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Be a Barnabas (2)
'Barnabas ... encouraged them all' Acts 11:22-23
What nickname should your church give you? Motor-mouth? Whinge-bucket? Absent-without-leave? Or 'Son of Encouragement'?
When the Bible writers recorded stories involving Joseph of Cyprus, they always used his nickname: Barnabas (which means 'Son of Encouragement'). What a compliment for Joseph, eh? Examples of his constant source of support are:
1) He put his money where his mouth was. Acts 4 introduces Barnabas as someone who sold a field in order to give money to mission. These aren't just shallow compliments Barnabas is spouting; he's backing his words up with action.
2) He was consistent. Acts 14 tells us that Barnabas accompanied Paul on loads of missionary trips and wherever he went, he'd strengthen Christians.
3) He believed in people. Paul felt let down by John Mark when the kid went AWOL on mission. Barnabas gave him a second chance. Barnabas was proved right to believe in John Mark, as that same kid would eventually become better known as the writer of Mark's Gospel.
Could you be a Barnabas? 'Those of you who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status' (Rom. 15:1 TM). Challenge yourself to see others through God's eyes. What inventive ways can you dream up to strengthen and encourage them? Go on, be a Barnabas.
written by Bob Gass
'Barnabas ... encouraged them all' Acts 11:22-23
What nickname should your church give you? Motor-mouth? Whinge-bucket? Absent-without-leave? Or 'Son of Encouragement'?
When the Bible writers recorded stories involving Joseph of Cyprus, they always used his nickname: Barnabas (which means 'Son of Encouragement'). What a compliment for Joseph, eh? Examples of his constant source of support are:
1) He put his money where his mouth was. Acts 4 introduces Barnabas as someone who sold a field in order to give money to mission. These aren't just shallow compliments Barnabas is spouting; he's backing his words up with action.
2) He was consistent. Acts 14 tells us that Barnabas accompanied Paul on loads of missionary trips and wherever he went, he'd strengthen Christians.
3) He believed in people. Paul felt let down by John Mark when the kid went AWOL on mission. Barnabas gave him a second chance. Barnabas was proved right to believe in John Mark, as that same kid would eventually become better known as the writer of Mark's Gospel.
Could you be a Barnabas? 'Those of you who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status' (Rom. 15:1 TM). Challenge yourself to see others through God's eyes. What inventive ways can you dream up to strengthen and encourage them? Go on, be a Barnabas.
written by Bob Gass
