North Anderson Baptist Church
After a distinguished performing career, virtuoso violinist Jascha Heifetz accepted an appointment as professor of music at UCLA. Asked what had prompted his change of career, Heifetz replied: "Violin playing is a perishable art. It must be passed on as a personal skill; otherwise it is lost.'
We need to listen to this great musician. Living the Christian life is a highly personal experience. We can't pull it off merely by watching skilled veterans "perform". We need hands-on instruction.
Acts 11:19-21 NIV
A New Beginning - v.19-21
As God began to increase His church He called attention to Antioch of Syria. There new believers had come from those who were saved at Pentecost. New Jewish believers were scattered away from Jerusalem because of the persecution after Stephen’s death and some came to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene. Not only did those new believers share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with the Jews but also with the Greek Gentiles. Many, a great number, were converted and became part of the church there at Antioch. The Bible says it was there at Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” or “the Christ-ones.” The Life Application Bible says it was significant because Christ was what they had in common, not race, culture or even language. “Christ can cross all boundaries and unify all people.”
Acts 11:22-24 NIV
Special Leadership - v. 22-24
Jerusalem, being the center of the church, heard of this great movement of new followers of Jesus in Antioch was so concerned and excited that they decided to send Barnabas to see what was going on there. Because of the character of Barnabas he was a trusted envoy. You may remember Acts 4:36-37,
Acts 4:36-37 NIV
Here we see the first mention of Barnabas in the New Testament. He came to encourage and help the fledgling church fellowship in Jerusalem, which made a great difference for many.
Having become a trusted leader, Barnabas was sent to investigate what was going on and how the activity was to measure up to what the disciples felt was right. Barnabas saw the hand of God in the midst of the Antioch fellowship. This grace of God was evident to him and he rejoiced in all that God had done and was continuing to do. Barnabas did what he was known for, he encouraged the new believers in Christ and called for them to remain “true to the Lord with all their hearts.”
Because of his presence and ministry among them, many people were brought to Christ and the church began to grow even more. Being so gifted, he ministered with joy, kindness and great, as well as strong, faith. His example was one of how to lead others and help new believers to grow in their faith.
That is true mentoring! Barnabas was selfless, kind and generous with his encouragement. He modeled Christ before them so they could not only hear his instructions on how to live the Christian life before God but how to go about sharing their new found faith in Christ. His method must have been successful because the Word of God says, “a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”
Acts 11:25-26 NIV
Barnabas’ One - v. 25-26
Knowing the ministry was greater than he alone could accomplish, Barnabas sought out help and went to Tarsus to personally enlist Saul to help him in the Antioch ministry. You see it was years back that Barnabas met Saul in Jerusalem when Saul left Damascus after his salvation experience and desires to meet the disciples of Christ. Saul was not trusted then and he needed a friend. Barnabas saw something that no one else saw. He saw from God’s viewpoint what Saul could become. Barnabas stood up for Saul and spent time with him and then he sent him off to Tarsus.
Acts 9:26-30 NIV
Barnabas and Saul spent a full year teaching and leading the church at Antioch all the while Barnabas was mentoring and discipling Saul of Tarsus. Together they help the church to grow into a great and effective church for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Antioch is where Saul cut his teeth and grew as a believer and evangelist. For a full year they not only reached new converts but spent time helping them to grow and mature in their faith. Barnabas for Saul and Saul and Barnabas for the multitudes!
Barnabas knew, I am convinced from the Lord, that Saul was going to be “the great missionary to the Gentiles.” If Saul was going to be used by God like that, he needed to have a solid foundation and Barnabas believed God chose him for that task. For that year Barnabas gave Saul all that he had, he invested his all in Saul and God did the rest.
God still chooses mentors and mentees, disciplers and disciples for His kingdom work. Our Savior and Lord still calls men and women, boys and girls to become preachers, ministers of all kinds, and He still calls people to become missionaries for the Gospel all around the world. But don’t you think that they need mentors and disciplers? Many of you right now are mentoring and discipling the future Bible teachers, preachers, and missionaries of tomorrow because you are teaching children and youth whom God will call one day, if He hasn’t already. If you will give it all you have and provide a great foundation for those children and youth then God will take over at some point and do whatever is next for that called person, young or old.
Have you identified anyone you are leading now as a potential of the Lord’s?
Have you considered talking to them about the calling that might be on their life?
If you will be available, like Barnabas was, you might be called on by the Lord to disciple the next Paul or Timothy.
Who is your ONE? Is it a child that you believe God is calling to minister for Him in His kingdom? That is a special ONE! Please don’t take it lightly. Some of you might say, “God will never call a child or youth out of our church, not our church. We are nothing and that just won’t happen.” Remember what people said about Jesus, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Maybe you need to be praying for our children and youth that God will touch our young ones for His kingdom’s work. Won’t you do that today?
Maybe there is an adult you need to be praying for that needs discipling and you just have to talk to them about it. We don’t know what God will do with people when they have been given a great foundation.
Will you commit to praying for our youth and children for God to use them in all kinds of ways that will glorify Him.