Bramley Church of the Nazarene. Westover Road. Bramley

 

3rd Jan 2010

 

Barnabas the Encourager.

 

 

Bible verses:

Acts 13; 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘set apart for me Barnabas & Saul for the work to which I have called them’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (The lord has called all Christians once the Holy Spirit comes on you.)

Acts 9; 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus,

Acts 11; 22  (Growing church in Antioch) Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church, which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people were added unto the Lord.

They stayed a year teaching and preaching what encouragement and dedication.

 

 

Example’s set by Barnabas:

Acts 4;36

Sold his possessions and gave to church.

Talked on Pauls behalf as they did not trust Paul because of his past life.

Travelled with Paul & Mark.

Highly regarded they called him an apostle and they renamed him from Joseph, meaning, son of consolation, also son of encouragement. He was crucial to the growth of the early church; Paul was encouraged as were many others. (Mark too) People saw that he was good.

He was obedient to God, he took risks but was bold and sometimes we have to do this.

 

Encouragement. A new beginning.

This is the start of a new year, so lets make this a year, a year of Encouragement.

 

Lets plant it in our hearts (so we care) and in our minds (so we remember) that that’s how we could start the year with ways to encourage, comfort and uplift peoples spirits so that they too might do the same, lets start an encouragement Chain.

 

Every church, every family needs an encourager, because we all need it.

Barnabas encouraged Christians and non-Christians alike and because he made himself available to all, people were drawn to him and became believers.

Barnabas was patient and held on to what he believed and it paid off.

When we join together, we share and when we share we encourage.

 

 

Ultimately Jesus through the Holy Spirit encourages us & comforts us.

Holy Spirit did not come to comfort only at certain times!!

And as we gather together we create fellowship and an intimate (stronger) relationship and this gives us opportunities to encourage, build up and learn and to teach.

Jesus gathered his apostles for one reason to be his body here on Earth to go out and have communion in the community.

We are no different today.

Why do we need encouragers? Because;

People in general tend to look on the black side, see the bad, see the wrong & tend to criticise.

Losing people dying churches.

As Christians we are ambassadors of Christ we have the blessing s of Christ. We have the power of Christ, the love of Christ. Therefore we look on the Brightside, see the good, the right and encourage.

WE should be positive all the time with our attitude.

We are his:

 

Hands to do his work

Feet to walk where He leads in His spirit

Eyes & ears to discern

Tongue (voice) to speak with His authority with His power but with humility and with a humble heart, and most of all with His love.

 

Remember they are many Barnabas’ in our churches already, lets not forget them, but we must encourage the encouragers.  Tell them, don’t just think it!

Encouragement is a very effective way to help, as someone always needs it. And if they don’t, it’s always welcome and lifts up their spirit.

Also if you need encouragement ask! Don’t hide it! Share, because you will become ineffective.

Every church needs a Barnabas.

 

At our church:

We have coffee mornings that leads directly for opportunities to spreading the good news and indirectly we are going & teaching, because we’re doing it by gathering together & again we come away uplifted in spirit and like the prayer breakfast I went away telling others what has happened.

If Barnabas or Paul had sat in a pocket church and not met, gathered together it would not have grown like it did.

 

Our Church

The greatest encouragement I get is from the silent witnesses, Frank spoke of the flowers, birds as silent witnesses, very good. But these are the faithful in church, the one that clean and make tea, set up for services bring flowers etc.

Also like our church the ones like Michael Hewison our church secretary, preacher, elder you name it, always willing to help, advise and always smiling. He is a good example and way a Christian should act, a real Barnabas, who also brings people who are elderly in his car every week. Giving and supporting, praying for people to come through the door.

We have come and brought new life and new ideas, but all out of ‘prayer of the faithful’ its their faithful praying that brought us in their faithfulness in prayer. That’s true encouragement for me to have faith through the quiet times; the church could have closed if not for them. 

We should do as the bible says, to love one another. Jesus said ‘Love thy neighbour’. We should devote time for each other; build each other up to do God’s work. Help and encourage one another, with words & deeds. Except people’s differences and welcome everyone into church. Pray for everyone.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 “One another” in the Bible. Scripture commands us to be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10), honour one another (Romans 12:10), live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8), accept one another (Romans 15:7), serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13), spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), offer hospitality (1 Peter 4:9), and love one another (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12).

If you are an encourager: God has given you a precious ministry - the ministry of encouragement, the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Let us minister out of weakness so that the power of Christ may be known. Let us focus on the common vision - the vision of God's kingdom - so that the kingdom of God may flourish in our family, in our church, and in our neighbourhood. Our growth in and with Christ will build our Christian character and the practice of moral discipline. Buts lets remember there is many different personalities of people not all ministers but people like you and me. Because many times it’s the small things that matter, like telephoning someone who did not attend church, a simple hello ‘how are you today’? Doing a good turn things that cost nothing but mean so much. Someone could be lonely and need a chat; a sympathetic ear is an amazing help to that person.                                         We can all encourage.

John 13;34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Our relationship with Christ carries with it the privilege & responsibility to proclaim the gospel. Yes we have a wonderful privilege by having the Holy Spirit placed firmly in our hearts and a responsibility to our Lord Jesus to do as he say’s. So remember that we are His disciples here on Earth, we must act like him, and love all as He did.

It doesn’t harm linking together, bound together in the same cause.

Barnabas had all these and more qualities that encouraged people wherever he went, we are in the business of saving lives and any business needs investing in, Barnabas invested in Paul and Mark and both times it paid off, so lets invest in people and ourselves, give each day to Christ not just on Sundays, & occasional Saturdays but everyday. Lets wake up in the morning and say today Lord I’m going to encourage someone in your name. Amen.

 

Ask yourself this question have you been encouraged lately or have you encouraged someone.

 

So lets build up our ministers, our Barnabas’ our elders and our young. Encourage all.

Blessing  Numbers 6:24 May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lords make his face shine upon you, & be gracious unto you? May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

 

Amen.