The Unsung Hero Of The Early Church
Acts 4:36-37
I never truly appreciated Barnabas, and his contributions to the church, and the cause of Christ until the last week. I am now convinced that Barnabas is the unsung hero of the early church. The first thing that you’ll notice about Barnabas is that his real name was Joseph.....the name Barnabas was given to him by the Apostles, and I think for good reason.
The name given to him had great meaning and gives us a sneak preview of the character, and qualities of this unsung hero.
Barnabas means “son of encouragement”. Barnabas was a source of encouragement. All of us need encouragement......but not all of us give encouragement.
I watched them tear a building down;
A band of men in a busy town.
With a `HO-HEAVE-HO’ and a lusty yell;
They swung a beam and a sidewalk fell.
I asked the foreman, `Are these men skilled?
And the men you’d hire if you had to build?’
He gave a laugh and said, `No indeed!
Common labor is all I need.
I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken a year to do.’
And I thought to myself as I went on my way,
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care?
Measuring life by the rule and square?
Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan,
Patiently doing the best I can?
Or am I a wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down?
One thing that is desperately needed in our church today are some encouragers. Let me share some reasons why Barnabas was, and is such an encouragement, and why he is the “unsung hero of the early church”.
1. Barnabas sacrificed his fortune.
Acts 4:36-37
Barnabas was from Cyprus. He owned land on this beautiful island. The island was famous for its vineyards, wheat, oil, and figs. John Phillips refers to Cyprus as the “secular Canaan”. It was a fruitful land. To own land there one had to be rich, and influential. Yet, Barnabas surrendered his fortune. When he heard, and saw the needs of the early church......he sold his land, and brought the money and laid it at the apostle’s feet. By doing so, Barnabas was declaring that he would live a life of faith. He was answered the call of God, stepping out by faith in the direction that God was pointing him. I have always been greatly inspired by missionaries who answer the call of God to a foreign field, and leave behind their fortune ! It is such a blessing to see those whom God has blessed with the ability to give......give sacrificially. I know that not all of us have to give as did Barnabas. We may not be able to give the amount that he did.....but what a blessing it is to be able to give what we can to the Lord.....to take part in his service.
2. Barnabas supported the friendless. Acts 9:26-27
Paul had been saved for three years...notice.....the Jews believe in conversion and are trying to kill him as a result, but the church want let him inside the door because they don’t believe he has been geuninely saved. The disciples feared him. Yet, Barnabas belived the Lord, he believed that God could save someone like Saul and change him into Paul. He had heard him preach the gospel......it was evident to Barnabas that Paul had been saved. Barnabas showed remarkable courage, and confidence. He was willing to take a chance, and give someone a chance when no one else would. Sometimes all folks need is a chance ! Sometimes we’re not willing to give people a chance. Sometimes all folks need is for someone to believe in them ! Barnabas believed in God, and believed in what the Lord had done in his life. Though we hear little of Barnabas, and much of Paul.....it was Barnabas that God used to get Paul started. Can you imagine what could have happened if Barnabas had turned his back as well ? There are some folks in our community that are friendless......because of some things they’ve done, the way they’ve lived in the past......mistakes made......no one wants them ! They are shunned, desserted, forsaken, abandoned. Will you let God use you to reach the friendless ?
3. Barnabas strengthened the flock.
Acts 11:22-30
Word now reaches the church in Jerusalem that many gentiles in Antioch have been saved. The church nominates Barnabas to go down, and check things out. Look at the way God uses Barnabas.
a. He was exemplary.
The church was wise in sending Barnabas. He was a good man, and spirit filled, and a man of faith.
b. He was excited.
When Barnabas saw what God was doing in Antioch among the gentiles....he was glad ! He rejoiced ! He was excited !
c. He was encouraging.
d. He was evangelistic.
Barnabas encourages them to continue in the faith ! Oh...how we need some more Barnabas’ in the church today. Some folks that will be exemplary in character, excited about what God is doing, and encouraging to folks to stay the path, and evangelizing the lost.
4. Barnabas shuns the fame.
Acts 11:25-26
Perhaps the thing that I admire most about Barnabas is his complete willingness to take a backseat, to play second fiddle, to stand in the shadows.
God had not only used Barnabas to strengthen the believers, but to win the lost. The church at Antioch was booming ! Barnabas could have just laid back and basked in the sunlight....but that wasn’t his nature. He realizes that he needs help, and he’s not afraid to ask for it or to seek it out !
Who does he go for ? He searches for Saul ! He recognizes the hand of God on Saul’s life ! He sees the purpose of God ! He knows that Saul can do some things that he can’t do. He’s not afraid of letting someone else in on what God’s doing !
Alexander Whyte commenting on this event says......” To have the heart to discover a more talented man than yourself, and then to have the heart ot go to Tarsus for him, and to make way for him in Antioch, is far better than to have all Saul’s talents to yourself......Speaking for myself.....I would far rather have a little of Barnabas grace than have all of Saul’s genius.
Spurgeon said.....” It takes more grace than I can tell, To play the second fiddle well.
5. Barnabas surrendered to follow.
The church at Antioch having been spoken to by the Spirit of God now ordains Barnabas, and Saul for missions. Barnabas could have argued....he could have protested.
I want to stay here......God has used me greatly here......Remember all that I’ve done here......I’ve instructed you.....I’ve encouraged you......I’ve helped the church to grow, and expand. Why should I go now ?
This wasn’t Barnabas.....remember he is a good man, filled with the Spirit of God. He is totally surrendered to the Lord’s will. He wanted to be where God wanted him to be. Though it meant greater sacrifice........so be it for the cause of Christ !
6. Barnabas stated the facts.
Acts 13:13-52
When Barnabas, and Paul came to Antioch, they went into the synagogue....after the reading of the law, and prophets, they were allowed to speak. Paul used this occassion to preach a powerful, pointive sermon.
Barnabas, and Paul were convinced to stay, and speak to them again. When a great multitude showed up to hear the gospel preached, the Jews became envious, and jealous. They began to speak out against Barnabas, and Paul.
Again, Barnabas’ courage, character, and convictions come on strong V46
Barnabas stands by the facts of the word of God.
7. Barnabas stood by a failure.
Acts 15:37-39
Acts 13:13
It is widely held that Mark had gotten homesick, and had returned home from his work with Paul and Barnabas. For whatever reason, it is possible that this struck a nerve with Paul, and when Barnabas wanted to carry Mark with them on their return visit to the churches, and areas where they had first preached Paul refused to take him. Mark had failed.....he had deserted them on their first trip, and Paul evidently looked at him as being a hindrance at this time.....contention became so great that they departed. Barnabas went with Mark returning to Cyprus.
Don’t know all the reasons.....but in the long run........Paul would once again see Mark as a help, and would consider him a co-laborer. Barnabas stood by a failure.....he lifted him up........he shouldered him, and sheltered him. How do we treat those who fail ? What would have happened with John Mark if Barnabas had went with Paul, and left him on his own.
Oh....how we need some folks today that will be encouragers.....we need some people who lift one another up through prayer, and practice of Godly Christian living !
Will you allow God to use you as a Barnabas ?
