Sinners & Saints - Barnabas: The Power Of Encouragement
The Power of Encouragement: Learning from Barnabas
In a world filled with criticism and judgment, the story of Barnabas from the Book of Acts offers a powerful alternative. While many know the famous figures like Paul and Peter, Barnabas represents one of the most influential yet understated characters in early Christianity. His life demonstrates how encouragement can literally change the course of history.
Key Verses
Acts 11:22-24
Acts 9:26-27
Acts 4:36
Hebrews 3:13
Who Was Barnabas?
Barnabas was the master of working in the background during the early church era. His name literally means "son of encouragement," and he lived up to that title in extraordinary ways. Like the elite runners who surrounded marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge to block the wind during his historic sub-two-hour marathon, Barnabas was the person who quietly supported others to achieve greatness.
Everyone who achieves public greatness never does it alone - they're always surrounded by people like Barnabas who fight headwinds in the background, building up the church and believing in people when others won't.
The Problem of Critical Spirits in the Early Church
What Were the Judaizers Doing Wrong?
When news reached Jerusalem that Gentiles (non-Jewish people) were coming to faith in Jesus, the response was divided. The Judaizers - Jewish believers who struggled to let go of old ways - criticized Peter for eating with Gentiles and welcoming them into the faith. They believed you had to become Jewish first before you could follow Jesus.
This criticism revealed several dangerous characteristics of a critical spirit:
Focusing on what you're losing instead of what others are gaining - The Judaizers worried about losing their exclusive relationship with God rather than celebrating that others were finding salvation
Elevating preferences over purpose - They cared more about maintaining traditions than fulfilling the mission to reach the world
Emphasizing external performance over genuine faith - They missed the authentic faith of the Gentiles because it didn't look like what they expected
Breeding division instead of unity - Their criticism nearly tore the early church apart
Why Critical Spirits Are Dangerous Today
We live in a culture that thrives on judgment and criticism. From social media to review websites, we're constantly evaluating and criticizing everything around us. This cultural tendency can easily creep into our churches and relationships, causing us to miss what God is doing.
A critical spirit will always miss God's work because it elevates methods over mission and preferences over purpose. Whether it's worship styles, church programs, or how people express their faith, criticism often focuses on the wrong things entirely.
Barnabas: A Different Response
How Did Barnabas React Differently?
When Barnabas arrived in Antioch and saw Gentiles coming to faith, his response was completely different from the Judaizers. Acts 11:23 tells us that "when he arrived and saw the evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord."
Same situation, completely different response. Where others criticized, Barnabas encouraged. Where others saw problems, Barnabas saw God's hand at work.
What Does It Mean to Encourage?
The word "encourage" comes from two root words: "en" (to walk alongside) and "courage" (from the Latin "cor," meaning heart). To encourage literally means to walk alongside someone and put courage into their heart.
This is exactly what Barnabas did throughout his ministry:
He spoke life into new believers
He looked for where God was working and fanned it into flame
He celebrated small victories instead of fixating on failures
He invested in people's potential rather than writing them off because of their past
Barnabas and Paul: The Power of Second Chances
When Nobody Believed in Paul
Perhaps the most significant example of Barnabas's encouraging spirit came when Saul (later Paul) tried to join the disciples in Jerusalem. Fresh from his conversion experience, Paul attempted to meet with the church leaders, but they were terrified of him. After all, he had been their primary persecutor.
When the apostles asked Paul to leave, Barnabas stepped in. He vouched for Paul, putting his own reputation on the line. He brought Paul back to Peter, James, and John and said, "This man encountered the Lord. He's preached boldly in Damascus. We can trust him."
Without Barnabas, we might not have half of the New Testament. Barnabas looked beyond the murderer and saw a future missionary. He didn't just see a persecutor; he saw someone with a powerful testimony and brilliant mind who would be used by God in mighty ways.
The Ripple Effect of Encouragement
Because Barnabas encouraged Paul and gave him a second chance, Paul went on to:
Write 13 books of the New Testament
Plant churches throughout the Roman Empire
Become one of the most influential figures in Christian history
This demonstrates the incredible ripple effect that encouragement can have. One person's willingness to believe in someone else can literally change the world.
Barnabas and John Mark: Believing When Others Won't
Later in their ministry, Barnabas and Paul disagreed about giving John Mark a second chance. John Mark had deserted them during a difficult mission, and Paul didn't want to take him again. But Barnabas believed in John Mark so strongly that he was willing to split with Paul over it.
Barnabas was right. John Mark went on to write the Gospel of Mark and became one of Paul's greatest encouragers during his imprisonment. Years later, Paul even asked Timothy to send John Mark to him because "he's an encouragement to me."
Practical Ways to Be Like Barnabas
How Can We Develop an Encouraging Spirit?
Look for what God is doing in others' lives - Instead of focusing on what's wrong, actively look for evidence of God's work and celebrate it.
Speak life into people - Send encouraging texts, offer words of affirmation, and remind people that their story isn't over.
Give second chances - Remember that you've received countless second chances from God, and extend that same grace to others.
Celebrate small victories - Like celebrating a five-year-old's first soccer goal, find reasons to encourage others even in small accomplishments.
Walk alongside people - Don't just offer advice from a distance; get involved in people's lives and support them through difficulties.
Where to Start This Week
Husbands, speak encouragement to your wives
Wives, build up your husbands
Parents, affirm your children
Friends, reach out to someone who needs encouragement
Look for newcomers at church or work who might need someone to believe in them
The Foundation of Encouragement
Why the Gospel Makes Us Encouraging
You cannot give away what you haven't received. An encouraging spirit begins with understanding the gospel - that you were dead in sin with no hope, but Jesus came and rescued you. When you live in the wonder of what God has done for you, you naturally become more gracious with others.
Because God gave you countless second chances, you want to give others second chances. Because God saw potential in you when others wrote you off, you look for potential in others. Because God spoke life into your dead situation, you want to speak life into others.
Life Application
This week, commit to being a person of encouragement rather than criticism. Choose to see with eyes of encouragement, looking for where God is working in the lives of people around you. Instead of fixating on what's wrong, celebrate what's right and fan it into flame.
Consider these questions as you apply this message:
Questions
The sermon contrasts the critical spirit of the Judaizers with Barnabas's encouraging spirit. What are some signs that someone might be operating with a critical spirit versus an encouraging one?
Barnabas vouched for Paul when the other apostles were afraid of him. Can you think of a time when someone believed in you when others didn't? How did that impact your life?
The pastor mentioned that encouragement means 'putting courage into someone's heart.' Who in your life could use some courage put into their heart right now?
Barnabas was willing to split with Paul over giving John Mark a second chance. What does this teach us about the importance of believing in people's potential for change?
The sermon used the analogy of marathon pacers who block the wind for the lead runner. How can we be 'spiritual pacers' for others in our daily lives?
The Judaizers were focused on what they were losing rather than what others were gaining. How can we guard against this mindset in our own lives and in the church?
Barnabas saw 'the evidence of God's blessing' among the Gentile believers and rejoiced. How can we train ourselves to look for and celebrate what God is doing in others' lives?
The message emphasized that 'you cannot give away what you have not received.' How does understanding the gospel's impact on our own lives help us become more encouraging to others?
Remember, encouragement is free and doesn't cost you anything, but the ripple effects can be massive. Like Barnabas, you might be the person who helps someone else achieve their God-given potential, creating a legacy that lasts for generations.
Key Takeaways
Barnabas was the 'son of encouragement' who played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in building up the early church
A critical spirit focuses on what we're losing rather than what others are gaining, elevating preferences over purpose
Encouragement literally means putting courage into someone's heart and can have massive ripple effects
Barnabas vouched for Paul and gave John Mark second chances, leading to much of the New Testament being written
We must be people who celebrate small victories and believe in others' potential rather than writing them off for their past
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
1. It Really Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham
2. A Thousand Hallelujahs - Brooke Ligertwood
3. The Blood - Bethel Music
4. O Come To The Alter - Elevation Worship
WFC Speedway
1. Rest On Us - Maverick City Music
2. Firm Foundation - Cody Carnes
3. Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters
4. Jesus We Love You - Bethel Music
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