1. Acts 9:26-27 Acts 4:32 – 5:11 Barnabas A Great Disciple Maker

2. Acts = “Praxeis” Key words for putting the gospel into “practice”  “prayer” – 30 times  God’s plan is to direct and empower His people through prayer  “disciple” – 30 times  God’s plan is to use His people to build into the lives of others  “witness” – 20 times  God’s plan is that every believer should be a witness

3. Acts 9:26-27 26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

4. Barnabas If you could change your name, what name would you choose?  If you knew that the elders of our church, guided by the Holy Spirit, were about to give you a new name that showed your character and your Christian service, would you rejoice in your new name, or regret it?

5. Barnabas One of the least known of the “Greats” in God’s kingdom  “Bar” = “son”  “nabas” = “encouragement” or “consolation”  The word translated “encouragement” in Greek is the same root word for the name which Jesus gave to the Holy Spirit, the “paraclete”  The word means, “one who comes to the aid of another”  So here is a man who is like the Holy Spirit!

6. Barnabas Barnabas was a “Levite”  He was part of the religious establishment  He could have been a man of conventional ideas and sympathies, but he wasn’t  Instead he was a human comforter, an “incarnation” of the Holy Spirit  Barnabas was a great example in several crucial areas of Christian life  We will see these in the next couple of weeks

7. Two Effects of Believing in Jesus Barnabas is an example of the effects of faith in Christ in our lives  2 of the effects of believing in Jesus  The heart is loosened in relationship to things  The heart is tightened in its relationship to people

8. Two Effects of Believing in Jesus Barnabas is an example of the effects of faith in Christ in our lives  verse 32: “Now the company of those who believed”  Believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord  Trusting him for all you need  Being satisfied with all that God is for you in Jesus  That’s the root of what’s happening in this story and in the life of Barnabas  Everything good comes from that!

9. Two Effects of Believing in Jesus Believing in Jesus has two effects  “Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul”  Believing in Jesus tightens the heart’s relationship to people— especially other Christians When you become united to Jesus by faith, you become united to people by love

10. Two Effects of Believing in Jesus Believing in Jesus has two effects  “Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul”  “Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.”  First, the heart is tightened in its relationship to people  Second, the heart is loosened in its relationship to things  Faith in Christ creates a bond of love to people, and cuts the bond of love to things

11. One of Luke’s Main Burdens Luke’s gospel  He wants us believers to be FREE from the love of things!  And he wants us FIRM in our love for people  Jesus teaches that you can have both at the same time  If your heart is united in love to people, then you will be loose to things  The things only have value as a means of loving people  That’s what this story is all about  A people whose hearts have been totally changed by believing in Jesus Freely caring about people Freely selling and giving the money to the church for distribution to those with special needs

12. One of Luke’s Main Burdens Luke 12:32–33  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms.”  This is exactly what they were doing here in Acts 4  Not because they had to earn God’s favor or keep church rules  It was because they heard the word of the Lord and believed  Faith in the promises of God’s loving fatherly care produces  Freedom from fear  Freedom from anxiety  And therefore freedom from things  And freedom to truly love people

13. The Freedom of Faith The Freedom of Faith Acts 5:4  Luke stresses the freedom of this liberty from things and this love for people  Ananias had sold a field and brought part of the proceeds to the apostles and said that he brought all of it - he lied  Peter tells Ananias that there is no rules he has to obey in the generosity Ananias sees in the church  These people are acting out of freedom  That’s what true faith means  An real change of where your heart is, so that your acts of love are free  You are free to do what you want to do, not what you feel coerced to do

14. The Freedom of Faith The Freedom of Faith Peter  “While [your property] remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after [your property] was sold, was it not at your disposal?”  In other words, nobody forced you to bring any of your money here  If your heart doesn’t tell you to bring it, then don’t bring it

15. The Freedom of Faith The Freedom of Faith Peter  That is the radically freeing effect of true faith in Jesus  Being a Christian is not a matter of external conformity to religious expectations It is a matter of liberty in your heart It is not a matter of force and law It’s a matter of freedom and love  Being a Christian means being changed from the inside out so that you fall in love with people and fall out of love with things

16. Two Examples 2 Examples of what being a Christian means  Barnabas  A man who really experiences the freedom of faith in Christ  Ananias and Sapphira  A man and woman who try to fake it on the outside when it is not really there

17. Acts 4:32-37 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

18. Barnabas We are introduced to Barnabas through an act of generosity  Later we will meet him as  The advocate of the new convert Paul (9:27)  The shepherd of the new Gentile converts in Antioch (11:22)  The one trusted with relief for the poor (11:30)  The first partner and discipler of Paul on his missionary journeys (13:2)  The advocate for giving John Mark a second chance (15:37)

19. Barnabas One of the most mature, reliable, loveable leaders of the early church  Barnabas’ trusted ministry began here in Acts 4:36–37  Two basic characteristics of Barnabas  He cared about other people  He had a stewardship view of property rather than an ownership view of property We tend to forget God’s ownership and assume that we are owners instead of stewards We think that what we have is ours, and we can do with it as we please

20. Barnabas 2 Corinthians 9:13  Describes Barnabas very well  “Your very giving proves the reality of your faith, and that means that men thank God that you practice the Gospel that you profess to believe in, as well as for the actual gifts you make to them and to others”  Acts 11:29-30 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. A one-year influence by Barnabas in the church in Antioch helped to turn that church into an example for all churches of missionary giving!

21. Acts 5:1-11 1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4. While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

22. Acts 5:1-11 6. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much." 9. Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

23. Ananias and Sapphira No coincidence!  The story of Barnabas’ generosity is placed beside the story of the sin of Ananias and Sapphira  They are examples of sin and judgment  Barnabas is an example stewardship and joy  They are the exact opposite of Barnabas  They are examples of people who have not really been changed on the inside  They are not satisfied with all that God is for them in Christ, but they still want some place in the visible church

24. Ananias and Sapphira “Why did God strike them dead?”  That is the wrong question!  We should be asking, “Why does God not strike us dead?!”  The reason they are struck dead is to give a stunning warning to the whole church that phony Christians will all end up this way, sooner or later

25. Ananias and Sapphira God means for His people to fear hypocrisy  He means for us to be afraid of treating the Holy Spirit with contempt  After Ananias had died: “And great fear came upon all who heard of it”  After Sapphira died: “And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things”  The lesson God wants us to get is that faking faith in the presence of God is a fearful thing!  God is not mocked

26. Ananias and Sapphira Acts 9:31  “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.”  The fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit bring peace and growth to the church  The Holy Spirit is the Comforter because it is by His indwelling power that we become real and authentic!

27. What was wrong with Ananias and Sapphira? They loved their money  They made the sale, they looked at all that cash, and they couldn’t bear the thought of giving it all away  So they kept some back (v. 2)  1 Timothy 6:10 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

28. What was wrong with Ananias and Sapphira? They loved their money They wanted to look more generous than they really were  They wanted the apostles to think that they were like Barnabas  They wanted external religious approval  They not only loved money, they loved the praise of men — the two almost always go together  Luke 16:13–15

29. Luke 16:13-15 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.“ 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

30. What was wrong with Ananias and Sapphira? They loved their money They wanted to look more generous than they really were They lied  To cover their covetousness, and to give the impression of generosity  If you love possessions and you love the praise of men, your love for truth will dissolve into deception and fraud  That’s the meaning of hypocrisy

31. What was wrong with Ananias and Sapphira? They loved their money They wanted to look more generous than they really were They lied They discredited the Holy Spirit  This always comes with hypocrisy  Verse 3 says they lied to the Holy Spirit  Verse 4 says they lied not to man but to God  Verse 9 says they tempted the Lord

32. Discrediting of the Holy Spirit  They may not have even believed the Holy Spirit was even present in the church  Maybe they didn’t even believe He was real!  Maybe they simply functioned on a human level and never even thought about the presence of the Spirit of the living God in their lives

33. Discrediting of the Holy Spirit  Maybe they believed in His presence in some theoretical way, but just didn’t think He knew the thoughts of their mind  He was there, but he wasn’t real  He wasn’t a person who knew things and felt things and acted in real ways — like making people die!  Or maybe they thought He was there and real, but that He wouldn’t really punish them  Perhaps they had a wrong view of grace that says, “No matter how evil and hypocritical we are, God always tolerates everything”

34. Discrediting of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is often discredited in the church today!  Some people come to worship and operate totally on the human level, never even thinking that the living presence of God in this room  Some come and agree theoretically to the presence of the Holy Spirit but don’t really accept the awesome fact that He hears every thought in their mind and sees every imagination of their heart  Others come and convince themselves that the thoughts of the heart are not a serious issue with God because grace always means that God tolerates our sin

35. Discrediting of the Holy Spirit It is possible to outrage the Spirit of Grace  Hebrews 10:29 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?  This is the warning God puts before us so that we will fear bringing contempt on the Lord through hypocrisy!

36. How Was Barnabas Different? He did not love money and things  When he sold his field he did not dream about all the comforts and pleasures he was giving up  He enjoyed the freedom of faith  He dreamed about the good that would be done with his gift and the glory it would bring to Jesus

37. How Was Barnabas Different? He did not want to appear more generous than he was He did not need the praise of men  He had the approval of God  He was real

38. How Was Barnabas Different? He brought no reproach on the Holy Spirit  He knew that the Spirit was alive and real in the church  He knew that his every thought was open and laid bare before the Spirit of Truth  He knew that the gift of grace in his life was not the permission of God to keep on loving things, but the power of God to start loving people

39. How Was Barnabas Different? He did not lie  He loved the truth  He could be trusted  His integrity became legendary in the early church  God used him over and over in the lives of others in a mighty way!  Barnabas is a great example for all of us!