THE MINISTRY OF THE ENCOURAGERS

Ministry of the Encouragers
Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-30
Introduction

In biblical times names did more than simply distinguish one person from another. They had meaning, they stood for something—sometimes for the very essence of the people who wore them.

Take the name "Barnabas" for example. His original name was "Joseph," but because of a certain graciousness about him the apostles gave him the nickname of "Barnabas." It means "son of encouragement."

Barnabas was known for his willingness to seek out those who were struggling and encourage them along in the work of the Lord.

Moses encouraged Joshua, who was to succeed him

De 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

1. We must encourage ourselves. (Amalekites had taken captive)

1Sa 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

2. We must encourage one another

Jg 20:22 And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.

In what ways can the ministry of the Encouragers bless the church today?

I. Getting People into the Church

A. Barnabas helped Paul find acceptance by the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-30).

1. The newly converted Saul of Tarsus was, at first, denied fellowship by the church in Jerusalem.

2. But Barnabas believed in his conversion story and helped him find a home with the believers.

3. All that Paul was later to do and write might have been lost had Barnabas not been there to help him find a home in the church.

B. Barnabas helped the Gentiles find equal acceptance with the Jews in the first century church (Acts 15:1-35).

C. The church still needs sons and daughters of encouragement to stand at her open doors today.

1. How many "Pauls" never make it into the church because of fear of not being excepted?

II. Keeping People in the Church

A. Barnabas encouraged John Mark in a way that may have saved him for meaningful service (Acts 15:36-40).

1. John Mark had failed Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.

Paul was not willing to give him another chance.

2. But Barnabas believed in Mark and took him along with him on his own separate journey in order to encourage Mark in the Lord’s service.

3. All that John Mark was later to do for the Lord might have been lost had Barnabas not been there for him in that difficult time.

But Later Paul says,

2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Notice Peter in Babylon,

1Pe 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

B. Such encouragement can keep people in the church today.

1. People are still failing and growing discouraged in their efforts to live for Christ.

Some of them even leave the fellowship of the church.

2. Such people can be restored to meaningful service through the ministry of encouragement.

The church needs the ministry of evangelists, of elders, of deacons, of teachers and a host of other functions.

But perhaps what it needs most is the ministry of the encouragers