Walking with Barnabus
1. Will you be like Barnabas?
“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.” Acts 9:29
That is what we need to do with new believers, because the greatest danger new believer’s face after making a commitment to Christ is falling through the cracks and going back to their old friends and to their old ways.
Saul had someone like that in the form of an unsung hero named Barnabas. When Saul returned to Jerusalem after his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, the apostles didn’t believe he was converted. But in Acts 9:27 we read, “Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus”.
Are you prepared to walk along side a new believer to befriend and support them in their new and exciting journey with God?
It says in Corinthians 13:7-8
“Love it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never ends.”
When Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the apostles, he was there to walk the journey with him and support and encourage. It’s is hugely important that new believers feel supported, guided and encouraged.
Who will be a Barnabas? God has a place for every one of us to be used for His glory.
Is there someone you can think off who may need walking along side?
Prayer
Lord God, Please give us the strength and ears to hear from you in the direction in which you are calling us to serve you in your kingdom. Please help me to be like Barnabas and walk along side to support and encourage other believers. In your holy name, Amen.
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2. Barnabas Gives a Second Chance
"Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 16:36-41
It is important to remember that we mess up, we fall out and we learn the hard way at times. We need a friend/mentor to step up and be our cheerleader.
Mark also messed up, He had gone with Barnabas and Paul on a mission, but along the way Mark had given up and went his own way leaving behind, Paul and Barnabas. As this had happened Paul didn’t think it would be a good idea to take Mark on another missionary journey.
However Barnabas wanted to walk alongside Mark, giving him a chance. Because Barnabas was willing to give Mark another chance, himself and Paul had a very sharp disagreement and through this they went different ways, Paul left with Silas and Barnabas left with Mark. However God continued to work through them to bring the word of Christ to different places.
Mark was able to benefit from having a second chance from Barnabas, and so did many others, we see later on that Paul also gives Mark a second chance, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” 2 Timothy 4:11
We also know that in addition to his ministry Mark led by the Spirit of God went on to write an account of Jesus’ life and ministry. We know this as the gospel of Mark in the Bible.
As Christians we model our life on God, who forgives are wrong doing and gives us second chance, upon second chance.
Who in your life needs forgiveness and another chance?
For whom could you be a cheerleader?
Prayer
Father God, Help us to remember how we have been forgiven, and help us to extend your love and mercy to those around us, help us to be cheer leaders that build one another up, and father help us to forgive like you forgive us. In your holy name, Amen.
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3. The Name of Barnabas
“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”)." Acts 4:36
He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.
It is through being gifted in his teaching of others about the truths of the gospel; he received the name Barnabas from the apostles, because this name means, “Son of Encouragement”.
His act of giving is not only an example but a challenge for all of us in our worship and stewardship of Christ’s love. He did not give a percentage of the proceeds from the sale; he gave it all laying it down at the apostle’s feet. Encouragement is a skill many of us wants listed high on our list of skills, but it is one that defines Barnabas and that through him subsequently shapes the early church.
Now how does faith produce this kind of goodness? It clear for us to see that Luke wants us to see Barnabas, goodness in his remarkable gift of his encouragement of others, especially those, who currently remain outside the church, it is through his trust and faith that Barnabas brought many people to faith and the church. It is only through faith and that faith isn’t able to survive without grace as faith lives by grace.
It is encouraging to see that Barnabas name from the apostles is given with true meaning of son of encouragement. Barnabas felt empathy for outsiders, because faith still feels the wonder of once having been an outsider but now accepted by the grace of God. He accepted the call of God, because of his faith in the promise “I will be with you to the end of the age.” Mathew 28.20
Barnabas loved to rejoice over the grace of God in the lives of others, as faith not only sees but savors grace.
We read in Hebrews 13.17 “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
If you were named for your spiritual gift, what would you be called?
Are you prepared to give your heart?
Prayer
Lord Please help us in our lives to live as Barnabas lived, to give all we have to your service. Lord help me to be your hands and feet and accept all I give for your service and for the glory of your kingdom. Amen
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4. A God Seeking Church
“And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2
It is very important that as a church we are seeking, the Lord together. It can be very easy to forget to make sure we are seeking the lord together at every opportunity and to follow his guidance and leading at all times, it can be really challenging not to stay focused on everything the church is currently doing or has done and not where the Lord is leading us as a church.
God wants to call and rise up leaders from among us like he did with Barnabas, we as a church, and individuals, should be willing to wait upon him, serve him in the church and where he maybe calling us.
We are blessed to have church as we have it today, a good solid church which is why the body of Christ should bring us together, for times of prayer and remember that we can’t do things in our own strength but through seeking Christ’s guidance and strength in all that we do within our lives.
It is very easy for us as individuals and as a collective church family to neglect, the new, the different or the challenging and stay within our comfort zone, without stepping out into the unknown or where God is leading us too.
Have you been able to set aside time daily to focus on Gods direction?
God’s work is often not clear, there are times God will not say where or when but will give you a clear sense of a calling, there can be times when we can sense a calling but are not sure where we will be going, this can be true for both the church and us as individuals.
Pray and ask God for strength for where he is leading and calling you and the church?
Prayer
Lord help us to have our hearts on you and where you are leading us as individuals and as church, help us to remain ever focused on the direction in which you are leading, so we don’t become set in our ways, thank you for guiding, protecting and loving me and help me to share your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, Amen