From Gary... Encouragement

Be known for Encouragement

We only have one life, one go-around at living; so leave a legacy that is worth of a Christian:be an encourager!!!. Barnabas was; so much so, that he is primarily remembered, not by his given name of Joses, but as someone who lived encouragement (BARNABAS).

 

Acts, Chapter 4 (WEB)

 36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,  37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 

Build others up

Barnabas spurred others on; he saw greatness in Paul and by persuasion helped in his continue his ministry. Not once but several times.  In addition to that- he worked with him and kept working with him.

Acts, Chapter 9 (WEB)

 26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.  27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts, Chapter 11 (WEB)

 19  They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.  20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.  21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.  22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,  23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord. 

 25  Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.  26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 

27  Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. 29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;  30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. 

Allow others to surpass you

God chose (verse 2) Barnabas and Saul for a specific work that led to the gentiles being converted. During the course of this, PAUL is listed first (therefore has primacy, or top billing). Eventually, PAUL became the primary missionary to the Gentiles and the author of much of the New Testament. And it seems obvious to me that this never would have happened without Barnabas!!!

 Acts, Chapter 13 (WEB)

 1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”

 42  So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.  43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.  44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.  45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. 

  46  Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.  47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 
‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles,
that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”

  48  As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.  49 The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region.  50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.  51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.  52 The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit. 

I doubt if any of us will ever be a Paul, but we all can be a Barnabas!!! And it begins with a "Come on _______, do something with me..."
 

1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5 (WEB)

 11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.