The Power of Encouragement

The Power of Encouragement
Acts 11:19-26
June 28, 2026

Barnabas

My hope is that by the time we’re done you will not only understand about Barnabas, but really Barnabas will become an example that you are excited about aspiring to for God to build into your life as a 21st century follower of Christ, to build into your life the qualities that we see in this man’s life.

Barnabas is converted to a personal faith in Jesus and he moved to Jerusalem to join with the Christian community there. As the apostles got to know him better they nicknamed him Barnabas.

Barnabas literally means the son of encouragement and they nicknamed him this because they could see this guy was an encourager, like a big old shaggy dog.

If you read about Barnabas, you’ll see  him exhibit and display this trait in his treatment of the apostle Paul – So some background –

In Acts Chapter 9, Paul came to town to connect up with the followers of Christ there.

Acts 9:27, But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

Nobody wanted anything to do with him so it says in verse 27, that Barnabas came alongside Paul and brought him to the apostles and told them how Paul, on his journey, had seen the Lord, how the Lord had spoken to Paul, how Paul had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

• Barnabas embraced Paul.
• Barnabas reached out to Paul, he encouraged the man’s life and of course as a result Paul became accepted there in the community in Jerusalem.

But it didn’t last long, v29 he talked to the Grecian Jews but they tried to kill him so the brothers took him and sent him back to his home city of Tarsus.

Acts 11:19-26

After v21: Some of the followers of Christ were spread throughout the Middle East because of persecution, but they did something very unique there. They started telling gentiles about Jesus.

• Unbelievable what they did and behold gentiles started coming to Christ
• Jewish believers and the gentile believers all in the same church, loving one another, worshipping together, caring for one another.

This is the first kind of church like this ever to exist.

I. The Character of a True Encourager

A. He was a “good man”

Barnabas is the only person in the entire New Testament whom God explicitly calls “a good man.” This is not a generic praise — it highlights a life overflowing with the Holy Spirit, genuine faith, and contagious optimism.

This  “Son of Encouragement”— always ready to love and lift people up. He was a “glass half-full,” can-do optimist who saw the bright side and the hand of God at work.

When Saul (Paul) arrived in Jerusalem, nobody trusted him.

The believers feared him.

The apostles avoided him.

His past reputation overshadowed his present conversion.

Then Barnabas stepped in.

“Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.”

Barnabas did not simply give Paul directions.

He personally invested himself.

He stood beside him.

He vouched for him.

He communicated the powerful message; “You matter”

Testimony – @Nike

Encouragement begins with presence.

Many people today are starving for this message.

Not because they lack information.

But because they lack genuine human connection.

People need someone who notices them.

Someone who listens.

Someone who cares.

In Marriage, a husband encourages his wife when he notices her sacrifices and expresses gratitude. He encourages her by being present and cherishing her. Loving her unconditionally.

A wife encourages her husband when she believes in him, cheers for him during difficult seasons. Respects him according to scripture.

In Parenting, children flourish when parents communicate & are present.

“I am proud of you.”

“I believe in you.”

“God has a purpose for your life.”

“I will be here for you.”

In the Workplace, an employee stays motivated because a supervisor recognizes effort instead of only pointing out mistakes. Gets in the trenches when things get tough, a leader who values people creates loyalty and trust.

Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Who needs your attention this week?

Who needs to know they matter?

Who needs encouragement?

B. Barnabas put people first

How long has it been since Paul & Barnabas have seen each other? It has been between 6 and 10 years since they last saw each other in Jerusalem. Paul went on to stay in Tarsus and Barnabas goes looking for him and he finds him and he’s a one-man pulpit committee. He convinces him to come to Antioch, v26.

You’ll recall the story in Acts 9.

Key phrase here; Barnabas personally escorted Paul and stood with him. He didn’t give directions or a quick prayer — he invested time, reputation, and relationship.

This is why a Christian’s core value must  be, “People matter to God and they matter to us.”

Encouragers communicate, “You matter. You have value, You are important.”

Who is the “new Paul” in your life right now — someone isolated, distrusted, or overlooked? Will you go out of your way like Barnabas?

Barnabas traveled nearly 100 miles to find Paul in the city of Tarsus.

Why?

Because Barnabas saw what others missed.

• At that moment Paul was unknown.
• He had no books.
• No missionary fame.
• No reputation as a church leader.

Yet Barnabas saw God’s future in him.

• He saw not what Paul was.
• He saw what Paul could become.

Encouragers see beyond the present

Most people evaluate others by their failures.

Encouragers evaluate people by God’s possibilities.

 

I believe Barnabas looked at Paul and said:

“This man can become something great for Christ.”

And he was right.

 

Then there’s Barnabas and John Mark –

Acts 15 records the example where John Mark failed, he quit, he disappointed everyone.

• Paul wanted nothing to do with him.

But Barnabas believed in him.

Years later Paul wrote in 2 Timothy,

 

2 Timothy 4:11, Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

C. Barnabas saw what others could not see.

What about examples today?

• A teacher sees potential in a struggling student.
• A leader develops a young employee rather than discarding them.
• A mature believer mentors a new Christian who lacks confidence.

Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Philippians 1:6, For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Ask yourself – Am I looking at people, even my spouse, through the lens of their past, or through the lens of God’s future?

Notice what Barnabas said when he arrived in Antioch:

…he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;

He encouraged them.

• Barnabas did not point people to himself.
• He did not point them to a denomination.
• He did not point them to programs.

He pointed them to Jesus.

What’s the difference between motivation and encouragement

• Motivation says, you can to it.
• Biblical encouragement says, ”God can do it through you.”

The strongest encouragement is always Christ-centered.

I’ve personally, like you, experienced many examples –

• When I personally or a friend lost a job.
• In my counseling ministry all too often or in the life of a loved one; a marriage is struggling.
• When an unexpected medical diagnosis arrives.
• When finances become difficult.

All of these present day challenges live among us today. in our church.

An encourager reminds people –

• God is still faithful.
• God is still sovereign.
• God still keeps His promises.
• God is still working.

Isaiah 41:10, ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Here’s a challenge for all of us –

When people leave a conversation with you, are they more focused on their problems or more focused on God?

II. The Impact of a True Encourager

A. Encouragement strengthens individuals

Paul’s life changed because of Barnabas.

John Mark’s life changed because of Barnabas.

Countless believers in Antioch were strengthened because of Barnabas.

Encouragement Creates Confidence

• Many people succeed because someone believed in them before they believed in themselves.

Never underestimate what one conversation can do.

One word may change a life.

One act of encouragement may alter someone’s future forever.

B. Encouragement builds strong communities

The church at Antioch became one of the greatest churches in the New Testament.

Why?

• Because it became a culture of encouragement.
• Jews and Gentiles worshiped together.
• People grew spiritually.
• Leaders were developed.
• Missionaries were sent.
• The church flourished.

Remember, discouragement divides and encouragement unites.

Criticism tears down and encouragement builds up.

Examples –

• A workplace where people celebrate each other’s successes.
• A family where gratitude is regularly expressed.
• A church where members pray for and strengthen one another.

Ephesians 4:29, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

What kind of atmosphere do you create wherever you go?

What kind of wake do you leave behind in your encounters with people?

C. Encouragement Multiplies Kingdom Influence

One of the most remarkable truths about Barnabas is that he was willing to step aside.

• At first, we read “Barnabas and Paul”
• But Later, “Paul and Barnabas”
• Paul became the more prominent leader.
• Paul became the better-known preacher.
• Paul became the central figure.

And Barnabas was perfectly content.

Encouragers Celebrate the Success of Others.

Barnabas understood something many people never learn:

• It is not about us.
• It is about God’s Kingdom.
• True encouragers rejoice when others surpass them.

Examples –

• A pastor celebrating the success of a younger leader.
• A business owner mentoring the next generation.
• Parents rejoicing as their children achieve more than they ever did.

John 3:30, He must increase, but I must decrease.

Philippians 2:3, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Can you celebrate someone else’s success as enthusiastically as your own?

• That is the heart of an encourager.

Be a Barnabas

• imagine the impact if every believer became a Barnabas.
• Imagine homes and workplaces filled with encouragement.
• Imagine churches filled with encouragement.
• Imagine a city transformed because followers of Jesus chose to build people up instead of tear them down.

Barnabas teaches us that an encourager –

• Puts people first.
• Sees potential in others.
• Points people to Jesus.
• Strengthens individuals.
• Builds strong communities.
• Multiplies Kingdom.

The world has enough critics and cynics.

The world has enough fault-finders.

God is looking for Barnabas’.

This week ask yourself;

• Who needs my encouragement?
• Who needs me to believe in them?
• Who needs to hear that God has a purpose for their life?
• Who needs to be reminded of God’s faithfulness?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be known as a Barnabas in your family, workplace, and community?

Two wonderful results:

1. Everyone you meet will call you a blessing.
2. God will like you — and that’s pretty awesome.