"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 with all their hearts."

         The Holy Spirit-formed church grows through the gifts of a variety of leaders. Today we look at Barnabas, whose gift of encouragement is an essential ingredient in every church.

         Who was Barnabas?

         What was his ministry of encouragement?

         How does the Holy Spirit use the ministry of encouragement to form the church?

          Actually, his name was Joseph. He was Jewish and a Levite, a servant in the temple. He was from Cyrene, and would travel to Jerusalem to carry out his temple service. There he comes to believe in Jesus, perhaps even on the day of Pentecost. He stays in Jerusalem and becomes a leader in the Jerusalem church.

         He is described in Acts as "a good man." In fact, he is the only person in Acts who is described in that way. He was generous; he sold some property and gave the money to the poor. He was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the Christians were afraid of him. But Barnabas acted with faith, and took Paul to the Apostles, and was Paul's advocate. Because of his faith, the obvious presence of the Holy Spirit in him, his generosity and goodness, and his good relationships with people, the apostles gave him a new name, "Barnabas," which means "son of encouragement."

         His ministry is interesting because it was multi-faceted. He was able to fill a variety of roles and demonstrated a variety of spiritual gifts. He began as a Levite, a servant in the temple. After coming to faith in Christ he becomes a leader in the Jerusalem church. He seems to have been trusted by the people. He was sent as a representative of the Jerusalem church to the church in Antioch. There, he becomes an evangelist and a teacher of God's Word. He is then instrumental in bringing a gift to the poor in Judea during a time of famine, and finally he is consecrated as a missionary.

         The persecution of Christians in Jerusalem after the death of Stephen caused many believers to re-settle in Antioch and begin a church there. At first they shared the Gospel with Jews only, but then some unnamed evangelists came from Cyprus and Cyrene and began preaching to Gentiles. This caused some concern at the home church in Jerusalem. They sent Barnabas as a kind of company man to check things out.

         If you have ever lived at a distance from a company headquarters, or a church headquarters, you know the feeling when someone from the central office comes to pay a visit. It does not always feel encouraging. It can feel like there is some suspicion, so that a company man has to be sent to make sure everyone's necktie is on straight. So, what is remarkable here is that far from throwing cold water on the new ministry to gentile people, Barnabas encourages them and evangelism actually increases during his visit.

         He then remains as a teacher. Again, what he does is surprising. Rather than finding a young person to develop after himself, he travels about 100 miles to Tarsus and finds Paul, and brings him back as a co-teacher with him. He deliberately seeks out someone with greater knowledge and ability than he has to work under him; probably knowing that one day the team of Barnabas and Paul will be known as the team of Paul and Barnabas. That is of course exactly what happens. Barnabas does not fail; there is no negative word about him as a leader. But about half way through chapter 13 the story of the Gentile mission begins to be told through Paul and not through Barnabas. He does not resent that change, nor does he quit or compete with Paul. He remains, to the end, "Barnabas, son of encouragement."

         How does the Holy Spirit use the ministry of encouragement to form the church?

         Encouragers are vital for every church. The first reason is that encouragers build unity in the church, they connect the parts that otherwise could divide into competing or even hostile camps. Barnabas brought together Jerusalem and Antioch. He brought together Paul and the Apostles. He later restored John Mark as a missionary. Encouragers bring people, leaders and institutions together.

         Ajith Fernando points out that Barnabas displayed both faith in God and faith in people. To encourage people you must believe in them. And you believe in people by putting your trust in the promises of God, in the possibilities of grace working in the lives of ordinary people. People can fail you, can disappoint you. But the grace of God can transform lives. Barnabas had faith in people who had been touched by God's grace.

Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the Jerusalem apostles. There was good reason for fear, hostility, resentment and hurt to have surfaced at such a meeting. But Barnabas trusted the grace of God working in the hearts of both Paul and the Apostles. He was able to be an advocate for Paul. Every church needs encouragers to bring people together; to bring together people who do not trust each other, people who have reason to be hostile towards each other. An encourager is a person of courage and faith. Someone needs to bring Paul and the Apostles together. What can you do to build unity in the church?

         The next place for encouragers in the church is in growing new ministries. We never get anything completely right the first time we try it. Yet in the church we have a habit of giving up if our idea does not work out right away. The mission to the Gentiles was a very new idea. It was not easy and it did not come without problems. You can read Corinthians if you want to know what the problems were. But encouragers do not focus on the problems in new ministries. Fernando says, "Encouragers are easily gladdened." They have the ability to see the good, and then to help the ministry grow. Often criticisms have valid reasons behind them. But criticism in itself can kill a ministry that is just beginning. How often have we said, "We tried that, but it didn't work." Very few things work well the first time we try them. Encouragers see what is right in something new, and work hard to develop what is good.

         I found a simple prayer that helps me keep my focus on what is good and not become discouraged. I think it is a prayer for encouragers.

         "Lord God, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ My Lord. Amen."

         Encouragers grow and support new ministries. How can you be an encourager in our ministry this fall?

         The next quality of encouragers is that they lead people to abide in Christ. Sometimes we think of encouragement as simply cheerleading or giving compliments. Barnabas was not just a positive thinker or optimistic person. He was a teacher of the Word of God. He was helpful in people's lives in leading them to grow in Christ. The Gentile mission required both Paul and Barnabas teaching the Word of God in Antioch for a year.

         Encouragers are teachers of the Word. I have read that coaches of youth sports ought to tone down the motivational speeches and learn how to explain clearly and calmly to each boy or girl just how they can be successful in a particular game situation. The same applies to Bible teaching. Teaching the Word brings people to trust Christ when life becomes difficult, to receive grace when our best efforts fail, to practice obedience to Christ the Lord when temptation is strong. It is in the experience of victories through growth in the Lord that we feel encouraged. Encouragers are teachers of the Word.

         Finally, encouragers are not resentful when their time of leadership is over. When it was Barnabas and Paul, I wonder what Barnabas hoped for and dreamed. When it became Paul and Barnabas, and then Paul and Silas, Barnabas did not quit, he did not come to a dead end in the Lord or take his place on the sidelines as a bitter critic. Rather, he found a place to serve faithfully. He did not fail. Nor did the Lord see him as "less than." He never stopped encouraging. He knew Jesus. If we know Jesus and follow him, we will find grace to make those transitions out of leadership and into service that fits our time in life.

         Barnabas was not always the leader, but he was always an encourager. He went through a lot of "career changes," but he never lost his heart. He stayed close to Jesus, his friend. When we walk with Jesus we don't end up resentful or feeling useless. We go through changes and transitions but always have a place in His service.

         "O Hallelujah, he's my friend. He guides me to the journey's end. He walks beside me all the way, and will bestow a crown someday."

         Amen.