Pastor and 1st Lady Mims

Mims Chapel Church

LESSON 2 Second Week

Barnabas—A Disciple Willing
to Be Used By The Holy Spirit

Background Reading

Acts 4:36-37; 9:27; 11:25-30; 13:5; 13; 15:36-41; 2 Timothy 4:11; Galatians 2:13;
1 Corinthians 9:6

Devotional Reading

Acts 13:42-52

Central Verse
"Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord." Acts 11:23, KJV

"When he arrived and saw this evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord."
Acts 11:23, NLT

Key Terms
Derogatory— Expressive of a low opinion: intended to lower the reputation of a person or thing.
Confirming—To approve, to give new assurance of the validity of, to remove doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact.
Christian —A person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows his teachings, accepting Him as Lord and Savior, and believing His death and resurrection provide salvation from sin.

Introduction

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus whose name was Joses. The Apostles called him Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement," implying a willingness to serve others. Barnabas loved God and was willing to serve others, doing whatever the church leaders needed him to do. It was said that He was a "good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith." Barnabas was very active in ministry, and "a great number of people were brought to the Lord."

Barnabas had a good heart; he had a good perspective on money and property. When he sold his land, he brought the proceeds to the Apostles. Paul took note of his diligence in caring for the church and its believers.

Discussion

The Bible says that Barnabas was filled with joy, which suggests that he knew how to live life and appreciate the things God had in store for him. Because he knew how to manage his life, he was able to lead a joyous life and be an effective evangelist. He was an influential evangelist who encouraged people to remain faithful to their faith in God. Believers need strong men and women of God to speak encouraging words into their lives as Barnabas did.

Barnabas was known as the "Son of Encouragement." His life was an example of generosity, leadership, and reconciliation. He not only made financial contributions, but he also nurtured the developing church and championed the inclusion of Gentiles into the New Testament Church. He was an example of Christian fellowship, grace, and insight into his life and actions, which inspired others through his life, his actions, and his example as a leader in the church. He served as an elder of the church in the city of Syrian Antioch. He journeyed to Tarsus and found Paul, introducing him and inviting him to join him in the ministry. One day, as the disciples were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." So, after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way." Acts 13:2-3 (NLT). These disciples didn't just take it upon themselves to go, but the Holy Spirit led them. The Word tells the believer that he must acknowledge God in everything that he does, and then He (God) will direct their path (Proverbs 3:6). God knows what's up the road, so when He is directing, he will lead the believer in the best way.

He later took him to Antioch, where they worked for a year, teaching and helping the people there. It was at Antioch that believers were first called Christians. At that time, the name Christian was used as a derogatory term, coined by the non-believers, but it did identify believers as devout followers of Jesus Christ. However, today the term's usage has changed, as it now identifies believers who claim the name of Christ and His Word, as revealed in scripture has become their supreme authority and their only source of future hope, as stated in Colossians 1:5 and 27.

Barnabas heard the call of God, obeyed the Holy Spirit, and accepted the assignment to travel to other cities with the message of Jesus Christ's salvation. He reached many souls in the Northeast Mediterranean cities with Saul. He participated in the reports at the First Jerusalem Council.

He also reached other cities with his relative John Mark, with whom Paul had several disagreements that were so strong. The contentions were so sharp between them. Paul felt that John Mark was not carrying his weight, and he was not profitable to the ministry. Paul and Barnabas argued about John Mark's usefulness and eventually parted ways due to these disagreements concerning him. Barnabas had been such a blessing to the Apostle Paul, for it was because of his influence that Paul was able to minister to the Gentiles. He had opened many doors for Paul.

After leaving Paul, Barnabas never lost his desire to be used by the Holy Spirit. He later traveled to other cities with John Mark, his cousin. Paul took Silas, who had been recommended by the brethren, to the grace of God with him, and they departed to Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Conclusion

God is yet searching for men and women who will be committed to Him, who have the power of the Holy Ghost working in them. He wants believers whom the Spirit leads to be His spokespersons. There may be conflicts that come into their lives, but like Barnabas, they must not allow these conflicts to stop the work of God. Sometimes believers are not compatible to work together: and it doesn't mean that they are not saved. It's just that they need to do what Paul did: work with someone else. Later, Paul sent for John and Mark and said that he was profitable for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). Sometimes, believers have to mature and grow in certain areas. Still, they cannot allow that to stop them from allowing God to use them in another context.

God is the God of all flesh; He includes the Jews as well as the Gentiles to come and be a part of His kingdom. It is His will that this world will see and know that he is a light in darkness and this can only be seen by believers who are willing to be used by the Holy Spirit.

Questions

Who was Barnabas?
What was his connection to Paul?
Why did Barnabas and Paul separate?
Who did Paul later travel with?
What happened to John Mark?

Essential Thought- "The believer must remember that his life is not about himself; it's about God's will being done through the Holy Spirit."