Let me illustrate…
Illus: This makes me think of a man who was known to be the ugliest man in his town. This man would walk to work each day, and he had to walk by a pet shop each day. And the owner of the shop placed a parrot outside of the pet shop on a stand to greet the people who walked pass the pet shop each day.
• But when this ugly man walked by the parrot would say to him “Mister, you are the ugliest man I have ever seen!” The man would get mad and walk on to work!
• The next day he walked by and the parrot said, “Mister, you are one ugly man!” He got mad and walked on.
• The next day he walked by and the parrot said, “Mister, you are the ugliest man that walk by each day!” He got mad and walked on.
• One day he decided to do something about the insults, and he talked to the store manager. The manager said, “I promise you I will do something about it.”
• The next day, he walked by the pet shop and the parrot looked at him, he said, “Hey Mister!” He stopped to listen and the parrot said, “Hey Mister…you know!”
We are all known for something!!!
Illus: For example, Ted Bundy is known to be one of the ruthless serial killers in American history.
He was known for two things:
(1) His Good Looks.
He was a nice-looking young man. Many believe this is how he was able to attract ladies to himself to kill them.
But also, for his…
(2) His Evil deeds.
He was a clean-cut serial killer that confessed to 28 killings, but other estimates indicate that he brutally killed as many as 33 to 100 female victims during the 1970's.
I mention this serial killer only to let you know that when we hear the name of Ted Bundy, we think of a ruthless serial killer.
You do not have to say a lot about some people. You just mention their name, and we know WHO THY ARE AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE!!!
But others we know when we hear their name have left a good legacy of themselves, such as…
• Michael Jordan,
• Abraham Lincoln,
• Martin Luther,
• Mark Twain,
What do all of these names have in common?
Well, the one thing that they all had in common is that they all left a good legacy of themselves.
What is a legacy?
It something that someone leaves behind to help future generations to remember them by.
Each of the names I said above left a legacy behind.
• Michael Jordan was one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. And we know when you mention his name he is said to be THE greatest basketball player of all time.
• Abraham Lincoln was one of many presidents of the United States so what makes him special.
Well he was president during the time of the Civil War in the US and wrote one of the most quoted speeches of all time the Emancipation Proclamation.
He was known for helping turn this country around in a time where we were fighting each other and creating freedom for African Americans living in the USA.
• Martin Luther the reformer is known for posting his 95 theses on a church door.
Why is that significant?
He was challenging the way religion was doing things back in the 1500s. Specifically the Catholic Church. He knew what they were doing was not right and he stood up and challenged them for what they were doing and broke off which created a domino effect of later people following in his footsteps to form the protestant movement.
• Mark Twain left behind a legacy he wrote things that are required reading in most schools, He is known as the father of American literature.
Each of these people left a legacy behind. Something for future generations to remember them by.
The Bible tells us that Jesus had a different kind of legacy, HE WAS KNOWN FOR GOING ABOUT DOING GOOD!
Look at Acts 10: 38, we read, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
This is how every child of God is to live his life.
Look at Eph. 4:32, we read, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
The Word of God teaches that we are to be KIND in our behavior ONE TO ANOTHER.
But God’s Word not only commands us to do this, but God also gives us an example in the life of Barnabas to show us how to live such a life.
Today, I would like to take a look at the life of Barnabas, so we can see why he earned the name, “Son of Consolation.”
Apparently, Barnabas had earned the reputation among the disciples of Christ as one who helped and encouraged others.
We see that in three ways of his life…
I. HE REACHED OUT
Barnabas was always reaching out to others:
A. HE REACHED OUT TO PAUL AFTER HE WAS CONVERTED
After Paul was converted, due to his past reputation everyone was afraid to give him a chance.
Before his conversion, this was the fellow who was actively trying to wipe Christianity from the face of the earth. NOW HE CLAIMED TO BE SAVED!
Many folks were not buying this!!!
They were skeptical. You can see why with the reputation Paul had before he got saved. They had a hard time believing he was truly saved. And with the reputation he had for hating Christianity, we can understand. There are some things hard to believe, and when the disciples heard that Paul had gotten saved, they were not buying it.
But Barnabas was the man that God used to REACH OUT TO PAUL when no one else would.
Look at Acts 9:26-27, we read, “And when Saul came 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.”
Barnabas came to Paul’s side and stood up for Him and told the others about this man’s amazing conversion. He stood up for one who desperately needed a friend.
Illus: There is a television commercial that I really enjoy watching. A young boy is at his locker at school talking to this young lady that he wanted to get a date with.
A couple big bullies are walking down the hall. They knocked the books out of another young man walking down the hall and walked away laughing.
But the young man across the hall talking to the girl saw this outlandish behavior. He stops talking to her, walks over and helps him pick up his books and gives him a big smile and a pat on back.
And the girl he was talking to looked at this young man kindness who he was talking to with great admiration.
That commercial represents what a Christian should do in a situation like this.
HE REACHED OUT TO SOMEONE IN NEED. That is exactly what Christ would have done in a situation like this!!!
When no one would give Paul a break, Barnabas did!!!
He reached out to Paul before he was saved.
B. HE REACHED OUT TO JOHN MARK WHO HAD FAILED THE LORD
Barnabas was always pulling for the underdog.
Look at Acts 15:36-41, we read, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.”
Apparently, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark were together on a missionary journey.
For some reason, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.
Look at Acts 13:13, we read, “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”
We do not know why John Mark left the missionary team.
We can speculate:
• Maybe he was frightened
• Maybe he was homesick
All we know is that he left the team.
Now, Paul and Barnabas are ready to go out again and Barnabas wants to take John Mark along to give him a second chance.
Paul disagreed, and he and Barnabas parted company.
From that time on:
• Paul takes Silas and goes out together
• Barnabas takes John Mark and goes out together
Because Barnabas gave this discouraged and defeated young man, John Mark, a second chance, his life as a servant of God was salvaged.
In fact, before Paul died in Rome, he requested that Mark be sent to him.
Look at 2 Tim. 4:11, we read, “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
It is believed that Paul had realized he made a mistake about John Mark, because he now wants him beside him.
Barnabas was the SON OF CONSOLATION, always ready to REACH OUT TO THE UNDERDOG!
Even more important is the fact that because Barnabas took the time to encourage a discouraged brother, Mark was used of the Lord to pen the Gospel of Mark which gives us an exciting account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We need this kind of Christian in the church today. We should do our best to make everyone who comes into this church building feel as if they belong here and are accepted just as they are.
This church (The First Baptist of Lykesland) is blessed with some JOHN MARK’S that go out of their way to greet our visitors each week letting them know we love them and glad they chose to worship with us.
A church cannot find enough of encouragers like Barnabas
WHY?
God is a God of a SECOND CHANCE.
Illus: Remember Jonah, and how he failed the Lord?
God gave him a second chance.
Look at Jonah 3:1-3, we read, “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.”
Why can’t we do the same for those around us?
HOW MANY TIMES ARE WE TO FOGIVE SOMEONE?
Illustrate: The phrase "forgive seventy times seven" refers to the idea of boundless forgiveness. It originates from a conversation between Jesus and Peter, where Peter asks how many times, he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus responds with this phrase, indicating that forgiveness should not be limited by a specific number.
Unlimited Forgiveness: The number symbolizes an infinite amount of forgiveness, suggesting that one should forgive repeatedly without keeping count.
Illus: We live in a world where people say, IF YOU DO THAT ONE MORE TIME, I AM GOING TO CLEAN YOUR CLOCK!!!
WE MUST LEARN TO REACH OUT and give people a second chance.
After all, look at all the chances God has given us.
We see that HE REACHED OUT
And –
II. HE REACHED UP
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, Barnabas loved people so much that he sold a piece of land and gave the money to the church to REACH OUT TO THE POOR.
Illus: Only a person who love God more than they love money will do such a thing.
Illus :In fact, his REACHING OUT seems to be what inspired Ananias and Sapphira to pretend to do the same thing to look good in the eyes of others. But here is the difference:
• Barnabas did what he did because he loved the Lord
• Ananias and Sapphira did what they did because they loved attention
(1) GOD HAS PROMISED TO BLESS US IF WE WILL REACH OUT TO OTHERS
The Lord said, in Matthew 10:42, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Did you know…
(1) WHEN WE REACH OUT TO OTHERS WE ARE REACHING OUT TO GOD
Matt. 25:38-45, we read, “When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
The Lord says when we do a good deed IN HIS NAME, it is the same as doing it to Him.
Let me explain…
Illus: If you want to do something for the Lord, DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR OTHERS IN HIS NAME.
Illus: One reason I like to support Samaritan Purse they always tell people it is done in THE NAME OF JESUS.
Illus: A man saw a man stranded on the side of the road. He had no car jack to change his tire. He stopped and assisted him. When he got through, he said, “Mister, I really appreciate you helping me out, I do not have much money with me, but I will be glad to give you what I have.”
The man said, “You do not owe me a thing, But I want to tell you something. If the Lord Jesus had not saved me and put a love in my heart for people, I would have passed you and never paid you any attention. So, you owe the Lord, not me!”
However, there are some folks who will not do you a favor it they had to.
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger says that he has heard a man say over and over again WHEN SOMEONE ASKED HIM FOR A FAVOR, he immediately say “YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME MONEY BEFORE I WOULD DO THAT!”
• Listen, there are things we have to do to make a living, and we cannot afford to give away our living.
• But there are also times we Christians do things simply because we LOVE THE LORD AND WE LOVE PEOPLE!
Barnabas actually sold a piece of land and gave the money to the church to help others who had less. The church today needs more men like Barnabas.
We see that
I. HE REACHED OUT,
II. HE REACHED UP
and –
III. HE REACHED IN
As Barnabas reached out to others and reached up to God, he was actually REACHING WITHIN HIMSELF.
He was building a legacy. Hundreds of years have come and gone and we are still talking about this man of God.
Wouldn’t you like your life to be remembered as that of an “encourager?”
There is such a great need for encouragers.
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger was preaching a revival at one of the local churches in Hendersonville, N.C.
He was visiting with one of elderly ladies that lived near the church that was having this revival.
She expressed to him how lonely she was and she would call someone just to hear the voice of another human.
He invited her to the revival meeting. And she said I have often hoped that someone from that that church would come and visit her.
Dr. Belger told the pastor of the church what she had said. She died with no one from that church ever coming to see her.
There is such a need today for God’s church to have some ENCOURAGERS LIKE BARNABAS!!!
WHERE IS THE BENEFIT IN THAT, YOU MAY ASK?
The benefit lies in the truth that when we make the changes necessary to become an “encourager,” –
• God will be glorified.
• Others will be edified
• We will be rewarded both in this life and when we arrive home in glory
When we DO GOOD TO OTHERS, we are building a LEGACY for being a “DO-GOODER!” When we leave this life, we will be greatly missed!
But this can be said of everybody…
It is bad to die having a LEGACY for living a life of evil.
Illus: Dr. Odell Belger said that in the mountains where he has a home to go to for rest on his days off, they have a fellow that lives up there that is known to be a troublemaker.
• Someone said, “I bet when he dies, his wife will have to hire some pall bearers to carry his casket to bury him.”
• Another man who knew him well said, “No, when he dies there is going to be a long list of volunteers more than willing to carry his casket to bury him.”
It is bad for a person to live their life in such a way that when they die, people are glad they are no longer among the living.
But men like Barnabas will be missed because of their kindness, tenderheartedness, and compassion.
Conclusion:
We have looked at the life of Barnabas.
I. HE REACHED OUT
II. HE REACHED UP
III. HE REACHED WITHIN
