Barnabas, Son of Encouragement (Part 3)

Lesson 6:

• 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!

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.”

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

Barnabas, Son of Encouragement