Stay In like – Barnabas
Illustration:
The Story of Margaret:
The Story of Margaret: From Messy Spirituality (pages 45-56)
Cast:
Actor Margaret: Ashley
Actor teacher Ms. Garner (Vivian)
Actor Jesus: David
Actors: 5 students from youth group?
The Story of Margaret:
Scene In the background – School set up – teacher - students
For almost 40 years, Margaret had lived with the memory of one soul-scarring day in the one-room schoolhouse she attended. From the first day Margaret came to class, she and Ms. Garner, her bitter and harsh teacher, didn’t get along. Over the years, the animosity between them only worsened until one fateful day when she was nine years old, Margaret’s life was forever changed.
Scene of actors (Teacher scolding Margaret silently, Margaret giving her the attitude face other kids in class watching the scene play out).
That day, Margaret frantically raced into her classroom after recess, late again. Ms. Garner was furious. ‘Margaret!”
Actors (the teacher motions to Margaret to come to front - silent).
Pastor Mike: She called her to the front of the class!
Actors - (Margaret moves toward the board and teacher).
Pastor Mike: Margaret walked slowly to the teacher’s desk was told to face the class, and then the nightmare began.
Actor - (turns and faces the class, teacher looks at class with finger pointed and freezes)
Pastor Mike: Ms Garner ranted, “Boys and girls, Margaret has been a bad girl. I have tried to help her to be responsible. But apparently, she doesn’t want to learn. So we must teach her a lesson. We must force her to face what a selfish person she has become. I want each of you to come to the front of the room, take a marker, and write something bad about Margaret on the board. May be this experience will motivate her to become a better person. Margaret stood frozen next to Ms. Garner.
Student actors – come to board and write bad things about Margaret.
Pastor Mike: One by one, the students began a silent procession to the board. One by one, the students wrote:
Student 1: Margaret is stupid!
Student 2: Margaret is selfish!
Student 3: Margaret is fat!
Pastor Mike: They wrote smothering words and slowly extinguished the light in Margaret’s soul.
Student 4: Margaret is a dummy!
Student 5: Margaret is a loser!
Actors - (Students leave along with teacher – Margaret stands alone starring at the board frozen in time)
Pastor Mike: On and on it went, until twenty five terrible scribbling of Margaret’s ‘badness’ screamed from the blackboard. The venomous sentences taunted Margaret in what felt like the longest day of her life. After walking home with each caustic word indelibly written on her soul , she crawled inter her bed, claiming sickness, and tried to cry the pain away, but the pain never left, and forty years later, she slumped in the waiting room of a Christian psychologist’s office, still cringing in the shadow of those twenty-five sentences. To her horror, Margaret had slowly become what the students had written.
Actor- (Margaret turns from the board and places her hands over her eyes as if crying and then freezes).
Pastor Mike: Margaret’s teacher knew exactly what she was doing. She knew the power of name-calling. Margaret was humiliated by thoughtless and cruel act, robbed of the sparkle in her eye, cursed to live the rest of her life in the shadow of that nightmarish experience.
Actor – (walks around a little stops again and looks at board -frozen).
Pastor Mike: 40 years later Margaret is still impacted deeply by this event. She shares her struggle with the therapist over a 2 year period of time. After decades of depression and anxiety, she had finally sought help and was having some success in moving on. Two long years of weekly counseling helped Margaret to finally extricate herself from her past. It had been a long and difficult road, but she smiled again. The counselor takes her through a healing journey. The counselor asks her, “Margaret, I know this will be difficult, but just to make sure you’re ready to move on, I am going to ask you to do something. I want to go back to your school-room and detail the events of that day. Take your time. Describe each of the children as they approached the board, remember what they wrote and how you felt-all twenty-five students.” In a way, this would be easy for Margaret. For forty years she had remembered every detail. And yet, to go through the nightmare one more time would take every bit of strength she had. After a long silence, she began the painful description . One by one, she described each of the students vividly, as though she had just seen them, stopping periodically to regain her composure, forcing herself to face each of those students one more time. Finally, she was done, and tears would not stop, could not stop. Margaret cried a long time before she realized someone was whispering her name. “Margaret, Margaret, Margaret.’ She looked up to see her counselor staring into her eyes, saying her name over and over again. Margaret stopped crying for a moment.
Actor – (teacher re-enters and stand beside Margaret, a few seconds later Jesus enters in behind Margaret who is still looking at the board and the teacher and Jesus follow Pastor Mikes reading).
“Margaret. You …you left out one person.” “I certainly did not! I have lived with this story for forty years. I know every student by heart.” “No Margaret, you did forget someone. See, he’s sitting in the back of the classroom. He’s standing up, walking toward your teacher, Ms. Garner. She is handing him a marker and he’s taking it, Margaret, he’s taking it! Now he is walking over to the board and picking up an eraser. He is erasing every one of the sentences the students wrote. They are gone! Margaret they are gone!
Actor – (Margaret watches the scenes and lifts up her head – Jesus follows Pastor Mike’s reading)).
Pastor Mike: Now he’s turning and looking at you, Margaret. DO you recognize him yet? Yes, his name is Jesus. Look, he’s writing new sentences on the board:
Actor (Jesus writes: Margaret is loved! Margaret is beautiful! Margaret is gentle! Margaret is kind! Margaret is a child of God! Jesus and Margaret follow the story line)
Pastor Mike: Margaret began to weep. But very quickly, the weeping turned into a smile, and then into laughter, and into tears of joy. After forty dark years, Margaret was no longer condemned, no longer alone, and no longer rejected. The blindness of her past horror was removed. Margaret and a certain blind-man and maybe even you and me-can show confidence, “Once I was blind, but now I see!”
Actor - (Margaret) goes to the piano and sings Amazing Grace
T.S. - Our sermon topic today is “Stay In like Barnabas” and the focus of today is about being encouragers not discouragers!
Thesis: Barnabas was known as an encourager and this is why God changed his name. Barnabas lives up to his mission from the Lord in the book of Acts and challenges us to follow in his path.
Scriptures on Barnabas:
Acts 4:36-37 (NIV):
36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 11:19-30 (NIV):
19Those who had been scattered by the persecution triggered by Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they were still only speaking and dealing with their fellow Jews. 20Then some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch started talking to Greeks, giving them the Message of the Master Jesus. 21God was pleased with what they were doing and put his stamp of approval on it—quite a number of the Greeks believed and turned to the Master. 22When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. 23As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. 24He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit’s ways. The community grew large and strong in the Master. 25Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26He found him and brought him back to Antioch. They were there a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching a lot of people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians. 27It was about this same time that some prophet’s came to Antioch from Jerusalem. 28One of them named Agabus stood up one day and, prompted by the Spirit, warned that a severe famine was about to devastate the country. (The famine eventually came during the rule of Claudius.) 29So the disciples decided that each of them would send whatever they could to their fellow Christians in Judea to help out. 30They sent Barnabas and Saul to deliver the collection to the leaders in Jerusalem.
Acts 13:1-12 (NIV):
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 4The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Acts 15:26-40 (Message):
25We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. 26We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas—they’ve looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ. 27We’ve sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we’ve written. 28It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities: 29Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage. These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you!
Barnabas and Paul Go Their Separate Ways
30And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter. 31The people were greatly relieved and pleased. 32Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. 33Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them. 35Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God. But they weren’t alone. There were a number of teachers and preachers at that time in Antioch. 36After a few days of this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit all our friends in each of the towns where we preached the Word of God. Let’s see how they’re doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. 38But Paul wouldn’t have him; he wasn’t about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. 39Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways: Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus; 40Paul chose Silas and, offered up by their friends to the grace of the Master, 41went to Syria and Cilicia to build up muscle and sinew in those congregations.
Scripture texts which promote being encouragers:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV): 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
The Message reads: 11So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV): 12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
The Message States: 12So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. 13For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. 14If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.
Introduction:
Everyone is looking for encouragement whether they admit it or not. It’s a spiritual need as well as an emotional need. The church should be the biggest dispenser of encouragement to one other. We should be intentional about encouraging others in their faith and in their spiritual walk with the Lord. The tools used by encouragers are faith and hope which give us the power and the presence of the Lord to live victoriously. We should all as Christians be dispensers of encouragement . It’s was an important character trait of the early church and the most noted encourager of the early church is a guy by the name of Barnabas.
I was thinking the other day what would happen if I put an ad in the paper or on the internet and put up a job posting which said, “Encouragers Wanted!”
Pay: The job pays minimum wage and you have to be flexible with your work hours.
Education: You need to have the knowledge of how to make people feel valued. You need to have the knowledge on how to instill courage in others to press on.
Benefits: The benefits for this job are reaped in eternity. But another benefit is your job can change the course of a persons life. It can even save a person’s life.
If Interested? Then apply at www.divineencourager.org.
This ad prompts a few questions: Would this not be a great job? Do you think it would be a rewarding job? Would you like this job? Do you think that this is a needed position in the world we live in today?
Reality check of the world: Just look around this week! Discouragement is trapping people into isolated meaningless lives. Each day our world bombards us with discouraging news, discouraging economic predictions, discouraging stories of mass shootings, discouraging stories of violence, discouraging news of greed, discouraging stories of terrorism, discouraging news of unemployment and joblessness, discouraging government division and political fighting, discouraging economic reports, discouraging divorce statistics, discouraging suicides, discouraging –discouraging-discouraging stuff slams us on the right and left repeatedly throughout the day. It may at times seem relentless and ruthless sucking encouragement out of everyone’s life. The truth is too many people today have allowed discouragement to isolate themselves from others and from society. They live in their homes glued to TV to escape reality. Others have slipped off into fantasy worlds to escape the discouragement of their lives, the result is they spend countless hours involved in fantasy games, fantasy sports and even fantasy worlds. And the end result is they are more discouraged not encouraged!
I read a book this week called “The Barnabas Factor” written by Aubrey Johnson and the whole book was about becoming a Biblical minister of encouragement.
She states, “Encouragers Needed Today!” Yet never has the need for encouragement been greater than today. Watching the evening news, one quickly gets a sense that man’s search for meaning and happiness has been misguided and unsatisfying. That trend is especially evident among America’s youth. The rate of attempted suicide among teens is an indication that they are deeply discouraged. Gang involvement is another clear cry for help. If adolescents do not receive attention and support from parents, they will find it among peers. They desperately want to feel a sense of belonging and to know they matter to others. That desire to belong is so strong that young people will place themselves in great personal jeopardy to satisfy it. Numerous types of risky or self-destructive behavior are related to a lack of encouragement. Hopelessness is by no means limited to the hormone-driven adolescent years. (It impacts adults too)” From Johnson, Aubrey (2010-12-15). The Barnabas Factor (Kindle Locations 145-152). Gospel Advocate Company. Kindle Edition.
T.S. – We need to ask ourselves this question: “Are you an encourager or discourager?” If people were asked this question about you what would their response be? What would others say about you? So today I want to take a deeper look into the heart of our hero of the faith today Barnabas – “The Encourager!”
I. God changed Joseph’s name to Barnabas:
a. Have you ever wondered: “Why does God sometimes change the names of people in the Bible?”
i. Short answer: In the Bible when God changed someone’s name it was usually done to establish a new identity for that person. To reflect their new nature and new mission for God.
1. Example: God changed Abram’s name which means “high father” to Abraham which means “father of a multitude” (Gen. 17:5). God changed his wife’s name from “Sarai” my princess to “Sarah” which means “Mother of nations” (Gen. 17:15).
a. We know from history that Abraham and Sarah formed many nations including the Jews and the Muslims.
b. They lived up to their God-given name change.
c. Are you living up to your name?
2. Example: God also changed Jacob’s “supplanter” name to “Israel” “Having the power of God” (Gen. 32:28).
a. Jacob even after his name is changed by God was called Jacob sometimes but it was usually done to remind him of his past and to encourage him to depend on God’s strength for the here and now.
b. Jacob from what I read also lives up to his new name.
3. Example: God changed Simon’s name “God has heard” to “Peter” which means “Rock” (John 1:42).
a. Lets’ recall when Peter’s name is changed by Jesus in Matthew 16:13-20:
i. 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
b. Peter’s name means rock or a solid foundation which was a declaration of his mission as an apostle to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Son of the Living God. The confession of faith in Christ would be the foundation and rock of a person’s salvation. Peter was to proclaim that truth! His name reminded him of his mission from God!
i. I am sure after denying Christ he wondered about why Jesus changed his name. But then Jesus showed up one morning to Peter to reaffirm his new name and mission.
c. You may have noticed from the Gospels that Jesus sometimes referred to Peter using his old name Simon at times. He did this usually when Peter was acting like his old self instead of like the Rock he was called to be.
4. Example: Saul to Paul: In Acts we know that Saul’s name was changed to Paul after his conversion and it is noted in Acts 13:9.
a. Once again I believe it reflected Paul’s transformation and new mission for the Lord!
ii. Answer: So we see throughout the Bible that God changed people’s names. We don’t always get and exact answer why God did it but it is obvious that their new name reflected their new destiny and new mission from God.
1. I believe their new name reminded them of God’s divine plan for their lives and each time they said their name they would be reminded of the mission they were on for God.
b. Barnabas’ name change was done for a specific purpose and to reflect his ministry. We have the reference to our hero of the faith’s name change in Acts 4:36:
i. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
1. Encourager was the meaning of his new name – The Lord knew that he would live up to this new mission for his life!
a. He is known in Scripture as “The Encourager”
i. Did you hear what he did he sold a piece of property gave it to the apostles so they had funds to further the advance of the Gospel – to bring “Good News” to the people swamped in hopelessness.
ii. Encouragers are givers who see their resources as a means to encourage others not to hoard for themselves.
b. Do you have an “Encourager” in your life?
i. Can you name them?
c. Do others look at you as “The Encourager?” Or do they look at you as “The Discourager.”
i. Do you build people up or tear them down.
ii. Is your mouth filled with praise or criticism?
2. An example of “The Encourager” Barnabas in action: When Saul (or Paul) came to Jerusalem after his conversion, most of the Christians there wanted nothing to do with him. They had known him as a persecutor and an enemy of the Church. But Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance. He looked him up, spoke with him, and brought him to see the other Christians, vouching for him.
a. This is what encouragers do!
b. An encourager seeks out others to encourage them in their faith, in their spiritual journey, in times of hardship. They are there to build up!
c. Encouragers seek out those who need encouragement!
3. Another example of “The Encourager” in action: Later on in time we have Paul and Barnabas who went on a missionary journey together and they took John Mark with them. Part way, Mark turned back and went home. He quit – gave up- lost hope- became discouraged. A short time later when Paul and Barnabas were about to set out on another such missionary journey, Barnabas proposed to take John Mark along, and Paul was dead set against it, saying that Mark had shown himself undependable. Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second chance, and so he and John Mark went off on missionary journey alone, while Paul took Silas and went on another. Apparently John Mark responded well to the trust given him by the "son of encouragement," since we find that Paul later speaks of him as a valuable assistant (2 Tim 4:11; see also Col 4:10 and Phil 24).
a. Encouragers give people 2nd chances and desire to help people get back up who fail. They desire to see them grow through their failures and want to help them get back up.
b. He is “The Encourager” – Barnabas appreciates others – he sees the potential in others even after failure.
i. He is willing to risk so that others get second chances.
c. Information above gathered from http//justus.anglican.org
c. Encouragers like Barnabas seek to inspire others not deflate or berate others.
i. Quote: “Encouragement is the process of inspiring others to live with greater hope, confidence and determination.” Johnson, Aubrey (2010-12-15). The Barnabas Factor (Kindle Locations 88-89). Gospel Advocate Company. Kindle Edition.
1. Our hero of the faith Barnabas understood the value of encouragement in his relationship to others. He used it for strengthening individuals and churches in the Lord.
ii. Quote: “Encouragers make excellent friends, endearing family members, and highly productive employees. They also are extremely effective as Christians. Christianity is a relationship religion, and encouragement is the chief element in all good personal relationships.”
1. From Johnson, (Kindle Location 124).
d. Encouragement is not just something nice we should do it is actually a biblical ministry we should be partaking in with one another in the Body of Christ. Here are others in the Bible who practiced this:
i. Examples from the Bible of the ministry of encouragement:
1. Quote: “Moses, for instance, was commanded by God to encourage Joshua who was about to take his place as national leader of Israel. Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see (Deuteronomy 3:27-28).
a. From Johnson, (Kindle Locations 127-130).
2. Hezekiah spoke reassuring words to the discouraged people of Jerusalem during the siege of the city by the Assyrian King Sennacharib. Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah (2 Chronicles 32:6-8).
3. Paul was one of the greatest encouragers in New Testament times. Even in jail, he continually looked for opportunities to lift people’s spirits. Most notable was his letter-writing ministry to churches in Ephesus, Philippi and Colosse.
a. From Johnson, (Kindle Locations 131-137).
ii. Quote: “Scripture is filled with inspirational stories of men and women engaging in the ministry of encouragement. Just the mention of names such as David and Deborah gives hope to the weary. Prophets like Elijah and Elisha urged their countrymen to maintain a covenant relationship with God. The psalmists cheered the hearts of worshipers by centering their thoughts on the goodness and greatness of the Lord. The apostles devoted their lives to dispensing good news of forgiveness and abundant life in Christ. Clearly, the Bible was written and preserved as a source of encouragement for all ages.” From Johnson, Aubrey (Kindle Locations 141-145).
T.S. – We need to live up to the names that God has given us and be like Barnabas and become “The Encourager.” So you may be thinking how do I do this? Here are some examples of how you can do this!
II. How do we encourage others and not discourage them?
a. Fist we need to make sure we are not doing the wrong actions that cause discouragement and steal away encouragement:
i. Insensitivity. Encouragers have a tender side that helps them empathize with people’s feelings. Discouragers … are oblivious to the pain they inflict. Criticism is the most prevalent form of insensitivity. From Johnson, Aubrey (Kindle Locations 356-358).
1. “It only takes an instant for critics to drain a person of drive.” (Kindle Locations 358-359).
2. “Critics are discouragers who accomplish little that is constructive. Leaders are encouragers who inspire others to achieve positive ends.” (Kindle Locations 367-368).
3. “Sarcasm is one of the cruelest forms of insensitivity. It is excused as kidding, but the kernel of truth that makes it funny also makes it sting.” (Kindle Locations 368-369).
ii. Intimidation. Intimidation is another means of siphoning a person’s reservoir of courage. There are two senses in which intimidation can demoralize. The first is by browbeating or bullying another person until he is so afraid he can barely function… Domination is a variation of intimidation. It is the opposite of browbeating. In this situation, a person is pampered and protected to an extreme. The unspoken message is that the sheltered individual is incapable. As a result, he never develops coping skills and actually becomes dependent on others (Johnson, 370-372).
iii. Negligence. A final way to dishearten someone is simply to ignore him… Everyone wants to be noticed and appreciated. When a person feels overlooked, it will either dash his spirits or cause him to seek attention in less than desirable ways (Johnson, 377-378).
1. Summary of three points:
a. Quote: If insensitivity, intimidation and ignoring are ways to inhibit personal growth, then they can also provide insight into ways to encourage. Rather than criticize, compliment. Rather than browbeat, express belief. Establish realistic standards for others’ performance and affirm your confidence in their ability to function well. Instead of shielding, equip others with the tools and confidence needed to succeed. Instead of neglecting or overlooking people, acknowledge and appreciate them (Johnson, pg. 382-385).
b. There are many ways I have been encouraged in my life:
i. At New Life each year the church gave us notes with the following tag line to be completed by the kids, youth and adults: “What I appreciate about you Pastor Mike and Kathy.”
1. I still have all of these in a box – every once in a while I go back and read them to be encouraged.
ii. I have been encouraged through emails and discouraged through e-mails.
1. How do you use your e-mails?
iii. I have been encouraged through phone calls which come at a pinnacle moment in time – I had one like that about 2 weeks ago!
1. It was so encouraging!
iv. I have been encouraged through thank you notes or cards.
v. But I have also found spiritual things which encourage me because they connect me with the Lord:
1. I have been encouraged through my Faith in God
a. God has proven to be trust worthy for me. This encourages me.
b. He hears the cries of my heart. This encourages me.
c. As I step out in faith and He has shown his faithfulness to me. This encourages me.
d. I come to understand that God is for me not against me. This encourages me.
e. Knowing who I am in Christ. This encourages me.
f. Knowing I am loved by God is amazing and uplifting. This encourages me.
g. All these elements of encouragement build me up in my faith.
i. Are you being encouraged by immersing yourself in this new way of living in the spiritual realm?
2. I have been encouraged through Prayer – share about what Joyce Meyer said on TV this week:
a. Answered prayer this encourages me.
b. Praying through a trial and coming out the other end this encourages me.
c. Seeing prayer work and God intervene this encourages me.
d. Quote: Prayer is a second resource in times of discouragement. God asks His people to unload all their cares upon Him with full assurance that He hears, understands and acts in their behalf (1 Peter 5:7). He promises to bring good out of evil when adversity is met by faith (Romans 8:28). He pledges to provide strength to overcome any temptation (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) (Johnson, 390-393).
3. I have been encouraged through fellowship with God’s people.
a. I really believe God designed the church to be a large support group for one another. The people of the church have encouraged me – sadly sometimes they discourage me!
i. We are placed together in this church by God to build each other up! No where is Scripture are we to intentionally seek to discourage others!
b. When we come together corporately in this place it’s to instill and build courage in one another. This encourages me – yesterday at Brother Kraiss funeral the church came together and encouraged the Kraiss family – it was awesome to be a part of this!
c. We come to together to also nurture one another in words and acts of encouragement. Fellowship the Bible way encourages me!
d. I also find that Scripture says were two or more people are gathered in my name then I God am with them! This should encourage us.
i. God’s Presence encourages me – does it encourage you?
1. Quote: Robert Morris: There’s no replacement for real experience with God. You can be saved and know everything there is to know about Him, but until you experience His presence, your life will be incomplete.
a. From Smith, Alan (2012-02-03). Unveiled, The Transforming Power of God's Presence and Voice (Kindle Locations 92-93). Authority Press. Kindle Edition.
2. Every time I feel God’s presence especially in worship I am encouraged!
3. God’s presence is the best medicine for those who are discouraged.
4. Why do we place such an emphasis on worship here – because God uses worship to encourage people!
c. I found a list of how to encourage people on the internet: Here is a highlight of some of the ideas:
i. Loan a young person your keys. Or give him his own key.
1. I think a young person wrote this list!
ii. At a meeting before moving on to the next agenda item, stop to commend those who worked on the previous item.
iii. Write a personal letter or note card that an employee can take home or put in a personnel file.
iv. Commend the wisdom and helpfulness of a suggestion somebody has made, especially when the suggester has offered to be a part of a solution to a problem.
v. Explain that what inspired you to do some good thing was the other person’s example. “I brought coffee cake for the office because I see how much the staff enjoys it when you consistently do thoughtful things.”
vi. Don’t talk down to people; talk up to them. Consider them better than you. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
vii. Just as God decisively chose Paul in Acts 9, tell your spouse, “I chose you, and I still do.”
viii. Write to children. An enthusiastic and thankful mother of some youngsters wrote me after I had first written her young sons, thanking them for their hospitality in serving me a muffin when I visited their home for an interview related to child dedications at our church. To show the significance of my note (and stickers) sent to the boys, she quoted one of them as saying, “Tall men don’t usually send you letters.” It is hard to calculate the lasting effect of an affirmation given to a child.
ix. Loan something of value—books, camping gear, a car, a cabin, a boat—as a signal of your willingness to take a risk, having noticed something in the other person that elevates your confidence in her trustworthiness.
1. I think my brother In law wrote this one!
x. Think of something that is normally not praised, because it is simply expected—like refilling the soap dispensers in the church restrooms.
1. Customarily, those who have responsibilities for such things as refilling soap dispensers only hear from people when the dispensers are empty. Be the one to notice that they are not empty, and commend the faithfulness of the worker who serves others behind the scenes.
xi. In the next birthday card or Christmas card you send, include a personal note commending some Christlike quality you observe in the recipient.
xii. Commend someone for the (sensitivity, kindness, compassion, etc.) with which he treated a third party. You noticed, and so does God.
xiii. Shannon Archer, a mother of several young children in our church, affirms her own children by affirming all children who demonstrate certain character qualities, saying within earshot of her children, “I’m so pleased with children who put away their things (or speak kindly to their siblings, or …)” when she sees one of them behaving in that very way. Talking this way affirms the child in question, explicitly elevates the principle being taught and applied, and holds out hope to other children who might be eavesdropping that if they demonstrate the same kind of character, they too will please Mommy.
xiv. Get up from your chair, go to another room, seek out a person, and simply say something like, “I just came to say ‘hi’ (or ‘good morning,’ or ‘have a great day,’ or ‘I appreciate you for …’).” Admittedly, in some relationships that may seem forced, but it will generally be welcomed as a light-hearted affirmation of a person’s existence.
xv. Say, “I thank God for you.”
xvi. When asked to do a chore, consider saying something like, “Nothing would give me more pleasure right now than doing this for you.” Serving someone can be affirming of them.
xvii. Nominate someone for an office or post—based upon her integrity, dependability, or trustworthiness.
xviii. Ask someone’s advice.
1. Quote: Do you see? There is fruit to be harvested as a consequence of how we speak. God has designed speech in accordance with the law of the harvest: Reaping follows planting, the crop matches the seed sown, and the harvest is greater in quantity than the amount sown. Harvests and seeds: ends and means to ends. That’s the way God designed it. Speech yields reactions; therefore, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble” (Proverbs 21:23).
a. Adapted and taken from Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree, © 2011, pages 149-155. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.
d. Quote: Whenever two people come in contact with each other, they will never be the same. After any encounter, they leave either more encouraged or more discouraged. The good news is that you can consciously choose the impact you will have on those with whom you spend time. That is possible because God has provided human beings with the power to make constructive changes in their lives. Becoming a more encouraging person is simply a matter of choice. Personal growth is more likely to occur in a supportive atmosphere, and encouragers are committed to providing that kind of nurturing environment (Johnson, 170-174).
T.S. - A person who is an encourager helps people to develop the spiritual quality of courage. Courage in the spiritual realm helps people to grow and persevere through life as a Christian.
III. An encourager helps to build up courage in others.
a. Quote: Courageous men and women endure, bear up, tough it out, and keep on keeping on. They pursue personal ambitions and commitments when others have compromised their dreams and values (Johnson, 225-226).
i. Quote: More than anyone else, Christians should recognize that courage is needed on a daily basis. What should a person do when asked by the boss to falsify information on insurance forms? (Johnson, pg 229-230).
ii. Quote: It takes backbone to walk down an aisle and request baptism or the prayers of the congregation. It requires boldness for a Christian to share his faith with friends and co-workers. It takes mettle to contend for the faith against false teaching. Courage makes it possible for an individual to stand up for what he believes even when it is unpopular. Johnson, Aubrey (231-233).
b. Courage is a matter of the attitude and we can help encourage people to step out in courage rather than to yield to fear.
i. Quote: Courageous people expect adversity and perceive it as an opportunity to demonstrate faith and grow spiritually (James 1:1-12). They are confident of God’s presence in the midst of crisis and certain that His grace will be sufficient to sustain them. Believers are sure that no problem is bigger than their ability to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Christians are able to live courageously because of their faith in God’s promises contained in the Bible (Johnson, 248-251).
ii. Phil. 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
iii. Psalm 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
iv. This courage from the encourager produces not self-reliance but confidence in God.
1. Quote: Encouragers believe that the very struggle to persevere is the most satisfying and rewarding approach to life. They are convinced there is more to be gained by endurance than instability and by bravery than cowardice (Matthew 16:25) (Johnson, 265-267).
v. Quote: Courage enabled Abraham to heed God’s call and move his family from the metropolis of Ur to live as tent dwellers in a strange land. It was courage that empowered Noah to build an ark amid the taunts of townspeople who could not envision the coming flood promised by God. Courage gave David the confidence he needed to fight the Philistines’ champion in the valley of Elah. It was a shortage of courage that caused Aaron to give in to the mob’s demand to fashion new gods for Israel.”From Johnson, Aubrey (page 279-282)).
vi. Quote: “God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.” ADMIRAL CHESTER W. NIMITZ
c. We as God’s encouragers should seek to inspire others in their faith and their walk with the Lord.
i. Quote; Encouragement is the process of inspiring others to live with greater hope and courage (Johnson page 433).
1. On the other hand Discouragement is the Devils tool to steal hope, love and joy from Christians.
ii. The church should be an encouragement zone for people. The Devil has created false establishments to substitute for places like churches.
1. The church should know your name!
a. I remember watching “Cheers” and everyone would shout Norm when he came in. The bars are Satan’s substitute for church and having that personal connection.
2. The church should listen!
a. Everyone desires to connect with others, to be able to talk and have people listen and encourage them. Many bartenders interact with their customers and encourage them by just listening. This is the Devils cheap substitute for the church and its mission.
b. Quote: They listen in a way that makes people feel understood. They are patient and slow to judge. Encouragers take time for others and make them feel special. They rejoice in people’s personal victories and are sincerely excited for them. Because discouragers lack these qualities, their personalities tend to drive others away rather than draw them closer (Johnson, page 163-165).
3. The church should care for one another!
a. People are looking for someone who will care for them and they can care for others.
b. This is why people join service organizations.
c. This is why VFW’s are big.
d. This is why there are bars one every corner!
4. The church should be your support group!
a. Quote: Only the church can provide the encouragement needed to face reality rather than simply talking about it or escaping from it. (Johnson, Aubrey (446).
Conclusion:
Barnabas was “The Encourager” – He lives up to the meaning of His name and impacted many people for the Kingdom of God. His story was placed in the Bible by God to encourage us to be encouragers and to see what could happen if we choose this path in our lives,
The following quote from Johnson should really make us do a little soul searching this morning:
Encouragement is essential wherever there are people. The question is, “How can the various realms of life be made into encouragement zones?” The first thing to remember is that people can make the world a more encouraging place only to the extent that they themselves become more encouraging. Individuals should ask, “How do people feel as a result of being with me? Is my spouse happier because we have been together? Do my children look forward to seeing me? Do co-workers smile when I walk up? Do people come to me to talk about their hopes and dreams or why they are feeling down? Are those I come in contact with able to live their lives more positively and constructively because of our time together?”(Johnson, Aubrey , Kindle Locations 447-451).
Don’t let the Devil isolate you from those around you who can encourage you!
Johnson states, “That is why it is critical to attend the services of the church. The mid-week assembly is filled with opportunities to practice the ministry of encouragement. There is real power in fellowship to sustain weary souls in their struggle against worldliness. Handshakes and hugs impart strength. Joining together in prayer and songs of praise affirms faith. The announcements afford countless ministry opportunities that would otherwise be missed. The person who excuses his absence by remarking, “I don’t get anything out of it” is saying more about himself than the quality of the service.” (Johnson, Aubrey, Kindle Locations 462-466).
Hebrews 10:25: 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The writer of Hebrews warns us not to forsake the church but be a part of it because Jesus is leading it and using it to encourage His followers !
We also need to remember Jesus called the church, “my church” showing that it is not an idea of man but of God. Matthew 16:18.
Bonus Quote:
10 Reminders for Encouragers
1. Remember to encourage others the way you would want to be encouraged in their situation. “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
2. Remember that people are inclined to treat you the way you treat them. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
3. Remember that your time, talent and treasures are heavenly trusts for encouraging others. [A]ccording to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith (Philippians 1:20-25).
4. Remember to prize people above everything except faithfulness to God. Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).
5. Remember that every act of encouragement is an act of love for God. “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).
6. Remember that every act of encouragement is an act of love for Christ. “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).
7. Remember that one day you must account for every relationship God has placed in your care. “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
8. Remember that encouraging is a daily privilege and responsibility. “[B]ut exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
9. Remember that God encourages us so that we may encourage others. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
10. Remember that church assemblies are great opportunities to encourage. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). From Johnson, Aubrey (2010-12-15). The Barnabas Factor (Kindle Locations 523-550). Gospel Advocate Company. Kindle Edition.
