Barnabas A Good Man Acts 11:22-24 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Luke tells us in Acts 11:24 that Barnabas “was a good man.” How would you like those, who know you well, to say about you that you’re a good man? We need a church full of good men. So, we’re going to look at Barnabas’ life and find out why he was a good man. Hopefully, you’ll follow his pattern in your life and be a good man, as well. Barnabas was a good man because:
He was Spirit filled – Acts 11:24 – the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. There are no good men apart from those who are filled with the Spirit. Jesus said, “Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God,” [Lk 18:9]. Paul said, “…there is none that doeth good, no, not one,” [Rom 3:12]. Jesus was good, because he was God manifest in the flesh. And we are good when we are filled with the Spirit of God. A pastor is supposed to be “a lover of good men,” [Titus 1:8]. Barnabas was certainly one of those men and you can be, too, if you will be filled with the Spirit.
He was Spirit gifted – Acts 4:36 – Barnabas was given his name by the apostles. His name means, “The son of consolation.” Consolation is comfort, solace, easing of grief. Barnabas had been gifted by the Spirit for a specific ministry [1 Cor 12:1, 7]. His was the ministry of consolation [2 Cor 1:3-7]. He was used to help the disciples and apostles settle down when Paul came to Jerusalem [Acts 9:26-28]. He was used to help John Mark develop in the ministry and reconcile with Paul [Acts 15:36-40; 2 Tim 4:11]. He was used to teach and preach the gospel with Paul [Acts 15:35]. Undoubtedly, he was a good balance to Paul. You are gifted by the Spirit as well. And when you minister to others with your gift, you are a good man.
He was Spirit led – Acts 13:1-4 – if you follow the life of Barnabas in Acts, he just happens to be in the right place at the right time to be used by the Lord for the right purpose. That’s because he was led by the Spirit. He was always where he could be used for the Lord’s purpose. He was led by the Spirit to accompany Paul on Paul’s first missionary journey. When you are led by the Spirit and willingly obey the Spirit, you are a good man.
He was Spirit controlled – Acts 15:39 – there were times in Barnabas’ ministry that he met with contention, as here, and when he was reproved [Gal 2:11-14]. He took both incidents in stride, controlled by the Spirit of God within him. As a matter of fact, from the time that Paul takes his second missionary journey, you don’t hear any more about Barnabas. He just goes on doing what the Lord leads him to do and is not envious that Paul gets all the recognition. That’s a good man. When you are Spirit controlled, so that the things that happen to you don’t anger and embitter you, you are a good man.
Conclusion: we need good men today, men who are Spirit filled, Spirit gifted, Spirit led, Spirit controlled. Will you willingly offer yourself to be such a man; a good man?