WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.560 Page 920. Acts 11, 920. 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:04.440 We're going to look at the Barnabas facts tonight. 00:00:05.879 --> 00:00:10.240 I'm sure we can all think of someone of whom we'd say, 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:13.060 where would we be without that person? 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:16.780 In your family, you've probably got someone like that. 00:00:16.820 --> 00:00:17.820 Where would we be without them? 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:21.379 Or certainly in church life, where would we be without that person? 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:23.760 And so where would we be without Barnabas? 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:26.800 Well, humanly speaking, 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:30.480 we'd be without half of the New Testament. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:33.299 Because it's Barnabas in Acts chapter 9 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:35.700 who introduced Paul or Saul of Tarsus 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:36.859 as he was then to the others. 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:39.219 They're very suspicious of him. 00:00:40.120 --> 00:00:41.219 They don't want to borrow him. 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:44.439 But Barnabas recognised what God was doing 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.280 in Paul's life and he introduces him. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:49.159 He vouches for him to the other apostles. 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:53.299 So can you imagine Christianity without the letters of Paul? 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:56.719 And if it were not for Barnabas, 00:00:57.419 --> 00:00:59.659 John Mark would have gone down in church history 00:00:59.659 --> 00:01:01.739 as a backslider. 00:01:02.099 --> 00:01:03.399 That's the guy that wrote Mark's Gospel. 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:07.620 Depending on what you think of the synoptic problem, 00:01:08.179 --> 00:01:11.219 there would be other gaps in the other Gospels. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:12.280 We won't go into that now. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.739 But it was Barnabas who stood up for John Mark to Paul. 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:18.659 When Paul wanted to ditch him and say, 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:20.640 he's not going to stick with us, 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:23.259 if it were not for Barnabas, humanly speaking, 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:25.840 John Mark, well, wouldn't have written his Gospel. 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:29.180 Without Barnabas, humanly speaking, 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:30.820 Christianity would not have become 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:32.620 the great world movement that it is today 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:34.579 because something really significant happened 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:35.659 in the passage that we read. 00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:38.939 Look at what it says in Acts 11, verse 26. 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:41.640 For a whole year, they met with the church 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:42.719 and they taught a great many people 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:44.299 and it was in Antioch 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:46.799 that the disciples were first called Christians. 00:01:48.739 --> 00:01:49.700 Up until then, 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:51.620 Christianity had been thought of a Jewish sect, really. 00:01:51.620 --> 00:01:53.939 But now at Antioch, 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:57.480 the door is opening for the Gentiles to come in. 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:00.900 Christianity is going to become the world movement 00:02:00.900 --> 00:02:01.660 that we know today 00:02:01.660 --> 00:02:03.020 and it's happening in Antioch. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:07.840 It's why church historians have called Antioch 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:09.400 the cradle of Christianity. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:12.580 It's no exaggeration, is it, 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:14.280 that this church at Antioch 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.080 became a hub of missionary activity. 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:19.020 It planted churches all around the Mediterranean 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:20.320 and humanly speaking, 00:02:20.420 --> 00:02:21.760 it's thanks to this man Barnabas 00:02:21.760 --> 00:02:24.520 because Barnabas was the guy 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:28.040 that was sent down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 00:02:30.060 --> 00:02:32.700 And the Barnabas factor is crucially important 00:02:32.700 --> 00:02:34.860 to the growth and development of the Christian church. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:37.660 The Barnabas factor is crucial 00:02:37.660 --> 00:02:39.700 for the development of any Christian church. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:41.560 And so let's try and understand 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:45.140 what that might look like for us in IPC. 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:46.540 First of all, Barnabas the man. 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:52.060 And then we want to look at the difference it makes 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:53.180 when you have a man like Barnabas 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:54.360 in your church and in your team. 00:02:55.320 --> 00:02:56.420 So first of all, who is this man? 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:59.580 Barnabas is not his name, his real name. 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:01.420 His real name is Joseph. 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:03.600 Barnabas is his nickname. 00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:04.840 We know that from Acts chapter 4. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.280 And we're told that his name was Joseph 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:11.360 and he was a Levite, a Cypriot by birth. 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:15.580 And he is the one that the apostles call Barnabas. 00:03:15.640 --> 00:03:16.260 It's a nickname. 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:19.859 It means literally a tower of strength 00:03:19.859 --> 00:03:23.120 or son of encouragement. 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:26.079 I quite like that. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:28.239 I quite like that the early church gave themselves nicknames. 00:03:30.679 --> 00:03:32.519 Next weekend, I'm preaching at a church weekend 00:03:32.519 --> 00:03:33.719 in Northern Ireland 00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:36.539 from a minister called James Blair. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:39.299 But when I preached at the Reformed Presbyterian Conference 00:03:39.299 --> 00:03:41.199 a couple of years ago, 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.579 I was being introduced 00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:44.319 and then they said, 00:03:44.459 --> 00:03:46.919 and now Cream Bun is going to come and lead in prayer. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:49.219 And when you walked to the front, 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:51.359 there was this man with a very small head 00:03:51.359 --> 00:03:52.739 and a very, very large body. 00:03:53.179 --> 00:03:55.219 And all the ministers called him Cream Bun. 00:03:55.619 --> 00:03:57.199 It's an amazing thing, isn't it? 00:03:57.639 --> 00:03:58.659 I quite like that though. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.780 And so it's not the equivalent of Cream Bun, is it? 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:04.599 But in the New Testament, 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:05.800 they had nicknames for each other. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:07.599 We mustn't romanticize them. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:09.580 Cephas, isn't it? 00:04:09.580 --> 00:04:10.060 What does that mean? 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:11.900 It means Peter's nickname. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:12.759 Rock. 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:14.759 We often think, don't we, 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:16.759 of St. Barnabas or some stained glass window. 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:19.279 But we think of the early church 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:20.139 far too formally, 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:21.259 too institutionally. 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:24.220 The people that you read of in Acts, 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:25.220 they're just like us. 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:27.440 And they loved each other 00:04:27.440 --> 00:04:28.800 and they hung out with each other 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:30.220 and they gave each other nicknames. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:32.560 So, son of encouragement. 00:04:32.700 --> 00:04:34.480 So Barnabas comes into the meeting 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:35.000 and they say, 00:04:35.080 --> 00:04:36.600 well, here he is, Mr. Encouragement. 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:39.720 And if you look at Acts 4, 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:41.000 it says that Barnabas, 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:42.560 he was a field owner. 00:04:42.700 --> 00:04:44.900 He sold a field that he owned. 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:47.120 He bought it and then he sold it 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:48.920 and he laid it at the apostles' feet. 00:04:50.780 --> 00:04:52.980 He didn't put the proceeds of that field 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:54.400 into a superannuation fund. 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:56.260 He didn't put it into the bank. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:57.280 He brought the money 00:04:57.280 --> 00:04:58.820 and he laid it at the apostles' feet. 00:04:59.460 --> 00:05:00.100 It's always encouraging 00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:01.840 when people are generous, isn't it? 00:05:02.780 --> 00:05:03.600 When they're generous 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:04.800 in support of the Lord's work. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:07.460 It's a sign of blessing in the church 00:05:07.460 --> 00:05:10.960 when giving begins to increase 00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:12.040 because people are committed, 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.960 not to the elders, 00:05:14.340 --> 00:05:15.400 not because the elders are 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:17.440 kind of putting a guilt trip on you 00:05:17.440 --> 00:05:19.120 or there's a big thermometer 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:21.260 like they do put outside some churches. 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:22.900 But when people start to give, 00:05:23.020 --> 00:05:24.960 they are confident in their vision 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:27.579 and they're committed to the cause. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:28.579 That's what's happening here. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:32.199 It's a supreme act of generosity 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:33.479 on Barnabas' part, 00:05:33.599 --> 00:05:35.180 but it's much more than that. 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:38.299 Notice we're told two things about Barnabas 00:05:38.299 --> 00:05:39.519 back in Acts chapter 4. 00:05:39.699 --> 00:05:41.099 We're told that he was a Levite 00:05:41.099 --> 00:05:41.979 and a landowner. 00:05:43.919 --> 00:05:44.879 And in the Old Testament, 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:46.159 those two things were exclusive. 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:49.840 They shouldn't have happened. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:52.160 So when Moses is dividing up the land 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:52.920 in the Old Testament 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:54.560 and he's giving the tribes 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:55.660 their inheritance, 00:05:55.760 --> 00:05:57.160 we're told there in Joshua 00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:58.340 that he didn't give a portion 00:05:58.340 --> 00:05:59.180 to the tribe of Levi 00:05:59.180 --> 00:06:01.140 and we're given the reason for that 00:06:01.140 --> 00:06:03.360 because the Lord God of Israel 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:04.720 was the Levite's inheritance. 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:06.120 They weren't to be landowners 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:08.879 because God was their inheritance 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:09.920 just as he had promised. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:12.080 So how can a man who's a Levite 00:06:12.080 --> 00:06:13.879 and a landowner, 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:14.680 how can he be that? 00:06:14.840 --> 00:06:15.879 Well, in the Old Testament 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:16.460 that couldn't be. 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:19.500 But look what it says about this man 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:20.720 who was a Levite and a landowner. 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:21.819 It says he sold the field 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:22.400 that belonged to him, 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:22.980 he brought the money 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:23.540 and he laid it, 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:24.540 not on the temple treasury, 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:25.920 he didn't go to the Jews with it, 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:27.819 but he laid it at the feet 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:28.360 of the apostles. 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:31.360 As if to say, 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:31.879 Jesus, 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:33.759 the Jesus the apostle preached, 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:35.639 Jesus is now my inheritance. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:36.500 That's what's going on. 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:39.860 And that's why he's such an encouragement. 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:41.740 He's totally sold out 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:42.560 on the Lord Jesus. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:44.600 He's not just donating 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:45.660 to a good cause here. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.660 He's devoting himself to Jesus. 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:48.339 Do you see that? 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.959 It's the exact opposite of Judas. 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:54.920 So Barnabas is Judas in reverse. 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:58.459 Remember what we're told about Judas. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:00.620 Judas abandoned his commitment to Jesus. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:02.579 He walked out on Jesus 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:04.759 and with the proceeds of that treasury, 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:05.560 do you remember what he did? 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:06.579 He bought the 30 pieces of silver. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.519 He bought a field. 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:10.319 He went into that field 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:11.199 and he committed suicide. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:14.839 It's a tragically sad, sad story. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:17.600 Barnabas had a field 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:18.639 and it was his by right. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:19.319 He owns it. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.540 He's got a holiday home in Cyprus, 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:22.639 a timeshare property, 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:23.980 and he sells it 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.540 and with the proceeds of the sale 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:26.540 of his land, 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:27.660 he commits himself to Jesus 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:28.519 as Lord of his life. 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:32.100 That's the kind of people 00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:33.840 we should aspire to be. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:37.060 If God's work is to flourish amongst us, 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:37.459 generous, 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:38.199 committed, 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:40.759 Christ ones, 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:42.379 totally sold out on the Lord Jesus. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:45.759 Now let's take a look secondly 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.339 at the difference this man makes 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:48.079 to the cause of Christ. 00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:49.179 So come with me to chapter 11 00:07:49.179 --> 00:07:50.959 and look at verse 23 in particular 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:52.359 because that's the key verse 00:07:52.359 --> 00:07:53.339 that we need to look at. 00:07:53.859 --> 00:07:54.439 And in that verse, 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:56.120 we're told three things about Barnabas. 00:07:56.219 --> 00:07:56.899 We're told, first of all, 00:07:56.919 --> 00:07:57.659 what he saw. 00:07:58.059 --> 00:07:58.859 That's the first thing. 00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:01.080 And then we're told 00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:02.840 how he felt about what he saw 00:08:02.840 --> 00:08:04.600 and then we're told 00:08:04.600 --> 00:08:05.900 what he did about what he saw. 00:08:05.960 --> 00:08:06.879 So let me read the verse to you. 00:08:06.960 --> 00:08:08.240 Verse 23. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:10.879 When he came 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.939 and saw the grace of God, 00:08:14.020 --> 00:08:14.800 he was glad 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:16.220 and he exhorted them all 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:16.980 to remain faithful 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:17.840 to the Lord 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:18.879 with steadfast purpose. 00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:22.180 For he was a good man, 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.100 followed the Holy Spirit 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:24.540 in faith, 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:26.640 and a great many people 00:08:26.640 --> 00:08:28.020 were added to the Lord. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:31.840 He was glad. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.039 Let me unpack that verse. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:34.680 And what did he see? 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.100 He saw the grace of God. 00:08:36.180 --> 00:08:37.420 Now not everybody does, do they? 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:40.560 Do you remember in Luke 15 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:41.379 the elder brother 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:43.379 in the parable of the prodigal son? 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:45.800 There are lots of elder brothers 00:08:45.800 --> 00:08:46.740 in churches 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.800 and elder sisters. 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:51.600 What you see depends 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.580 on a large extent 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:54.399 on what you're looking for. 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.259 Two men 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.579 looked out 00:08:57.579 --> 00:08:58.620 through prison bars. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:08:59.659 One saw 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:00.639 mud, 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:01.879 the other saw 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.459 stars. 00:09:04.579 --> 00:09:06.120 Imagine what might have happened 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:07.219 if they'd sent someone else 00:09:07.219 --> 00:09:08.000 other than Barnabas 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:08.779 down to Antioch. 00:09:09.599 --> 00:09:10.799 A church bureaucrat, 00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:11.339 perhaps. 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:13.480 Wearing his 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:14.879 ecclesiastical spectacles 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:15.839 and his book of church order. 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:17.539 Not wearing his book of church order, 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.219 but carrying it. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.899 What would he have seen 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:21.459 in Antioch? 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:24.300 He might well have seen 00:09:24.300 --> 00:09:26.259 the thin end of the wedge. 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:30.680 If Barnabas had gone down to Antioch 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:31.360 looking for trouble, 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.120 he'd have found it. 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:35.220 Because something quite unprecedented 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:36.420 was happening in Antioch. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:37.900 Look at verses 19 to 21. 00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:40.000 It all began with the persecution 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:41.379 in Acts chapter 8 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.040 that broke out 00:09:42.040 --> 00:09:43.840 and we're told that Stephen was killed. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:45.560 Up to then, 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:47.040 they'd been stockpiling Christians 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:47.699 in Jerusalem 00:09:47.699 --> 00:09:50.379 and God from there 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.059 scattered them. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:53.599 And those who were scattered 00:09:53.599 --> 00:09:54.959 travelled as far 00:09:54.959 --> 00:09:55.639 as Phoenicia 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.779 and Cyprus 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:58.000 and Antioch, 00:09:58.199 --> 00:09:58.939 spreading the word 00:09:58.939 --> 00:09:59.679 amongst the Jews. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:02.599 And at first, 00:10:02.719 --> 00:10:03.159 some of them, 00:10:03.319 --> 00:10:03.459 however, 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:04.299 went from Cyprus 00:10:04.299 --> 00:10:05.059 and Cyrene 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:06.059 and they went to Antioch 00:10:06.059 --> 00:10:06.959 to speak to the Greeks 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:08.039 telling them the good news 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:08.740 of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:10.099 These aren't professional 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:11.079 church evangelists. 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:14.039 They're not 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.259 church planters 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:16.299 that have been fully trained 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:16.779 and equipped. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:18.080 These are grassroot 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:21.179 grassroot Christians 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:22.519 telling others. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.379 I was reading this week, 00:10:26.460 --> 00:10:27.039 somebody called this 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:28.319 the great gospel sneeze. 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:30.860 That what happens in Antioch 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:32.759 is there's a super spreader event. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.639 And now in Antioch, 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.059 there's community transmission. 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:38.620 It's like a flashback to COVID. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.779 And there are new cases every day 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:42.379 and we're told 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:44.500 what it says in verse 21. 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.779 And the hand of the Lord 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.919 was with them. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:49.960 And a great number 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:50.340 who believed 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:50.860 turned to the Lord. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.819 It's a spontaneous work 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:53.439 of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:56.100 And when the Holy Spirit moves, 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:57.080 often the rules 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:57.659 go out the window. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:58.620 It broke all the rules. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.679 It's never been done 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:01.259 like this before. 00:11:02.819 --> 00:11:03.679 And no doubt 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.899 in a situation like this, 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:05.639 there would have been 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.580 irregularities 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.519 and there would have been 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:09.000 anomalies to sort out. 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:09.580 And they would have been 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:10.480 needed to be sorted out 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.039 in the long term. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.360 But God was at work 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:12.840 in Antioch. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.100 And Barnabas saw it. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:15.200 And he saw it. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.759 Others might talk 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.540 about the problems there. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:20.460 Others might talk 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:21.720 about the Jew-Gentile problem. 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:23.899 Lots of people up there 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:25.040 in HQ, Jerusalem, 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.120 they were worried about that. 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:27.060 But he didn't see it 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:27.740 that way, did he? 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:30.620 He saw it as an opportunity. 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:31.600 So years later 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:32.519 at the Jerusalem Council, 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.200 when there's a lot 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.680 of Jew-Gentile tension 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.779 and it's threatening 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:36.820 to split the church, 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.080 he didn't see it 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.519 as a door to slam shut. 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:41.379 He saw what God was doing. 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.519 And he saw a door 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.620 opening wide 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:45.299 for the Gentiles 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:46.059 to be brought in. 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:47.580 He saw the grace of God, 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:48.919 the generosity of God 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.779 to all the nations. 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:51.559 The God of all the earth, 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.539 he saw what he was doing. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.580 That God was opening 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:56.539 a door wide 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:57.399 for all the people 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:57.860 to come in. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:02.439 He saw the grace of God. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:05.960 And when we come here 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.940 Sunday by Sunday, 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.120 is that what we see? 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.560 In the faces of each other, 00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:13.180 in the conversations 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.120 that we have, 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:16.660 in the different issues 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.700 of our lives, 00:12:18.280 --> 00:12:18.980 God is at work. 00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:20.440 And the grace of God. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.560 And notice Luke tells us 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:25.160 how he felt. 00:12:25.280 --> 00:12:25.840 I love this. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:30.080 He saw the grace of God 00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:31.280 and how did he feel about it? 00:12:33.260 --> 00:12:34.080 He was glad. 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:36.900 How do you know 00:12:36.900 --> 00:12:37.520 someone's glad? 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.540 How do you know 00:12:40.540 --> 00:12:40.960 someone's glad? 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.640 They show it, 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:41.960 don't they? 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.460 We struggle a little bit 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.460 with that as Presbyterians, 00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:45.780 don't we? 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:49.520 Luke might well have seen 00:12:49.520 --> 00:12:50.420 this with his own eyes 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:52.140 because according to tradition, 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:54.120 Luke was a native Antioch. 00:12:54.420 --> 00:12:55.540 There's some kind of evidence 00:12:55.540 --> 00:12:56.700 that he might well 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.320 have been there 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:57.800 at the time. 00:12:58.160 --> 00:12:58.560 If you look at 00:12:58.560 --> 00:12:59.500 the Western tradition, 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:01.220 it introduces the words 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.639 when we were gathered. 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:06.320 Luke includes himself. 00:13:06.580 --> 00:13:07.259 Be that as it may, 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:07.899 whether it's right or not, 00:13:07.920 --> 00:13:08.399 I'm not sure. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:09.639 But Luke tells us 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.460 that Barnabas saw 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.080 the grace of God 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:11.879 and he was glad. 00:13:12.040 --> 00:13:12.779 Why does he bother 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.460 to tell us that? 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.120 He tells us that 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.200 because feelings matter. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:23.740 We need to be better 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.140 at this, don't we? 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.000 It's not very British 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.920 to show our feelings, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.700 but it is very Christian. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.540 I can remember when 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:34.140 I started here 00:13:34.140 --> 00:13:35.580 and 20 years ago 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:36.259 and we would meet 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:36.840 on a Sunday night. 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:37.640 That first Sunday night 00:13:37.640 --> 00:13:38.460 there were eight people 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:40.400 and in the early days 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:41.620 we'd meet in the church lounge, 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:42.220 you remember it, 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:43.620 and it gradually grew. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:47.200 Claire or Katie 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.860 would be banging 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.460 on the piano. 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.560 We'd be in this little room. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.580 We were all sitting on seats 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.560 that were really low 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.200 to the ground 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.899 and when somebody came in 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.039 everyone would turn around 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:55.940 and see what it was. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.700 But occasionally 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.759 people would turn up 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:02.799 and some would come 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:04.940 and they would just be delighted 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.580 that there was a 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.340 kind of Sunday evening service 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:08.919 where the Bible 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.460 was being taught 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:09.879 and the Gospel 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.560 was being preached 00:14:10.560 --> 00:14:11.480 and they'd rejoice. 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:14.120 But there were others 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:14.840 who came from 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:16.539 well-known churches 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.720 and you could see them 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.420 as they came in 00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:18.860 thinking, 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.879 what on earth 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:22.960 is this funny little cult? 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:25.420 And they'd turn up their nose. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.480 It doesn't look very impressive. 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.539 But those who came 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.060 and were so encouraged, 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.740 it was such a real encouragement, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.240 wasn't it? 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.899 What a difference it is 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:36.800 when people are glad 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:37.659 at the grace of God. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.680 Barnabas came down, 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.679 they must have been thinking 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:41.879 instead, 00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:42.599 they must have thought, 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:44.019 what is he going to make of us? 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:44.759 These Gentiles, 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.899 we used to be in thought 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:47.679 of as second class citizens 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.699 and now the big church 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:49.199 in Jerusalem 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:51.179 sends down an emissary. 00:14:52.099 --> 00:14:52.620 They must have thought, 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.799 what is he going to think of us? 00:14:53.859 --> 00:14:54.759 But they didn't have to worry 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.679 because as soon as he came 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:56.559 through the door, 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:58.719 it was written across his face. 00:14:59.599 --> 00:15:00.279 He was glad, 00:15:00.359 --> 00:15:01.079 he was glad 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:02.979 to be amongst them, 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.879 glad that God 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.059 was at work amongst them. 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:06.939 And that is an understatement. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:07.559 It's much, 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.839 it's much stronger. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.200 But literally, 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:09.860 he's thrilled, 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.740 he's overjoyed, 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:12.120 he's literally jumping for joy. 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.120 So excited to see God 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.139 at work in people's lives 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.660 and I'm not very good at this. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.920 I am very good 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:20.420 at concealing my gladness. 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:23.820 Churches like ours 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:25.560 often curb our gladness. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:28.759 Tragically, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.940 often I am 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.300 more prone 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:32.019 to put people down 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.780 than to build people up. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:36.179 instinctively, 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:36.819 we can speak 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:37.299 the angry 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.220 and dismissive word 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.819 and damn people 00:15:38.819 --> 00:15:39.559 with faint praise 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:40.559 and pour cold water 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:41.039 on things 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.360 far ready to criticise 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.779 and rebuke 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.459 than to encourage. 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:45.919 Instead of rejoicing 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.740 with the angels 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.399 in heaven 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.480 over one sinner 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.259 who repents. 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.399 What do we do? 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:52.539 Well, 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.360 we put him on probation. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.039 Let's see if it's for real. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.679 Let's see how he turns out 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.620 or she turns out. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:01.139 If Barnabas 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.759 got on the Elizabeth line 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.539 tomorrow morning 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:05.320 and saw someone 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.620 reading his Bible, 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:09.159 I would think, 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:09.299 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.340 it's one of the JWs. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.539 It's one of the cults. 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.820 But not Barnabas. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.019 Barnabas would be glad 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.100 someone was reading the Bible. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.700 He saw the grace of God 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.320 and he was glad. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.179 There is almost, 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.419 there is something, 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:21.960 isn't there, 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:22.980 God-like 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.340 in his gladness. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.899 I talk about this often. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.620 Do you remember 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.639 that voice from heaven 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.279 that came down 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.200 in our Lord's baptism? 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:35.519 He spent 30 years 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.259 in obscurity 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.740 and at the age of 30 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.700 he is about 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:40.799 to take the public roads 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.480 to the cross 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.799 and there he is 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.600 at the River Jordan 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.580 and John the Baptist 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.940 is baptising 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.940 sinful men and women 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.840 in the Jordan 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.279 and what does Jesus do? 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:53.379 Jesus stands 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.539 in the line of sinners. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.860 He doesn't stand aghast. 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:58.120 He joins the queue 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.560 of sinners 00:16:58.560 --> 00:16:59.180 even though 00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:00.220 he is without a sin, 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:00.700 even though 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:01.639 he is not a sinner. 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.060 He is numbered 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:04.380 with the transgressors 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.839 because he is stepping 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.640 on the road 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:07.440 to the cross 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.200 and at that very moment 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.099 at his baptism 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:11.259 he sets his face 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.140 towards Jerusalem 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:12.920 to go to the cross 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.759 to die for people 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.440 like you and I 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:17.079 and heaven is opened 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:18.860 and a voice is heard 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:19.500 from heaven 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.319 that's my boy. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:25.160 This is my beloved son. 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.040 I'm so pleased 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:26.400 with you. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.920 When did you last 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.640 tap someone 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.200 on the shoulder 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.920 and say something 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.400 like that? 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.640 When did you last 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.580 send a text message 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:37.140 or an email 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:38.400 to encourage a believer? 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.420 How many missionaries, 00:17:39.580 --> 00:17:40.360 how many pastors, 00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:41.240 how many elders, 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.940 how many Sunday school teachers, 00:17:43.320 --> 00:17:44.240 how many youth group leaders 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.060 are languishing 00:17:45.060 --> 00:17:45.880 ready to give up 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:46.700 just for want 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.640 of a word of encouragement? 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:49.259 He saw the grace of God 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.220 and he was glad. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:53.420 But it's not only 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.920 what he sees 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.620 and what he feels about it, 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.200 it's what he does, 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.900 that's what I want you to see. 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.779 Look at verse 23. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.240 When he came 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.660 and saw the grace of God 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.620 he was glad 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:07.299 and he exhorted them all 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.339 to remain faithful 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.319 to the denomination. 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.360 No, that's not right, 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:12.579 isn't it? 00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.140 When he came 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.460 and saw the grace of God 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.039 he was glad 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.640 and he exhorted them all 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.620 to remain faithful 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:19.899 to the church in Jerusalem. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.659 It doesn't say that. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.279 When he came 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.239 and he saw the grace of God 00:18:23.239 --> 00:18:23.799 he was glad 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.719 and he exhorted them all 00:18:24.719 --> 00:18:25.839 to remain faithful 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:27.439 to remain true 00:18:27.439 --> 00:18:28.479 to themselves. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:31.000 That's not what he says. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.179 Remain faithful to the Lord 00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:36.259 with steadfast purpose. 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.500 How did, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.379 how does he do that? 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.099 How did he build 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.699 this church 00:18:48.699 --> 00:18:49.759 of baby believers 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.759 into the church 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.799 which changed the world, 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.759 the cradle of Christianity? 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:53.339 How did he do that? 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.619 He did two things 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.579 and Barnabas went 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.339 looking for help. 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.059 He realized 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.579 he couldn't do it 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.079 on his own 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:02.079 so he 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:03.919 recruited a team. 00:19:04.959 --> 00:19:05.619 He knew he couldn't 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.159 do it on his own 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.919 so verse 25 00:19:06.919 --> 00:19:08.039 he went to Tarsus 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.500 to look for his 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.659 old friend Saul. 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.859 And we found him, 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.779 he brought him to Antioch. 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.679 It's so reminiscent, 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.139 isn't it, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.140 of what happened in Geneva 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.160 at the time of the Reformation 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:19.160 if you know that story. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.740 John Calvin was an intellectual 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:23.460 and he was on his way 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.000 to Germany 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.000 with his books 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.280 because he wanted to study 00:19:26.280 --> 00:19:26.900 and he happened 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.920 to pass through Geneva 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:29.500 and William Farrell 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.180 at that time 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.980 was the reformer 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.420 in Geneva. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.160 And William Farrell 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.580 lays hold of John Calvin 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.100 and says, 00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:36.880 Calvin may God curse you 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:37.600 in your studies 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:38.480 if you don't join me 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.080 in the work 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.420 that he's called you to do. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.680 It's a great word 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.140 of encouragement, 00:19:42.300 --> 00:19:42.560 isn't it? 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.440 I found it worked 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.440 a treat on Reuben Hunter. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.700 And the rest is history, 00:19:49.800 --> 00:19:50.140 isn't it? 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.740 It's great risk 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.779 putting the team together. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.480 It's super risky. 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.539 Paul, this man, 00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:59.440 had been persecuted. 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:01.500 He persecuted the church. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.220 There were people 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.180 in the church in Jerusalem 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:06.100 who would have questioned 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.160 Barnabas' judgment 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.920 at this point 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.960 but it was a strategically 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.980 brilliant thing to do. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.059 To bring Paul alongside him 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.720 to share the load 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.220 for one thing 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.160 but at the same time 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.960 for Paul to be discipled 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.680 and that is because 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.759 that's what Barnabas 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.420 was all about. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.079 He's very intentional 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.519 about it. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:22.980 So if you read 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.160 the next chapters of Acts 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.059 you can see this 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.620 discipleship relationship 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.799 developing and growing. 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.599 It's on the first 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.420 missionary journey 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.819 out of Antioch 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.680 it's Barnabas and Paul, 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.420 Barnabas and Paul, 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.160 Barnabas and Paul 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.000 but very soon 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.920 it flips, doesn't it? 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.400 And it becomes 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:36.339 Paul and Barnabas, 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.039 Paul and Barnabas, 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:37.799 Paul and Barnabas. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.400 And in the end 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.860 Barnabas slips 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.340 from the seed. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.560 And what Barnabas 00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:45.960 is doing is 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.680 he's making way 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.220 for Paul 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.820 to enter into the ministry 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:49.880 and he's releasing him 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.440 into his role 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.200 as the great apostle 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.860 to the Gentiles. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:53.120 That's no small thing. 00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.380 So someone has said, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:55.700 isn't it, 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:57.000 it takes more grace 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.120 than I can tell 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:59.560 to play the second fiddle 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:00.019 well. 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.259 And Barnabas was content 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.259 to play second fiddle 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.740 to Paul 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:06.120 for the advance 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:06.700 of the gospel. 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:08.160 He's not hungry 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.940 for the limelight. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.920 He doesn't want to start 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.779 Barnabas International Ministries. 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.380 He's willing to fade out 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.259 of the picture altogether 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.880 if someone better 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.460 comes along. 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:19.539 And his all-consuming passion 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.380 is not that he would 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.759 make a name for himself 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.500 but that the name 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.700 of Jesus would be known. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.059 And that is what he's about. 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.180 And he saw the potential 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.420 in Paul from day one. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.160 It's Barnabas 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.200 that introduces Paul 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.759 to the others 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.519 who vouched for him 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.700 when others treated him 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.220 with suspicion. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.539 It was Barnabas 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.440 who recruited him 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.740 for ministry 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.660 and mentored him 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.879 on his first missionary journey 00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.720 and eventually 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.700 stepped back 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.559 out of the way 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:45.359 and released him 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:45.960 into his role 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.519 as an apostle 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.259 of the Gentiles. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.319 And he saw Paul 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.839 as a bloke worth watching. 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.539 He recognized him 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.819 as a brilliant scholar 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.920 steeped in scripture, 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:56.920 a Roman citizen, 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.879 fluent in Greek, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.619 totally familiar 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.639 with contemporary culture, 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.539 just the man 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.319 for the job. 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.379 So he recruited a team. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.259 And for a whole year, 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.079 Paul and Barnabas, 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.700 they meet with the church 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.660 and do you see what it says 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.420 there in verse 26? 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.579 This is the other thing they did. 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.539 They taught. 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:16.700 They taught a great many people. 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.139 And so can you just see 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:21.819 the vital, vital link 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.900 there is between encouragement 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.839 and the word of God? 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:25.599 Just don't miss that link. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.579 How do you encourage people 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:30.019 to remain true to the Lord? 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.519 You teach them the word of God. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.700 Let me just show you 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.599 that in a few places, okay? 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:37.500 So early letter of Paul's, 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:37.960 one of the earliest 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.660 is Thessalonians. 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.700 The Christians are dying 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:41.740 and Jesus has not returned 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.619 and the Thessalonians 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.259 are confused 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.099 and they're bewildered. 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.660 And their grief 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.480 is compounded 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.599 by a wrong thinking 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.519 about Jesus' return. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.259 They're worried 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.240 that their loved ones 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.839 might miss out 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.039 because Jesus didn't come back. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.160 So what does Paul do? 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.200 Paul spells out for them 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.660 the doctrine 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.420 of the second coming. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.300 He teaches them 00:22:58.300 --> 00:22:59.860 sound doctrine, 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.180 healthy doctrine. 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.960 And when you grasp 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.539 sound doctrine, 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.759 it puts strength into you. 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.560 It makes you healthy. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:10.000 And when Paul teaches them 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.680 about the doctrine 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.220 of the second coming, 00:23:11.300 --> 00:23:12.180 then in verse 18 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.779 of chapter 4 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.400 of 1 Thessalonians, 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.680 he says, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.759 now encourage each other 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.340 with these words. 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.860 Are words all we've got? 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.940 No, of course not. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:22.480 You can be there 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.039 for one another 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.240 in a situation like this 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.180 when people are grieving. 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.859 We cook meals 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.519 for one another. 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.759 We give practical help 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.319 to one another. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.019 We phone. 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.900 We text. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.019 You're doing that here, 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.359 aren't you? 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.680 But understand this. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.359 In the end, 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.220 God's comfort 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.779 comes to God's people 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:42.160 through God's Word. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.200 And we need to 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.940 understand that 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.660 so that we need 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.140 to be in the Word. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.720 We need to know 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.500 sound doctrine 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.240 because that is how 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.220 we'll build one another up. 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:54.400 Think of the letter 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.039 to Hebrews. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.140 Hebrews 13, 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.559 verse 22, 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.339 whoever wrote it, 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:58.880 some people actually 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.799 think Barnabas wrote it, 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.620 I don't know about that, 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.559 but the writer 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.259 in Hebrews 13 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.079 calls it a word 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.660 of encouragement. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.400 Thirteen chapters, 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.960 chock full of doctrine, 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:10.720 full of Jesus, 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.980 full of how Jesus 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.259 fulfills the Old Testament. 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:13.799 It's a word 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.279 of encouragement. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.500 So it encourages 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.579 Christians who are 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.960 tempted to slip back 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.579 into Judaism, 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.920 to go on with the Lord. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:23.180 And so, 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.279 the word of encouragement 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.019 is you teach them 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.700 about Jesus 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.300 and how much better 00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:27.800 than he is, 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:28.320 how much better 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:29.320 he is than angels, 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.560 he's better than Moses. 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.019 Well, think of Romans. 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.180 Romans 12, 00:24:35.300 --> 00:24:36.019 I appeal to you, 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.779 the application part 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.080 of the letter, 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:37.700 I appeal to you, 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:37.880 therefore, 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.220 brothers, 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.240 by the mercies of God 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.120 to present your bodies 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:41.360 as living sacrifices, 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:43.039 holy and acceptable to God, 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.400 which is your spiritual worship. 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.779 That's the pointy end 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.180 of Romans. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.360 Romans. 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:46.400 Romans. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.700 That we are to be 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.700 living sacrifices. 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.400 And someone has said, 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.640 isn't it, 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.380 the problem with the living 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:53.820 sacrifice, 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.320 you're forever 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:55.940 climbing off the altar. 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:58.600 And Paul says, 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.420 I appeal to you, 00:24:59.600 --> 00:24:59.720 therefore, 00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:01.100 by the mercies of God. 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.660 What are they? 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.779 What are the mercies of God? 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:04.720 Well, 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.560 that's Romans 1 to 8. 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:06.400 Romans, 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:06.720 Hebrews, 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.400 they're the biggest books 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.140 in the New Testament. 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.800 We've got to get our heads 00:25:11.800 --> 00:25:12.160 around them, 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.400 and we encourage one another 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:14.120 with these words. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.900 So we're told, 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.100 aren't we, 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.539 for a whole year, 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.420 Barnabas and Paul, 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:20.460 they taught loads of people, 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.279 don't underestimate 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.039 what that is. 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.840 Antioch is the third largest city 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:26.200 in the world at that time. 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.420 Next to Rome and Alexandria, 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:29.980 it's 20 times the size of Jerusalem. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.840 It's densely populated 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.620 and cosmopolitan. 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.539 It's far more multicultural 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.259 than you would think. 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.259 Greeks, 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:36.640 Romans, 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.039 Indians, 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:37.539 Chinese, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:37.880 Jews, 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.320 Arabs, 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.000 and Persians 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.800 lived in Antioch. 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:41.660 There were 18 different 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.480 ethnic quarters 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:44.000 separated by high walls 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.039 to protect the inhabitants 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.640 from each other. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:48.780 And now see what happens. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.140 The gospel comes to town 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:53.140 and the walls come tumbling down. 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:56.040 And that's what needs to happen 00:25:56.040 --> 00:25:56.400 in London, 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:56.800 isn't it? 00:25:58.020 --> 00:25:59.180 And in every major city, 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:00.340 people leave their ghettos 00:26:00.340 --> 00:26:01.400 and their old hostilities 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:03.080 and they become Christ ones. 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.960 That's what's happened here. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:10.079 And that has come into their vocabulary, 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.779 Christ ones in Antioch 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.620 for the first time. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.059 And if the gospel can do that 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.920 in Antioch, 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.920 it can do that here, 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.000 it can do that 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.519 wherever else it is preached. 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.000 But it won't happen overnight. 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.200 In Antioch, 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.259 it took 12 months 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.019 of week in, 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.660 week out 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.700 teaching the word of God. 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.900 And I hope 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.799 that's what you understand 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.759 that we're committed to here, 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:35.160 the regular systematic teaching 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.200 and preaching of the word of God. 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.640 The word of God 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.820 is spirit and life. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.259 And it renews us. 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.460 It puts strength into us. 00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:47.440 It encourages us. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.779 When the people of God 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.400 come 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:54.680 to worship the living God 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:56.960 and hear the word of God, 00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:58.720 God speaks. 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.340 There's nothing more important 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.959 in church life. 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.459 There's no better place 00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:07.419 for any of us 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:08.139 than to be sitting 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:09.299 under the ministry of the word. 00:27:09.459 --> 00:27:10.259 And we ought to be so thankful 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.959 to God that we're able 00:27:10.959 --> 00:27:11.419 to do that. 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.500 Right in the center 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.199 of all of this 00:27:16.199 --> 00:27:17.179 is this man 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:18.359 that the Lord raised up, 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:19.079 Mr. Encouragement. 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.359 This was his ministry. 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.579 I am thrilled to say 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.279 that there are lots 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.879 of Barnabases 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.880 and lots of 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:27.500 Barnabases 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:30.000 and IPC. 00:27:30.800 --> 00:27:31.200 Barnalases. 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:35.460 And the ministry 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.040 of encouragement 00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:36.740 and 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:39.900 encouragement 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.500 is not something 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.420 that you're born with. 00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:44.160 Encouragement 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.060 is not in your genes. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.860 It's not like the color 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.420 of your eyes 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.520 or the shape of your nose. 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.560 It's not something 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.300 that you can pick up 00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:49.880 by reading 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.820 the right books 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.880 or attending a seminar. 00:27:52.260 --> 00:27:53.000 It's not a skill. 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:53.740 It's not a technique 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.440 that you can learn. 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.099 It is something spiritual. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.859 So see what it says 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.440 in verse 24 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:57.980 as we finish. 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.480 Barnabas was a good man 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:04.120 full of faith 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:06.700 and the Holy Spirit. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.599 Barnabas was a good man 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:14.180 full of the Holy Spirit 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.859 and of faith. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.400 That is not a bad epitaph 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.559 to put on your gravestone, 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:19.859 is it? 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.660 I wouldn't mind 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.720 having that on my tombstone. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:26.599 Full of the Holy Spirit. 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.859 So think with me 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.200 for a moment 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.839 as we finish. 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.700 Barnabas is Mr. Encourager. 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.680 The Holy Spirit 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:35.039 is the encourager 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.799 par excellence. 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.059 In some translations 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.539 of the Bible 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.500 he's called the comforter. 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.099 Right in the middle 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.980 of that word comforter 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.740 is the word fort. 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.099 He is the fortifier. 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.299 He is the one 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.279 who puts strength into us. 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.920 The Greek word 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.740 is paraclete. 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.980 And so apparently 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:54.539 every army 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.440 had a paraclete 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.140 whose job 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.940 was to address 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.480 the troops 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.539 before going into battle. 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.599 To give them strength. 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.160 To give them 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.460 fortitude. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.380 To make them feel invincible. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.660 To give the team talk. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.839 That was his job. 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:10.019 Isn't that what 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.619 the Holy Spirit 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.639 does in the heart 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.119 of the believer? 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:13.459 As the word of God 00:29:13.459 --> 00:29:14.099 is preached 00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.579 he points to Christ 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.139 and his finished work 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:17.720 on the cross 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.220 and he convinces us 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.279 that we are more 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:21.139 than conquerors 00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:22.079 through him 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.720 who loved us. 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.659 And so tonight 00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:27.639 you want to be a Barnabas 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.519 and I really hope you do. 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:30.939 Be filled 00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:31.699 with the Holy Spirit 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:34.000 and point people 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.700 away from yourself 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.200 to Christ. 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.340 Let's pray.