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BARNABAS, SON OF CONSOLATION

Intro.

1.  Acts 11:19-24 - Barnabas was a "good man" - Impressive!

2.  Acts 4:36: "Son of consolation" (PARAKLESIS)

  a.  "A calling near, summons...imploration, exhortation, admonition, encouragement... consolation, comfort, solace....that which affords comfort or refreshment....persuasive discourse...instructive...powerful hortatory discourse" (Thayer, 483).

  b.  Of Barnabas: "a man gifted in teaching, admonishing, consoling" (Ibid.)

3.  Important ideas in "consolation" include:

  a.  Exhortation (encouragement) - Heb. 6:18.

  b.  Comfort - Alleviation of grief; Cheering & supporting influence - 2 Cor. 1:6-7.

  c.  Persuasive discourse - Acts 13:15.

4.  What was it about Barnabas that made him such a source of comfort & encouragement to his brethren?

I.  BARNABAS WAS SPIRITUALLY MATURE (Gal. 6:1).

  A.  He Was Full Of The Holy Spirit - Acts 11: 24; cf. Eph. 5:18.

    1.  Non-miraculous - cf. Lk.1:15 (Jn.10:41).

      a.  Led by the Spirit - Gal.5:16,18.

      b.  Fruit of the Spirit - 5:22-25.

    2.  Cf. Acts 6:3 - See wisdom & reputation.

  B.  He Was Full Of Faith - Acts 11:24.

    1.  Believed in what he was doing! - Heb. 11:6

    2.  His faith influenced others! (11:24)

    3.  Those w/ stronger faith bear respon. to strengthen the weak - Gal. 6:1-2; 1 Ths. 5:14.

II.  BARNABAS SET MANY GODLY EXAMPLES.

  A.  An Example In Giving:

    1.  Of his possessions - Acts 4:36-37.  -(cf. Our giving - 2Cor.9:6-8).

    2.  Of his time/energy - Acts 11:22,26; Acts 13-14 (1 Cor. 9:6). (cf. Use of ours - Eph. 5:16).

  B.  An Example In Trustworthiness - Acts 11:22-23, 30; 13:2; 15:2.

    1.  Time & again, when a work needed to be accomplished, Barnabas was the man!

    2.  cf. Acts 14:14 - He was "one sent" - He could be trusted!

    3.  Phil.2:21-22 - Aptly apply to Barnabas!

    4.  We must follow this example!

  C.  An Example In Promoting Unity Among Brethren - Acts 9:26-28; 11:19-23.

    1.  9:26-28 - Used truth to achieve it.

    2.  11:19-23 - Taught gospel to secure it.

    3.  Acts 15:1-2 - Would not compromise truth for peace/unity/fellowship. (cf. Gal. 2:13)

    4.  Acts 15:36-39 - Would go separate ways over a matter of judgment rather than cause lasting damage (cf. 1 Cor. 9:6; Col. 4:10).

  D.  An Example Of Repentance - Gal. 2:13; 1 Cor. 9:6.

    1.  Wasn't sinless, but was a humble man!

    2.  1 Cor. 9:6 - Clearly, he repented, or Paul would not have commended his conduct on this later occasion!

III.  BARNABAS TAUGHT OTHERS.

  A.  He Exhorted People With The Word Of God - Acts 13:5-12; 15:35.

      -(Strength of our exhorting must be our message! - 2 Tim. 4:2).

  B.  How He Used The Word Of God To Exhort:

    1.  Ground new saints-Acts 11:22ff; 13:43.

    2.  With boldness - Acts 13:46.

    3.  With persistence - Acts 13:50-51.

    4.  Confrontational when necessary - 15:1-2.

      -(Good pattern for us to follow!)

Conclusion

1.  Encouragement, comfort & persuasion - These are the hallmarks of consolation. He gave these to others thru his maturity of faith, his examples & his teaching.

2.  When these qualities are put into our lives, w/ Barnabas, we will be "sons of consolation."