Barnabas, Son of Encouragement (Part 3)

1. Lesson 6: Barnabas, Son of Encouragement (Part 3)

2. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Background to Barnabas’ Appearance in Acts 9 • Persecution against the church; Stephen stoned to death • Saul ravaging the church, believing it was a service to God • The Lord appeared to the chief of sinners offering salvation • Ananias, although frightened, went to preach to Saul • Immediately after he was converted, Saul began preaching • The Jews now plotted to kill him for preaching Christ • Saul came to Jerusalem; tried repeatedly to join the disciples • It had been 3 years since he persecuted there (Gal. 1:18) • The disciples continued to be afraid of him • The disciples didn’t believe Saul was a disciple • Sometimes, you just need someone to trust you!

3. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Barnabas Enters the Scene Again in Acts 9:27 • All of the other disciples distrusted & rejected Saul • “But Barnabas…” • “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.” • Barnabas “declared to them” Saul’s conversion & new life: • [Saul] had seen the Lord on the road, and • that [the Lord] had spoken to him, and • how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” • Barnabas’ intervention and testimony made the difference! • The disciples in Jerusalem embraced their former enemy! • “He was with them at Jerusalem, coming in & going out.”

4. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Major Lesson from Barnabas in Acts 9:27 • Barnabas had a basic concern for people, particularly when they were being rejected by others. He was willing to trust them when others did not.

5. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Three Exemplary Characteristics of Barnabas in Acts 9 • TRUST • Barnabas probably had his own problems & pressures • He knew he was putting his reputation on the line w/ Saul • But, Barnabas saw someone in need • He believed Saul was sincere • He knew that he could help • Barnabas did not place his trust in Saul naively • He knew what had happened in the last three years of Saul’s life • He knew what had happened because he took time to find out • He did not make a judgment w/o making an effort to find truth • He was willing to get involved in people’s lives, find out what was really true, and then act on that truth

6. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Three Exemplary Characteristics of Barnabas in Acts 9 • VULNERABILITY • Barnabas was willing to become vulnerable for others • He believed in Saul when almost everyone else did not • Even the apostles questioned Saul’s sincerity • No doubt, there was public pressure on Barnabas • He was defending a murderer • He was defending the ringleader of Stephen’s death • Would have been easier & more comfortable to remain silent • Barnabas went straight to the apostles (right to the top) • He stated why he believed in Saul • He was more concerned for Saul and the Lord’s work than for his own feelings & comfortable existence

7. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Three Exemplary Characteristics of Barnabas in Acts 9 • CONSISTENCY • Barnabas’ attitudes & actions were consistent in his life • Willingness to believe in people = part of his Christian character • On first missionary tour, Barnabas & Saul took John Mark • John Mark was their “assistant/helper” – Acts 13:5 • But, John departed from them & returned to Jerusalem – 13:13 • He “had not gone with them to the work” – Acts 15:38 • Getting ready for 2nd tour, Barnabas wanted to take Mark • Saul kept insisting not to take him, thinking it not best – 15:38 • “The contention became so sharp…parted from one another” • Barnabas took Mark; Paul chose Silas – 15:39-40

8. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Three Exemplary Characteristics of Barnabas in Acts 9 • CONSISTENCY • In Acts 9, he believed in Saul & confronted the apostles • In Acts 15, he believed in Mark & confronted Saul • Barnabas believed in people! • He believed in Paul when he was rejected by Christians in Jeru. • He believed in John Mark when he was rejected by Paul. • Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance. What if he didn’t? • Could the rest of what we know of John Mark have been the result of Barnabas’ actions? • He wrote the second account of the gospel in the New Testament • He was with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment – Col. 4:10 • He was useful to Paul’s ministry in Paul’s last days – 2 Tim. 4:11

9. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Inherent Risks in Putting Trust in Others • Being Let Down • May be hesitant to trust because of untrustworthy people • Fact: People have let us down • Fact: People do let us down • Fact: People will let us down • Although there are exceptions who cannot be trusted… • Don’t make exceptions the rule! • Most Christians are trustworthy! • Interestingly, many people’s actions correspond directly to the amount of trust we place in them. • Perhaps some of our difficulties in trusting people (sometimes) has more to do with us than with others.

10. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Inherent Risks in Putting Trust in Others • Sacrificing Time • May be hesitant to trust because often times unwilling to spend time getting involved in other’s lives • Easier to stay in our own world; easier to do our own thing. • Barnabas took time • Took time to get the facts • Then, took time to build bridges for Saul • Easy to say things about people when don’t know facts • Sometimes the facts have changed • Sometimes what we “knew” before was actually wrong • Sometimes people change…and that’s a good thing • Rumors take no time; finding truth sometimes does.

11. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Inherent Risks in Putting Trust in Others • Standing Up to the Crowd • May be hesitant to trust because fearful of the majority who do not or may not agree with us • However, the majority may not • Have all the facts • Care about the truth • Want to help or trust or encourage • If we have the facts, how can we let another suffer rejection or ill-treatment and not stand up? • Through Barnabas’ efforts, the understanding and attitude of the majority was changed.

12. Barnabas, Son of Encouragement • Inherent Risks in Putting Trust in Others • Risking Rejection • May be hesitant to trust or communicate trust because we fear rejection from key people we love & trust • How must Barnabas have felt when he confronted (to the point of sharp contention) Paul regarding John Mark? • His character was tested. His concern for others was tested. • May not trust others because we’ve been hurt or rejected • Should we go through life punishing others? • Can our own experiences make us more sensitive to others? • True encouragers “feel” for those in need and are willing to risk rejection for them if necessary. • Sometimes, you just need someone to trust you!