BARNABAS: LESSONS FOR LEADERS AND APOSTLES.

Good morning brothers and sisters of the #steemchurch, today we are going to look at leadership relationship between paul and barnabas for success in our own ministry.

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On our christian journey, God's grace may enable us to render services that brings us to prominence. Sometimes God's program want to move us from that stage to another higher stage. If we insist on holding on to the glory of our past, we may begin to develop reactions that may hinder us from finishing well.

Acts 15:36-41. Some time later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit all the brothers and sisters in every city where we preached the Lord’s word. Let’s see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. 38 Paul insisted that they shouldn’t take him along, since he had deserted them in Pamphylia and hadn’t continued with them in their work. 39 Their argument became so intense that they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas and left, entrusted by the brothers and sisters to the Lord’s grace. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

BARNABAS GOOD BEGINNING.

• He showed a honest christian giving.

Acts4:32-37. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.n 33 With great power the apostles continued to testifyo to the resurrectionp of the Lord Jesus. And God’s graceq was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,r brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,s and it was distributed to anyone who had need.t
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabasu (which means son of encouragement) 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet

• He was sent to Antioch as her ambassador by the first church.

• As part of the ministry encouragement, he brought saul of Tarsus to acceptance among apostles and the entire church.

• The Holy spirit directed the first church to consecrate Barnabas to be sent out on the first missionary journey.

• Barnabas seemed to be the leader of the gospel team on the missionary journey because his name was always mentioned first.
  
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  Paul's first missionary journey.

John mark dissapointed the gospel team by backing out of their journey for no good reason so on their nexy missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas couldn not come to agreement whether to take John mark along again. Whenever there is a disagreement between christians and the agreement cannot be settled at the moment, it is obvious that one or both parties are not being controlled by the Holy spirit.

The consequences they faced.

• The unity between paul and Barnabas was damaged.

Acts 15:39. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

• The missionary work they were both into suffered a set back.

• The bible did not record Barnabas' fruitfulness while Paul's was recorded.

• Following all that went wrong, nothing significant was heard about Barnabas' ministry.

Lessons for Leaders

• A good beginning does not guarantee a good endind. Watch your steps as you progress on your christian journey.

• It may be the will of God for someone you brought to the linelight outshine you. Be content and thankful to God for making you play a role in that person's life.

• Those in the ministry of encouragement should be mindful of the tendency to please everybody.

• Never expect tjose you helped to be forever subordinate to you. Look alone to God alone for your reward.

• Reacting negatively to the rise of people you helped moving forward may mark a beginning of your slide down to spiritual and ministerial irrelevance, this was what happened to Paul and Barnabas.
  
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