A Son of Encouragement Acts 4:36 I. Introduction. A. There are people who are refreshing and profitable to have as associates. B. Such individuals comfort and encourage others in their efforts to please God. C. Words of wisdom and uplifting words come from such disciples. D. In addition, they set an example of concern and interest in others. E. Disciples of this nature are a joy to be around. F. There lived such a man in apostolic days: Acts 4:36. 1. Mentioned by name in at least 28 verses in the New Testament. 2. What a worthy example for us! II. Body. A. Barnabas(son of exhortation, comfort & encouragement) set an example of sacrifice in our first knowledge of him: Acts 4:36. 1. Had a field--sold it and laid the money at apostles' feet: Acts 4:37. 2. Barnabas not only "encouraged" with his words, but also with his deeds. a. Words matter little if there is no action.(Show me!) b. Note: Colossians 3:17. c. He received his name because of his character. B. Barnabas was a friend and defender of those who took a stand for truth: Acts 9:27. 1. Stood up for a former persecutor and enemy of Christ, but now a disciple(Paul). 2. The influence of a righteous man persuaded these disciples that Saul had changed(how encouraging!). 3. One needs a friend who will stand up for good and righteous people. 4. Dealt in matters where many people try to defend the ungodly and unfaithful, blaming righteous people for other's iniquities. C. Barnabas was one who could be trusted to accept a task and complete that task: Acts 11:22-23. 1. Spent a year, with Paul, teaching in Antioch. 2. Later, the brethren at Antioch would trust him(with Paul) to take relief to poor saints in Judea: Acts 11:29-30. 3. Trust is built by faithfulness to the Lord and His cause. D. Barnabas would accompany Paul in his preaching journeys: Acts 13:1-3. 1. Carrying out the work of the Holy Spirit: Acts 13:4. 2. Can you imagine what it was like to travel in those days? 3. As now, they confronted false teachers: Acts 13:8. a. Paul exposed him and God struck Elymas blind. b. The effect: Acts 13:12. 4. This encourager, with Paul, would receive encouragement: Acts 13:43. a. Others opposed: Acts 13:45. b. Their response: Acts 13:46. c. Yet--they would be persecuted: Acts 13:50. d. The reaction of these faithful men: Acts 13:51-52. 5. Later, he would be involved in the controversy over circumcision, go to Jerusalem and return with others to take the message to the brethren.(Sought help in the right place-inspired word.) E. Barnabas, in spite of his gift of encouraging others, recognized his own mortality. 1. The multitude in Lystra had seen a cripple healed and thought these were gods come down as men(Acts 14). 2. Even to: Acts 14:12. a. Tried to sacrifice to them. b. Their reaction: Acts 14:14-15. c. Note: Acts 14:16. 3. The departure from Lystra: Acts 14:19-20. 4. Barnabas was a man, only a man, but a righteous man. 5. Righteous men do not have an inflated ego, but a humble attitude: Proverbs 14:33. F. Barnabas did not always agree with Paul, his companion. 1. Prior to taking another journey, Barnabas desired to take Mark with them(discuss). 2. A sharp contention led to their going two different ways: Acts 15:39. 3. No animosity, no grudges, and no ill feelings prevailed after this. a. Note: Colossians 4:10. b. Strong minded and dedicated men can overcome disagreements: their characters are evident when they put such aside for the Lord's work. III. Conclusion. A. The character of Barnabas: Acts 11:24. B. How encouraging to know such men lived then and such men and women can live today.-JY