Today, I want to share with you 4 ways to be a “Barnabas” in the lives of those around you. Before I talk about Barnabas, I want to touch on what was happening in the early church before Barnabas enters the scene. Beginning in Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested by the Sadducees. There was some controversy over a miracle – the lame man’s healing accomplished in the name and power of Jesus. From Acts 4, we learn the early church’s response to persecution was prayer and the results were great grace and boldness, great power and unity. What a great lesson to learn from the early church – to prove the reality of our faith, instead of debating and arguing, go to prayer. Following the prayer for boldness – we see 6 things that took place. 1. All present experienced a supernatural fullness of the Holy Spirit. 2. All present experienced a supernatural boldness, a fearlessness to proclaim the Word of God. 3. All present experienced a supernatural unity, one heart and one soul. 4. All present experienced a supernatural submission. 5. All present experienced a supernatural fruitfulness; fruit was produced for God’s glory as they went out sharing and preaching about Jesus Christ. 6. All present experienced a supernatural generosity expressing a spirit of sacrifice and generosity to one another.Barnabas was a Levite, of the country of Cyprus and an early church leader with whom Paul could identify. Paul received prayers, counsel, guidance, and encouragement from Barnabas. From scripture and commentaries, we can see that Barnabas had exceptional spiritual qualities and an unshakable confidence in God.

1. Be a Giver – Barnabas was a generous giver. Church at Jerusalem – growing rapidly; new believers; early church voluntarily shares their belongings.

Acts 4:36-37

2. Be a Faithful Friend – It wasn’t until Barnabas took Saul and explained the change that had taken place in his life, that Saul was able to move freely in Jerusalem. It was too long ago that Saul hated and persecuted Christians. Barnabas takes a risk in associating with Saul.

Acts 9:26-27

3. Be an Encourager

Acts 11:22-26

Encouraged – verb imperfect tense – Barnabas repeatedly encouraged the Gentiles to persevere in their loyalty to God. He encouraged them to stay close to the Lord, whatever the cost.

Good Man – generous, tenderhearted, proven character, high moral standards, honorable, respectable, morally sound.

Full of the Holy Spirit – experienced the power of the Holy Spirit for witnessing and serving. Not driven by personal ambition or selfish desires.

Overflowed with Faith – strong convictions, settled confidence in God’s word.

4. Be Forgiving

Acts 15:36-41

Difference of opinion – the cause of the split between Barnabas and Paul. Paul leaned more towards being firm, while Barnabas leaned towards being tender. They go their separate ways. Barnabas chose to encourage Mark, his nephew, his sister’s son.

Because of this man Barnabas – Paul may have never been accepted in the Jerusalem church and Mark may have not continued serving the Lord. In addition, we now have 13 epistles written by Paul and one Gospel written by Mark.

Life Application Questions

Are you willing to be a “Barnabas” to someone? Are you willing to give generously, be a faithful friend, a committed encourager, and a forgiving person?

1. Do you want to experience the supernatural fullness of the Holy Spirit? 2. A supernatural boldness, a fearlessness to proclaim the Word of God? 3. A supernatural unity, one heart and one soul? 4. A supernatural submission? 5. A supernatural fruitfulness; fruit was produced for God’s glory as they went out sharing and preaching about Jesus Christ? 6. A supernatural generosity expressing a spirit of sacrifice and generosity to one another?

Closing Prayer – Acts 4:24-30