The Growth of the Church

“LOVE: the catalyst to growth”

What are these? (jumper cables)- Wendy and I had a wonderful visit with several family members last week.

Katie and Tyler’s car is getting a little older, and wouldn’t start.

We used these to connect it up, and Vroom! It worked. What was this energy transfer? Just a little “push” or “boost” is all the car needed to start and get itself charged back up.

Also— a more permanent example is a spark plug. A seemingly very tiny little spark, with the right fuel and air mix, creates an explosion—get a series of these going in the correct order--- internal combustion engine!

In science studies, we call that action a “catalyst”, one chemical or force, an energy, that starts another process— sometimes with exponential results!

Do you realize we can do this for each other also? Within the body of Christ, within the church, we can give each other the “boost” that we need regularly to stay moving in our faith and service and LOVE to God and our families, community, and world. As we identified last week, there are many “hallmarks” of the early church— things they devoted themselves to. An over-arching principle that they implemented hints back to a crucial part of Jesus’ teaching:

LOVE is a critical element of the church.

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Today we will be introduced to a person who was recognized as a leader, a teacher, an apostle, and an encourager of the early church. He is listed among those who first sacrificed what he had to build on Jesus’ vision and instructions. One of the very first “catalysts” used by God to jump start the church. Some speculate that he was indeed a fixture among the believers in Jerusalem.

Lets turn in our bibles to Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32–37 ESV

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Introducing: Barnabas!

First let’s dive a little deeper into our passage here to pull out a few more details about this man:

His given name was Joseph.

Barnabas means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation”. A cheerful Christian, he is believed to have been given this nickname by the apostles. The tone here is one of positive, optimistic, and prone to bless others in a ministry of building up.

He is Jewish, from the tribe of Levi.

The Levites were historically involved with priestly, or caretaker duties for the people—basically, they were servants of the church! (I think of Matt’s role here in helping all our programs, facilities and services to run smoothly!) Barnabas has this in his family history!

He is originally from the island of Cyprus.

He isn’t a Jerusalem insider---and this will be important later in his story! He is from a Gentile land, and may have either migrated, or was actually visiting when he first believed.

He is a new believer in Jesus.

Bible scholars believe he may have been converted by Jesus himself (as a possible member of the 70 sent by Jesus in Luke 10), or he was converted and believed as a result of Pentecost and the early apostles teaching.

Barnabas was a gifted encourager.

To impart (give) courage

Encourage:

“Giving someone confidence or boldness to do something.”

Exhortation:

“earnest support or encouragement for a response or action”

Paul writes about many spiritual gifts— including the “gift” to build others up— the gift of encouragement.

Romans 12:6–8 (ESV)

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Barnabas was a gifted encourager. He’s one of those people that are positive, optimistic, they are a blessing.

Acts 11:22–24 ESV

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.

Two main characteristics that I would like to highlight today:

#1: Encouragers are gifted individuals who sacrifice what they have to provide the energy transfer needed to start or continue God’s work in powerful ways!

Many teachers, coaches, pastors, youth sponsors, — all are gifted encouragers. Cheerleaders, enthusiasts willing to put effort forward to build someone else’s courage.

Barnabas sold that property. That was a hard thing, a sacrifice, especially in those days. It may have been much like what we see in our own community now. Land, probably on the island of Cyprus, was passed down through generations. This could have been Barnabas’s future, or his children’s future… But he sold it. And he gave the entire profit to the cause! He was what we call in today’s terms an “Angel Investor”.

Forbes Magazine defines an Angel Investor this way:

“Angel investors are individuals who offer promising startup companies funding in exchange for a piece of the business, usually in the form of equity or royalties.”

Mike Markkula Mentors Early Apple

Mike Markkula was born on February 11, 1942, in Los Angeles. He was introduced to the Steves – Jobs and Wozniak, of course, when they were looking for funding to produce the Apple II computer they had designed in 1977. They had success with the first version of the computer, the Apple I. Markkula has a deep understanding of technology and imagined the possibility of personal computers years earlier. He was intrigued by Jobs and Wozniak. And then they showed him the Apple II. In a 1992 interview with WGBH Boston, Markkula said: "I looked at it, and I said this is the first affordable useful computer for people."

Jobs and Wozniak not only had no money, but they had no actual experience business. Markkula helped the Steves write a business plan. As the three men went through that process, he quickly realized they had a potential Fortune 500 company. He thought they could accomplish that in about five years. He gave Apple $250,000 in total an equity investment. Markkula became employee number three and a one-third owner of the fledgling company. Wozniak actually gives Markkula more credit for the success of Apple than he takes for himself and Woz designed the first two Apple computers.

He was a trained engineer who wrote several of the early programs for the Apple II. He was a beta tester for Apple hardware and software. He was responsible for many of the innovations during Apple's early days.

Throughout his tenure with Apple, Markkula's instincts were spot on. Even when former colleagues from Intel made fun of him because they didn't believe there was a market for the personal computer. Markkula had the last laugh.

In 1977, Apple had sales of $773,000.

In 1978, sales were $7.86 million.

In 1979, sales were $47.87 million.

In 1980, sales had almost tripled from the year before to $117 million.

When Apple went public, Markkula owned seven million shares. At the end of the first day of trading, his shares were worth $203 million. That was a 220,552% gain on his equity investment in just four years. That’s what we call “exponential growth”.

That’s all well and good for a human investment here on Earth. But God, through Barnabas, started something even more exponential. Three thousand at Pentecost, 5000 on two other occasions in the early chapters of Acts,

Acts 5:14 (ESV)

14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Acts 9:31 (ESV)

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

What was God doing through them?— He was rocking the world! Some were not happy about it. We read in Chapter 5 of a group of Sadducees begin to rise up a plan to attack and silence the apostles— but God intervenes there with yet another “encourager”— Gamaliel— a teacher of the law that is very well respected and he is compelled to speak up, to encourage everyone with his wisdom:

Acts 5:38–39 (ESV)

38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;

39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

Both of these men, one from the “inside” and the other from the “outside”, sacrificed what they had to lend just the right energy, just at the right time, to exponentially advance God’s plans for the fledgling community of believers.

Aspect #2:

#2 Encouragers have the ability not only to see the best in others, but also bring out the best in others.

There was a very powerful and fearful man...

Acts 9:26–28 ESV

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

IT’S PAUL! (I won’t say too much about him until next week!) But who better to ease the worry and state the truth of what God had done in Paul’s life, than Barnabas, the encourager. What we see is that Barnabas is a trusted advocate— someone the apostles could respect and follow. He literally ENCOURAGES them to see a bigger vision, to understand God’s plan and how BIG it really is.

I have a mentor Coach that I’ve known for over 25 years. His name is Joe Vigil, and he is a former olympic coach, respected exercise physiologist and scientist, a guru in the field of distance running. He told me this very early on in my career, and I’ve never forgotten it—

“Coach, when you believe in someone… you add value to their life”. -Dr. Joe Vigil, US Olympic Track and Field Coach

What a thought. That I could have the impact of increasing the value of someone… It’s a high calling to have you all call me Pastor. That’s like a coach, the more I get to know each of you--- I want you to know God loves you, he has an awesome plan for your life---and I believe in you. I’m submitting myself as a Barnabas encourager to realize God’s plans here at Walnut Creek and in our community. To lead the way for us to sacrifice where needed to advance God’s vision and plan— also to spot the best in others, and “call out” that best in our church. Can you imagine if that was how we treated each other? Intentionally looking for ways to build each other up. A kind word, a pat on the back, maybe even a kick in the pants when we need it.

Here’s another quick story:

There once was a young man who aspired to be an actor in Los Angeles and Hollywood. He moved there with a dream to tell stories and inspire people by portraying characters in those stories. He struck out a lot, didn’t get parts, wasn’t making ends meet—He had a family to feed, so he learned carpentry and began picking up odd jobs, fixing and remodeling— etc. Several years passed, he still was pushing and yearning to get acting gigs, and was able to land a couple small parts, but nothing substantial. One client of his was named Fred Roos. He worked on Fred’s house several times. Fred happen to be a casting director. He knew this actor would be a great addition to the cast of a new movie being planned by a very famous director. Fred approached this director, and was initially declined. “I’ve got enough auditions for that part” Leave me alone. Nope— Fred was insistent… Just give him a chance. Let him read with your other auditions as a fill in— a helper. (A person would sometimes be hired to just read)— The actor did have great chemistry while reading with the two primary actors already set to play in the movie. He indeed finally impressed the director and was offered the third key character part in the movie.

The Director?— George Lucas—

The new movie ? It was to be called “Star Wars”

The budding actor that Fred promoted? The person that Fred believed in? That was the man who would go on to play none other than Hans Solo— Harrison Ford.

How might God use you as an Encourager, to sacrifice what you have, just at the right time to help God produce growth and advance His purposes and His kingdom?

Who might you be able to encourage this week— who is God giving you a divine perspective, someone you can believe in and add value to their life?

That’s what the church is all about, isn’t it?

There are many among us who are encouragers. Those folks who would be used by God to provide just that little “push” we need to get moving. Pure Gift of God and many other wonderful organizations are doing just that. Thanks for being here today, and in our community to provide the assistance someone needs to fulfill the greatest calling God can give us to be parents. Please feel free to check out their display in the back as you leave today, and interact with them. Maybe you can be used as a “catalyst” for them?

Also, we love to hear about the work that MDS is doing to help families all over the country. We are so honored to have the Stutzman brothers and their family here among us, and to end today, we have a short video summary of the recent MDS/Keim build day: Enjoy. May God continue to bless us with new and creative ways to use our gifts, resources and time to build each other — and God’s Kingdom— up for His glory!