Intro.

1. Acts 11:19-26 - Barnabas was a "good man" - Impressive!

2. Acts 4:36: "Son of consolation" [paraklesis] (encouragement, nkjv).

a. "A calling near, summons...imploration, exhortation, admonition, encouragement...consolation, comfort, solace....that which affords comfort or refreshment....persuasive discourse...instructive...powerful hortatory discourse" (Thayer, 483).

b. Of Barnabas: "a man gifted in teaching, admonishing, consoling" (Ibid.)

3. Important ideas in "consolation" include:

a. Exhortation (encouragement) - Heb. 6:18.

b. Comfort - Alleviation of grief; Cheering & supporting influence - 2 Cor. 1:6-7.

c. Persuasive discourse - Acts 13:15.

4. What was it about Barnabas that made him such a source of comfort & encouragement to his brethren?

I. BARNABAS WAS SPIRITUALLY MATURE (Gal. 6:1).

A. He Was Full Of The Holy Spirit - Acts 11:24; cf. Eph. 5:18.

1. Non-miraculous - cf. Lk. 1:15 (Jno. 10:41).

a. Led by the Spirit - Gal. 5:16, 18.

b. Fruit of the Spirit - 5:22-25.

2. cf. Acts 6:3 - See wisdom & reputation.

B. He Was Full Of Faith - Acts 11:24.

1. Believed in what he was doing! - Heb. 11:6

2. His faith influenced others! (11:24)

3. Those with stronger faith bear responsibility to strengthen the weak - Rom. 15:1-3; 1 Ths. 5:14.

II. BARNABAS SET MANY GODLY EXAMPLES.

A. An Example In Giving:

1. Of his possessions - Acts 4:36-37.

-(cf. Our giving - 2 Cor. 9:6-8).

2. Of his time/energy - Acts 11:22, 26; Acts 13-14 (1 Cor. 9:6). (cf. Use of ours - Eph. 5:16).

B. An Example In Trustworthiness - Acts 11:22-23, 30; 13:2; 15:2.

1. Time & again, when a work needed to be accomplished, Barnabas was the man!

2. cf. Acts 14:14 - He was "one sent" - He could be trusted!

3. Phil. 2:21-22 - Aptly apply to Barnabas! Let us follow this example!

C. An Example In Promoting Unity Among Brethren - Acts 9:26-28; 11:19-23.

1. 9:26-28 - Used truth to achieve it.

2. 11:19-23 - Taught gospel to secure it.

3. 15:1-2 - Would not compromise truth for peace/unity/fellowship. (cf. Gal. 2:13)

4. 15:36-39 - Would go separate ways over a matter of judgment rather than cause lasting damage (cf. 1 Cor. 9:6; Col. 4:10).

D. An Example Of Repentance - Gal. 2:13;1 Cor. 9:6.

1. Wasn't sinless, but was a humble man!

2. 1 Cor. 9:6 - Clearly, he repented, or Paul would not have commended his conduct on this later occasion!

III. BARNABAS TAUGHT OTHERS.

A. He Exhorted People With The Word Of God - Acts 13:5-12; 15:35.

-(Strength of our exhorting must be our message! - 2 Tim. 4:2).

B. How He Used The Word Of God To Exhort:

1. Grounded new saints - Acts 11:22ff; 13:43.

2. With boldness - Acts 13:46.

3. With persistence - Acts 13:50-51.

4. Defense of the truth - 15:1-2.

5. What a good pattern for us to follow!

Conclusion

1. Encouragement, comfort & persuasion - These are the hallmarks of consolation.

2. He gave these to others through his mature faith, his examples & by teaching the gospel to others.

3. When these qualities are put into our lives, we will also be "sons of consolation."