What If
The Church Becomes As It Should Be
The Power Of An Encouraging Leader
Barnabas In The Book Of Acts
Sunday July 1st, 2018 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui
Encouragement is a spiritual gift. It is necessary to build up the church
An encouraging leader comes alongside someone to motivate, inspire and mentor them to carry out God's plans and purposes. An encouraging leader delivers God's particular message directly to someone to accomplish His work. -Pastor Dubs
Defining Encouragement
Encouragement - Paraklesis in Greek means calling to one's side, one's aide.
Encouraging means Holy urging, exhortation, joy, gladness, consolation, comfort.
Barnabas as a Great Example of an Encouraging Leader
Encouragement Means Comfort
Barnabas Brought The Comfort Of Hope To The Body Of Christ Through His Generosity"And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4:36-37
Encouragement Means Calling To One's Side
Barnabas Called Paul To His Side And Took Him To Jerusalem And Vouched For Him"But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." Acts 9:27
Encouragement Means Gladness
Barnabas Verified And Was Glad That The Holy Spirit Came Alongside The Gentiles"Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 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. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord." Acts 11:22-24
Encouragement Means Holy Urging
Barnabas Urged Believers Just As The Holy Spirit Urged The Church To Set Apart Barnabas And Paul
"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.'" Acts 13:2
Encouragement Means Consolation
Barnabas Found Great Consolation In The Work Of God And Was Content To Let Paul Take The Lead"Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God." Acts 15:22, 43-44