July, 1935
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great measure for the unprecedented suc cess in those days. III. His C onduct in S ervice (A cts 11:23-30). There was such- a manifestation of the Lord’s working that Barnabas could see the grace o f God among the new con verts. This observation filled him with gladness,; not jealousy. This attitude should be found in every one who beholds the Lord’s working, whether that working is in his own group or in some other branch o f the church. Barnabas exhorted believers to cleave unto the Lord with purpose o f heart (v. 23). Being taught by the Holy Spirit, he knew that nothing less than close touch with the Lord Jesus Christ would result in satisfaction for their hearts, would sustain them under persecutions, would give them power in service, and would provide pro tection for their faith when assailed by Satan’s subtle wiles. It is still true that when, with purpose o f heart, saints cleave unto the Lord, their hearts will be kept in peace, their service will be with power, and their faith will be maintained. The one who brought this excellent ad vice was a good man—hence he would de sire the best for his fellow men; he was filled with the Holy Spirit—therefore, he would give God’s truth; and he was filled with faith, which would have a bear ing upon the effectiveness of the mes sage (v. 24). The work in Antioch grew to such an extent that Barnabas soon found he need ed assistance. This fact opened the door for the coming o f Saul who later was called Paul (vs. 25, 26). Barnabas had not forgotten Saul, and when opportunity was afforded, Barnabas brought him to Antioch where the two remained and la bored with the disciples for a full year and “taught much people.” The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (v. 26). This term sug gests various truths. It reveals the disci ple’s relation to the world—being sep arated from it ; his relation to other be lievers—being a brother to all; and his relation to Christ—being the recipient of new life from and in Him. Much that, is called Christian today has no relation whatever to Christ. Many are called Christians who have no separation from the world. And some who call them selves Christians deny that they have any relationship to the host o f born-again ones. Isfot only was the appellation “ Chris tians” an outcome of the thorough teach ing o f Barnabas and Saul, but another re sult was the manifestation o f practical Christianity among these Christians (vs. 27-30). Certain prophets who had come from Jerusalem spoke of a coming famine which threatened to bring the saints at Jerusalem into want. Immediately .the Christians in Antioch determined to send relief to Jerusalem, thus showing that they recognized their relationship to all other saints. When the subscriptions for this relief were collected, the Christians showed their confidence in Barnabas by appointing him, with Saul, to take the of fering to Jerusalem, Thus Barnabas con tinued to fulfill the implications o f his name, “ son of consolation.” Points and Problems 1. The character o f this man Barnabas is described very briefly, yet completely, in Acts 11:24: “He was a good man, and full of. the Holy Ghost and o f faith." The description, as often in the Bible, begins with what is evident and then moves back to the invisible source of what is seen.
Christ as her sister is. Martha did not think that she could sit and listen to Christ until after all the hungry people had been fed and all the work had been finished. She did not understand how Mary could talk with Christ while there was work to be done. The more she thought about the work she was doing, the more it troubled her. This is the way it affected her. (Drop a teaspoonful of soda into the glass.) Notice, she boils over. But the same thing does not disturb Mary. (Put the same amount o f soda in the glass of water.) Mary is feasting on the words of Christ, and she does not allow other things to disturb her. When Martha asked Christ to tell Mary to help, He said that Mary had made the better choice. It was better to listen to the words of Christ than to be troubled about cooking a nice meal. Mary was feasting, while Martha was fussing. The' trouble with Martha was that she had allowed herself to get too far away from Christ. She had only gone to the kitchen, so far as distance was concerned, but she had gone so far away from Christ spiritually that she thought that the needs o f the body were more important than the needs o f the soul. Let us bring her back near to Christ and see whether she is not changed. The thing that disturbed her before has no effect on her now. (Add more soda. Experiment and make sure that the original amount of soda was sufficient to neutralize the acid in the vinegar, or the solution will again fizz and will thus spoil the lesson.) If we keep near to Christ, the cares of this world will not bother us. The result of their preaching was that a great number believed (v. 21). A revival broke out, and news of it came to Jerusa lem where the apostles were gathered (v. 22). Feeling that they had some responsi bility for the progress o f the truth, the apostles sent Barnabas to investigate and to report about the new center. His char acter had so commended itself to the church that he was chosen for this service which was of great import. Whenever there is need for special service, the Lord has a man ready and prepared. It remains for the church to be in the proper spirits ual state to discern the chosen one in the midst. Today the choice o f the Lord is sometimes hidden under human influence and political dealing, and the work o f the Lord is sadly hindered by personal preju dices. Such self-seeking was little known in the early church, and the comparative absence of this spirit may account in a BLACKBOARD LESSON CONSECRATED' LIVING AND GIVING BROT HIS POSSESSIONS acts 4 . 3 » A l e r t i t o 'SERVE act 5 i i :2! R ejoiced over others ’ r e s u l t s n , 2J ROT SELFISH ----- it-.ts A dmonished and exhorted h :» j B u s y a l w a y s . u - . n A ccomplished much for eh r is t ' JPIRIT FILLED . 11 :24 __________ o.ib.is- the Jews. But in Antioch, they preached the Lord Jesus to the Gentiles. The dis tinction reveals that they were specially taught by the Holy Spirit (vs. 19, 20).
knew that listening to what Jesus had to say was more important than preparing a fine dinner for Him. Jesus had to rebuke Martha and tell her not to be so worried and troubled about all o f those little things, and He said that Mary had chosen wisely.
S.D.N\.
. Object Lesson F easting or F ussing
Objects: A cardboard cross about twelve inches high, covered with red paper, a glass filled with water, a glass of water with about two tablespoonfuls of vinegar in it, and about three teaspoonfuls o f bak ing soda. Lesson: These two glasses are so much like Mary and Martha, mentioned in the Bible, that I have given them these names. This is Mary, close to the red'cross which reminds us of Christ. Whenever Christ came to the home of Mary and Martha, Mary would sit and listen to the wonderful things He had to tell about heaven and the heavenly Father. This "is Martha. She is not as near to Lesson T ext: Acts 4:36, 37; 11:19-30. Golden T ext: “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and o f faith” (Acts 11:24). Outline and Exposition I. H is C haracter for S ervice (A cts 4:36, 37). I r sometimes occurs that a man’s char acter can be told in one word. This was the case with Joses, who was called Barnabas. This man, having property, sold it and gave the proceeds to the apostles for the alleviation of want among believers in Jerusalem. Thus he became “ Barnabas,” which means “son of c o n s o l a t i o n . ” Through all his life, he showed himself worthy of this name. He was a son_ of consolation, ministering to the physical necessities of believers (Acts 4:34-37) ; re lieving mental distress when the newly converted Saul was misunderstood and in need o f soul comfort (Acts 9 :26, 27) ; and finally exercising a spiritual ministry that is described in the latter part of this lesson (Acts 11:22-26). In all these offices, he reminded men of the Lord Jesus Christ who is above all others the Son of Conso lation. Barnabas was a Levite, wholly unlike the one who passed a sufferer heedlessly on the road to Jericho (Lk. 10:32). II. His C hoice for S ervice (Acts 11:19-22). Because of the bitter persecution in Jerusalem, the disciples were scattered. O f thé dispersed believers, certain men of Cyprus and Cyrene went as far as Antioch. On the way, they preached the Word to
AUGUST 25, 1935 BARNABAS ( A Consecrated Man of Means) A cts 4:36, 37 ; 9:26-30; 11:19-30; 12:25; 13:1 to 15:41; G alatians 2:13
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