March 18, 2015
Never underestimate the power of encouragement; it can make more of a difference than we might realize. Case in point is a man named Barnabas, whose name literally means, “son of encouragement.” Here is the story of the impact of his encouraging words to the fledgling church in the city of Antioch:
“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11.21-26)
Barnabas was not a man to offer false flattery for encouragement; he was characterized as “a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” There was true substance to his encouraging words, as prompted by the active work of Holy Spirit in his life, and his resolute faith. As such, there was a clear aim to his encouraging words: (he)”began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord”. His words of encouragement were directed to new believers to persevere and remain faithful.
His encouragement doesn’t end there. He deliberately sought out a man named Saul, and partnered with him for an entire year for teaching and encouragement in Antioch. There was substance and direction to his encouragement.
It can be argued that we wouldn’t have over half of the New Testament were it not for Barnabas’ impact on Paul, but perhaps the real lesson here is the substance of encouragement. Anyone can offer a kind pat on the back and a “keep-up-the-good-work” encouragement, but the real encouragement is faithful supportive teaching to assist others to persevere and progress in the Christian life.
Saul, later to be called Paul, would go on to state the purpose of encouraging instruction: “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1.5) Now that’s encouragement with substance!
The church and the world needs an abundance of Barnabas-type men and women. May we be used of the Lord to be those men and women.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11.21-26)
Barnabas was not a man to offer false flattery for encouragement; he was characterized as “a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” There was true substance to his encouraging words, as prompted by the active work of Holy Spirit in his life, and his resolute faith. As such, there was a clear aim to his encouraging words: (he)”began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord”. His words of encouragement were directed to new believers to persevere and remain faithful.
His encouragement doesn’t end there. He deliberately sought out a man named Saul, and partnered with him for an entire year for teaching and encouragement in Antioch. There was substance and direction to his encouragement.
It can be argued that we wouldn’t have over half of the New Testament were it not for Barnabas’ impact on Paul, but perhaps the real lesson here is the substance of encouragement. Anyone can offer a kind pat on the back and a “keep-up-the-good-work” encouragement, but the real encouragement is faithful supportive teaching to assist others to persevere and progress in the Christian life.
Saul, later to be called Paul, would go on to state the purpose of encouraging instruction: “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1.5) Now that’s encouragement with substance!
The church and the world needs an abundance of Barnabas-type men and women. May we be used of the Lord to be those men and women.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:20 AM
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