Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Be a Barnabas!
by Tom Goodman
June 23, 2010

His parents called him Joseph, but his friends had another name for him.

Barnabas.

The nickname means "Son of Encouragement." People looked at Joseph and said, "His father must have been the embodiment of encouragement itself, and Joseph's a chip off the old block." Every time we meet him in the pages of Scripture, he's cheering someone on.

What does it take to be a Barnabas?

First, seek out new or unconnected church members. Barnabas did this in Acts 9:26-27. When Paul quit persecuting the believers and joined them instead, the other believers were slow to receive him. It was Barnabas who took him in. When was the last Sunday you stepped outside the tight circle of those you already know at Hillcrest to befriend someone new?

Second, offer special attention to new believers. Barnabas did this in Acts 11:22-23. People today are coming to Christ with little church background or knowledge of the Bible. Do you look for ways to cheer them on?

Third, encourage Christian workers to keep going. Barnabas did this in Acts 11:23. Not only did he build up the new believers in Antioch, but he strengthened the Christians who had led them to the Lord. When was the last time you thanked someone for serving at Hillcrest?

Fourth, employ unemployed kingdom citizens. Barnabas did this in Acts 11:25-26. When he looked at the new Christians in Antioch, he said, "I need someone to help me -- and I know just the person!" He traveled to Tarsus to get Paul, and he introduced him to what would become Paul's lifelong ministry to Gentiles. Do you bring out the full potential of those you know?

Fifth, encourage those who need a new opportunity after failure. Barnabas did this in Acts 15:36-41. John Mark, an immature young man, had deserted Paul and Barnabas in the middle of their first missionary journey. As they planned their second trip, Barnabas wanted to give the young man a second chance. How quickly do you give up on people?

If you're grateful for those who have encouraged you, learn to be a Barnabas to others! Someone once said, "Perhaps once in a hundred years a person may be ruined by excessive praise, but surely once every minute someone dies inside for lack of it." This Sunday, June 27, we'll dig a little deeper into these five challenging qualities of Barnabas. Join us @ 10!

--Tom

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored," with its Links to Your World -- interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.

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Be a Barnabas! by Tom Goodman June 23, 2010 His parents called him Joseph, but his friends had another name for him. Barnabas. The nickname means "Son of Encouragement." People looked at Joseph and said, "His father must have been the embodiment of encouragement itself, and Joseph's a chip off the old block." Every time we meet him in the pages of Scripture, he's cheering someone on. What does it take to be a Barnabas? First, seek out new or unconnected church members. Barnabas did this in Acts 9:26-27. When Paul quit persecuting the believers and joined them instead, the other believers were slow to receive him. It was Barnabas who took him in. When was the last Sunday you stepped outside the tight circle of those you already know at Hillcrest to befriend someone new? Second, offer special attention to new believers. Barnabas did this in Acts 11:22-23. People today are coming to Christ with little church background or knowledge of the Bible. Do you look for ways to cheer them on? Third, encourage Christian workers to keep going. Barnabas did this in Acts 11:23. Not only did he build up the new believers in Antioch, but he strengthened the Christians who had led them to the Lord. When was the last time you thanked someone for serving at Hillcrest? Fourth, employ unemployed kingdom citizens. Barnabas did this in Acts 11:25-26. When he looked at the new Christians in Antioch, he said, "I need someone to help me -- and I know just the person!" He traveled to Tarsus to get Paul, and he introduced him to what would become Paul's lifelong ministry to Gentiles. Do you bring out the full potential of those you know? Fifth, encourage those who need a new opportunity after failure. Barnabas did this in Acts 15:36-41. John Mark, an immature young man, had deserted Paul and Barnabas in the middle of their first missionary journey. As they planned their second trip, Barnabas wanted to give the young man a second chance. How quickly do you give up on people? If you're grateful for those who have encouraged you, learn to be a Barnabas to others! Someone once said, "Perhaps once in a hundred years a person may be ruined by excessive praise, but surely once every minute someone dies inside for lack of it." This Sunday, June 27, we'll dig a little deeper into these five challenging qualities of Barnabas. Join us @ 10! --Tom Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored," with its Links to Your World -- interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.