The ball is coming in from the outfield. The runner rounding third base is at full steam and represents the tying run for the home team in their last bat. The catcher is in position to receive the ball and attempt to make the tag. The ball arrives in the catcher’s mitt a split second before the runner begins to slide into home. A collision occurs between the runner and the catcher. As the umpire prepares to make his call, the momentum of the two players carries them into the standing umpire, and now he is on the ground with the two players.
The umpire is slow to get up as he is injured on the play. He gets up and makes the call; “Safe!” then bends over in pain. As the two other umpires come to give attention to there colleague, the head coach comes out of the dugout to question the safe call. Will the coach offer encouraging words to the hurt umpire, like “Are you okay?” or will it be a string of discouraging words beginning with, “When was the last time you had your glasses checked, are you blind? My 99-year-old grandmother could see that the runner was out!”
If you were in this situation, how would you react? As a Christian, serving as a coach, the right action would be to check on the umpire’s well-being, and then question the call. Being an encourager in difficult situations is something we can learn by following the examples of others. Barnabas was known as an encourager, and his life can help us learn how to encourage others in the name of Jesus.
Be generous (Acts 4:36-37)
The members of the early New Testament church made a bold statement when some “who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he has a need” (Acts 4: 34-35). There is no doubt these early believers were committed totally to cause of Jesus Christ.
One of the members, “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)”, sold his property in order to give the gain to the church (vv. 36-37). Why did he do this? Possibly to shed off any worldly ties to be free and move as the Holy Spirit directed him. The fact that the disciples gave him the name “Son of Encouragement” leaves me to believe Barnabas not only was generous with his wealth but also his time.
Are you stingy with what the Lord has given you, or are you generous? It is easy to give when you understand who gave it to you in the first place. Do you agree or disagree; all belongs to the Lord?
Take risks by reaching out to others (Acts 9:26-28)
My father worked for an oil field service company. During his career, we moved to a different city each time he received a promotion. Being the new kid in school is difficult until someone reaches out to be a friend. As Christians, we should reach out to those we do not know. If we don’t, how will they ever know about Jesus?
Barnabas was willing to be an encourager to anyone. After Saul’s (Paul’s) conversion on the Damascus road, fellow believers were scared of him. Jesus’ disciples did not know how to react to Saul when he tried to join them in Jerusalem. They feared this a ploy to gain inside knowledge in order to persecute more Christians?
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Barnabas takes a risk by bringing Saul before the disciples. Barnabas “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” (v. 27).
Barnabas took a risk by speaking up for Saul; it is a risk that must be taken in order to grow the kingdom of God. A new believer needs a mature believer to encourage and help them become established in the community of faith.
Disciple believers (Acts 11:19-26)
Persecution moved believers out of Jerusalem into other cities. In Antioch, the message of Christ was being told at first, only to the Jews. Eventually, the Greeks heard the gospel, and many were saved. Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to check on this situation in Antioch.
Barnabas was pleased with what he found. “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord will all their hearts” (Acts 11:23). The gospel was not only spreading geographically, but also culturally. The Great Commission was being fulfilled.
Barnabas provides an example of how to help new Christians when he goes and brings Saul back to Antioch. The two stayed a year, encouraging the new believers and teaching them further lessons about Jesus.
Believers encourage new believers by walking along side of them and teaching them the ways of the Lord.
Help people learn about Christ (Acts 13:14-15, 42-43)
Barnabas and Paul were commissioned by the church at Antioch to go and tell others about Christ. The two arrived in Antioch of Pisidia and went into the synagogue. The synagogue leaders “sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak’” (v. 15).
When we are given the opportunity to tell the good news about Jesus, our words should always be encouraging. I will never forget the shock I felt when a believer told me that my preaching was too much about love and not enough about judgment. The good news about judgment is that God loved us so much he sent Jesus (John 3:16).
The encouraging words the two missionaries delivered was well received as they were asked to return and speak during the next Sabbath. As Christians, our encouraging words are used by the Holy Spirit to help nonbelieves seek to know more about the Christ who changed our lives.
Barnabas was one of the most influential people in the early days of Christianity. His role as an encourager sets an example for all Christians. There always is someone who needs encouragement.
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