This week's Bible Study - May 24, 2009
Barnabas: The Man Who Encouraged Others
 Background Scripture:
Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-28; 11:19-26; 13:14-43
Quote of the Week:
“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success”
-- Source Unknown
Everybody seems to be known for something. Some people seem to be known for a lot of things. This week's lesson is about Barnabas, who is known by many as an encourager. How important is an encourager in your life? If you've read many of these lessons in the past, you know how much I enjoy athletics. When my kids were much younger, I was very involved with coaching basketball, soccer and working with other sports. In kid's sports, it is amazing to see how different coaches and parents can be. I saw some that were often seen yelling at their kids when they messed up. Typically, that didn't help the situation. I also saw others who were an encouragement. Those kids seemed to do much better.
Encouragement is also important in all we, as adults, do. If you want a result from somebody, encouragement is generally one of the best way to get it. If you continually tell someone how good they aren't, you aren't doing much to encourage them at all. We need encouragement in our jobs. If you work with a group of people that helps each other out, you will be much more likely to be successful. We need encouragement in our family relationships. We need encouragement in our churches. As believers, we tend to know the right thing to do and how things should be, so it is difficult for us to admit that things are not quite so rosy in our lives. Unfortunately, in our churches, we find more discouragement if you don't live up to a set of standards. If we could find the opportunities to encourage one another, things could be much different.
This passage talked about a vibrant congregation that shared everything that they had with those in need. They were one in heart and mind. Assuming that you attend a church, how would you describe your relationship with others in your Bible Study classes or those with whom you worship? Would you say that you truly know them and feel united with them, or do you just see them on Sundays? What changes in our churches if people were really one in heart and mind?
In this church, there were no needy people. Whenever there was need, people pulled together to help one another out. In fact, some people sold land or houses to be distributed to those in need. What needs are in our churches that cause us to look the other way? Are there things that you can do right now that will help someone else in need?
We read about a man, Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles. Barnabas meant Son of Encouragement. You can imagine he got this name because of the way he lived his life. If you were to get a name based on the way you live, would it be something you would want to be called? Barnabas was more than just a leader in the church. He was part of 'they', those one in heart and mind. You can't really encourage another person as a lone ranger.
Saul was on the way to Damascus, breathing murderous threats against the disciples. This was his conversion experience - where he encountered the Lord and lost his eyesight. Ananias, reluctant to go see Saul - knew what he was doing, obeyed and went to Saul. Saul received his eyesight back. Saul stayed in Damascus, preaching that Jesus, the one he was persecuting, was the Son of God. With his background, he was able to relate to other Jews that Jesus truly was the Son of God. Are we using our background - we know how some people think - are we using that to share Christ?
The Jews conspired to kill him, so he left the city and went to Jerusalem. He was accepted in Damascus, but pre Internet - no blog, no facebook, no email - the word had not spread to Jerusalem. Believers there were still afraid of him - a wolf in sheep's clothing or so they thought.
Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He took a risk to learn about the conversion of Saul and how he had preached fearlessly in Damascus. Barnabas was the enabler that helped Saul gain acceptance. Do you know anybody that seems to be on the outside because nobody will ask them in? In many of our churches and Bible Study classes, new people will come and sit as far away as possible. Unless someone takes a step to get them involved, they are likely to stop coming. How can you step in?
Peter had a vision from God that convinced him that the Gentiles were to receive the word of God. Coming from a Jewish background, this was not something that easy for him or the other Jews to swallow. Peter explained how God had revealed this to him, and how we was at first reluctant. However, he followed the Spirit and presented a message of salvation to a family of Gentiles and saw the Holy Spirit descend on Gentiles. He knew then that God had reached the Gentiles. Is there anybody that you are reluctant to believe that God can reach? Are there people with whom you work, or you neighbors or others that in your prejudices, you are unwilling to accept that they can be saved? God can move in any person's heart - any nationality, any background. Are we as open minded to what God can do?
Many Christians were being persecuted, following the death of Stephen. Because of this, they traveled to many different locations. As they traveled, they shared the message of salvation with other Jews. Some, however, also began to share with non Jews of the good news about the Lord Jesus. Many people in Antioch believed and turned to the Lord. It is amazing how God allowed persecution to cause his word to spread. Without other means of getting news around quickly, having people going to different places for any reason was probably the best way to share news.
The church at Jerusalem was informed of what was going on in Antioch, so Barnabas was sent to see the evidence first hand. When he saw how God was moving, he was glad and encouraged them to remain true to the Lord. The passage says that Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith - and many people at Antioch were led to the Lord. What does it say about Barnabas that he was the one chosen to go and see what was happening? He was very much respected by his own group of believers to be chosen to go. And, he was obviously an asset to the church at Antioch. Are we positioning ourselves to be able to share our faith? Are we involved with other believers, so that we can support others that go out?
Barnabas saw the potential in the church at Antioch. He knew that it would require more than he could do on his own, so he went to find Saul to bring him back. Saul and Barnabas spent a full year with the church and taught great numbers of people. This was one of the first places where churches were really beginning to take off. In Antioch, the believers were called Christians for the first time. Barnabas saw the need to enlist others, so he looked to Saul as a partner. Are we willing to work with others? There is certainly more that can be done, and to work with others is a great encouragement. Are you positioned around others that you can encourage and that can offer you encouragement?
Paul (formerly known as Saul) and Barnabas served at Antioch until the church felt that they were being led to send them off to do God's work in other places. The church was willing to support them and encourage them as they prepared to leave. They followed thee lead of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming God in the synagogues. They probably had some thought of where they were going, but they were open to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Are we willing to follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads, or are we trying to lead, expecting the Holy Spirit to follow us?
They traveled to Pisidian Antioch and went to the synagogue as they had done previously. The reading was from the Law and the Prophets, and the synagogue rulers sent word to them, asking for a word of encouragement for the people. Although their purpose was to go and tell what they knew, this opportunity opened up before them on its own. As we go about our busy days, are we aware of the opportunities that God opens before us? They could have sat back, although they were looking for the opportunities. We need to pray that God will not only give us opportunities, but will also help us to be ready to respond.
Paul gave a short Jewish history lesson but focused on the tie to the Savior Jesus Christ. Some of us are more than happy to debate issues or to focus on other aspects - the goal should be to share Christ. Paul told of how John had preached repentance and baptism, and how John proclaimed that one more worthy than him was coming. Paul spoke of how the people of Jerusalem and the Jewish rulers (of whom he knew very well) did not recognize Jesus. Without knowing it, they had condemned Jesus, in line with prophecy. Jesus was executed, but God raised him from the dead and he was seen by many people.
Paul continued to preach of the forgiveness of sins that was proclaimed to all who heard. One could not be justified by the law of Moses or by doing good things - but through faith in Jesus Christ.
After Paul was done, Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue. The people invited them to speak further on the next Sabbath. Many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas. Their hearts were touched and they wanted to know more. Paul and Barnabas talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Our chief purpose in life is to share the love of Christ with those around us. We are to clearly present the gospel, relying totally upon the Holy Spirit to convict others. The best words in the world will never convict one - as I read in a book this week - every salvation requires a miracle. The other thing that they did was to encourage them to continue. Even if you don't feel to be the best evangelist or witness in the world, you can encourage others. Who have you encouraged in the past week?
Closing
As we studied through this lesson Barnabas, we saw a man that was focused on what God would have him do. Although he was more than capable of being the point man, he often spent time encouraging others. We tend to think that we just need that one big advocate. When my daughter was in 1st grade, her class had a picnic. I took the day off and went with her, along with another man who was a father. We helped them play games and do different things, and then we saw rope for tug of war. We thought it would be fun to act like we were strong, mighty men and challenge the kids. Easy, right? Well, it took off. At first, a couple of boys came over and it was no challenge. Then, more of the kids saw and ran to help - first it was 2, then 5, then 10. With 10, we could still hold our own, but they encouraged the rest of their class to join in. Pretty soon, nearly every 1st grader was on the other end of the rope and we were being dragged all over the field. (Not so high and mighty anymore!)
The key is that it is not just one person that is needed, but all people doing their part. Each of us has special gifts and abilities. If we don't take advantage of all that we can do together, we're missing a key ingredient. Barnabas was an encourager who urged people to continue and to get involved. We need more people like Barnabas in our churches today. Can you be a Barnabas? Barnabas was part of a group that was of one heart and one mind. You can't really encourage from the outside. It is vital that we are part of a group of believers, so that we can know how to pray for and how to encourage one another.
Barnabas was on the inside of the group, so that he could see those on the outside. This enabled him to encourage others to join and to become a part. When you go to your church the next time, look for people who are standing along the outside. Do you know their names? Can you introduce yourself and encourage them to become involved?
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