The following devotional was given by my 12 year old son, Daniel, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
If I were to ask you to tell me this evening all you knew about a man named Joseph of Cyprus, most likely you would have no clue as to who this man was. And there is a very good reason for that, and that reason is that this man is known instead by a nickname given to him by the apostles themselves, a nickname which so aptly described his encouraging character. Translated into English the nickname of this great man means “Son of Encouragement,“ but we know him better as Barnabas.
We first encounter Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37. Luke writes, “Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.” There was something special about this man who was given the nickname “Barnabas” by the apostles. He was such a godly man that he became known by his deeds. From the surname given to him by the apostles we can see that he was a man whose life embodied that of a person who was a comfort and an encouragement to others.
We also learn in the Book of Acts that Barnabas never gave up on a young man by the name of John Mark, a young man that even Paul felt was no longer of any use in the service of God. Luke writes in Acts 15:36-41, 36. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." 37. And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40. but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Because of Barnabas not giving up on John Mark, he became a great man himself in the service of the Lord. It was this very same man who wrote the Gospel of Mark that bears his name, and the very same young man whom the Apostle Paul would say of just prior to his execution in Rome in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me.”
This evening I would like to take a few moments to offer my personal thanks to the elders and the congregation here for the encouragement they have given my brothers and me since we have been here. The very fact that I am giving the devotional this evening, and that Damien, Donovan and I are asked routinely to help serve during the Lord’s Supper, to do the reading and to lead singing, are evidence of the Barnabases among us. These opportunities are very much an encouragement to each one of us, and although we have grown up here and believed this was the practice that occurred everywhere in the Lord’s church, our Dad has informed us that this is not the norm in most places. I believe that is very unfortunate. I know we are not perfect and we make mistakes occasionally in our efforts, but in spite of our shortcomings no one ever has been critical. And for that, once again I want to express my thanks and gratitude on behalf of my brothers and myself.
Let us all pray that the Lord will send to us godly men with the encouragement of Barnabas. Let us all strive to do just what the Bible teaches in Hebrews 10:24 and “ . . . let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.”
If there are any here this evening who are subject to the Lord’s invitation in any way, please let your wishes be known as those of us who are able would please rise for the song of encourgement.
We first encounter Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37. Luke writes, “Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.” There was something special about this man who was given the nickname “Barnabas” by the apostles. He was such a godly man that he became known by his deeds. From the surname given to him by the apostles we can see that he was a man whose life embodied that of a person who was a comfort and an encouragement to others.
We also learn in the Book of Acts that Barnabas never gave up on a young man by the name of John Mark, a young man that even Paul felt was no longer of any use in the service of God. Luke writes in Acts 15:36-41, 36. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." 37. And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40. but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Because of Barnabas not giving up on John Mark, he became a great man himself in the service of the Lord. It was this very same man who wrote the Gospel of Mark that bears his name, and the very same young man whom the Apostle Paul would say of just prior to his execution in Rome in 2 Timothy 4:11, “Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me.”
This evening I would like to take a few moments to offer my personal thanks to the elders and the congregation here for the encouragement they have given my brothers and me since we have been here. The very fact that I am giving the devotional this evening, and that Damien, Donovan and I are asked routinely to help serve during the Lord’s Supper, to do the reading and to lead singing, are evidence of the Barnabases among us. These opportunities are very much an encouragement to each one of us, and although we have grown up here and believed this was the practice that occurred everywhere in the Lord’s church, our Dad has informed us that this is not the norm in most places. I believe that is very unfortunate. I know we are not perfect and we make mistakes occasionally in our efforts, but in spite of our shortcomings no one ever has been critical. And for that, once again I want to express my thanks and gratitude on behalf of my brothers and myself.
Let us all pray that the Lord will send to us godly men with the encouragement of Barnabas. Let us all strive to do just what the Bible teaches in Hebrews 10:24 and “ . . . let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.”
If there are any here this evening who are subject to the Lord’s invitation in any way, please let your wishes be known as those of us who are able would please rise for the song of encourgement.
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