Intro: Ill. The fact that so few kind people are around is one of the great tragedies of our time. There are a lot of hateful and mean people, but very few just take the time to be kind all the time. Nonetheless, I believe that every child of God ought to be like this, Eph. 4:32; Eph. 4:2; 1 Cor. 16:14! Let's face it: many of us have opinions, are self-centered, are rude, and sometimes just plain mean when we interact with other people. This should not to be, particularly among saved individuals! I accept that the Ruler would have us to rehearse a service of support as we go through this world.
We are introduced to a man by the name of Joses in these verses. Barnabas is a more common name for him. When this man first appeared on the scene in the early years of the church, he came out of the shadows and did good work; a few years later, he left the stage; He also left doing good things. In point of fact, the narrative of this man's life and ministry in the Bible portrays him as a compassionate individual who sought to serve those with whom he came into contact.
Today, I'd like to briefly discuss Barnabas's life and explain how he came to be known as the "Son of Consolation." Moreover, this name is very unique. In John 14:26, the word translated "Comforter," which also refers to the Holy Ghost, is the root for the word "consolation." It means someone who helps and encourages another person alongside them. For the few minutes we have together, let's take a look at Barnabas' life and discover why he was referred to as "the Son of Consolation." It would appear that Barnabas had earned the reputation among the Disciples of Christ as someone who helped and encouraged others. I want us to examine ourselves as we go to see if we could also be categorized as encouragers this evening. I would like to preach briefly on the following idea: How to Encourage Others.
I. You must learn to reach out A. Acts 9:26-27 encourages the desperate - Ill. Saul of Tarsus's glorious conversion After Saul was saved, he tried to join the other disciples in Jerusalem, but they were afraid to let him in because of their prejudices and fear of his past. Be that as it may, Barnabas came to Saul's side and defended Him and educated the others concerning this man's astonishing change. He defended a person who was in desperate need of a friend.
(Ill. This kind of ministry is still needed today! We want to put forth the attempt and set aside some margin to connect with people around us who appear to be forlorn or who have been dismissed by others. At church, this is especially true. We ought to put forth a valiant effort to cause each and every individual who arrives at this spot to feel as though they have a place here and are acknowledged similarly as they are. Each individual who pays these an unwelcome visit ought to feel like they have gotten back after a long nonappearance! They must be loved, welcomed, and included in our services!
Does this portray your life and practice? We ought to be actively participating in such activities. Check out you! There are numerous lonely, marginalized individuals. Be a friend to someone who needs one and locate them. Jesus acted in that manner! It is what He desires for us to do.)
B. Encourage the Disciples: The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to assist the new believers when they learned of their existence. The Holy book lets us know that when he showed up, he "urged" them. This implies that he "offered them consolation!" He did his best to encourage these new converts to continue serving the Lord because he was excited about what God was doing and how they were serving Him.
(Sick. Once more, there is an example here for us today. We ought to do everything in our power to support fellow Christians in their Christian walk. We want to applaud others when they work for Jesus and delicately reprimand our siblings when they stray. Our obligation to fellow believers is to encourage and assist them in growing in the Lord, Rom. 14:19, 1 Thes. 5:11.)
(Ill.) In most churches, there are two basic types of people. One type tries as hard as they can to bring down others and the work of the church by pointing out every flaw they can. The other kind wants to help their fellow believers grow in the Lord and build up their church. Which best describes your life and interactions with others?)
C. Acts 15:36-40 Support The Deterred - (Sick. The occasions of this story. It would appear that Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark were traveling together on a mission trip. For reasons unknown, John Imprint left them and got back to Jerusalem, Acts 13:13. Presently, Paul and Barnabas are all set out once more and Barnabas needs to take John Imprint along to allow him a subsequent opportunity. Paul differs and he and Barnabas go separate ways, Acts 15:36-40. While Barnabas takes John Mark and vanishes from the biblical account, Paul takes Silas and goes out with him.
His service to John Mark had far-reaching effects, and Barnabas is never seen again. This young man's life as a servant of God was saved because Barnabas gave him a second chance, despite his discouragement and defeat. In fact, Paul requested that Mark be sent to him before he died in Rome, 2 Tim. 4:11. Much more significant is the way that in light of the fact that Barnabas required some investment to energize a deterred sibling, Imprint was utilized of the Master to pen the Good news of Imprint which provides us with a thrilling record of the life and service of the Ruler Jesus Christ.)
(Ill. What a revelation for both of us! How many times have we witnessed fellow believers perish? Our regular inclination is to disavow them and go on. However, God's plan is very different! When our brother is down, we are not supposed to kick him; rather, we are supposed to reach out to him with love and humility and help him get back to the place of fellowship and service. By stopping, bandaging their wounds, and assisting them in recovering, we are expected to demonstrate the mercy of the Good Samaritan. But it's so much easier for us to talk about them, to criticize them over time, and to hold their flaws against them for as long as we can. You should be glad that the Lord is not like us. Is it true or not that you are happy that He is the Lord of renewed opportunities, Jonah 3:1? Why can't we treat those around us in the same way? We can, provided we encourage one another!)
II. The encourager has an upward ministry, so you must learn to reach up (Ill.). His work doesn't just connect with everyone around him, however it additionally comes to up as he completes the work God has given him to do in this life.)
A. The Encourager Helps God Do His Work: The encourager uses his spiritual gifts and love for the Lord and His people to help God do his work in this world.
1. In Acts 4:36–37, he promotes God's work. Our first impression of Barnabas is that he was a generous individual. He gave of his products to see that the congregation and its work went on. He made better use of the resources at his disposal to advance the Lord's work.
(Sick. This portrays how we should be too. In order for the church to flourish and so that ministry does not fall solely on the shoulders of a few, we should all strive to give of our time, talents, and tithes. Others are encouraged to give generously when we do so ourselves and with our possessions.)
2. Acts 11:23-26: Barnabas praises God's work. After seeing all that the Lord was doing in Antioch, Barnabas set out to find Paul and tell him about it. Barnabas was not going to keep God's good blessings a secret!
(Ill.) The contemporary church requires this kind of attitude. There are very numerous who need to sass the endlessly church people. They will become enraged and degrade the church when things don't go as planned. They will imply that "their" tithes will be withheld. Give us some people who will proclaim what Jesus is doing to the world! God grant us some who will recount the testimony service, the beneficial prayer meeting, the soul's salvation, the backslider's reconciliation with God, etc. There are an adequate number of complainers and bellyachers; We need people who will praise God's work!
(Sick. Be careful that you are never at real fault for abusing the congregation or individuals of God. Similarly as certain as you do this before a lost individual, you have a decent possibility sentencing their spirit to Damnation! You could just as easily put them there. Assuming all they hear from you is the way in which awful things are down at the Place of God, why would it be advisable for them to need to proceed to be essential for that wreck? Conversely, when we demonstrate to the lost how great things are. At the point when we let them know that we have been meeting with the Master, they will be interested and they will come to see what is happening at chapel. Make it a priority in your heart to inspire others and to praise God's work.)
3. Acts 13:1–3 reveals that Barnabas is selected by the Holy Spirit to actively participate in the Lord's work. This choice redirected his life for eternity. From that second on, wherever Barnabas went, he was a worker of the Ruler.
(Ill. The takeaway for us is clear! We are the servants of the Lord wherever we go in this world. We are God's servants, and we are to live and act accordingly, regardless of where we are—at home, at work, in town, on vacation, etc. When we do so, we inspire other people to do the same. At the point when we serve the Ruler with excitement and enthusiasm, we stand as a consolation to other people. Therefore, when the time comes to attend church and perform your duties for God, be on time, alert, prepared, excited, and prepared to serve. Show people how much you enjoy what you do, and if you don't, you can either ask the Lord to bring you back to joy or find another job where you can serve Him!!)
B. An Encourager Completes God's Work, According to Acts 12:25, Paul and Barnabas completed their ministry. That is, they remained with the work until the work was done. As a result, they stood as a source of inspiration for those around them!
(Ill.) Never leave a job unfinished if you want your life to inspire those who observe you serving the Lord. Keep doing what God has called you to do and stay with Him until He calls you home or to a new job! There is no space for stopping in crafted by the Ruler. I find it encouraging to see people remain faithful to the Lord throughout their lives. It's a blessing and makes me want to go on even more!)
III. You must learn how to reach in (The encourager has a ministry to himself that is internal. The encourager is able to demonstrate the reality of Jesus Christ to those around him through this ministry to his own spiritual needs. Even though others cannot see one's own ministry, the evidence is obvious to everyone. This was valid in the existence of Barnabas and it will be valid in your life and mine also.)
A. According to Acts 11:24, "An Encourager Demonstrates Christ By His Life," Barnabas was a genuine man of God, as this verse indicates. He exhibited all of the characteristics that indicated that he was devout and ablaze for the Lord. By living a holy and blameless life, he helped others become holy.
(Ill.) Our lives ought to serve as a motivation to help others grow in their relationship with God. By getting as close as we can to God, we accomplish this. They will be challenged and encouraged to seek the Lord for themselves and to become more like Him when they observe the Lord working in and through our lives.)
(How is one supposed to draw near to the Lord? Only with a lot of hard work! The believer must devote time to prayer, immerse himself in the Bible, and turn away from the world in order to accomplish this. Is it conceivable? Yes! It is simple? No! Is it necessary? Yes! God's guarantee to us is that when we endeavor to draw nearer to Him, He will draw nearer to us - James 4:8.)
B. Acts 13:49–52 An Encourager Shows Contentment in His Life Barnabas and Paul were preaching the Word of God, which led to persecution and forced them to leave the town. Rather than being deterred and stopping as numerous others would have done, they shook the residue from their feet and went on their way celebrating. That stands as a consolation to other people who are carrying on with fights throughout everyday life!
(Sick. We show the genuine profundity of our confidence when we are in the valley! By how we respond to difficulty and hardship, we demonstrate the authenticity of our faith in God. Ill. Job 1:20–21 teaches us that we should always strive to respond to adversity with joy and faith in the Lord. At the point when we do, we will quite often be a support to people around us. They will benefit from our optimism and faith when they face similar challenges.
Notwithstanding, a significant number of us like to flounder in self indulgence and in the pity of others. The fact that we are miserable makes us like it when individuals miserable. When we can hurt others, it makes us happy. This is an off-base soul and doesn't energize others in the Master. Let us learn to be joyful in difficulties and serve as an inspiration to those around us!!)
Conc: When I look at Barnabas, I realize how far I have to go before I can compete with him. What about you? But if I were to listen to my heart this evening, I would know that I really want to encourage others! Couldn't you like for your life to be recognized as that of an encourager? If that's the case, you'll have to learn to reevaluate your life's priorities. God will have to take precedence. Others should come next and you should come last, if by any stretch of the imagination. You might wonder, "Where is the benefit in that?" The advantage lies in reality that when we roll out the improvements important to turn into an encourager, God will be celebrated, others will be illuminated and we will be compensated when we get back in magnificence. Are you a source of encouragement tonight?