22.234 | Let Us Be Like Barnabas | Acts 9:26-31| God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Acts 9:26-31 ESV

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists.[c] But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

LET US BE LIKE BARNABAS

What Paul had demonstrated at Damascus gave us an idea how zealous and excited he was to know Christ and the brethren there. After three years being away, he decided to go back to Jerusalem and he must be excited to meet the disciples there, too. But, they were all afraid of him. Nobody among them believed that he was a disciple. Somebody should help him. Thus, one of the first deacons Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles.

Barnabas, whose name means son of encouragement, was always true to his name. He persuaded the doubtful disciples at Jerusalem to accept Paul. In what way? He ‘declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.’ [v.27]

While everyone else was focusing on the past of Paul, Barnabas focused on his present. In most cases, like the disciples at Jerusalem,when we are hurt, it’s not easy to remove the painful stigma and prejudices we have to a person or group of people, is it? The trust has been shattered and it seems hard for us to regain our respect and trust. This is understandable because the hurts and pains are deep and the healing takes time.

Take for example today, many ex-convict and former prostitutes who became believers are finding it very hard come to our churches. They found it hard to integrate for the inhibitions and doubts they perceived among God’s people. We are thankful that there are “Barnabas like’’ among us, who would take the needed steps to reach out to them where they are. And discreetly, they would introduce them to the body of Christ.

When Paul was accepted as one among them, he was encouraged to preach Christ even more boldly. He went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. [v.28,29] And the Jews, resultingly, intensified their pursuit to kill him. What they did to Stephen earlier, they planned to do unto him now. But, God has plan for him yet. He has to escape to his home town at Tarsus of Cilicia via Caesaria. In summary, the disciples who doubted him at the beginning became convinced that he was real. They saw him as a tree bearing fruits in following Jesus.

The challenge is before us today. There are a growing number of emerging sub-culture and communities like LGBTQ+, with strange beliefs and lifestyle. They are difficult to love and understand but should not be written off as impossible.

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