Body language is used in nearly every aspect of daily life, and observing someone can sometimes tell you a lot about how a person is feeling and what is on their mind.
For example, in poker, people try to limit their body language to prevent others from guessing their hand or what they might do.
WHAT IS BODY LANGUAGE!
Body language is a type of communication in which physical behaviors, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey information.
Such behavior includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch.
Body language exists in both animals and humans.
For example, if you walk up to a dog and his tail is not wagging it might not be good to pet him. Through body language he is telling you he does not like you!!!
Body language is used in many ways:
For example it is used by businesses in hiring.
• Eye contact: For example if a person is being interviewed for a job the personnel manager will use Eye Contact to see if a person is qualified. If a person does not have good eye contact they are not a good candidate for a person who will have to deal with people.
• Hand Shake: While shaking hands especially in a professional environment, the hand shake should be firm and not loose.
• Crossing your Arms: Crossing your arms could imply that a person is not open to new ideas / opinion especially in case of giving a presentation. ...
Although body language is an important part of communication, most of it happens without conscious awareness.
Illus: Tapping Your Fingers. When you tap your fingers, you appear impatient and possibly nervous about waiting.
Body "language" must not be confused with sign language: sign languages are literally languages: they have (their own) complex grammar systems, and they also are able to exhibit the fundamental properties that are considered to exist in all (true) languages.
Body language, on the other hand, does not have a grammar system and must be interpreted broadly.
One writer famously said that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, and many experts believe that the face conveys six emotions universally recognized around the world, SUCH AS:
1) Surprise,
2) Fear,
3) Disgust,
4) Contempt,
5) Anger,
6) Sadness
The face has great power to move and motivate an audience.
Illus: A school teacher found one of her students making faces at others on the playground.
• She scolded him saying, "Johnny, when I was a child, I was told if that I made ugly faces, it would freeze my face and my face would be an ugly face the rest of my life!"
• Johnny looked up and replied, "Well, teacher, you can't say you weren't warned."
Illus: Helen of Troy was once described as, “The face that launched a thousand ships.” The beauty conveyed through her face was so compelling that armies of Greek men were inspired to go to war.
Illus: One man said recently I got a seat at a busy restaurant but the food was not that great, but the waitress’s smile was completely engaging.
By the time I paid my bill, I had forgotten about the food and could only remember how welcome she had made me feel.
Illus: One thing that the singers who sing for Bill Gaither that has made them so popular is the smile on their faces as they sing. As you look at the smile on their faces you know they are enjoying the song so the listeners can relax and enjoy the song.
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger and his wife had to stop at one of the medical centers to give blood. As they set waiting a young lady was coughing terrible.
Dr. Belger said as I set there I thought I wish I had a cough drop I could give to her but I did not have any.
I was listening to a church service that was streaming and a young man was singing a beautiful song. But you would never know it by body language because his face looked like he was having gall bladder attack.
As I watched him I wish I had a pill that would make him smile.
Illus: One thing that has made Chic Filea so successful is the employees are train to smile when the customer ask for something they say with a smile “MY PLEASURE”
Reason that some folks love to attend some churches is because when you walk in these churches someone greet you with a smile and they are delighted that you came to worship the Lord with them.
We do not know how accurate BODY LANGUAGE is, but if it is accurate as you look at some worship services on television they appear to be miserable.
Again, “If everybody in this church was like me what kind of church would this be?”
The New Testament church had some fantastic church members. They were truly born again!
For example, Barnabas was the kind of fellow that every pastor wishes he had a church full of such people.
Let’s look at this man’s life and ask God to help us to become like him.
WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS HE?
We see -
I. HE SACRIFICED FOR OTHERS
Look at Acts 4:36-37, we read, “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.”
Notice, the Bible tell us that Barnbas had some land, sold it and what did he do with it?
He brought the money and laid it at the apostle feet to help the poor in Asia Minor.
• Today in most churches when we take up tithes and offering we have ushers that past the plate among the congregation.
• During the New Testament time the offering and tithes were received differently.
The believers got up out of their seats and brought their offerings and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
Some churches still use this practice and we are told that people give better using this public method.
But in this passage of scripture what is important is what Barnabas had done.
He was a church member that sacrificed for others.
Poor churches in Asia Minor needed food, and financial help.
He was the kind of Christian that wanted to do something about it.
He sold a piece of land that he owned and gave the money to the church so they could help the poor.
• He believed in what Acts 20:35 teaches: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"
• He believed in what Luke 6:38 teaches: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Barnabas gave because he cared for these people. He gave sacrificially from a heart of love.
Some give for other reasons!
Illus: Speaking of giving sacrificially, a Baptist preacher just finished his sermon for the day and proceeded toward the back of the church for his usual greetings and handshaking as the congregation left the church.
After shaking a few adult hands he came upon the seven-year-old son of one of the Deacons of the church.
• "Good morning, Jonathan," the preacher said as he reached out to shake Jonathan's hand.
• As he was doing this he felt something in the palm of Jonathan's hand. "What's this?" the preacher asked.
• "Money," said Jonathan with a big smile on his face, "It's for you!"
• "I don't want to take your money, Jonathan," the preacher said.
• "I want you to have it," said Jonathan. After a short pause Jonathan continued, "My daddy says you're the poorest preacher we ever had and I want to help you."
Barnabas gave sacrificially. Barnabas gave out of a compassionate heart.
He sacrificed what he could use for himself, and he gave it to the poor.
Illus: Ananias and Sapphira gave to be seen.
If everyone had been like Barnabas, the church would have been filled with good Christians that were willing to sacrifice for others.
WHAT IS SACRIFICIAL GIVING?
Sacrificial giving is giving beyond our means.
• It’s no secret that we are part of a generation known for living beyond our means.
• What would happen if we all determined to change one letter in that phrase? From living beyond our means to giving beyond our means?
Let me say it this way: If your giving to the Lord does not hurt, or infringe upon the comfort level of your lifestyle, then it’s not sacrificial.
Illus: Barnabas probably thought of a number of things he could have done when he sold that land. BUT HE SACRIFICED WHAT HE WANTED FOR WHAT OTHERS NEEDED.
These christians were suffering and he sacrificed on their behalf.
If your giving does not stretch you, and stress your faith, then it most likely is not sacrificial.
Remember, faith is a muscle. If you never go to the gym then don’t expect to be able to bench press more than 100 pounds.
With that analogy in mind, if you’re unwilling to take the risk of stretching your faith then your spiritual growth will be stunted, and eventually your faith muscle will never develop.
SOME HAVE NEVER GIVEN SACRIFICIALLY!!!
We see that HE WAS A GOOD BUDDY IN THAT HE SACRIFICED FOR OTHERS and -
II. HE LOOKED FOR THE GOOD IN OTHERS
Look at Acts 9:26-27, we read, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”
Thank God for those like Barnabas in our life.
Barnabas looked for the good in mankind. This kind of people makes excellent church members because they are excellent Christians.
Illus: Andrew Carnegie said, “No man can become rich without himself enriching others.”
He went on to live this philosophy, as evidenced by the forty-three millionaires he had working for him.
A reporter interviewing Mr. Carnegie asked how he was able to develop these men to become so valuable? How was he able to pay them so much that they became millionaires?
Mr. Carnegie replied: “You develop people in the same way you mine for gold. When you mine for gold, you must literally move tons of dirt to find a single ounce of gold. However, you do not look for the dirt — you look for the gold.”
We need to look for the gold in others!
Illus: Paul Harvey became very famous in giving the news. But he is famous because he informs his listeners of the bad things that are happening around the world, and he also informs them of the good things that are happening.
He could go out into the world each day and look for bad things to report, but he has found out that people appreciate him looking for good things to report as well.
Barnabas looked for the good in others, and when people were not convinced that Paul had been truly converted, he looked for the good in his life and saw it.
We see that HE WAS A GOOD BUDDY in that…
• HE SACRIFICED FOR OTHERS,
• HE LOOKED FOR THE GOOD IN OTHERS and -
III. HE ENCOURAGED OTHERS
In Acts 11:25-26, we read, “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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.”
Barnabas’ name meant, “Son of Encouragement”
Illus: The manager of a large office noticed a new man and asked him to come into his office.
• "What’s your name?" he asked the new guy.
• "John," the new guy replied.
• The manager said, "Look... I don’t know what kind of a place you worked at before, but I don’t call anyone by their first name. It breeds familiarity and that leads to a breakdown in authority. I refer to my employees by their last name only ... Smith, Jones, Baker ... that’s all. I am to be referred to only as Mr. Robertson. Now that we got that straight, what is your last name?"
• The new guy said, "Darling. My name is John Darling."
• The manager said, "Okay John, you can go back to your job now!"
Barnabas’ name certainly fitted him well. He helped people and encouraged people.
He was not like some that walk around with a tally sheet in their hand saying, “Let’s see, I am not going help so and so because they have never helped me! But so and so spent $10.00 on me and I will spend $10.00 on them.”
Barnabas was not stingy!!!
Illus: Barnabas was like the two Texas oilmen that walked into a Cadillac dealer and priced a top model Caddy.
• The salesman said, "That model sells for $75,000."
• "I’ll take it," said the first Texan as he reached for his checkbook.
• The other Texan grabbed his hand and said, "No, let me get it. You bought lunch today."
Now that’s what I call REALLY BEING NICE!
But obviously, that’s not how most of us could help someone, BUT WE COULD DO IT IN OTHER WAYS!
Barnabas arrived and saw how God was working in Paul’s life, and how none of the Christians would have anything to do with him because they were afraid of him.
How encouraging it must have been for Barnabas to walk up to him and introduce himself as a brother in the Lord.
When you encourage others in their relationship to Christ you ARE encouraging them to remain true to the Lord. You are doing a good work. Keep it up....
We see that HE WAS A GOOD BUDDY…
• HE SACRIFICED FOR OTHERS,
• HE LOOKED FOR THE GOOD IN OTHERS,
• HE ENCOURAGED OTHERS and –
IV. HE INFLUENCED OTHERS
In Acts 11:25-26, we read, “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 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.”
Notice that he was a man that INFLUENCED OTHERS and he influenced them for the better. We have so many today that are influencing others in a wrong way.
In 1 Cor. 15:33, we read, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
It means that we have to be careful of the people we hang out with because they will rub off on us.
This is so true among our young people. Many of them have chosen bad role models to follow.
Illus: For example, Britney Spears is a leader and a teacher of what “not to do.”
Recently a judge issued an order taking her kids away from her. And it was a good ruling!
WHY? Because she is a terrible person and a terrible mother. She frequently go bar hopping, partying and she doesn’t want to do anything anybody tells her. She’s rebellious!
The L.A. County Commissioner, Scott Gordon, ordered Spears to do a number of things in order to maintain 50/50 custody.
• Spears was ordered to meet with a drug counselor -- she didn’t do it.
• Spears was ordered to submit to drug testing -- she didn’t do it.
• Spears was ordered to enroll in parenting classes – she didn’t do it.
• Spears was also required to sign the judge’s order -- again, she didn’t.
She is a bad example to her two little boys, and also to millions of young girls. And we hope that they learn from her what not to do in life.
Bad company that influenced them to do evil has destroyed people’s lives.
Illus: Every pastor has seen people in the church that had great potential. Some of these people never were developed to their full potential because they started hanging out with someone that was always negative, and they pulled them down.
Some people’s lives are a mess, and if you associate with them, they will take you down the drain with them!
God wants to use us like Barnabas, to reach out to help people, not pull them down!
Prov. 27:17 says, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Have you sharpened anybody lately? Have you influenced anyone for good and for the Lord?
• What’s the greatest good that we can do for anyone in life?
• It is to lead someone to Christ so they can eventually go to heaven.
Brothers and sisters, we need to do all we can to influence others for Christ. We need to point people to Christ and His church! Barnabas influenced people for Christ.
Conclusion:
Illus: Allan Emery had an experience that made a deep impression upon him. His father received a call saying a well-known Christian had been found at a certain place, drunk on the sidewalk. Immediately his father sent his chauffeured limousine to pick the man up, while his mother prepared the best guestroom. My friend watched wide-eyed, as the beautiful covers were turned down on the exquisite, old, four poster bed, revealing the monogrammed sheets.
"But, mother," he protested, "he’s drunk. He might even get sick."
"I know," his mother replied kindly, "but this man has slipped and fallen. When he comes to, he will be so ashamed. He’ll need all the loving encouragement we can give him."
It was a lesson the son never forgot.
Barnabas brought this kind of compassion into the church.
HE WAS A GOOD BUDDY! HOW ABOUT YOU?
Only God knows the impact that this ONE MAN MADE ON THE NEW TESTATMENT CHURCH.
I. HE SACRIFICED FOR OTHERS
II. HE LOOKED FOR THE GOOD IN OTHERS
III. HE ENCOURAGED OTHERS
IV. HE INFLUENCED OTHERS
YOUTUBE – You can hear this sermon preach on youtube.
Type Youtube - Lykesland
