1. Barnabas Son of Encouragement
In Hebrews 3, the writer quotes Psalm 95:7-11:
“For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: 8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 when your fathers tested Me; they tried Me, though they saw My work. 10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’ 11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”
His warning is that we as Christians not be as rebellious Israel
Notice his remedy to avoid the hardening of hearts
(Hebrews 3:12-14), “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
We want to examine the life of an interesting man, who serves as a wonderful example to us of one who exhorts and encourages
His name was Joseph, or Joses and he was from the island of Cyprus. He was a Jew -- a Levite in particular.
No one remembers him by his true name, everyone calls him by his nickname.
“Bar” = Son of, and “Nubas” = Encouragement. Or as we know him, Barnabas
Note: Print slides 3-5 for handout.

2. Barnabas Deserved His Name
Sold Personal property to aid poor Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37)
Introduced Paul to the Christians in Jerusalem when no one believed Paul (9:27)
Barnabas was a man much deserving of his nickname
We first read of his selling his personal property to aid poor Christians in Jerusalem
(Acts 4:36-37), “And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
It was Barnabas who introduced Paul to the Christians in Jerusalem when no one would believe Paul
(Acts 9:27), “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

3. Barnabas Deserved His Name
Sold Personal property to aid poor Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37)
Introduced Paul to the Christians in Jerusalem when no one believed Paul (9:27)
Sent to Antioch to encourage the growth of the disciples there (11:19-26)
Chosen by the Holy Spirit to be Paul’s travel companion (13:2)
Barnabas was a man much deserving of his nickname
When word came that people were believing in Christ in Antioch, it was Barnabas who was sent to encourage their growth
(Acts 11:19-26), [Perhaps the best text to note the character of Barnabas], “Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
Notice it was Barnabas once again who brought Paul in to preach.
When God requested two men to be sent out to preach the gospel, it was Paul and Barnabas who were picked to go
(Acts 13:2), “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
(Another, separate point which seems to show the compassion and heart that Barnabas possessed). When Paul didn’t want to take John Mark on their second trip because John Mark quit on them during the first trip, Barnabas insisted taking him along -- to the point of going separately
(Acts 15:36-40), “Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.”

4. What About Us? Encouragement is a preacher’s duty (Titus 2:11-15)
We all should seek to encourage, comfort and edify! (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
The weak and timid need our encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Christians need to counter discouragement daily and continually (Hebrews 3:12-13)
Do people today say that of us?
Are the people you come in contact with day-to-day so uplifted that you could be called the son or daughter of encouragement?
Not everyone has the same talents. Some people are better at encouraging people than others.
However, each of us have the capability, and should be seeking to develop it to benefit others!
(CLICK) Encouragement is one of the duties of preachers
(Titus 2:11-15), “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
We should encourage (comfort) and edify each other
(1 Thessalonians 5:9-11), “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
Further, Paul encourages us to encourage the timid and help the weak
(1 Thessalonians 5:14), “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
Christians need to counter discouragement constantly!
(Hebrews 3:12-13), “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

5. WE NEED TO BE Sons and Daughters of ENCOURAGEMENT
There are many things in this world that can cause people to be discouraged By living in harmony, being sympathetic, loving and compassionate, we can help each other to heaven!
WE NEED TO BE Sons and Daughters of ENCOURAGEMENT!
There are many things in this world that can cause people to be discouraged
The Israelites were discouraged by their journey (cf. Numbers 21:4), “and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.”
I can imagine they thought they would just waltz into the promise land
Not only was it hard work, but just getting there was very difficult
Nehemiah had this same problem with the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:10), “The strength of the laborers is failing…”
It is discouraging when the things we hope for doesn’t come as soon as we would like (Proverbs 13:12), “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”
By living in harmony, being sympathetic, loving and compassionate, we can help each other get to heaven!
(1 Peter 3:8-9), “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”