THE ABSOLUTE SURRENDER OF THE MAN GOD USES IN REVIVAL (BARNABAS)

Acts 11:22-25

“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in

Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:” (Acts 11:22-25). Looking at this gracious, godly and gospel minister – Barnabas. He was a Levite who lived in Cyprus. And as a Levite, he shouldn’t have had any landed property because they were wholly devoted unto the Lord. The Levites were not given a specific place or land when Joshua divided the inheritance among the other Tribes. Their place was in the cities of Refuge. But things have moved on, from the prophets to the 400 Intertestamental Period. Barnabas was born during this period, when things had changed, and the Levites purchased lands.

When he came to know the Lord, after his conversion, he wanted to go back to the original calling as a Levite that everything he had belonged to the Lord, so he brought all to the Apostles’ feet. With all that he gave, Barnabas was not given any exalted title or position, such as Associate or Assistant Apostle in the Early Church. Not a title, and he remained like that, always submissive and giving unto the Lord. When he was sent to Antioch, a Gentile City, he was sent out as a sole missionary, unlike in the past when Jesus sent out two by two, and the Apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria. You misinterpreted the word of God when you take the word spoken to the unbelievers, the Sanhedrin or Pharisees, and use that same word to real believers.

1.  A REGENERATED, SINGLE-MINDED MAN WHOLLY AVAILABLE FOR GOD’S USE

Acts 4:36-37

“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36-37). Here was the story of Barnabas

• An Absolutely Surrendered Man, Saved to Serve – Acts 4:36-37; 11:20-23. Written at the table of every heart, saved to serve. “And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:2023). They were sent forth without the approval of their spouses or personal consideration. Barnabas was an absolutely surrendered man. Theologians will tell us that family comes first and ministry next. In the mind and heart of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, it is ministry first and then our family. The work of the Lord should take priority over everything else in our lives.

• An Actively Supportive Man, Selfless for Souls – Acts 9:26-28; 11:25-26. When it comes to the souls of men and ministers, you consider their souls and not your comfort or convenience. Barnabas has heard about Saul of Tarsus, the next convert, with great zeal to preach the gospel of Christ. And this Saul was not accepted into the fellowship of the brethren in Jerusalem. “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:26-28). Barnabas was a bridge between Saul and the Apostles.

The Apostles were skeptical of Saul’s conversion. It was Barnabas who took him and

brought him to the Apostles before he was accepted into the fellowship of the brethren. Barnabas was selfless for souls. We must be willing to share all that we have learnt at this Congress with other ministers who are not here, so that we can help them to fulfil their calling and ministry. That we are selfless for souls like Barnabas.

• An Affectionate Sacrificing Man, Sold to Service – 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Acts 15:25-26. As a sinner is sold under sin, so likewise the saint, believer is sold to service after regeneration by the Spirit of God. That your mind and heart are completely sold to service. “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). When people are dear to you, you will serve them even to the point of exhaustion, that is, affection.

2.  A REVIVING, SUBMISSIVE MAN, WHOLESOMELY ABANDONED TO GOSPEL UPLIFTMENT

Acts 11:19-26

Every time Barnabas thought about this saving gospel not known to others in the regions and countries, he abandoned himself to the gospel upliftment as a revived minister.

• A Renewed Minister Renewing Churches for Decisive Usefulness in Christ – Acts 11:22-23; 13:43. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:22-23). Barnabas did not care about missing the fellowship in Jerusalem; he was revived and renewed, so willing to go alone to Antioch.

• A Revived Minister Reviving the Consecrated for Distinguished Usefulness in The Church – Acts 11:25-26; 2 Timothy 2:2-6. In the world, people use subordinates to do their work without giving credit to the subordinates because of their selfish interests. But this is not so with Barnabas that he sought for Saul, to revive and revitalise him so that the gifts that God has placed in him will come out. “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:25-26). Barnabas shared the pulpit and opportunity with Paul the Apostle. We must learn to share our privileges with others.

• A Refined Minister Refining Christians for Deeper Usefulness for Christ – Acts 11:26; Malachi 3:3-4. The Lord’s hands had been on you that you are transformed, revived and refined, so you want to seek others and bring them to the limelight. Give some part of your preaching to other people. “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:3-4). The ministry of the Refining Christ is greater and higher than your ministry alone. As the Lord has purged and refined, we must seek for others to be refined and revived as well. This is the quality of life that God has placed in Barnabas. As ministers we must get others to the limelight and on fire of revival. Lord do it again! That the privilege and opportunity you have, you extend these to other people.

3.  A READY SETTLED MAN, WHOLEHEARTEDLY ADDICTED TO GREATER USEFULNESS

Acts 13:2-4

“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” (Acts 13:2-4).

• A Sanctified, Uncompromising Man, Filled with the Holy Ghost and Faith – Acts 11:22-24; 2 Peter 3:17-18. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:2224). Barnabas was full of the Holy Ghost. Sanctified, remaining sanctified, and full of faith was this man.

• A Spirited Uncommon Minister, Favoured by the Holy Ghost and

Fruitfulness – Acts 11:24; 13:2-5. He became very fruitful. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.” (Acts 13:2-5). The Apostles in Jerusalem had sent forth Barnabas. They do not have any assignment for Saul until Barnabas went for him and brought him to Antioch. And they ministered and taught for one whole year until the Holy Ghost separated and called them into greater ministry to the Gentiles. When they were called, Barnabas was called first. But when they got to the next city where they started their ministry, Paul was prominent, and yet this man, Barnabas, had no problem with them, no envy and jealousy in his heart against Paul the Apostle, who the people referred to as the chief speaker. In this work of evangelism, we are going together with no envy or contention among us.

• His Sad Uncorrected Mistake Fed by Human Goals and Filial Feeling – Acts 15:36-40; Romans 14:17,23. When the hand of the Lord is upon us, we need to watch our lives. As Paul and Barnabas were appointed to the ministry and on their way, Barnabas picked up John Mark to join them on the way. And this John Mark, when there were challenges on the way, went back from the team of

Barnabas and Paul the Apostle. “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” (Acts 16:36-40). Do not act strong on any opinion but be strong in His word, way and Will. Personal opinion is alright, but if the word of God contradicts your will, let the word of God have priority in your life. Barnabas determined to have John Mark in the team. Paul chose Silas not by himself, but the brethren recommended Silas to join him in the mission work. Barnabas did not tell the Church, he was determined to take John Mark with him, and that he left the work. This contention was not on personal things, not a matter of self-propagation, but on the work of God. Barnabas did not correct the mistake; he was strong on human goals and filial feeling. And God stood on what the Holy Ghost has said in the selection of Barnabas and Saul. God approved Silas being appointed to join Paul in the work of the ministry. Barnabas was not an author of any book in the New Testament, while Paul wrote thirteen out of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. Are you so proud to accept your mistake to say that ‘I am sorry’? We must be willing to confess our mistakes, the hardened heart, self-will, human goal, determination and filial feeling that could spoil our life and ministry. God is willing to do a new thing in your life and ministry as you repent of all these. What God has joined together allows no mistake, no man, human goal or filial feeling to put asunder.