Barnabas – Son of Encouragement
We Desperately Need Men Like Barnabas!

Exodus 33; Exodus 34; Psalm 16; Acts 9
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Scripture

Acts 9

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Observation

As dramatic as the conversion experience of Paul was and it was definitely very powerful it would not have done the world any good if it hadn’t have been for Barnabas. It was Barnabas that believed in Paul and stood up for him in spite of the horrendous things done to Christians by Paul just a few days before.

Most of the New Testament would not have been written had it not been for Barnabas giving Paul a chance. Barnabas saw the potential in Paul when no one else did. We think of the Apostle Paul as a tough guy and with good reason, but Barnabas was even tougher. How do I know? A guy named John Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but during the trip John Mark must have become afraid and deserted the mission team. When it came time to make another mission trip Barnabas wanted John Mark to go with them again. Barnabas saw the potential in John Mark, but all Paul could see was the past failure and possibly future trouble. Sparks flew over John Mark’s worth and Barnabas refused to give in to Paul.

It was Barnabas’ character that made him fight and defend Paul and later fight with Paul to salvage the ministry of John Mark. Guys like Barnabas are rare, but every church and every Christian organization sure needs them. Barnabas stuck up for John Mark and it paid off. Later in Paul’s ministry Paul told Timothy to bring John Mark saying that he was helpful to Paul’s ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11

Great churches have become great because they have a Barnabas or two taking up for their pastors. Christian institutions become successful and powerful organizations that extend the kingdom of God when they have a Barnabas or two that stand up for the president of the institution when he comes under attack. Would you be a Barnabas in your church to your pastor? If you are in leadership in a Christian organization can the President of that organization count on you when he comes under attack? Even if it means you may be standing alone?

Application

I will be a Barnabas to someone this coming week.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in your word today I read about Moses and Barnabas and how both of these men stood up for people. In today’s Bible reading in Exodus 32 Moses told you to blot him out of your book if you were not going to forgive the Hebrews of their sin. Help me to pray for people like that and help me stick up for people and see value in them when others don’t. Bless our church with lots of guys like Barnabas. Amen.


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