PASTOR'S PAGE

We have begun 2008 with a desire to encourage each other as its days unfold and go by. Our text for 2008 exhorts us to ‘be steadfast … immovable … always abounding in the work of the Lord’ (1Corinthians 15:58). The question arises as to how to do this. Turning to the Scriptures we find two characters who, if we follow their examples, will assist us. Their names come together in Acts 15:22.

Serious questions had arisen among the Christians in Antioch and Paul and Barnabas, with others (v2), have gone to the church at Jerusalem to seek their thoughts on the points at issue. Having arrived and the questions having been discussed the two brethren prepare to return to Antioch with their report. Accompanying them will be Judas, also called Barsabas, and Silas (v22). It is the similarity between the two names Barnabas and Barsabas, which initially captured my attention. These two brethren have something important to say to us in the matter of encouraging one another.

It is interesting to observe the traits of their characters which made them such an encouragement to the early church. They are characteristics we all need to nurture in ourselves if we are going to encourage others. Equally they are the things that we need to encourage in others.

BARNABAS
Barnabas is not an unfamiliar name to us. His name means ‘The son of encouragement or consolation’. He was a well known companion of Paul from the early days of Paul’s Christian life. What features are prominent in his character?

Commitment
From the day of his conversion Barnabas showed a high level of commitment to the Lord. Almost the first thing that he did was to sell his property in Cyprus and devote it to the Lord and the Lord’s work (Acts 4:37). Surely we should be challenged by what Barnabas did. How far does our commitment go? Such levels of commitment are a great encouragement to other Christians both practically and spiritually.

Discernment
Barnabas very quickly discerned the situation and possible repercussions of events in Jerusalem when Paul first met the Christians there (Acts 9:27). Understandably they were suspicious of this newly converted hater and persecutor of the church. To dismiss Paul would have destroyed his confidence and damaged the integrity of the church itself. Because Barnabas correctly assessed the situation he was able to encourage Paul and the church.

Goodness
Barnabas is described as a ‘good man’ (Acts 11:24). That goodness arose out of his being ‘full of the Holy Spirit and of faith’. That God given faith was a practical faith and not merely nominal. In other words he lived out his faith. Such men are great encouragements and encouragers in the church and to their fellow Christians.

Courage
He was also a man who prepared to risk his life for the Gospel and God’s people (Acts 15:26). How encouraging and stimulating that must have been for the Christians under such pressure in the early church. Trustworthy Barnabas had been entrusted by the church at Jerusalem with the Gospel (Acts 11:22ff) and then an important letter (Acts 15:22). Then the Antioch church trusted him with an important task (Acts 14:26-15:1) and also practical responsibilities (Acts 11:27-30). What an encouragement he must have been. Are you an encouragement in that you can be trusted with responsibilities and that you will carry them out properly?

Gladness
One of the most attractive elements of Barnabas’ disposition was his evident cheerfulness. How glad he was to find and meet with other Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:23). Gladness always leads to encouragement and gloominess to discouragement. Do we encourage others with smiling happy faces and dispositions?

Positive in outlook
Barnabas saw things positively. Negativism destroys morale while positive words and actions undergirded with faith and knowledge will encourage. How does our confidence in God affect our outlook?

BARSABAS

Barsabas is not so well known and probably not even thought about. His name means ‘The son of rest’ and is very suggestive in the area of encouragement. We are called to be peacemakers, people that should be at rest not only in the Lord but with each other (1Thessalonians 5:13). If we are to encourage peace among the brethren then the traits of character we find in Barsabas need to be found in us.

Recognition
The Jerusalem church had already recognised Barsabas and he was a leading figure among them (Acts 15:22) Clearly they had already seen qualities about him and were using him sensitively and suitably. Encouragers need to be encouraged and their gifts properly used.

Trustworthiness
Barsabas could, like Barnabas, be trusted with bringing a letter safely to its destination. They knew that he would faithfully support the letter with his words (Acts 15:27). Trustworthiness is essential in a believer. Without it we cannot encourage.

Service
Arriving at Antioch see how Barsabas exhorted and strengthened the brethren (Acts 15:32). As a prophet he brought the Word of God to these believers in their situation. Now while we are not prophets in the same sense yet the instrument of our encouragement must be the same as Barsabas’, the Word of God. Encouragers must know the Scriptures and be able to apply them. How familiar are we with Scripture and do we use it with others?

Loyalty
Having fulfilled his given task Barsabas returned to Jerusalem. What an encouragement to them. He would not be drawn away from proper loyalties; to God first, then to God’s Word, then to God’s people.

We need such people, men and women, today. So many things dishearten and discourage, bringing unrest and turbulence into our lives. God help us to be like these two men, using the tools they used as we devote our material blessings to the work like Barnabas and bring God’s Word to bear like Barsabas. Remember too encouragers and peacemakers must get involved and not stand aloof.

With my love in the Lord, Pastor