Barney Series

August 5, 2010

LET'S BE A BARNEY

Scripture Reading--Acts 11:19-24

The birth of a baby is always a time of family celebration.  So, too, should be the birth of a new believer into the family of God.  The Book of Acts records many new births, and chapter 11 tells of a great number of Grecians at Antioch who believed and turned to the Lord.  When this news reached the church at Jerusalem, "they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch" ( v. 22 )

Apparently questioning the validity of these conversions, these Jewish believers sent Barnabas to check them out.  When "Mr. Encouragement" arrived on the scene, he "had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord" ( v. 23 ).  The word glad means cheerful, excited, or happy.  Yes, Barnabas encouraged the new converts by celebrating their newfound faith.  He was thrilled that they had been born again and exhorted or continually encouraged and invoked them to cleave and to remain loyal to the Lord Jesus.  His visible and verbal  celebration challenged the new believers to grow and to go for God.

Romans 12:15 reminds us to "rejoice with them that do rejoice."  Are you jealous or jubilant because of another believer's success?  Sometimes pastors, evangelists, and missionaries become critical because of another believer's fruitfulness.  While sitting in a preacher's meeting years ago, one brother reported on the harvest of souls coming to Christ in another pastor's ministry.  Upon hearing the news, one of the preachers responded, "Well, he must be compromising somewhere.  There just aren't many people coming to Christ these days."

That's certainly not the spirit in heaven.  "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" ( Luke 15:10 ).  Let's learn to rejoice in the salvation of a sinner who comes to Christ, whether in our ministry or in someone else's.

THOUGHT:  It's not hard to "rejoice with them that do rejoice" if we first "weep with them that weep"  ( Rom. 12:15 ).