1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,280 Father, with all that's going around, with all that's 2 00:00:03,280 --> 00:00:06,960 happening, even in the service, we want to just pause and 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,080 acknowledge you. You are the living God. 4 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:16,720 You are the powerful, unmatched, all knowing God and Lord at this 5 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,760 time. We have come to rejoice in Your 6 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:20,920 Word. We've rejoiced in these 7 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:23,600 testimonies. We've celebrated in this 8 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:29,000 ordinance, but now we come to the force of it all, the power 9 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,240 behind everything that we experience here, the living Word 10 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,840 of God. And we do pray that whether we 11 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:38,480 understand it all or not, whether we feel like we are 12 00:00:38,480 --> 00:00:41,000 mature in the faith or we're just beginning, that you would 13 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,680 speak so loud and clear that you would Thunder your voice in our 14 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:46,960 hearts, and that we would understand Your word for us as a 15 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:48,160 church. We pray that you would even 16 00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:51,040 bless the visitors here who may not call this place home, that 17 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,680 they would benefit from this word, and that they would leave 18 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:55,880 here knowing that God was surely in that place. 19 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:58,600 Lord, we give you glory and thanks in advance for what you 20 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:01,960 have to say to us in Jesus name, Amen. 21 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:08,480 I want to speak to you briefly today about one of the most 22 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:13,680 important and needed ministries in the church. 23 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:19,080 And that claim is not a matter of personal opinion or even 24 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:23,400 personal experience. It is a spiritual exercise that 25 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:28,120 is practiced over and over again and even modeled throughout the 26 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:32,080 Scriptures and it is even a command that appears several 27 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:37,280 times in our New Testament. The ministry that I speak of in 28 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:41,920 your presence today is the ministry of encouragement, the 29 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:46,360 ministry of encouragement. And I want us to just look at a 30 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:50,680 simple verse as a start off to just see how vital and how 31 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:57,160 crucial this mutual investment is to the life and the longevity 32 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:00,160 of Christians. And so I hope you do have a 33 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,600 Bible in your hands because we're going to 1st Thessalonians 34 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,120 chapter 5. And I want us to look here at 35 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:13,520 verse 11. Paul is speaking to this group 36 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:18,240 of believers known as the Thessalonians, and he makes this 37 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:23,280 brief exhortation in First Thessalonians 511. 38 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:30,760 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just 39 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:35,800 as you are doing now. Since this verse begins with the 40 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:39,360 Word, therefore we know that Paul desired this group of 41 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,160 Christians to encourage one another with the things that he 42 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:45,480 had just finished explaining and teaching in this section of 43 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:48,680 Scripture. Truths that pertain to the 44 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:53,480 return of the Lord choose that speak about the hope that we 45 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:57,280 have in Christ, even in death, and the way that we as 46 00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:00,680 Christians should live in light of those glorious promises. 47 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,040 And so therefore is there for that. 48 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:10,240 But I want you to notice how Paul ends this verse after 49 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,360 saying, Look, you, you need to encourage one another. 50 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:14,040 You need to build one another up. 51 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:20,480 He he approvingly observes the following just as you are doing 52 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,480 meaning what that this community of Christians were already 53 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:33,960 cultivating a culture of harmony, of care, of 54 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:38,560 consolation. Now, strikingly, although Paul 55 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:43,920 recognized that, that they have this wonderful kind of 56 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:48,720 atmosphere that they have nurtured, he wants them to 57 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,840 protect it. He desires for them to pursue it 58 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,760 even more diligently. He does not want them to lose 59 00:03:55,760 --> 00:04:00,120 it. And so with a pastoral heart, 60 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,240 yes, this is an Apostolic leader. 61 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:07,760 He understands what mutual and shared encouragement can do 62 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,760 among members in one church. And so he does his part by 63 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:15,080 providing fresh truths that will strengthen. 64 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,880 There's support for one another. And I want to follow in Paul's 65 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:23,520 steps today. I want to just take the next few 66 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:27,840 minutes here to fuel the encouragement that people know 67 00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:30,560 and give in this place. I believe that many people here 68 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:33,720 at NBC reflect the spirit of the Thessalonians. 69 00:04:34,840 --> 00:04:37,840 And that being said, I want us to mature in it. 70 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:41,560 And maybe for those who don't see the value of the ministry of 71 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:44,760 encouragement, that you wouldn't just be a recipient of it, but 72 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,160 you would sign up to say Lord, whatever it takes to be an 73 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:51,200 encourager, so be it. Teach me and show me what it 74 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:55,640 takes. I heard someone once share how 75 00:04:55,640 --> 00:05:03,240 Satan one day was auctioning off his tools and some of the things 76 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:10,840 that he had for sale were vices like hatred, greed, lust, 77 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:18,520 bitterness, jealousy. But there was something that was 78 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:25,200 marked off, not for sale. And somebody asked as he saw 79 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:29,760 this instrument hanging there like a worn out trophy, what is 80 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,120 that? And without hesitation, Satan 81 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:37,000 said, oh, you're talking about discouragement. 82 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,480 Oh, you have to understand, I can't afford to give that up. 83 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:47,840 You see, I have used this tool over the centuries in the 84 00:05:47,840 --> 00:05:51,400 millennials to pry open the hearts of people. 85 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:55,480 And when they don't challenge the discouragement, when they 86 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:59,080 don't resist it by the truth, I want to let you know something. 87 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,440 I can make that man or woman who is discouraged to do almost 88 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:07,440 anything. And if you think that 89 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,320 illustration is an exaggeration, I want to encourage you and your 90 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:14,040 old time to look up one of our studies in First Samuel, 91 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:18,200 specifically chapter 27. Because that chapter deals with 92 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:24,280 just how far David went in his disobedience because of 1 main 93 00:06:24,280 --> 00:06:26,760 thing. Unresolved discouragement. 94 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:31,200 When he kept focusing on something that caused him to be 95 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,960 hopeless and dejected, and he couldn't shake free from it. 96 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:40,280 It's an amazing case study to see just how dangerous 97 00:06:40,280 --> 00:06:45,040 discouragement can be. Discouragement is one of Satan's 98 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:48,920 favorite weapons against God's most faithful servants. 99 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:53,760 And if you can't get a Christian to disqualify him or herself 100 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:58,960 from ministry because of scandal or character flaws or 101 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:03,840 immorality, know this. He will harass them with 102 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:06,280 discouragement until they give up on their own. 103 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,040 And that's why we need to take this ministry as a church 104 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,120 seriously. It can't just come from leaders. 105 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,360 It can't just come from sermons. It must be an ever flowing 106 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:22,040 stream in this family. And the way we're going to do 107 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:27,400 this is by looking at one of the clearest examples of a person 108 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:31,280 who modelled what encouragement is and what it can do. 109 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:37,600 In fact, this individual who is a follower of Christ so embodied 110 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:43,480 consolation and an uplifting spirit that they actually change 111 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:47,720 his name to reflect it. They actually began to call this 112 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:52,520 man in the early church son of encouragement in the Hebrew. 113 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,720 It's Barnabas. Can you imagine what that was 114 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:58,720 like for the early Christians in that time? 115 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:02,440 That whenever Barnabas walked into a room, they said, oh, 116 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:07,080 encouragement is here. Or perhaps before they made any 117 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,880 decision, they would say, let's let us seek the son of 118 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:12,960 encouragement and see what he has to say about this before we 119 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,840 conclude on it. Imagine having such a reputation 120 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:20,240 that the apostles themselves thought, look, your name, we 121 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,560 understand it's Joseph, but we want to call you now, son of 122 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:26,880 encouragement. You can imagine that he has so 123 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:31,760 much to offer us in his example, but because of our limited time, 124 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:36,760 let's look at three ways, three ways that each of us can grow 125 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:38,760 and mature in the ministry of encouragement. 126 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:42,559 And I believe there's no better place to start than when we are 127 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,200 introduced to this man, Barnabas. 128 00:08:44,680 --> 00:08:46,520 And so meet me in Acts chapter 4. 129 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:51,440 And let's look together here at the end of that chapter where we 130 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:57,840 are introduced to Barnabas, Acts 4, beginning in verse 36. 131 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:08,960 Thus Joseph, who is called by the apostles Barnabas, which 132 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:15,080 means son of encouragement, A Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold 133 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:19,800 a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at 134 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:25,600 the apostles feet. I find it absolutely fascinating 135 00:09:26,560 --> 00:09:30,520 that the very place where we are introduced to the man who is 136 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:36,000 encouragement Incarnate, there is not a single word mentioned. 137 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,360 The very first time the word encouragement appears in the 138 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,800 book of Acts, there is no recorded speech. 139 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:51,400 What do we have here? Instead, we have a man who lived 140 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:55,200 in a certain way. We have a man who, by his 141 00:09:55,200 --> 00:10:01,440 example, inspired other Christians without saying 142 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,360 anything. We limit encouragement to what 143 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:04,800 you say. Yeah, we'll get there in a 144 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,000 moment. But that's not how it shows up 145 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,360 with this man. It shows up with action. 146 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:18,000 It shows up by point #1 living wholeheartedly for Christ. 147 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:20,720 You want to be an encouragement to the church? 148 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:24,360 Then write this down. You must, by the power and grace 149 00:10:24,360 --> 00:10:28,320 of God, endeavour to live radically for the Lord Jesus. 150 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:31,520 What's happening here with this man Barnabas? 151 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:36,840 Well, he contributed to a need in the early church and he made 152 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,200 the choice here to be very generous. 153 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:42,640 And what makes this so special? And the reason why I believe the 154 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:45,560 Holy Spirit highlights his donation, though many other 155 00:10:45,560 --> 00:10:48,240 people donated, is because of his lineage. 156 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:51,960 Why aren't we told that Joseph was a Levite? 157 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:57,360 Because according to the law, Levites were prohibited from 158 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:02,760 owning any land in Israel. According to Deuteronomy 10/9, 159 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:07,320 Levi was set apart to perform temple duties, and because of 160 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:10,160 that the Lord himself was their inheritance. 161 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,280 They didn't have any tribal allotment. 162 00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:17,680 They just lived in cities within the borders of other tribes. 163 00:11:20,560 --> 00:11:23,200 So how do we explain this Levite owning land? 164 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,360 Well, I think the following thought helps us. 165 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:30,280 He was a native of Cyprus, and so he was born and raised 166 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,840 outside of the borders of Israel. 167 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:38,200 And so this could mean that like many of the laws, especially 168 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,480 after the Babylonian exile, a lot of these things that we're 169 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:43,920 not as binding, we're not as seriously taken. 170 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:48,320 Or it could mean that because of the dispersion of the Jews over 171 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:52,080 the centuries, a man like Joseph had more liberty to own land in 172 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:56,800 different regions. We're not explicitly told, but 173 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,280 what is clear here is that you can imagine how challenging it 174 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:06,000 must have been for somebody like Joseph, who came from a heritage 175 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:10,520 that never owned property, that could never pass down real 176 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:15,520 estate, and yet willingly gives it up. 177 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:20,200 And yet when he realizes that there's an opportunity here to 178 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:23,880 contribute to the mission and the message of Christ, he 179 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:27,040 joyfully and willingly surrenders. 180 00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:31,480 This is how we are introduced to the Son of encouragement. 181 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,600 And here's what it means for us that you and I, if we want to 182 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:41,160 grow in this ministry, don't need to worry about our words 183 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,640 just yet. We need to be focused on our 184 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:49,600 convictions. You know, careless words most 185 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:51,640 definitely can wound fellow believers. 186 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:54,080 But you know what else can? Carnal faith. 187 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,040 That can be just as detrimental and discouraging to other 188 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:03,160 believers. But the way that we can actually 189 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:08,480 bless others is shown here by determining that you will truly 190 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:12,120 live for Christ and believing that the Lord can use that to 191 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:16,120 work wonders in the spiritual disciplines and devotions of 192 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:20,880 other Christians. When I think back to some of the 193 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:24,280 people who have encouraged my faith the most, I can honestly 194 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,960 say that most of them didn't say anything to me directly. 195 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:34,280 It was just by watching them at a distance, observing how they 196 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:38,960 love their wives and their husbands, witnessing how we can 197 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:42,520 and week out. Nothing can shake them away from 198 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:45,320 their ministry that they've committed to as a member of a 199 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:50,040 local church, that over the months and years you look at 200 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:51,640 their Bibles that they carry in it. 201 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:55,720 It's it's becoming more weathered and used and 202 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:03,480 highlighted. I remember being a believer 203 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:06,800 early on in my walk with Christ and being part of a local church 204 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,800 for a short time. And clearly this made an 205 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,440 impression on me because it came to mind as I was preparing these 206 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:17,240 thoughts, an elderly man there who could barely walk up 207 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,800 straight. But whenever this man prayed out 208 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:25,960 loud, not because of his confidence, not because of his 209 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:29,840 eloquence, not because he could quote Scripture by memory, just 210 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,880 because when he prayed, you knew that it was coming from the 211 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:37,200 depths of his heart, every time that man was asked to pray in 212 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,760 that meeting, he would stand up, barely able to, in his own 213 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,240 strength, put his hands on the Pew in front of him, and he 214 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,840 would cry out to God. And I would think to myself, I 215 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:51,720 want what he has. And I don't ever remember 216 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:56,000 telling him that. And maybe in my infancy, 217 00:14:56,560 --> 00:15:01,280 spiritual infancy, I hesitated to approach him, to let him know 218 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:03,000 how much of an encouragement he has been to me. 219 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:07,080 So he doesn't know how much that has motivated me in my own 220 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:12,800 prayer life. Barnabas didn't say anything, at 221 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:15,640 least here in record, but he did something. 222 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:18,560 And that's where we realized that he was a source of 223 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:23,120 encouragement. And I think of Paul's words, in 224 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:25,800 case you think that this is limited to this man, in the 225 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:29,080 beginning of his letter to the Philippians, he tells him in 226 00:15:29,080 --> 00:15:32,760 114. And most of the brothers, having 227 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:37,120 become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more 228 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,360 bold to speak the word without fear. 229 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:43,800 Think about that. He reflects on the price that he 230 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,880 paid for the gospel, that he is imprisoned for his testimony. 231 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:50,840 And the Lord in his grace allowed him to see the fruit of 232 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:52,600 his commitment to the cause of Christ. 233 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,600 And he says here that the brothers have become more 234 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:57,720 confident in the Lord. Why? 235 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:01,360 Because of his counseling sessions, because of his 236 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:07,160 sermons, because of his letters. Yes, we can say that he has 237 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:11,560 blessed them in those ways. But in this case, he instilled 238 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:13,840 greater boldness. And other brothers, because of 239 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:22,240 his imprisonment, how he responded to suffering, how he 240 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,840 remains steadfast, how he was willing to go all the way, even 241 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:29,920 unto death for this cause and this message. 242 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:36,040 And in the same way, brothers and sisters, if if you just so 243 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:39,840 entrenched yourself and so focus on the Lord and allow him to 244 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:44,480 just ravage every part of you, one of the fruits of that is 245 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,960 that others who want the same, others who have just come into 246 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:52,040 the faith, they will sense the the joy and the possibility in 247 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,720 Christ and they will be built up. 248 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:59,720 They will be moved. And maybe like me, I never 249 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,760 shared it with the old man and you may never hear it, but don't 250 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:06,400 doubt the significance of your sanctification. 251 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:13,160 Immerse yourself in Christ. Let your roots go deep. 252 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:17,880 Take your faith seriously. Allow Him to fill you and to 253 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:21,119 transform you. Yes, for his pleasure, but also 254 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:24,480 for for the glory of His name and other believers who, 255 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:28,760 especially in this age, desperately need seasoned Saints 256 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:32,840 to show that it's possible to cling to Christ for years and 257 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:35,880 years to come. There's a lot of I want to speak 258 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:37,480 to the seasoned Saints in this place. 259 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:42,560 This generation is absolutely confused and there are 1000 260 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:47,840 voices coming their way. And I just want to let you know 261 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,240 that people are watching your marriages and they are watching 262 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:53,760 your children and they are watching your social media 263 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:57,160 posts. And they can either stir them to 264 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:01,480 say it's possible to advance in life and to have all this 265 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:06,800 busyness but still prioritize the church and still honor God 266 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:10,200 and not get swayed or distracted by the things that are always 267 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:11,880 pulling at you and calling for you. 268 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:17,080 Don't dismiss how your silent testimony can do miracles in 269 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:20,000 other people. Don't dismiss that there is an 270 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:24,040 indirect encouragement that we all offer whether we realize it 271 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,440 or not. Barnabas was such a man, but 272 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:29,120 that's not the only thing he teaches us. 273 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:33,000 The very next time the name Barnabas appears in the book of 274 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:37,560 Acts teaches us a second thing about how we can be matured in 275 00:18:37,560 --> 00:18:39,440 the ministry of encouragement. Let's go to Acts 9. 276 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:47,880 Now notice this in verse 26, Acts 926. 277 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:51,520 This chapter records the conversion of the foremost 278 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:56,040 persecutor of Christians, Saul of Tarsus, whom we know as Paul. 279 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,800 Let's read now what happens after Paul was converted in Acts 280 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,960 926. And when he had come to 281 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:07,560 Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples, and they were all 282 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:11,040 afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 283 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:15,560 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and 284 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:19,200 declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord who spoke 285 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:22,160 to him, and how had Damascus He had preached boldly in the name 286 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:25,760 of Jesus. So he went in and out among them 287 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:28,960 at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 288 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,400 So Paul here is saved miraculously. 289 00:19:33,760 --> 00:19:37,280 You're talking about a terrorist who now is transformed by the 290 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:40,760 power of the gospel. And naturally he wants to 291 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,080 fellowship because when you become a Christian, you're drawn 292 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:46,960 to other Christians. And so he arrives in Jerusalem 293 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:49,040 and he, he wants to try to plug in. 294 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,520 And it's no surprise to us that his attempt was met with great 295 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:55,360 resistance from the believers in Jerusalem. 296 00:19:56,680 --> 00:20:00,240 So they push them away. It was so hard for them to 297 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:03,960 fathom how such a fierce, maybe the fiercest opponent. 298 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:08,240 Against the gospel is somehow now wanting to actually be in 299 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,280 our midst and to count himself as one of the redeemed. 300 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:15,920 Now you have to understand this isn't the day after Paul 301 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:19,160 converted. If you look back at Acts 923, 302 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:23,480 notice what is mentioned there. When many days had passed, the 303 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:26,040 Jews plotted to kill him, him being Paul. 304 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:30,040 So up to this point, Paul had been preaching Christ in 305 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:33,080 synagogues. Paul had been threatened and 306 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:35,160 chased. Paul was almost killed in 307 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:38,280 Damascus. This man had proven over time 308 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:44,360 that he's really saved. He is so obviously changed that 309 00:20:44,360 --> 00:20:47,200 even the Jews believed that he was a Christian while the church 310 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,720 didn't. I think that's actually 311 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:53,480 something worth pausing and meditating on. 312 00:20:56,200 --> 00:20:59,360 Imagine how that made Paul feel. He wasn't a robot. 313 00:20:59,360 --> 00:21:01,400 I know he seemed to be superhuman, but he was a man 314 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:03,400 with emotions. All you have to read is his 315 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:11,200 letters to get that clear. How would some have acted if 316 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,480 they had come to the front steps of a church in Jerusalem? 317 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:17,000 Imagine knocking on the door of every church in Jerusalem and 318 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:22,880 they shut the door in your face. I thought you guys are all about 319 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:25,520 grace and forgiveness and redemption. 320 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:30,040 I almost lost my life for this gospel. 321 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:32,080 And this is how you Christians act. 322 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:35,560 Imagine he turned away from the faith. 323 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:40,240 Imagine he aborted his calling. What kind of disaster would that 324 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:43,840 be? And I want to speak to those who 325 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,000 might be suffering from what we call church hurt. 326 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,040 I am not trying to minimize the pain that can be caused by 327 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:54,800 Christians and even Christian leaders, but look at Paul as 328 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:58,400 your example. He did not give up on Christ, 329 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:03,440 nor did he give up on the Church of Christ simply because in a 330 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:06,960 certain circumstance some of Christ's representatives did not 331 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:08,720 reflect the nature of their Master. 332 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:13,240 I want to look at this at a different angle. 333 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:21,480 This also shows us how one single Christian can change the 334 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:26,040 experience of a person like Paul who was hurt by the church. 335 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:30,880 Look back here at our text. Notice what happens in verse 27. 336 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:35,800 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. 337 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:41,440 Why? Because Barnabas was able to see 338 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:43,560 what most could not immediately perceive. 339 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,080 And it's not that Barnabas was like some who are naturally 340 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:51,520 optimistic, maybe dangerously optimistic, where they kind of 341 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:54,600 dismiss all the red flags and say, well, it's OK, let's just 342 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:58,120 give him a chance. Barnabas is working with 343 00:22:58,120 --> 00:23:00,320 evidence. Notice that he defends Paul. 344 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:02,200 He goes, no, no, this is his testimony. 345 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:06,640 He heard Christ. Look what he endured for Christ. 346 00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:13,200 And I think here that there is a principle that encourages are 347 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:17,280 those who can recognize progress, they can identify 348 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:21,200 growth, they can catch glimpses of God's grace at work in 349 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:26,840 somebody's life, and they support it, they nurture it, 350 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:32,560 they celebrate it, they give God glory for it, and they want to 351 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:36,160 strengthen it. See, Barnabas is defending Paul 352 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,720 here, and we understand that Paul was called by God, but from 353 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:44,400 a human level, do you understand how significant this is that 354 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:47,360 Paul's ministry would go to a brand new level because of 355 00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:53,000 Barnabas's encouragement? And I don't doubt for a moment 356 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:57,000 that somebody's encouragement can can cause ministries to 357 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:02,240 begin and ministries to remain and ministries to go on. 358 00:24:05,040 --> 00:24:08,040 If we don't believe that, then we're going to fall into great 359 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:10,800 trust because Satan understands the power of discouragement. 360 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:17,320 And I want to prove this to you further, how Barnabas was able 361 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:20,960 to see what many others, even good Christian leaders, could 362 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,400 not immediately register. I want you to see a phrase in 363 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:28,880 Acts 11. Go to Acts 11 in verse 22. 364 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,520 This is when a move of the Spirit was beginning in a place 365 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:37,920 called Antioch. And in Antioch the report of 366 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:42,160 conversions came to the leaders. And so who do they send, 367 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:46,280 Barnabas? Who better to send than the Son 368 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:49,400 of encouragement? And so read here. 369 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,920 In Acts 1122, the report of this came to the ears of the church 370 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:56,560 in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 371 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:05,120 When he came, here's the phrase, and saw the grace of God, he was 372 00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:09,240 glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord 373 00:25:09,240 --> 00:25:13,360 with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy 374 00:25:13,360 --> 00:25:16,640 Spirit and of faith, and a great many people were added to the 375 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:20,400 Lord. Notice that again he saw the 376 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:27,160 grace of God at work, and it made him glad, and it encouraged 377 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:35,320 him to encourage the believers. Human nature is excellent at 378 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:40,040 fault fighting even Christians. It doesn't take much skill or 379 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:43,960 effort to point out the things that we don't like in others. 380 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:49,440 And with that, many people don't hesitate to express their 381 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:51,360 displeasure of people's shortcomings. 382 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:56,040 But those who are ministers of encouragement, like Barnabas, 383 00:25:56,040 --> 00:26:00,840 they genuinely can perceive and identify God's grace at work. 384 00:26:02,000 --> 00:26:06,320 And that causes them to rejoice. And whatever snippets they do 385 00:26:06,320 --> 00:26:10,560 see in someone, they're magnetized towards it to build 386 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:14,520 them up and for that to excel in their lives. 387 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:19,720 And I sat back last night thinking to myself, I wonder 388 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:22,160 what Barnabas would have said or acted like in different 389 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:24,840 situations. And one that came to mind was 390 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:31,080 what would Barnabas do if, let's say, a dejected soul who is 391 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:33,040 struggling with their faith approach them? 392 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:37,760 Well, I see something here. He was able to see the grace of 393 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:40,560 God and things. And I can imagine Barnabas 394 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:44,400 saying something along the lines of, brother, I know your 395 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:49,000 skepticism frightens you, but I want you to be encouraged 396 00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:55,560 genuinely because you are clearly concerned about your 397 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,000 walk with Christ. You're clearly disturbed by the 398 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:02,200 fact that you might be hurting him and hurting your testimony 399 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:05,320 because you're now kind of wrestling with these things. 400 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:08,920 Is that not evidence that you are sincere? 401 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:14,920 Is that not something that shows you that down deep inside you 402 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:19,880 love the Lord and you can attest to the power of the Word of God? 403 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:25,160 Use this as fuel in your life to investigate further and trust 404 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,880 that God and His grace will bring you through and you'll be 405 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,280 more confident and more strong in your faith than ever. 406 00:27:32,000 --> 00:27:37,600 Do you see that? He saw the grace of God, He was 407 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:42,200 able to see the good, and he's able to offer encouragement from 408 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:43,960 that place. Now, I'm not saying here that 409 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:45,640 that means we can't ever rebuke anybody. 410 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:48,440 We can't correct anybody. We can't take sin in people's 411 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:51,360 lives seriously. I'm talking about Barnabas here. 412 00:27:51,360 --> 00:27:53,200 But there's somebody who's more encouraging than him, and that's 413 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,520 Christ. And even at times with his own 414 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:57,360 students, he rebuked them for their unbelief. 415 00:27:57,360 --> 00:27:59,640 Look, you've been in class here for almost three years and 416 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:02,720 you're still not getting it. And that's just as much loving 417 00:28:03,360 --> 00:28:04,520 as what we see here with this man. 418 00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:09,960 What I am saying, though, is that it's not our disposition to 419 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,920 encourage. And yet this man shows us that 420 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:15,760 it's possible. May the Holy Spirit help us 421 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:19,240 always be able to see the grace of God at work, even if others 422 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:23,920 can't right away. Is there another way that we can 423 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:25,320 grow as ministers of encouragement? 424 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:26,800 Yes, and this is my final thought. 425 00:28:28,400 --> 00:28:29,640 You need to know the Word of God. 426 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:35,120 Let's go to our final text, perhaps in Acts 14 and verse 20. 427 00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:39,720 At this point, Barnabas and Saul, who is now known as Paul, 428 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:43,080 have been working together as a missionary team, and I want you 429 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:44,680 to see what happens at this juncture. 430 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:48,680 Acts 14, verse 20. But when the disciples gathered 431 00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:52,040 about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the 432 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:55,120 next day he went on with Barnabas to Derby. 433 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:59,000 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made 434 00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:02,640 many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to 435 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:07,440 Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging 436 00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:12,080 them to continue in the faith and saying that through many 437 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:14,240 tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God. 438 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:18,160 What was the substance of Barnabas encouragement? 439 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,120 What, what was the fuel to his consolation? 440 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,280 What did he use as material? Well, every time you see 441 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:27,400 encouragement brought up in the Scriptures, the goal was always 442 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:31,680 to strengthen people's faith for them to continue to believe 443 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,440 Christ and serve Christ and honor the Christ. 444 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:42,280 Now you can't do that unless you know God's Word, what He asks of 445 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:46,640 us, what He promises us, how He has moved in the past, how He 446 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:50,360 has not changed. Remember, we learned that 447 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,200 Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit. 448 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:55,640 Then we read that in Acts 11. It's impossible to be, to be 449 00:29:55,640 --> 00:29:57,960 filled with the Holy Spirit and not be filled with God's Word. 450 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:05,280 So this, this fellow leader and missionary partner was oozing 451 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:09,080 the truths of God. And if anybody, and I've seen 452 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:14,560 it, if anybody endeavors to be a minister of encouragement, void 453 00:30:14,560 --> 00:30:19,800 of the word of Christ, dwelling in them richly, they are just as 454 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:22,560 helpful as and as insightful as a fortune cookie. 455 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:29,280 Doesn't go anywhere, just general statements and maxim's. 456 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:33,920 There's no weight to it. There's no power, there's no 457 00:30:33,920 --> 00:30:38,520 anchor. And so you see this throughout 458 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,120 Scripture. I even remember what Paul said 459 00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:43,240 to the same group of believers that we addressed at the 460 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:45,720 beginning of this message. The Thessalonians, he said 461 00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:50,240 before our main text of First Thessalonians 418, therefore 462 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:54,440 encourage one another with these words. 463 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:56,920 What words? His words. 464 00:30:57,080 --> 00:30:59,120 And Paul understood that he was led by the Spirit. 465 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:02,040 He understood that he was inspired by the Spirit to 466 00:31:02,040 --> 00:31:06,720 provide divine revelation. So you Thessalonians, you need 467 00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:09,560 the words that I give to you that are ultimately the Word of 468 00:31:09,560 --> 00:31:13,080 God to be able to even know true and lasting encouragement. 469 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:18,560 I was reminded of a pastor's testimony in this area. 470 00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:23,480 He was young in ministry. He was just starting out and at 471 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:27,440 one point he received a phone call to his surprise of one of 472 00:31:27,440 --> 00:31:31,280 the members of his church who had an accident and was quickly 473 00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:34,440 dying. He had no time to go home. 474 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:37,360 This was before iPhones and Bible apps. 475 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:40,920 He didn't have the chance to go and grab his pocket Bible or his 476 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:42,840 preaching Bible. He had to go to the hospital 477 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:45,600 immediately. And when he entered into that 478 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:48,800 room as a 30 something year old pastor, here is this member who 479 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:52,400 is surrounded by loved ones and they are mourning and they are 480 00:31:52,400 --> 00:31:56,160 broken. And the scene was silent. 481 00:31:56,760 --> 00:31:59,880 The only noise that was there was just the sniffles of of 482 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:02,080 those who were trying to process this. 483 00:32:03,760 --> 00:32:08,440 Finally, somebody looked over at the pastor and said, pastor, 484 00:32:09,560 --> 00:32:15,320 give us a word. You know, what most of us might 485 00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:19,680 do in that moment is OK, and there's nothing wrong with that. 486 00:32:19,720 --> 00:32:25,000 But he didn't have that tool at his disposal and he could not 487 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:31,520 think of anything. No Scripture, no Psalm. 488 00:32:32,760 --> 00:32:37,320 He tried to reach back. Even for him, I believe nothing. 489 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:49,440 So he prayed, just a broken prayer, weak, just so despondent 490 00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:52,280 by the fact that he was not prepared for this moment. 491 00:32:54,560 --> 00:32:57,880 And he walked out of that hospital vowing to himself, I 492 00:32:57,880 --> 00:33:00,960 will never let that happen again. 493 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:08,520 And that began his quest of memorizing Scripture so that if 494 00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:13,680 he was put on the spot, he could give something to build the 495 00:33:13,680 --> 00:33:17,360 people up. And that was a challenge to me. 496 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:20,840 What Psalms do I know? Not complete Psalms. 497 00:33:20,840 --> 00:33:25,400 Just maybe 2 verses, maybe even one verse that's at the tip of 498 00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:29,960 my tongue that if I get a phone call and I'm out somewhere, I 499 00:33:29,960 --> 00:33:33,240 can say let's pray and I can quote that Psalm. 500 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:38,880 What promises do I know in God's word by heart that can help 501 00:33:38,880 --> 00:33:44,600 somebody who needs hope? Am I familiar enough with the 502 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:47,720 testimonies of God's work and history, narratives and stories 503 00:33:47,920 --> 00:33:50,000 that I can relate to people's situations? 504 00:33:50,880 --> 00:33:55,320 If not, I have nothing to offer in terms of encouragement. 505 00:33:57,480 --> 00:33:59,160 I may have my personal experiences. 506 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:03,920 That helps, but ultimately, as you know, this is where it comes 507 00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:07,480 from. Barnabas knew the word. 508 00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:14,120 And so for me, from time to time, though my memorization is 509 00:34:14,120 --> 00:34:18,040 not the greatest strength, I try to look for verses, not just for 510 00:34:18,040 --> 00:34:20,679 my own soul to quote in the midst of temptation or my own 511 00:34:20,679 --> 00:34:23,080 trials and battles, but to be able to share it to somebody 512 00:34:23,080 --> 00:34:26,040 else, deal with the offer to somebody else. 513 00:34:27,239 --> 00:34:30,000 Just wonderful promises that can cover so many things. 514 00:34:31,560 --> 00:34:34,760 Know the word well. I said this was the last text, 515 00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:36,239 but I think I can offer something else. 516 00:34:37,480 --> 00:34:41,159 I want us to look at something here in Acts 13 and verse one. 517 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:50,760 This is when the Holy Spirit created a very important 518 00:34:50,920 --> 00:34:53,760 ministry in a very special setting. 519 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:58,040 Look at this in Acts 13, one now they were in the church at 520 00:34:58,040 --> 00:35:01,680 Antioch, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was also 521 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:05,600 called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manny and a lifelong friend of 522 00:35:05,600 --> 00:35:08,840 Harry the Tetrarch and Saul. While they were worshipping the 523 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:12,320 Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said set apart for me 524 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:15,280 Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I've called them. 525 00:35:15,520 --> 00:35:18,120 Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them 526 00:35:18,120 --> 00:35:23,440 and sent them off. Now, knowing what I know about 527 00:35:23,480 --> 00:35:27,920 Saul, who would become Paul in the same chapter, I can see why 528 00:35:27,920 --> 00:35:29,600 the Holy Spirit might have selected him, though 529 00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:32,440 undeservingly. He had a colossal intellect. 530 00:35:32,440 --> 00:35:37,440 He was very courageous. He worked so hard even as an 531 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:40,920 unbeliever. His zeal is now transferred over 532 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:43,480 to the truth, but it was almost just ingrained in him. 533 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:51,640 But Barnabas, What did Barnabas have to offer in this? 534 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:55,960 Exactly what we've been speaking about, encouragement. 535 00:35:57,040 --> 00:36:00,160 In the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, he selects Saul and he 536 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:02,560 says, oh, this man is going to need some encouragement. 537 00:36:04,560 --> 00:36:09,560 Barnabas, go with him. If Paul needed it, what about 538 00:36:09,560 --> 00:36:13,080 you? If Paul needed it, what about 539 00:36:13,080 --> 00:36:15,360 me? There is no such thing as a 540 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:19,400 Christian who can walk this life solo without being visited by 541 00:36:20,600 --> 00:36:22,840 the weight and the gravity of discouragement. 542 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:30,520 So you might look at us, a Saul, a Paul, a mighty theologian, an 543 00:36:30,520 --> 00:36:35,400 apologist, an evangelist, A missionary, and we can praise 544 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:39,600 that and give God glory to that. But the Holy Spirit also 545 00:36:39,600 --> 00:36:44,560 selected Barnabas because the minister of an encouragement is 546 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:52,360 so needed. And if you have no motivation to 547 00:36:52,360 --> 00:36:58,040 see how beautiful and how much we should actually seek this, 548 00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:01,080 let me give you a final thought. Do you know that one of God's 549 00:37:01,080 --> 00:37:06,120 names, you can say one of God's titles more precisely is that 550 00:37:06,120 --> 00:37:09,200 according to Romans 15, five, he is known as the God of endurance 551 00:37:09,200 --> 00:37:13,920 and encouragement. God is a God of encouragement. 552 00:37:15,440 --> 00:37:20,320 I want to be like my God. Lord, we thank you for this 553 00:37:20,680 --> 00:37:23,240 short reminder of a profound truth. 554 00:37:28,820 --> 00:37:32,380 Help us each to live more wholeheartedly for Christ to 555 00:37:32,380 --> 00:37:37,740 give of ourselves in a way that would inspire onlookers and 556 00:37:37,740 --> 00:37:43,260 fellow believers. Help us be able to see the grace 557 00:37:43,260 --> 00:37:45,740 of God at work in the lives of others. 558 00:37:47,340 --> 00:37:52,160 And finally, may we invest in greater ways the Word of God in 559 00:37:52,160 --> 00:37:56,560 our hearts so that it can be ready on our lips to infuse 560 00:37:56,560 --> 00:37:59,880 another people, the truths that have carried us. 561 00:38:02,400 --> 00:38:07,120 May this church, like the Thessalonians, encourage and 562 00:38:07,120 --> 00:38:10,320 build one other up just as we are doing. 563 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:14,880 May we never lose that momentum. By your grace, in Jesus name we 564 00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:16,160 pray. Amen. 565 00:38:16,640 --> 00:38:18,840 Amen. As a praise team comes, let's 566 00:38:18,840 --> 00:38:21,480 stand and give God glory for all that He's done on this Lord's 567 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:22,240 Day service.