Just One Of The Good Old Boys

JUST ONE OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS

Acts 11:22-26

Act 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Act 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Act 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

Act 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Act 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Act 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Act 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

A. There are many great unsung hero’s of faith in the Bible. Men and women who worked in the shadow of great men of God and made there ministry possible. I think we will all be surprised when we get to the Judgment Seat of Christ - who it is that will receive the great rewards. Don’t ever forget that God is the one who is keeping the record. Not even a cup of cold water goes unrewarded.

B. BARNABAS is truly one of the great unsung heros of faith. He worked in the shadow of the Apostle Paul. You hear a great deal about Paul’s ministry but not much about Barnabas.

C. WHO WAS BARNABAS? Well, we know a lot more than you might think when we really look at what the Bible has to say about him. The Word of God paints a picture of a wonderful life that was lived in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

* His name was Joseph (means, one who increases) a getter-aheader. They nicknamed him Barnabas (one who encourages others).

* He was a devout Jew - raised in a devout Jewish family.

* He was a wealthy (with worldly goods) man before he came to Christ.

* He was one of the first ones saved in Jerusalem after our Lord’s ascension.

T/S There seems to be 15 things the Lord points out in the life of this dedicated Man of God. (Now don’t panic, I am not going to dwell on all 15, just 14 of them) Ha!

1. HE GAVE HIS ALL WHEN CAME TO CHRIST.

Acts 4:36,37 (He sold all that he had and laid it at the apostles feet).

A. He Sold out to Christ. This is where most people have their problem. We want to have Jesus but we want to hold onto the world. (Jesus told the man - "Arise and take up your pallet and walk". To many people want to follow Jesus but keep their pallet reserved by the pool just in case it doesn’t work out. They want to get out of Egypt but not so far they can’t get back to the leeks and garlic and melons if they need to.

2. HE WAS AN APOSTLE. Verse 22. and they sent forth Barnabas

A. In every passage you read about this man, he is being sent forth and going. He was sent forth by the Jerusalem church – He was sent forth to find Saul of Tarsus. He was sent forth by the Antioch church - He was sent forth by the Holy Spirit. He was truly a missionary.

B. History teaches us the first century church was a going forth origination. They built the first church building in the 3rd century and Christians went in and set down and have been setting ever since.

C. The commission say, "As you are going . . . . .."

One of the great verses about the first century church is found in Acts 8:4, "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."

D. The great misunderstanding of the 20th century church is that some how we have got the idea that when we come in and set in the church that is our service to God. No, we come together to worship - the fields are out there in the world.

SIGN: COME IN TO WORSHIP - GO OUT TO SERVE.