A New Name; A New Mission Acts 9:26-31; 10:22-24

Kids understand that you need friends. Don't get too busy for fellowship.

            Barnabas was born as Joseph. He was later given the name Barnabas as a nickname which in time became his identity and what he was known by. He was a leader in the early church, a good man, full of the Spirit, and full of faith (Acts 10:24). He received the name Barnabas because of the type of man he was. Barnabas means “son of encouragement"  it was because of his gift at being a leader maker, an instrument of God to equip the saints and to encourage others in their faith that he received this name.

            One of the most remarkable things about Barnabas is his willingness to come to the defense of Saul (Later known as Paul). The aspect of Barnabas’ life and ministry we will focus upon is his obedience to the call of Christ to make disciples and/or Christian leaders.

What Is a Christian Leader?

Let's begin with a definition. What is a Christian leader? Broadly speaking, a person is more or less a Christian leader as that person exerts more or less Christian influence in Christian ways. Or to put it another way, to the degree that you shape others toward the image of Christ you are a Christian leader.

That's a very broad definition of Christian leadership, and should include every obedient Christian, because we should all be influencing someone to be more like Christ. But if we get more specific, what we usually mean by a good Christian leader is someone who is really good at influencing others toward Christlikeness. They have personal strengths that draw others into the sway of their influence and lead them to the ways of Christ.

There are people who oppose leadership wherever it begins to emerge. But if we had time, I would love to test the following claim by the Scriptures: Opposition to Christian leadership (or an anti-leadership mentality) is not born out of great vision, but out of little resentments. A church without strong leaders is not a democracy of giants. What the church needs worldwide is Spirit-filled, Bible-saturated, Christ-exalting, self-abasing, determined, persevering leaders who exert deep, broad, life-changing influence for Jesus Christ.

The Need For Leader-Makers

            The only way we will see a church full of godly leaders. Young adults, youth and older adults alike leading society in every way is if we have solid leader makers. The church is called to be on the forefront politically, socially, economically, and in every area of our society and community. We need Godly leaders in those areas. We also need Barnabas types who are holding their feet to the fire and their heads up high.

            Listen to what Charles Spurgeon said concerning the housekeeper at the school he attended as a teenager in Newmarket:

She lived strongly as well as fed strongly. Many a time we have gone over the covenant of grace together, and talked of the personal election of the saints, their union to Christ, their final perseverance and what vital godliness meant; and I do believe that I learnt more from her than I should have learned from any six doctors of divinity of the sort we have nowadays.

The church is not called to be complacent! We are called to be proactive in our faith and in the work of encouragement. Last week I challenged the church to pray for and reach out to those lost people in our lives. This week I will give you the benefit of the doubt, trusting that you took that challenge. Now I want add another challenge to that.

I challenge each follower of Christ to be a leader maker. We are all called to discipleship! Therefore, when was the last time you identified another Christian who was in need of encouragement and took steps to build them up?

I challenge you this week to identify another Christian brother or sister and invite them to lunch. Begin to build a relationship with them, encourage them in their walk, and build a friendship with them.

Everyone needs a Paul figure (a mentor), a Barnabas figure (a friend/encourager), and a Timothy figure (someone you are training). Can you identify those people in your life?

Are you being directly mentored by someone? Who? Are you being encouraged consistently from someone other than your spouse? Are you being a Barnabas for someone else? Who? Are you actively training up anyone in the faith? Who?