BARNABAS

The Gift of Encouragement

Judge Mark Anthony D.R. Polonan

 Who is Barnabas?
• Born as Joseph to Hellenic Jewish
parents

• A native of Cyprus

• A descendant of the tribe of Levi

• One of the earliest Christian

disciples in Jerusalem

• His name (Barnabas) means “Son

of Encouragement”
 Biblical Encouragement
It is a gift (Romans 12)
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace

given to each of us. XXX 8 if it is to encourage,

then give encouragement XXX
It is a command (2 Corinthians 13)
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for

full restoration, encourage one another, be of

one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and
peace will be with you.
Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11; Hebrews 3:13
 Episode One (Acts 4)
33 With great power the apostles continued to
testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And
God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them
all 34 that there were no needy persons among
them. For from time to time those who owned land
or houses sold them, brought the money from the
sales35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was
distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles

called Barnabas (which means “son of

encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and
brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
 First Observation
Encouragement always requires giving on the
part of the encourager

Barnabas encouraged the apostles and the

Jerusalem believers by

GIVING AWAY HIS MATERIALS POSSESSIONS

Episode Two Background (Acts 7 & 8)
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were
furious and gnashed their teeth at him. XXX 57 At this they
covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they
all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to
stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the
feet of a young man named Saul.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said
this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great
persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all
except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and
Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for
him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house
to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them
in prison.
 Episode Two – Part 1 (Acts 9)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats
against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and
asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if
he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men
or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As
he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from
heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard
a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now

get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must
do.”
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples,
but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really
was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to
the apostles. He 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.
 Episode Two – Part 2 (Acts 11)
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that
broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia,
Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among
Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and
Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also,
telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s
hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and
turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent
Barnabas to Antioch.23 When he arrived and saw what the grace
of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to
remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good
man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of
people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he
found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year
Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great
numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at
Antioch.
 Second Observation
Barnabas encouraged Saul (Paul) by

GIVING HIS HAND OF FELLOWSHIP,

COMMENDING HIM (PAUL) TO THE APOSTLES,
AND MENTORING HIM IN MINISTRY

Too amazing not to note:

Acts 12:25; 13:2,7; 14:14, 15:12,25 – Barnabas and Saul
Acts 13:43,46,50; 15:2,22,35 – Saul and Barnabas
 Episode Three with Background
(Acts 12 & 15)
25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their
mission, they returned from/*to Jerusalem, taking with
them John, also called Mark.

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back

and visit the believers in all the towns where we
preached the word of the Lord and see how they are
doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called
Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take
him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had
not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a
sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas
took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose
Silas and left
 Third Observation
Barnabas encouraged (John) Mark by
GIVING HIM A SECOND CHANCE
When I give you a second chance, I am actually telling you that I’m not
quitting on you, that I’m not willing to give you up.

Barnabas gave up Paul (for a season) in order to encourage Mark

OUR GOD IS A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES!

He gave up his Eternal Son (for a season) in order to
adopt us as His children in His Kingdom
When Jesus hung on the cross to atone for our sins, it is
God telling you and me “I’m not quitting on you, I’m not
willing to give you up.”
 Aftermath / Post-Mortem
• Barnabas and Paul were reconciled and did
ministry together, implied in 1 Corinthians 9:4-
7
• Paul and Mark also reconciled
– Paul instructed the Colossian believers to
welcome Mark (Colossians 4:10)
– Paul referred to Mark as a fellow worker
(Philemon 24)
– Paul even requested Timothy to get Mark and
bring him to Paul, who at that time was in prison
waiting to be martyred for Christ (2 Timothy 4:11)
 Fruits of Barnabas’
Acts of Encouragement
• Mark’s gospel had 667 verses. Bible scholars
suggest that Matthew used/copied 607 verses
from Mark to compose his (Matthew’s) gospel
• Luke included 80% of Mark’s story
• Paul wrote 13 epistles

By encouraging Paul and Mark, Barnabas

influenced at least half of the New Testament!
 Three Lessons
• Help the needy
We are all needy people, be willing to accept as
well as to receive encouragement
• Include the left out
We are all different from each other, don’t
merely tolerate but accept, promote, protect
and nurture our diversity
• Believe in everyone’s potential
We have all failed at one point, a second
chance opens the door to genuine change
 Applications
• Give something: A pat in the back, a note of
encouragement, an invitation to join lunch, a
spoken compliment, a listening ear and an open
heart.
• Befriend one who is alone. Call people by name.
These could be people who sweep our streets,
collect the trash, change our lightbulbs.
• Pray and let them know you’re praying for them.
• Show up at hospitals, hospices, weddings,
funerals, etc. Sometimes there is no substitute for
just showing up.
 THANK YOU AND MAY
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS!