“Barnabas: Bolstering Boldly in the Background”

June 20, 2010 Father’s Day Acts 11:22-30   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (320x240 wmv, 218 kbps)

WHERE NEVER IS HEARD A DISCOURAGING WORD

•    fathers can change over time – but called to encourage

MR.PROPHETIC - POSITIVELY SPEAKING

•    “Son of Encouragement / Prophecy”: building up the church at Antioch (4:36, 12:12, 14:12, 13:1, 11:23f)
•    fathers not to discourage / exasperate children (Col 3:21; Eph 6:4)

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN,...

•    unquestionable integrity, entrusted with significant responsibilities (11:24, 30; 15:25; Mt 7:9ff)

LEADING THE WAY IN GENEROSITY

•    large donation when others in need, worked hard to support himself (4:37; 1Cor 9:6)
•    father’s discipline to be for children’s benefit, as God disciplines us (Heb 12:9f)

IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT

•    full of Holy Spirit / Counselor / Helper, obvious fruit (11:24; Jn 14:15ff; Ac 11:26; Gal 5:22f; Ac 13:2, 14:23)
•    Barnabas gracious humble connector, bringing Saul on board (Ps 103:8,11,13; Ac 11:25f)

FATHERING IN FAITH: BELIEVING IN GOD AND PEOPLE

•    trusted God to work miracles, turn people around (Heb 11:1; Ac 9:26f)
•    risking to give Mark a second chance rewarded in long run (Ac 13:13, 15:37ff, 2Tim 4:11; Col 4:10)
•    Abraham our ‘father in faith’ - persuaded that God could give life to the dead (Rom 4:16-21)

A FATHER AND SON WHO KEPT ON BELIEVING

•    dogged commitment to rescue son vindicated boy’s trust