We Need To Be A Barnabas

Acts 11:22-24 "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."

God used great men to do great things. Those things could not be done until God got a hold of them first. We need to let God get a hold of us. God will send people into our lives when we need them the most. They will also be the kind of people we need. On the other hand He will send us into other people's lives just when they need us most as well.

Barnabas' name means exhorter or encourager. He was an exhorter. He exhorted with the grace of God. He had grace enough to start with God and grace enough to stay with God. If you are saved then you have that same grace. God is not a respecter of persons. And we can only exhort or encourage others with the grace of God. So to say you are not an exhorter or an encourager doesn't say that you can't be. If Barnabas was able to exhort and encourage others...so can you.

In verse 24 we read he was filled with the Spirit. Being filled brings a compassion for people. It also gives wisdom the world knows nothing about. We need to be a Barnabas. We need to be an encouragement to the servants of God (preachers, Sunday School teachers, etc.)...the sick and frail in health...to the older saints and more importantly to sinners. We can only win the lost with compassion. Compassion is simply love in action. We all possess love...but do we put that love in action?

Many were added unto the Lord because of Barnabas. People were better off having known and been associated with Barnabas. Anyone can be a Barnabas if you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The people you work with and live around...are they better off because of you? I want God to be able to say about me what He said about Barnabas. I want to be a blessing to others. In fact...I believe that is God's will. What do you think?