A Good Example
by Dr. J.C. House
05/24/2023
Acts 11:24 - “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”
Acts 4:36-37 - “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
What a wonderful statement about a man named Barnabas. He lived a life that is a fine example for us today. Notice some obvious facts about his life.
BARNABAS MADE CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP A KEY PART OF HIS LIFE
Acts 4:37, “Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.”
No one suggested to Barnabas to sell land and give the money to help in this great time of need among the members of the church. He did not have to do it, but he wanted to be part of providing for those in need. Barnabas had come to think of life as an opportunity to give rather than an opportunity to get. He had come to believe, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). We will have won a great victory when we define our reason for ‘being’ in terms of an opportunity to give, to serve, to help, and to bless.
BARNABAS CHOSE TO SEE THE BEST IN OTHERS
Acts 9:26-27, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 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.”
One crowd was filled with fear of Paul, but Barnabas listened and believed Saul had become a believer.
BARNABAS HAD NO DESIRE TO BE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE
Acts 11:23-26, “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 was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
When Barnabas came to Antioch, he found a large group of believers without a teacher or leader. Rather than assume that role himself, he went after Paul and brought him to Antioch where he became the leader and Barnabas slipped into a support role. There was no indication of a spirit of envy or jealousy in Barnabas. He had the rare opportunity of doing a job well and being happy for others to receive the credit.
BARNABAS WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST
Acts 11:24, “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost”
The Holy Spirit was more than just a blur in Barnabas’ life. He had yielded his mind, body and soul to His leadership. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
BARNABAS WAS FILLED WITH FAITH
Acts 11:24, “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:”
Barnabas had faith in the promises of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the gospel to save all who will believe. He had faith in the Church, in the future, and in himself as a child of God.
WE HAVE THE SAME PROMISES AS BARNABAS, THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.
05/24/2023
Acts 11:24 - “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”
Acts 4:36-37 - “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
What a wonderful statement about a man named Barnabas. He lived a life that is a fine example for us today. Notice some obvious facts about his life.
BARNABAS MADE CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP A KEY PART OF HIS LIFE
Acts 4:37, “Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.”
No one suggested to Barnabas to sell land and give the money to help in this great time of need among the members of the church. He did not have to do it, but he wanted to be part of providing for those in need. Barnabas had come to think of life as an opportunity to give rather than an opportunity to get. He had come to believe, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35). We will have won a great victory when we define our reason for ‘being’ in terms of an opportunity to give, to serve, to help, and to bless.
BARNABAS CHOSE TO SEE THE BEST IN OTHERS
Acts 9:26-27, “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 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.”
One crowd was filled with fear of Paul, but Barnabas listened and believed Saul had become a believer.
BARNABAS HAD NO DESIRE TO BE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE
Acts 11:23-26, “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 was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
When Barnabas came to Antioch, he found a large group of believers without a teacher or leader. Rather than assume that role himself, he went after Paul and brought him to Antioch where he became the leader and Barnabas slipped into a support role. There was no indication of a spirit of envy or jealousy in Barnabas. He had the rare opportunity of doing a job well and being happy for others to receive the credit.
BARNABAS WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST
Acts 11:24, “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost”
The Holy Spirit was more than just a blur in Barnabas’ life. He had yielded his mind, body and soul to His leadership. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
BARNABAS WAS FILLED WITH FAITH
Acts 11:24, “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:”
Barnabas had faith in the promises of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the gospel to save all who will believe. He had faith in the Church, in the future, and in himself as a child of God.
WE HAVE THE SAME PROMISES AS BARNABAS, THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.
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