Ekklesia 365
Courage to Encourage

Sunday March 1st, 2020 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Acts 11-15

"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:2-3)

When you have the courage to surrender your dreams and instead delight in God, He will sanctify you and give you the desires of your heart.

Worldly courage, testing our physical limits to gain fame and popularity, is different from the spiritual courage to surrender at the risk of losing fame and popularity. True courage is to lose the whole world to gain eternal life for your soul.

"Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)

God Called And Separated Barnabas And Paul For His Work

1. Have the courage to separate yourself for God's work.
2. Separate the courage to take risks for personal gains from the courage to surrender your dreams and desires to God.

"When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord." (Acts 11:23)

The Church Leaders Sent Barnabas To Authenticate The Work Of God

1. Have the courage to surrender your heart to God.
2. Courage is a matter of the heart.
3. Have the courage to encourage others.

"Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul." (Acts 11:25)

Barnabas encouraged Paul to grow the work of God.

"Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said... 'For so the Lord has commanded us: "I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 13:46-47)

Paul and Barnabas had the courage to encourage the Gentiles

1. Have the courage to stay the course.
2. Excitement will face opposition.
3. Invincibility will face persecution.

"Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands." (Acts 14:3)

Paul and Barnabas had the courage to edify the church

1. Have the courage to choose the truth.
2. Separate lies and truth.
3. Separate rumors and reality.

"Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles." (Acts 15:12)

Paul and Barnabas had the courage to stand up to false teaching

1. Have the courage to glorify God.
2. Have the courage to resolve conflicts.
3. Have the courage to speak even when your voice shakes.
4. Have the courage to speak even when your body trembles.