BECOME A MOTIVATOR
MAIN TEXT: HEBREWS 3:13
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
1 CORINTHIANS 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
In today’s lesson, let us examine the life of this man whom the Bible calls the son of consolation. Barnabas is an apostle whose presence to every scene during the apostles’ days affects positive change.
Barnabas appeared from nowhere at the time the apostles were facing a hard time, no job, intense persecution, loss of homes and income. His first act was that he sold his land and distributed the money to the apostles. This he did to encourage them to continue trusting God and move forward in their faith. (Acts 4:36-37).
He took two big risks with people to prove that he is a real friend. The first risk was that he took Saul whom everyone knew as a notorious killer. Even when NOBODY believed the testimony of Saul yet Barnabas risked believing Saul and convinced the brethren to trust Saul (Acts 9:26-27). What a great friend Barnabas was?
Second, he determined to move on with John Mark even in his weaknesses (Acts 15:36-41). While Paul could not tolerate John Mark’s behaviour, Barnabas was ready to break fellowship with Paul in order to believe in John Mark.
Eventually, John Mark was used by God to write the gospel of Mark. Paul even publicly admitted that John Mark was a blessing to him, after many years (2 Timothy 4:11).
Barnabas was the apostle that noticed that the new church in Antioch needed a competent spirit-filled man to handle it. He travelled to Tarsus and brought Paul (Acts 11:22-26). For the whole year people enjoyed the fellowship.
Barnabas never wrote a book in the Bible but he motivated Mark and Paul who did.
Beloved, I know you’ve learnt a lot from the life of Barnabas today. What about you? Decide today to be among the Barnabas of our time who risks their reputation on people who have been given up on.
BUILD UP PEOPLE AND DON’T TEAR THEM DOWN.
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-17, 1 TIMOTHY 2:7.
