The Encourager

Acts 4:36–37 CSB

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Intro: There is an old story about a preacher leaving a church. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the founding members that looked very sad, “Don’t be so sad. The next preacher might be better than me.” She replied, “That’s what they said before you came but it just keeps getting worse.”

. That wasn’t a very encouraging thing to hear was it?

. We all need encouragement.

. This old life that we live can be challenging at times and we all need encouragement.

. We all need someone to lift us up don’t we?

Fifty six years ago, on June 18, 1956, a freak accident happened on a lake in New York. A speeding motorboat bounced on a wave and shot into the water two of its passengers, a 50-year old man and a little girl. To keep her from drowning, the man held her head above water while the boat circled back. They rescued the girl. But the man sank and drowned.

That’s how Dawson Trotman died, the founder of the Navigators, an international discipleship ministry. According to a quote in Time Magazine, “He lived to save others. His death was just the way he would have planned it. In his obituary someone wrote that he died just the way he lived, always lifting someone up.

.What a legacy. To be known as someone who always lifted others up.

. Someone who was always encouraging others.

Dawson Trotman was known as someone who lifted other people up.

In just a few minutes, we’re going to take a quick look at someone today who was nicknamed for how they lived their life as well.

Encouragement - Did you know that there has been a ton of studies done on encouragement? People have looked at how encouragement given to others affects mood and behavior. People have studied at those giving encouragement…and how their attitude and actions change as well.

One study I read through this past week was focused on how bosses simply relay information to employees.

Employers went to employees and gave positive information…things like the project when well…success was seen…things like that. But they looked at how bosses relayed that seemingly positive information.

Employees who received that positive information…in a manner which showed no care or encouragement…felt little to no positive vibes from the employer. In fact, it made them feel worse about their job and their duties they performed.

Employees who received positive information…in a manner that was caring and encouraging…felt motivated, energized, and valued…important.

Same information! Different approach. Completely different outcome.

Another study focused on the response of kids who received encouragement.

. These psychologists hooked up all these wires and sensors to children and then they would either use encouraging words and gestures or discouraging words or gestures.

. What the study showed was that when children were encouraged, their physical energy would increase.

.When they used discouraging words and gestures, the energy level of the kids would drop immediately and dramatically.

Other similar studies looked specifically at brain function and saw that encouragement lit up the brain in specific ways…and discouraging words actually dimmed the activity in the brain…or found that what was active in the brain were areas that showed stress and anxiety.

So here, we see science confirming something for us.

Remember our reference point. The Good News (the Gospel) is that Jesus came to give us new life. And this new life is different in that we get closer and closer…as we’re recreated from the inside out (mind and heart)…to what life was originally intended to be. And here we see…and you all can probably confirm this from your own lives…its easy to get discouraged.

And when you’re discouraged, its very easy to look at life and say, “This is not how things should be.” And when you say that....you’re correct. Discouragement does not seem to be something that should be in life.

And so we know…we all know those people who are always encouraging. Smiling. Positive. Forward moving. Great listeners…they know what do say and how to say it to lift us up.

…and we’re all jealous of them aren’t we? haha.

Encouragement.

The disciples new about someone…who was close to them…who was a believer in Jesus who was like this. He had a knack for seeing the positive. For moving people forward. For reminding people of truth and what to really have faith in.

And they nicknamed him because of it.

We know him today by his nickname and not by his real name.

Barnabas.

We’ve already read about the short passage that introduced him to the world.

I believe Luke introduced him like that because this guy…the son of encouragement…would have more to do in the birth of the church.

And I think…if we look at just the couple of things that are recorded for us…it will give us an idea of what kind of attitude and approach to life we can have.

Not “should” or “ought” to have…but can have. Those are very different things when you think about what we lost with sin. We’re being called back to life that is incredible. Discouragement is not part of that. And we …as the body of Christ…can show people around us exactly what they’re missing…by simply being encouraging people…who are encouraged by Jesus Himself.

. The church was young. It had really just gotten its start there in Jerusalem and all of the church was in one accord the scriptures tell us. The apostles were preaching and teaching every day and more and more believed that Jesus was their long awaited Messiah and they were placing their faith in Him and what He had done on the cross for them. They were excited and on fire for God.

. The scripture says that they were selling their property so that everyone in the church would be provided for.

. There is one man though who was singled out for his generosity and encouragement of others....

In fact, in the passage we read at the beginning…that’s last time in scripture that we hear of this guy by his given proper name (Joseph). His nickname is how he is known from then on.

That says something about him.

How many of you have nicknames? Mine was simple…just a form of my given name…Edward....Eddie. It doesn’t mean anything specific…just that its short for Edward.

My wife is known as Peaches. Now some of you might not know this but her is because of her response…and kind of her outlook on daily life…in college when she was asked “How ya doing?” she’d respond “Just Peachy.” That was her common response. One person heard that enough that they started calling her Peaches. Well, after I asked her to marry me I went back to school early to do some leadership training …and one question was…so what did you do this summer? I said, well, I became engaged. I was trying to be very formal or proper about it. They all were like awwwww ....to who? And I said, Deborah Miller. These …just so you know…many there are her friends. They all looked at me and said…who? I was like …whoah…Peaches...

They had no clue what her real name was.

I think we have that same story here…everywhere that Barnabas traveled…he was known by his nickname…Barnabas. Son of Encouragement.

Barnabas’ character as an encourager was so well known that they actually changed his name. His nickname became who he was .

. As you look through the New Testament you will find that everywhere he went, Barnabas was an encourager.

. Look at Acts 11:22-24

Acts 11:22–24 CSB

22 News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

Notice how Luke writes about the purpose in Barnabas’ trip…but then focuses on why Barnabas was chosen and the foundation from which he acts.

Luke is writing to us not only about how the church is growing…but about this guy nicknamed Barnabas who is blessed to be asked to be a part…and I’m sure if we all use our imaginations…we can picture this as a guy with a huge smile on his face…humble as anyone…grateful for everything that God grants him day in and day out…a guy who everyone looks up to.

The next mention of Barnabas in Acts is when he and Paul went to a town called Lystra. God healed a paralytic man through them…and the crowds yelled out “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas…they thought he was Zeus and Paul…they thought Hermes. The local priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to offer sacrifices to Barnabas…They were later run out of town after saying…we’re just humans like you! They did however get a chance to share Jesus with them with a little bit of success.

Just a short time later, Paul and Barnabas were in Jerusalem hoping to go back to some towns where they had started little churches of believers …Barnabas wanted to take John Mark…Paul said NO. Here’s the reason. Mark had left them earlier. Paul didn’t like it.

Now there’s some ideas out there why Mark left. Maybe family, maybe stress, maybe health. But we have Barnabas and Paul splitting ways…and Barnabas going with Mark…who may very well have upset Paul’s previous plans. And you can probably imagine how Mark was feeling…probably unintentionally.

not worthy, lost, you’ve probably felt the same. What does Barnabas do? This is in Acts 15....Barnabas leaves Paul and spends time with Mark.

Here’s what we know now though. Acts was probably written in the 50’s AD. About 10 years +/- after this event…we have Mark writing the his Gospel.

Something happened in those years. Can you imagine? For much of that time, it looks like Mark was with or near Barnabas.

I think Luke is writing about Barnabas because he is an influencer in the early church. One to be looked up to…imitated. emulated.

The Greek word we translate encourage from is parakaleo.

. This word in its original form means “to call to one’s side, to comfort, to console, to strengthen.”

. When we encourage each other we walk beside them which means to share in their life by way of support and strengthening.

. To do what we can to strengthen instead of tear down.

How can we be more like Barnabas?

Here’s a clue for all of us…me included. The first thing we must realize in order to be an encourager is that Encouragement Must Be Spoken.

There’s a time right around the time when Mark leaves the group that Paul and Barnabas and probably some others are in Antioch. They are there in the synagogue. Listening to the OT scriptures being read. Then the Jewish leaders there look to Paul and Barnabas and say this

Acts 13:15 CSB

15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”

It would have been easy for Paul and Barnabas to tell them all they’re doing wrong. Instead Paul speaks to where they are…ones in need of encouragement.

We often in this world…see people who need a word of encouragement. You go to the store or in your classroom or at work…and you see someone who’s just down…tired…discouraged.

And here we are…the ones with the Holy Spirit living inside of them. What do we have the opportunity to do? Share encouraging words.

One of my all time favorite artists, TobyMac, has a song that hits home with the theme of encouragment…speaking encouragement. Here’s just a few lines from his song...

Some days, life feels perfect. Other days it just ain't workin'. The good, the bad, the right, the wrong And everything in between. Though it's crazy, amazing We can turn a heart through the words we say. Mountains crumble with every syllable. Hope can live or die So speak life, speak life. To the deadest darkest night. Speak life, speak life. When the sun won't shine and you don't know why. Look into the eyes of the broken-hearted; Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, You speak love, you speak... You speak life, you speak life.

I put a link to this song in the online or PDF bulletin. I encourage you to go back to the email from Brenna this past Friday where it’s attached in my notes. Watch that video…I’d suggest youd have some tissues nearby.

James 3:2–6 (CSB)

2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.

3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.

4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest.

6 And the tongue is a fire.

What did we often hear from our parents or teachers? If you don’t have anything good to say…then...

It’s true...

I’ll bet we all know someone…who even when they are giving corrective criticism, they do it with grace. Discipline with grace. Know someone like that?

Be careful with your words. You can speak discouragement or encouragement using the same tongue.

We’re encouraged to speak encouraging things to others. We have good news to share…right!? Amen?

Ephesians 4:29 CSB

29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

So we can speak encouragement. Be known as an encourager and your words will be listened to as encouragement.

There’s another way to encourage. What’s the phrase we often hear…actions speak…louder than words.

We have another example of Barnabas being an encourager…that’s almost redundant there isn’t it?

When Paul/Saul at this point in his history…presents himself to the Apostles…they all fear him…won’t let him talk. Won’t let him near the group. Why? He was hunting them down. And now after Jesus got ahold of His heart…he’s wanting to know them and speak the Gospel along with them. They will have nothing to do with him.

Guess who shows up....Acts 9 tells us of when this person…called Barnabas shows up....and...

Stands beside Paul in front of the group…notice that…stands beside him. Acts 9:27

Acts 9:27 CSB

27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabas came along side him…in a very real way…lifted Paul up…showing others that he could be trusted now.

Actions - in what ways can you…not only speak life and encouragment this week…but also do things that will share and show encouragement this week?

What did Barnabas do? Took this man Paul…who may have been saying, I don’t belong here. They won’t see me. And stood with him. Walked with him. Testified for him.

Barnabas’ actions matched his words didn’t they?

Some of you were walking around the schools this week and praying. I know because others have talked to me and thanked us…for praying and showing that we’re there to lift them up...

One person was very appreciative for your prayers…this person very humbly just said. You all are appreciated.

Our world needs encouragers. Especially encouragers who have the good news and the holy spirit in their hearts. Amen? That’s us!

By the way…do you know what the holy spirit is sometimes refered to in the NT…the Advocate. The greek root for the word Advocate in greek is the same as the root for Encourager.

You have the ultimate encourager leading you to not only a new life for yourself…but to share light and new life with other people.

This is who we’re called to be. And wow…the feeling you get when you see someone smile just a bit through your humble words and actions. A sense of peace right? That’s when we know we’ve spoken life into darkness.