BE A BARNABITE
INTRODUCTION: The devil once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly shaped tool, which was labeled "Not for sale." Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, "I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it, I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a person's heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire." We can all be subject to discouragement. There are many things in life that cause us to experience the draining of courage. Sometimes it's a crisis, sometimes it's simply tiredness or sickness, or sometimes it's the cutting words or actions of another person. There is a story about a pastor leaving a church. At his farewell dinner, he tried to encourage one of the pillar members, "Don't be so sad. The next pastor might be better than me." She replied, "That's what they said last time, but it keeps getting worse." When our courage has been depleted, encouragement is the replenishment of courage. It represents the putting back what has been taken or that which has leaked out of us. The OT word for encouragement means to strengthen. To encourage is to inspire, to lift someone’s spirits, to instill hope. Let’s take a look at someone who did just that.
Barnabas actually means "Son of Encouragement" (son of exhortation-the giving of earnest encouragement. Son of consolation-comfort, solace, relief, support). It wasn’t just a name it was his character. His name matched his most outstanding characteristic. What if our name matched our most outstanding characteristic? That might be embarrassing.
1) What do we know about Barnabas?
• He was generous (Acts 4:36-37). He used his resources to bless and encourage those in need. One of the ways we encourage others is by being generous.
• He looked at the positive characteristics of people (Acts 9:26-28). Barnabas focused on the changes that had taken place in Saul. He was able to persuade the Apostles to believe in how he was presenting Saul. Barnabas was able to see what people had become, not what they were. If we are going to be encouraging we need to be able to focus on people’s positive characteristics. We focus on how they have changed and what they have become, not on who they were before.
• He was focused on discipleship (Acts 11:22-26). Barnabas had a heart for the new Christians. He wanted to teach them and inspire them to stick with it; to persevere. If we are going to be encouragers we need to help fellow believers to stay true to the Lord. We will encourage them to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• He encouraged people to repent (Acts 14:11-15). Barnabas was offended at sin. He could’ve been swept up in the honor placed on him but he knew it was wrong. He wanted to discourage that and encourage them to turn from their worthless things and turn to the one and only God. To be an encourager we need to discourage wrong behavior and encourage right behavior. Discourage sin and encourage holiness. In the book, “Who’s Who in the NT” under the section about Barnabas it finishes with, “It may be said that without the sympathy and encouragement of Barnabas, the vital contributions of Paul and Mark to the Christian faith and the NT might never have been made.” Encouragement goes a long way in accomplishing the work of God.
2) So how do we do it? What are some practical ways that we can be 'Barnabites'?
• Be a comforter. The NT word for encouragement means to COMFORT. Being an encourager means we sympathize and empathize and look for that kind word that will cheer them up. We acknowledge the sorrow, anxiety and fear that people have as real, and encourage them despite those fears. We comfort them where they’re at and then, when the time is right, we encourage them and help them to find the strength to move forward. Many times a word of strength or comfort has kept a person on their feet. We can encourage people in such a way and to such a degree that they are willing to go back out into life and deal with the ongoing storm or be able to allow God to pick up the pieces of the wreckage and bring good from the storm. Proverbs 12:25, "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Another definition of encourage is to cheer on or up. I like that. If I'm encouraging you, I'm either cheering you on or cheering you up. This is a story from someone who had a personal encounter with Babe Ruth. In trying to obtain an autograph from Babe Ruth, I couldn't have selected a more inappropriate time. It was a balmy evening in May 1935. Earlier that day, the great home-run slugger had struck out three times while playing for the Boston Braves against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The fans had booed him unmercifully. I went to the Babe's hotel in Pittsburgh that night and phoned him from the lobby. "I collect autographs," I told him. "Are you sure you want my autograph?" he grunted. I assured him I most definitely did. So the Babe gave me his room number and invited me up. When I entered the room I was saddened to see the "king of swat" wearing an old blue robe, lying on the couch, the picture of dejection. He was then 40 years old, and his career was just about over. He signed his autograph beneath his picture in my book, then looked up and said, "I feel terrible. Not only did the fans boo me, but some idiot spat on me. I guess the cheap blankety-blank was mad because he paid to see me hit a home run." I tried to console the big slugger by saying, "Forget today. Tomorrow's another day. I have enough confidence in you that tomorrow you'll be the hero of the game." "Do you really mean that, kid?" he said, sitting up. When I said that I did, he went on, "Well, I'll be, I'm going to autograph this baseball, too. It was used in batting practice." I went home that evening thinking about the Babe and hoping that my prediction would come true. The next afternoon I anxiously tuned in the game. Babe Ruth was making a comeback. He hit three home runs, his second being the only ball ever hit over the right field grandstand at Forbes' Field. He was the hero once again. Those three homers (numbers 712, 713, and 714) turned out to be the last in Babe Ruth's illustrious career. He retired from baseball just eight days later.” Prov. 25:11, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” A timely word of encouragement can make all the difference.
• Affirm the capability that you see in other people. 1st Thess. 5:11, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." People who are encouragers see the growing competency in other people and they affirm it or express their support. “In 1491 and early 1492, Christopher Columbus had been to the rulers of Italy, Portugal and Spain, seeking support for his voyage of discovery. All had turned him down. As he was leaving the castle of King Ferdinand of Spain after being refused again, legend has it that a man on horseback raced after him & called him back. Queen Isabella had offered to sell her royal jewels to finance the trip. You know the rest of the story! The queen noticed the capabilities of Columbus and offered the resources and the encouragement needed so he could press on with his voyage and eventually discover America.” To be an encourager we need to notice and acknowledge the potential we see in others.
• Point people to the "opportunities" side of a problem. Surrounding every dark and gloomy cloud there is always a silver lining. Whatever the Devil means for our harm God can turn around and use for our good or for his glory. The person with a Barnabas-type disposition sees problems as opportunities not as disasters. In 1782, Charles Simeon was appointed pastor of Trinity Church in England. But the many in the congregation did not want Simeon they wanted Brother Hammond to be their pastor. But the Bishop in charge insisted on Simeon as pastor of the church. The first thing the congregation did in rebellion was to refuse Simeon to be the afternoon lecturer. They assigned the afternoon lecture to Hammond. And when Hammond left five years later, they gave it to another man for the next 7 years. Simeon tried to start a later service on Sunday evenings but the pew holders refused to come and locked their pew doors so that no one could sit in their personal pews. So, he had to set up chairs in the aisles and in the corners so that those who came could sit. This went on for 12 years. What was it that kept Charles Simeon going forward in the midst of this most discouraging situation? While many did not want him, some did. While many did not come, some did. While many were unaffected by his ministry, many were. While much was discouraging, he saw hope in the situation." Charles Simeon had Barnabas eyes to see the positive side of a difficult situation. We can dwell on the negative and be discouraged or we can focus on the positive and be encouraged. A Barnabite sees the opportunities side of a problem.
• Be committed to Christian community. According to the New Testament, to have an encouragement mind set means having a high value on belonging to the community of faith. Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let 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." One of the ways we encourage each other in the Christian faith is to gather together with fellow believers. To stay apart or to not relate with fellow Christians has the opposite affect to encouragement. It leads to discouragement. Coming together with fellow Christians and being part of Christian community encourages fellow believers with their walk with the Lord. Like two burning hot coals within a fireplace, each gives off and each receives heat from the other. Separate the two coals and they both go out very quickly. Unfortunately, the dominant attitude is "What's in it for me?" Hebrews 10:25 suggests that there is another reason for being in community with other Christians. Apparently, it's not only what I get out of it, but more importantly, what I am able to give to other people. If I have a low view of community and gathering for corporate worship or fellowship is not just about me missing out, it’s also about me robbing other people of what I am capable of giving them. It’s not just me and Jesus but more so, we and Jesus. This is the mindset of an encourager.
3) We've looked at how we can be 'Barnabites'. So, where do we begin to be 'Barnabites'? Where can we put encouragement into practice?
• At home. (l) Express appreciation for a quality your spouse has. (2) Compliment each of your children about something they do well or an area they are improving in. A study was done by psychologist Dr. Henry H. Goddard, on energy levels in children. He used an instrument he called the "ergograph." He found that when tired children are given a word of encouragement, the ergograph shows an immediate upward surge of new energy. When the children are criticized and discouraged, the ergograph shows their physical energy take a sudden nose-dive. Those results could probably be duplicated in adults. When we are encouraged, our energy levels go up. When we are criticized, our energy levels go down. Encouragement starts at home.
• At work. (1) Encourage your boss by thanking him or her for handling things well. Compliment your boss on what he or she does well. (2) If you are the boss, express appreciation to those under you. Recognize their progress. (3) Encourage your co-workers by highlighting their asset to the company and their work ethic.
• Among each other. (1) Pray for them, and mention, "I prayed for you." (2) Be a good listener when they share; respond with a summary of what they said. (3) When someone does something well, let them know you noticed. A little encouragement can go a long way in a lot of ways. Let’s go out and be a Barnabite today.
