Thursday, July 5th
Read: Acts 11
Have you ever been put in charge of a “situation?” That is, something that has started up and needs someone with some degree of authority to deal with it? If you have, did you look at the task at hand and feel full of joy? If you didn’t, think about what you can learn from the revolutionary leadership of Barnabas—the “Son of Encouragement.”
Now the believers who had been scattered from Jerusalem (Acts 8:1) couldn’t be quiet about the good news of Jesus Christ. They couldn’t help but preach the word of God wherever they went. They went about telling their fellow Jews about the fulfillment of the Messianic promise (Jesus). There were some revolutionaries amongst the group that went to Antioch. They believed the truth that the good news of Jesus was for everyone, not just the Jews (vs.21-22). A large number of Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord because of their revolutionary work.
What was the result of these revolutionaries and the way they followed unpopular beliefs? The church that started at Antioch was a mixed church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. No longer were Christ’s followers thought of as just a sect of Jews; they were emerging as something quite different and they started to be called something other then Jewish (v.26). When the church at Jerusalem heard of this they were quick to send a leader out to see just what was going on. Change was happening and they were unsure it was a good thing.
When Barnabas, a Levite (4:36), arrived on the scene at Antioch, he was quick to see the work of the Spirit and began to encourage those around him to stay close to the Lord (v.23). Barnabas was on the cutting edge of ministry. No other church that had formed was so distinctive from Judaism. Thousands of years of tradition and customs were being challenged. What did Barnabas do when confronted with this situation? Try to enforce that people must conform in order to control the situation? No! He looked to see what God was doing, and partnered with God in His work.
Sometimes we’re faced with people whose attitude is that of those at the church in Jerusalem. When new and different things are happening they question, maybe criticize and frustrate what is happening. Sometimes they are working against the Lord by trying to slow down the work of revolution. We need to have the same attitude of Barnabas. Instead of being discouraged and allowing our efforts to be diminished, we need to press on and follow God and encourage His work and His people.
Process:
– What new things do you see God doing in your area/church/community?
– How do you see His Spirit at work?
– How can you partner with God to see Him glorified and His kingdom come?
– Do you generally embrace change or try to diminish it?
Youth Department