Leadership – Barnabas Style

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: I. CARE FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS IN NEED Acts 4:36-37

A. Because They Were Called By Christ

A. Because They Were Called By Christ 1. They preached Christ

A. Because They Were Called By Christ 2. They would not deny the Lord Jesus Christ

A. Because They Were Called By Christ 3. They died for Him

B. Because He Gave His Very Best To Christ

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37 NKJV

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: II. BRING IN A NEWCOMER Acts 9:27-31

A. Being Not A Respecter Of Persons

A. Being Not A Respecter Of Persons 1. Paul was with those who killed Stephen

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Acts 7:58 KJV

A. Being Not A Respecter Of Persons 2. Paul prosecuted the Church

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2 HCSB

A. Being Not A Respecter Of Persons 3. Paul was doing evil to Christians

Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. Acts 9:13 NKJV

B. Believing In A Newcomer

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles … Acts 9:27a KJV

C. Taking Time To Know The Newcomer

… declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27b KJV

D. Investing His Life In Potential Leaders Acts 11:25-30

… declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27b KJV

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: III. ARE WILLING TO STEP INTO THE BACKGROUND Acts 13:43

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. Acts 13:43 KJV

A. A True Leader Does Not Seek To Control But To Influence 1. Barnabas came to instruct

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all … Acts 11:23a NKJV

A. A True Leader Does Not Seek To Control But To Influence 2. Barnabas came to point them to Christ

… that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23b NKJV

A. A True Leader Does Not Seek To Control But To Influence 3. Barnabas came to comfort them in the Lord

B. A True Leader Is More Concerned About Others Acts 11:25-30

B. A True Leader Is More Concerned About Others 1. Barnabas wanted to share his vision with Paul

B. A True Leader Is More Concerned About Others 2. Barnabas wanted Paul to achieve his fill potential in the Lord

B. A True Leader Is More Concerned About Others 3. Barnabas wanted Paul to develop his spiritual gifts

C. The True Leader Will Encourage Others To Take Responsibility Acts 11:25-30

for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ Ephesians 4:12 HCSB

The First missionary team started out as “Barnabas and Saul” NOTE: The First missionary team started out as “Barnabas and Saul”

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Acts 13:2

Then Paul took over as the leader NOTE: Then Paul took over as the leader

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13 NKJV

C. A True Leader Will Encourage Others To Take Responsibility 1. Perfecting of the saints

C. A True Leader Will Encourage Others To Take Responsibility 2. Ministering to other people’s needs

C. A True Leader Will Encourage Others To Take Responsibility 3. Building the church

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: IV. ALLOW A SECOND CHANCE Acts 15:39

Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. Acts 15:37 NKJV

A. Have A Vision Of Potential In Brothers And Sisters In Christ Acts 11:25-30

A. Have A Vision Of Potential In Brothers And Sisters In Christ 1. Seeing the potential that God can use

A. Have A Vision Of Potential In Brothers And Sisters In Christ 2. A positive view, not negative, view of others

B. Provide Personal Example For Future Leaders Acts 11:25-30

Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus Acts 15:39 NKJV

B. Provide Personal Example For Future Leaders 1. Purity

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach 1 Timothy 3:2 ESV

B. Provide Personal Example For Future Leaders 2. Humility

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28 KJV

B. Provide Personal Example For Future Leaders 3. Love

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 NKJV

C. Give Time For Development

C. Give Time For Development 1. Mark was profitable to the Apostle Paul

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV

C. Give Time For Development 2. Mark wrote one of the four Gospels of our Savior

D. Not Locking People In Their Past Mistakes

D. Not Locking People In Their Past Mistakes 1. Paul might not have been the greatest missionary if it had not been for Barnabas

D. Not Locking People In Their Past Mistakes 2. Mark might not have written the Gospel of Mark if it had not been for Barnabas

D. Not Locking People In Their Past Mistakes 3. We might not have half of the New Testament if it were not for Barnabas

D. Not Locking People In Their Past Mistakes 4. The Christians at the Jerusalem church would have had a financially hard time if it had not been for Barnabas

D. Not Locking People In Their Past Mistakes 5. Paul might not have started numerous churches if it had not been for Barnabas

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: CONCLUSION WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: I. CARE FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: CONCLUSION WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: II. BRING IN A NEWCOMER

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: CONCLUSION WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: III. ARE WILLING TO STEP INTO THE BACKGROUND

WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: CONCLUSION WE CAN BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE: IV. ALLOW A SECOND CHANCE