|
From the Pastor...
June, 1999
THE KIND OF MEMBERS THE CHURCH NEEDS
Acts 11: 19 - 30
A good example of the kind of person the Church needs is Barnabas. His real name was Joses
or Joseph. He was a native of Cyprus and was a Levite. He had a stewardship rather than
an ownership view of property. He was well known for generosity in disposition and in
material things. Being nicknamed "Zeus" probably meant that he was huge in size. In
Acts 9, we learn of his magnanimous spirit. With the "blood of Christians still on his hands"
Saul found himself friendless, but when he sought fellowship with the Christians, they were
afraid of him. How gracious and good it was of Barnabas to befriend and commend Saul to
the Lord's people! No wonder he was called the "son of encouragement". In Acts chapter
11, verses 19 - 30 we catch a glimpse of THE KIND OF MEMBERS THE CHURCH NEEDS. The
particular thing about Barnabas is mentioned in verse 24 - "he was a good man". No
greater thing can said of any person than this. We may not be great, talented or
prosperous, but we can all be good; and how the Church of Christ needs good people of the
Barnabas type. Notice the following characteristics of a good person.
1. WE KNOW THAT BARNABAS WAS A GOOD MAN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAW.
In verse 23 we read of Barnabas that he "saw the evidence of the grace of God." In a
strange place, and in unexpected ways Barnabas saw God's grace at work. He saw people
coming to faith in Christ, lives being transformed, and Christians who were rejoicing in
the Lord. He saw the grace of God in action; and a good man or woman will always see the
grace of God, that is, what God is doing, in others. The first mark of goodness, then, is
to see the best in others, not the worst.
2. WE KNOW THAT BARNABAS WAS A GOOD MAN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE FELT. What were his
innermost reactions when he saw the grace of God? Verse 23 tells us "he was glad....". He
was thrilled when he saw what God was doing. Barnabas rejoiced in the work of God although
he had no part in that work. Do we rejoice when God is using others? Are we glad when
someone else is the special instrument of His power?
3. WE KNOW THAT BARNABAS WAS A GOOD MAN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAID. Speech is a
good barometer of character, and our tongues certainly have a great power for good or for
evil. In verse 23 we are told that Barnabas "encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord
with all their hearts." He encouraged new Christians; he urged them to be "out and out"
steadfast believers; he helped them to "look unto Jesus" and to keep close to Him.
Barnabas had a glorious opportunity of starting a new sect, denomination or movement; but
his great concern was that these new believers should make much of the Lord Jesus.
4. WE KNOW THAT BARNABAS WAS A GOOD MAN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE DID. There is
something very wonderful indicated in verses 25 and 26. Barnabas sent for Paul, the better
man, the abler man, the more gifted man. This was a mark of true humility. He did not say,
"I will keep this work in my own hands!" It is a mark of grace to be willing to discover a
more talented person than yourself and then to be willing to fade out of the picture.
Obviously Barnabas had a self-forgetful heart. He was content to fill a little space, so
long as the Lord was glorified.
5. WE KNOW THAT BARNABAS WAS A GOOD MAN BECAUSE OF WHAT HE WAS. The real test
is not what we see, feel, say or do, but what we are; and verse 26 tells us that Barnabas
lived a whole year among the Christians at Antioch, which suggests that his life was
consistent. He practiced what he preached.
How greatly our churches need members of the calibre of Barnabas! But what was the
secret of the his life of goodness? Was he inherently good in himself? The secret is in
verse 24 - he "was full of the Holy Spirit and faith". He had emptied himself of Barnabas,
and allowed the Lord Jesus to have control.
Barnabas was not perfect; but he certainly was good. The church needs good people - of
the Barnabas type.
Sincerely,
Floyd McPhee 
|
