BARNABAS, THE SON OF CONSOLATION

Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-31; Philippians 2:15
“To teach the need to live an exemplary Christian live, pleasing to God and encouraging to people.”
Outline

A.      The Man – Barnabas

B.      His Exemplary Conduct

C.      An Encourager indeed

Bible Exposition
BACKGROUND: A study of Barnabas is a study of a number of Christian virtues. Barnabas showed outwardly that he possessed certain qualities which are scarce among Christians today. Though he was not one of the most popular characters in the Bible; he was very instrumental to the growth of Christianity at the early stage. 

A.    The Man – Barnabas

Barnabas real name was Joses, whom Apostles surnamed as Barnabas (which is being interpreted, the son of consolation). He was a Levite and of the country of Cyprus, who became a prophet and an Apostle (Acts 13:1).

He quietly made very great and lasting worthy contributions to the growth of Christianity with the following acts:

He was the first person to provide Paul with the much needed acceptance on his arrival in Jerusalem: at a time when people were still having doubts about Paul’s conversion, he opened his door to him (Acts 9:26).

He was a companion of Paul Acts 9:27; 11:22-30; 12:25; 13:1-7; 43-50; Galatians 2:1, 9-13; Colossians 4:10.

He sold his field and denoted the proceeds to early Church; Acts 11:25-30. It is good to donate when the call is made, but it is another thing to wholeheartedly to it and not as Animals and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-5), who wanted to do as others did, but hypocritically did it and then reaped the reward of death penalty.

B.     His Exemplary Conduct – John 13:34-35

Barnabas is worthy of being followed as an Example. Disciples of different teacher are known by their habits, or some particular creeds; but the Disciples of Christ are known by the love they have for one another (1 John 3:11-18; 4:7-21). As of Barnabas, the first thing that distinguished him was his acts of encouragement which can be described as the oxygen of the soul and which Biblical.

He understood the ministry as a prophet and as an Apostle and stayed on them, not struggling to be like any other person moving from one ministry to another looking for the praise of men and not for God’s praise and reward: He joined hands together with others to move the Kingdom of God ahead

Brethren, let us stand and work according to the gifts God has given to us (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30). Let us be ready to do anything for the sake of Gospel and see what the Lord God will do through us.

C.     An Encourager Indeed – Acts 9:26-27

While people were justifiable suspicious of Paul on his arrival in Jerusalem, he opened his door to the famous and respected persecutor of believers.

That seemed to be dangerous. How far are you ready to go for the sake of the Gospel? Are you ready to disciple new converts, helping them to be established or you treat them with suspicious, as persons up to some tricks? Barnabas had a sharp disagreement with Paul over Mark (Acts 15:36-39). Mark had left them on the first missionary journey and returned home, so Paul did not think it best to take him on the second journey.

Paul and Barnabas separated over the matter of Mark when they started on the second missionary journey and he worked with Paul (Colossians 4:10-11; 1 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24).

A forgiving heart and harmony between brethren in God’s expectation of his children. Luke 17:13-14; Matthew 18:21-22. This is the law of forgiveness, or the act of forgiving or state of being forgiven. A Christian must have a forgiving nature, for God word teaches, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgives you (Ephesians 4:32).” Therefore be ready to forgive.

Life Application
     Barnabas was known for encouragement and giving. What are you know for? What can you be remembered for? Do you have to say you are a Christian for people to know you are one or do they see Christ nature in your life? Matthew 5
     What changes do you need to make to be more Christ-like?
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