(Read Acts 11:19-26)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to learn more about the amazing life of the Apostle Paul. Once Saul left for Tarsus he was not heard of again for a long time. As I told you, he had caused enough trouble in Damascus and Jerusalem, attempting to do the right thing at the wrong time, so he went off to spend time alone with the Lord in preparation for his life’s assignment.
In Acts 10 the Apostle Peter, who was called to evangelize the Jews, was ordered by God to minister to a Gentile. Peter reluctantly went and ministered to Cornelius and his family. Afterward, Peter was ridiculed by his friends when they found out that he had entered the home of a Gentile and had eaten a meal with a person they considered unclean. This is sad because we are talking about Born-Again believers, leaders of the New Testament church, exhibiting racism and prejudice. This is probably why Peter was not called to the Gentiles, but thankfully Paul was.
Meanwhile, while Paul was still in isolation, the Gospel message spread (still primarily to the Jews) to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. In Acts 11 some men from Cyprus and Cyrene traveled to Antioch and preached Christ to the Greeks there. God was pleased and many Greeks came to Christ. When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this, still uncomfortable with Gentiles, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as Barnabas arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. Barnabas got involved, he got behind the effort, and he urged the new converts to stick with Christ for the rest of their lives. Barnabas was a good-hearted man. The Bible says, “He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit’s ways.” As a result, the community grew large and strong in Christ.
Once everything was going well in Antioch, the Bible says, “Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.” Wow. I love that statement. Remember, when Saul was kicked out of Damascus and he traveled to Jerusalem to meet with the other Apostles, they refused to meet with him until Barnabas brought Saul to them. It was Barnabas who stuck his neck out for Saul in Jerusalem and here was Barnabas going out on a limb for Saul again. Barnabas took it upon himself to travel over 50 miles (without modern transportation) to Tarsus, to meet with Saul, to see how he was doing, and to welcome him back to Antioch so that he could join him in ministry. That is awesome. I have often said that if it had not been for Barnabas there would not be a Paul. Barnabas is not well known, but he was instrumental in helping Paul get started in ministry. Barnabas brought Saul back to Antioch where they ministered together for an entire year. Their ministry was so impactful that it was there, in Antioch, that the term “Christians” (like-Christ) was coined.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. You are not a self-made man/woman. God uses others as the conduit of His blessing in your life. Be thankful for the people He uses to bless you.
2. God will use people to open doors for you that you cannot open for yourself. That’s called favor, and God certainly gave Paul favor with Barnabas.
3. Without Barnabas we would not even know who Paul is. I am sure the same can be said of you. There are people that God has used in your life, who have been so instrumental that without them you would not be where you are today. Recognize the hand of God and appreciate the people He uses to help you.
4. Paul did nothing to cause Barnabas to do so much for him. God blessed Paul, through Barnabas, by Grace and He will do the same for you. God will raise up people to use their power, their ability and their influence to help you in ways you could never help yourself, and He will not do it because you deserve it, He will do it by Grace and Grace alone!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your loving kindness and tender mercy towards me. You love me more than I will never know. You love me far beyond what I can comprehend. Humanity grossly underestimates the magnitude of Your love for us. But by faith I believe and receive Your love. I know You will favor me with people. You will raise up people to use their power, their ability and their influence to help me in ways I cannot help myself. And You will lead them to do it by Grace and Grace alone. I have not earned the favor You have given me with others and I shall never be able to earn it. I simply receive it by faith. You sent Barnabas to open doors for Paul and You have sent key people to do the same for me. In return I give You praise and I also appreciate the people You have sent to me. I know I am not a self-made man/woman. I am a God-made man/woman and the life I now live, I live for You and You alone! When I read about what You did for Paul I am encouraged that You will do something similar for me. Even when I am down and I feel all alone, You find a way to send someone to me to build me up, to encourage me and to help get me out of my rut. With this type of encouragement I am sure I shall arrive at Your desired destination for my life. Not because I deserve it, but because of Your Grace! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
