Dig Deeper - Sunday 6th September

Sermon Reflection: Courage to Encourage - Becoming a Barnabas

Acts 9:26–31

Link to service

Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 6th September service -

Everyone needs encouragement. Think for a moment about someone who has encouraged you

- a parent, teacher, friend, colleague, or someone at church. Perhaps they believed in you

when you weren't believing in yourself, gave you confidence, made you feel valued, or simply

helped you keep going.

The Bible introduces us to a man who was so good at this that the apostles gave him a

nickname. His real name was Joseph, but they called him Barnabas, meaning “son of

encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Imagine being known for that - not because you were famous or

successful, but because people knew that when Barnabas was around, they were strengthened

and built up. His life challenges us: How can we become people who bring courage and hope to

others?

Seeing what others might become

When Saul arrives in Jerusalem, nobody trusts him. And you can understand why. He had been

persecuting Christians and trying to destroy the church. Now he turns up claiming to be one of

them. Acts 9:26 says the disciples were “all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a

disciple.”

But then we read: “Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles” (Acts 9:27).

Barnabas had the courage to stand alongside someone everyone else was suspicious of. He

listened to Saul's story and spoke up for him. He didn't know what Saul would eventually

become. He simply recognised that God was doing something in his life.

We all need people who see something in us before we can see it ourselves. Sometimes

confidence grows because someone first believes in us.

Who might God be asking you to believe in?

Looking for God's grace

Later, Barnabas is sent to Antioch, where many people are becoming Christians. When he

arrives, Acts 11:23 says that he “saw what the grace of God had done” and was glad.

Notice what Barnabas looks for: the grace of God. He looks for evidence of God at work and

celebrates it.

That challenges us because we can be quick to notice what is wrong—what hasn't been done,

what could have been better, or what we would have done differently. Barnabas teaches us to

look for grace. Where is God at work? Where is somebody growing? Where is somebody quietly

serving or faithfully persevering?

Much of what happens in church happens quietly. Someone welcomes people, visits someone

who is lonely, serves with children, prays faithfully, gives generously, or simply turns up week

after week. It's easy to assume someone else will notice.

Perhaps God is saying: “You notice. You say something.”

Making room and giving another chance

Barnabas doesn't simply speak up for Saul; he makes room for him. In Acts 11, he goes looking

for Saul and brings him to Antioch, where they teach the church together.

Barnabas sees Saul's gifts and gives him an opportunity to use them. Sometimes the most

helpful thing we can do is say, “Come and join me. I'll do it with you.”

Barnabas also shows us what it means to stand alongside someone who has failed. In Acts 15,

he disagrees with Paul over John Mark, who had previously left them during their missionary

journey. Barnabas takes Mark with him rather than writing him off.

Sometimes people need someone who believes that failure isn't the end of their story.

That is deeply connected to the gospel. Jesus doesn't say, “You failed, so you're finished.” In

Christ there is forgiveness, grace, restoration and a new beginning.

Years later Paul writes, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my

ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). The man who had once been rejected had become someone Paul

valued.

Who might need another chance from you?

Pointing people towards Jesus

Barnabas wasn't simply a positive person. His concern was that people would remain true to the

Lord. Acts 11:23 says he encouraged the Christians in Antioch to do exactly that.

That's the goal. Christian encouragement isn't simply about making people feel better; it is about

helping people become stronger followers of Jesus.

Sometimes the words we need to hear are simple: “Keep going. Keep trusting Jesus.” Or,

“You've made a mistake - come back to Jesus.” Or simply, “I'm praying for you.”

Following Jesus isn't always easy. There are times when we are tired, doubtful or discouraged,

and God often uses other Christians to help us keep going. We aren't meant to walk the journey

alone.

So what would it look like for St John's to become known as a church full of Barnabas’s? A

church where people are noticed, welcomed, prayed for and helped to grow. A church where

people are given opportunities, where failure isn't the end of the story, and where we look for

God's grace in one another.

Perhaps there is a Saul who needs someone to believe in him. Perhaps there is a Mark who

needs another chance. Perhaps there is somebody wondering whether they belong.

And perhaps God is asking you to come alongside them and say:

“Come with me. I think God has something for you.”

Barnabas reminds us that it takes courage to see what others cannot yet see, to notice God's

grace, to make room for others, and to believe that failure is not the end.

Ultimately, our calling is to help one another keep our eyes on Jesus.

May God give us all the courage to encourage.

Reflection Questions:

1. In Acts 9:26–27, why were the disciples afraid of Saul, and what does Barnabas do

differently?

2. Who has been a “Barnabas” in your life - someone who believed in you when you

needed it?

3. Where can you see God's grace at work in someone around you?

4. Who might God be asking you to believe in, make room for, or give another chance?

5. How can you help someone keep following Jesus this week?

Prayer;

Lord Jesus, help us to see people as You see them, to notice Your grace, and to come

alongside those who need hope. Make us a church that builds one another up and helps each

other keep following You.

Amen.