the promises are ours. In Him we have a place, a people, a God. We have a In Him we escape the condemnation and are fitted for eternal glory.

2 Corinthians 1:20–22 NASB95

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

“Every sinner who comes to God in Christ, with all his needs, finds God coming to him in Christ, with all his promises.“ - John Piper 3

Friend, do you know the unchangeable, sure and certain promises of God in Jesus Christ? Do you have an anchor for your soul or is your soul still seeking satisfaction in lesser things?

Christian, to whom or what are you looking to for encouragement and strength? Listen to me dear brother, dear sister. Let your soul find it’s anchor again. Remember the inheritence, the redemption, the forgiveness, the eternal life that is yours in Christ. Believe it afresh and take courage!

He knew the condescencion and humility of Christ

Philippians 2:1 - We can humbly encourage and intreat one another in love because of what Jesus did for us. He left the glory and majesty of heaven, emptied Himself and lowered Himself to be born like us, as a man. He subjected Himself to the extremes of fallen humanity, even dying as a criminal on a Roman cross. Having obeyed God in everything, He became the sinless, spotless sacrifice - taking the wrath of God for sin on Himself and offering His perfect righteousness to us by faith. If Christ would die for me, and for you, what ought we be willing to do for each other?

Friend, are you thinking too highly of yourself, or too often? Do you struggle with loving your brothers and sisters in the Lord? Set your gaze upon the humble Christ who left glory for the cross.

He knew that our true comfort is not of this world, or in this worlds goods

Luke 6:24 NASB95

“But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.

The heart that comforts itself in money and stuff will find that those temporary comforts of this world will soon fade, and will not sustain them in eternity.

Is your security bound up in the things you have, or hope to have? Get ahold of that pearl of great price and you will the comfort that does not fade.

He knew and offered something real.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - Our encouragement is not fabricated or spun up through emotional manipulation or some kind of trickery. It isn’t just rhetorical methods or scare tactics or anything like that. Our exhortation, our source of comfort and strength is from the truth! No matter what others think, our source of hope and comfort rest in the One who died for our sins, rose again on the third day, ascended to the Father’s right hand and is coming back to gather His Church!

How often have churches tried to use gimmicks, pressures and trickery to get people to come to Christ! How often is the message of the gospel compromised in an effort to not offend sinful man. No, people can smell when your trying too hard to sell them something. This gospel is real, and true. Christ is Savior and Lord.

Barnabas knew in the depths of His soul that these things were not only true, but that they were true for him. He knew this truth was for all who will call upon the name of the Lord, and so he was willing to go, to come alongside brothers in need, to preach and suffer for the name of Jesus. His exhortation, his encouragement was rooted in the good news of Jesus.

The Gift of Encouragement

Barnabas knew the source of encouragement (as every believer does). But I believe he was especially gifted by God for his work in the service of Christ. I believe the same is true for you.

Romans 12:4–8 NASB95

For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

What is this gift of exhortation?

It isn’t necessarily just the preaching of the Word, but often is simply the ability to share what is true with those around you that they may be strengthened and helped in their walk with the Lord.

Sometimes it may be a truth the person doesn’t want to hear, but that they need to hear. But they share it, that their sister might be helped to press on in Christ.

It is often very personal. It doesn’t have to take place in a very public way in order to draw attention to the encourager, but instead is off to the side, after the service or through a phone call. It happens because the person cares and wants to help.

Ex. Brother Charles and Sister Norma Pennebaker

They pour into others constantly. Like Barnabas, they want to vouch for Saul, or give Mark another chance because where others see disappointment and danger they see potential for the glory of God.

God has gifted certain members of His church with a special ability to bring consolation and encouragement to His people. They readily come alongside the hurting, have true and strengthening words to share and when you don’t feel like anyone else understands or cares they break in and reveal the truth that you are not alone, that Christ is with you and that you are loved by both your Savior, and His people. We need that in the body of Christ.

God has gifted some of you here this morning in this way. You encourage, exhort and build up others and likely don’t even see what a precious part you play in the life of this church.

Barnabas’s role cannot be overestimated. Neither can yours.

Conclusion

Let us all encourage one another, and let us mark out and especially appreciate those who seem to always be doing that in the church. Praise God for the source of comfort, peace, and hope - Jesus Christ the Savior; and praise Him for those who encourage us in the faith.

(1) Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

(2) Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 55). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

(3) https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/all-the-promises-of-god-are-yes-in-christ