JUST ONE OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS
Acts 11:22-26
Act 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Act 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Act 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Act 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Act 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Act 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Act 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Act 11:26 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.
A. There are many great unsung hero’s of faith in the Bible. Men and women who worked in the shadow of great men of God and made there ministry possible. I think we will all be surprised when we get to the Judgment Seat of Christ - who it is that will receive the great rewards. Don’t ever forget that God is the one who is keeping the record. Not even a cup of cold water goes unrewarded.
B. BARNABAS is truly one of the great unsung heros of faith. He worked in the shadow of the Apostle Paul. You hear a great deal about Paul’s ministry but not much about Barnabas.
C. WHO WAS BARNABAS? Well, we know a lot more than you might think when we really look at what the Bible has to say about him. The Word of God paints a picture of a wonderful life that was lived in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
* His name was Joseph (means, one who increases) a getter-aheader. They nicknamed him Barnabas (one who encourages others).
* He was a devout Jew - raised in a devout Jewish family.
* He was a wealthy (with worldly goods) man before he came to Christ.
* He was one of the first ones saved in Jerusalem after our Lord’s ascension.
T/S There seems to be 15 things the Lord points out in the life of this dedicated Man of God. (Now don’t panic, I am not going to dwell on all 15, just 14 of them) Ha!
1. HE GAVE HIS ALL WHEN CAME TO CHRIST.
Acts 4:36,37 (He sold all that he had and laid it at the apostles feet).
A. He Sold out to Christ. This is where most people have their problem. We want to have Jesus but we want to hold onto the world. (Jesus told the man - "Arise and take up your pallet and walk". To many people want to follow Jesus but keep their pallet reserved by the pool just in case it doesn’t work out. They want to get out of Egypt but not so far they can’t get back to the leeks and garlic and melons if they need to.
2. HE WAS AN APOSTLE. Verse 22. and they sent forth Barnabas
A. In every passage you read about this man, he is being sent forth and going. He was sent forth by the Jerusalem church – He was sent forth to find Saul of Tarsus. He was sent forth by the Antioch church - He was sent forth by the Holy Spirit. He was truly a missionary.
B. History teaches us the first century church was a going forth origination. They built the first church building in the 3rd century and Christians went in and set down and have been setting ever since.
C. The commission say, "As you are going . . . . .."
One of the great verses about the first century church is found in Acts 8:4, "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."
D. The great misunderstanding of the 20th century church is that some how we have got the idea that when we come in and set in the church that is our service to God. No, we come together to worship - the fields are out there in the world.
SIGN: COME IN TO WORSHIP - GO OUT TO SERVE.
3. HE WAS ABLE TO SEE GOD IN THE SITUATIONS OF LIFE. Verse 23
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came,{ and had seen the grace of God,}
A. Let me tell you that if you want to make it in the work of the Lord, if you want to make it in life - You had better learn to see God’s GRACE at work. The first thing we should ask in every situation of life is "WHERE IS GOD IN THIS".
Was I disappointed about my dives in Hawaii? Yes and No.
4. HE HAD A JOYFUL DISPOSITION.
HE HAD THE JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. V-23
Act 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, . . . . . .
A. Isn’t it interesting how God manages to sandwiches in those bits of information about a person. He was a person with joy. Don’t you just love being around someone with a joy filled personality. It seems like a bright light comes on when they come into a room.
Have you ever been in a room when it seems like a cloud of gloom and doom hover over your head when some people come in your presence.
B. If you live a joyful life you will not do it by accident. David knew what he was saying when he said, "This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psa. 118:24.
a. There are no days that God does not make. There are no accidents in any day. This very day the Lord ordered just like it is. The bad day - the Lord made it. The sick day - the Lord made it - the happy day - the Lord made it. It is His day and He want you to rejoice and be glad in it.
b. If you rejoice you will do it by determination. (We will . . . .) Devil you won’t make me lose my joy. Circumstance you won’t make me lose my joy. People you won’t make me lose my joy. Things you won’t make me lose my joy. WHY? David say, "My joy comes from the Lord."
5. HE EXHORTED (ENCOURAGED) THEM ALL. Verse 23
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, . . . . . .. . . {.and exhorted them all,} . . . . . that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
A. The Word "EXHORT" means to "ENCOURAGE". Where ever he was he was an encouragement to people. If you can’t encourage people - please don’t discourage them. I am convinced that some people really believe that they have the gift of discouragement. Take my word for it, this world is already filled with enough people and things and circumstances to discourage. Purpose in your heart to ENCOURAGE.
6. HE LIVED HIS LIFE WITH A PURPOSE. Verse 23
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all,. . . . . . . .{that with purpose of heart} . . . . . . .they would cleave unto the Lord.
A. Knowing Jesus - being saved and baptized - being a part of the New Testament Church - working in that church was not only bringing joy but it had brought purpose to his life. It had made life worth living again. No person who has ever followed our Lord and been active in a New Testament Church has committed suicide.
B. I don’t know what Barnabas was before He was saved but he was like Paul, For me to live is Christ." I count every thing else in life just a pile of dung. He had found the pearl of great price and had paid all he had to obtain it.
7. HE WAS NOT A QUITER.
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would . . . . . . .cleave unto the Lord.
A. The word "Cleave" means to be glued together. It means to hang on for dear life.
B. There is a saying that has come about lately that is a good one. "WHEN YOU COME TO THE END OF YOUR ROPE - TIE A KNOT AND HANG ON.
1. This is the way you live a consistent Christ life. Just hang on.
This is the way you have a successful marriage. Just hang on.
This is the way you remain faithful to a church. Just hang on.
This is the way you finish school - tackle any problem.
8. HE WAS A GOOD MAN Verse 24
HE WAS JUST ONE OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS.
Acts 11:24 { For he was a good man,} . . . . . . . .and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
HE DID THE NEXT RIGHT THING:
A. A good man is hard to find. It means that he wanted to do things the right way. That is standing on principal. Do things right just because it is the right things to do. It may not be the best - the most popular - the cheapest - may not be the easiest way to do it. But you will never go wrong in the eyes of God if you do it the right way. The good way.
9. HE WALKED IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Verse 24
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man,. . . . .{ and full of the Holy Spirit} . . . . . . .
It Means that he was a man that possessed the fruit of the spirit.
LOVE - JOY - PEACE - LONG-SUFFERING - GENTLENESS - GOODNESS - FAITHFULNESS - MEEKNESS - TEMPERANCE
10. HE WAS FAITHFUL . Verse 24
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit. . . . . .{and of faith}: . . . .
There are no such things as big important men and women in the work of God and there is no such thing as little and insignificant men and women in the work of God. There are only FAITHFUL and UNFAITHFUL.
11. HE LIFE WAS INFLUENTIAL IN CAUSING OTHER TO WANT TO COME TO JESUS. Verse 24
many were added . . . . .
12. HE HELPED SAUL OF TARSUS BECOME PAUL THE APOSTLE. Verse 25, 26
Act 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.
13. HE PRACTICED FAITHFUL CHURCH ATTENDANCE.
he assembled himself with the church. . . .
14. HE WAS A TEACHER AS WELL AS A PREACHER. Verse 26 he taught many people . . . .
15. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN HELPING THE LORD’S PEOPLE GET THE BEST NAME THEY HAVE EVER RECEIVED. (Called Christians. . .) Verse 26
