BARNABAS’ EXAMPLE
Acts 11: 19-26
INTRODUCTION:
A. And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
1. What a wonderful testimony!
2. Folks were seen to be following the way of a man named Christ.
3. But it might be interesting to know how it all came about.
B. It all began with a group of disciples on the move.
1. The account is given us in Acts 11:19-21, Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. [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. [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
2. These disciples proclaimed the gospel where ever they went
3. Some of them ended up in Antioch and there they gave the inhabitants of that city the gospel
4. And by the grace of God people turned to the Lord – they got saved!
C. The good news of the Grecians turning to the Lord reached the church in Jerusalem in a very short time and they decided to send someone down to help them in their new found faith.
1. That person was Barnabas
2. According to the testimony of Scripture, he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:… Acts 11:24
3. And we can only assume that what took place there is what influenced those in the area to call the disciples of Jesus – “Christians.”
D. With that in mind, I would like to look at three actions, connected to Barnabas which may have had a great deal of influence in the label of “Christian”
1. Gladness
2. Exhortation
3. Discipleship
May God give us the inward strength to display our gladness concerning the grace of God and help us to exhort others to live in Christ, and disciple them in His ways.
PRAY
Possibly one of the most obvious external indicators of a Christian ought to be
I. GLADNESS, Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad,…
A. Barnabas, came into town and was able to be glad when he saw the grace of God in action even though he did not know the people personally.
1. The word “glad” is from the Greek word “chairo” meaning “to rejoice exceedingly; to be well, thrive”
- What he saw brought joy to his heart and we might even say, provided the environment in which the work he would be doing would do well – even thrive!
2. And the reason for this gladness? The “grace of God”
3. Though the “grace of God” cannot really be seen, its effects can be!
4. If you remember, the reason Barnabas was sent was because “a great number believed and turned to the Lord.”
5. The bottom line is this – salvation changes people, from the inside out and those who notice the change are “glad”
B. They were Christians fist at Antioch, but we have followed in their footsteps – we are Christians, and as such we ought to be glad when we see the grace of God at work.
1. It is the grace of God that is necessary for every aspect of our lives.
2. Think on these passages:
a. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, - it is only by God’s grace that we can be saved
b. Ephes. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; - Its by grace we are saved
c. 1 Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: - we are who we are by the grace of God
d. Ephes. 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. – we minister by the grace of God
e. 1 Cor. 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; - It is a gift from our Lord!
3. This is important for us to remember – it takes away all pride, for all of life is but for the grace of God!
4. And for that we ought to be glad!
5. When we see God working in the life of an individual, a family, or a church what joy that ought to bring to our hearts!
C. And besides all that, we ought to be glad everyday because the grace of God is at work in us! This same Greek word is translated rejoice
1. Phil. 4:4 states, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Folks, we are saved and there is nothing in this world that can ever change that!
2. And it was John who said, I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 2 John 1:4
- Rejoice as we walk in truth and rejoice as you see others do the same.
D. This morning you can experience the grace of God:
1. In salvation
2. In forgiveness
3. In a call to ministry
Barnabas was glad to see the working of grace and he was brought to
II. EXHORTATION, Acts 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.
A. This is one of those things that Barnabas is really noted for
1. Churches of many denominations have Sunday School classes that are named Barnabas
a. There are small groups and special ministry groups with the name Barnabas because of his noted desire to exhort others.
b. The Greek word “parakaleō” (par-ak-al-eh’-o) translated “exhorted” means;
1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon;
2) to beg, entreat, beseech;
3) to encourage, strengthen;
4) exhorting and comforting and encouraging
c. If you think about it, that is what many of us need: someone to come along side us and encourage us.
2. And what was it that he was exhorting them to do?
a. …with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
b. The idea of “purpose of heart” is intended to covey: with all that is within you – sincerely – with mind, soul and spirit.
c. Here is a picture of cleaving – a three year old being introduced to a new person.
B. As your pastor one of my greatest privileges as well as difficulties is to exhort you to live for the Lord with this single minded purposeful attitude.
1. Jesus exhorted us to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
2. And I cannot stress to you or my own family the necessity of this.
3. So many things, activities, and people can come between us and the Lord
4. And as our love for those things increases, our love for God often decreases.
5. We find our devotion becomes moved from God to them and we are no longer glad in Him.
6. And so we need to exhort each other that with purpose of heart we would cleave unto the Lord.
7. This is a large part of being a Christian and relating to one another!
C. This morning I want you to exhort you to
1. A life that is Christ honoring – give it over to Him – cling to Him!
2. I want to exhort you to be an encourager to someone else today – think about someone you have not seen here recently and give them a call – let then know you missed them.
Barnabas was glad to see the working of grace and he exhorted them to cleave to the Lord with a purposeful heart and finally this morning we are led to
III. DISCIPLESHIP, Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: [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.
A. It is interesting to see that Barnabas sought out Saul
1. He was a relatively new believer who was given an ability to teach by the Lord
a. Barnabas had known Saul just after his conversion and stood up for him in Jerusalem – he had befriended him
b. We don’t know why Barnabas sought him out at this time: but maybe it was because he saw the potential in this man of God and wanted to encourage him
c. Maybe it was because he saw Saul’s devotion to the Lord and his understanding of scriptures and knew he would be a good ministry partner
- Barnabas knew Saul had been called to minister to the Gentiles, and that was the place where Barnabas now found himself
2. Barnabas brought him back to Antioch and the two of them ministered to the Gentiles
a. They gathered the church together
b. More specifically, they taught them – they discipled them.
B. So what does this have to say to us?
1. Maybe one of the first lessons is that we need to take time, even going out of our way, to minister to someone or to find someone to minister with us.
a. I think to often we take the easy road, and that often leads us away from ministry, because ministry can get pretty dirty sometimes
b. In order to disciple someone we must be willing to meet them where they are and be encouragers to them
c. If we are looking to perform ministry we may believe it easier to do ourselves, but folks we do need those to come along side and help.
- We may need to get rid of pride to gain a fruitful ministry.
2. Secondly, we need to know that discipleship is necessary.
a. We must be determined, as a church, to find a way to disciple those who come to know the Lord
b. They need to be taught the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Thirdly, in order to be ready to disciple the discipler should be known as a good person, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith!
a. This means that each of us need to be close to the Lord and growing in His grace.
b. That does not mean that you need to know it all, but that you have a tight relationship with the Lord.
4. There is no shortage of opportunities for the Christian who is wanting to minister to others to do so.
C. If you would be willing to disciple a young believer in the Lord, let me know and we will get you linked you up with one who needs the discipleship.
CONCLUSION: In closing
A. John wrote, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
1. And what better way to show our love for one another than
a. To be glad as we see the work of the grace of God in a persons life
b. Being willing to exhort and encourage one another to live for God.
c. And be willing to give of our time to be a part of the church discipling others
2. In this Barnabas is a great example of what each of us can be.
B. Folks, lets be what God wants us to be and maybe those around us will call us Christians first, and foremost, at First Baptist Church.
