The Encourager of a New Work

By Pastor Gary Boyd

👋 Let’s be honest—being “the new guy” is rarely fun. Most of us like the familiar. We like knowing where to sit, who to talk to, and how things work. But sometimes God calls us into new spaces. And when He does, we have a choice: shrink back in silence… or step forward and be a blessing.

In Acts 11, Barnabas shows us what it looks like to be an encourager—even in unfamiliar territory. He walks into a brand-new church in Antioch and makes a difference. Not by doing anything flashy, but simply by showing up, seeing what God is doing, and joining in. 🙌

🚶 The Gospel on the Move

The story picks up after Stephen is martyred. The church in Jerusalem scatters, and as believers flee, they carry the gospel with them. Think of it like holy wildfire—spreading not because of a strategy, but because of faithfulness.

They go to places like Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch. At first, they share the message of Jesus with fellow Jews (which makes sense—they were looking for familiarity too!). But in Antioch, something new happens: they start preaching to the Greeks too.

And here’s the beautiful part:

“The hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” ✨ (Acts 11:21)

Word gets back to Jerusalem, and the church wants to send someone trustworthy to check it out. Someone wise, faithful, and uplifting. You guessed it—Barnabas.

👀 What Barnabas Saw

When Barnabas shows up in Antioch, he doesn’t critique their methods or question their theology. He doesn’t make a list of things they’re doing wrong.

Instead, he sees the grace of God—and it makes him glad. 😊

That’s powerful. Think about it: what you choose to focus on when you walk into a church says a lot about your heart. Barnabas looked for grace. He saw Jews and Greeks worshipping together, and instead of being skeptical, he was encouraged.

Then, true to his name (which means “son of encouragement”), he exhorted them to stay close to the Lord. The Greek phrase implies more than just casual closeness—it’s a clinging, a cleaving, a don’t-let-go kind of faith. 🫶

Barnabas knew this church didn’t need to be fixed. They needed to stay faithful.

❤️ Antioch Changed Barnabas Too

We often think of Barnabas blessing Antioch—but don’t miss this: Antioch blessed Barnabas.

He was already a godly man, full of the Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24). But something about Antioch stirred something deeper in him. He saw a church that loved its city, that preached Jesus boldly, that welcomed diversity—and it energized him.

So much so that he left to find someone who needed to see it: Saul. 👀

He went all the way to Tarsus, found Saul, and brought him back. Imagine what that journey must have been like. Barnabas didn’t bring Saul into leadership in Jerusalem. He brought him to Antioch. And that one invitation helped launch Saul’s missionary ministry.

Together, Barnabas and Saul simply assembled with the believers and taught them (v. 26). That’s it. No huge programs. No viral campaigns. Just presence and discipleship.

And guess what happened?

“The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” 🙏

✨ How You Can Be a Barnabas in Your Church

You don’t have to be a founding member to make a lasting difference. You don’t have to be loud or flashy. You just need to be willing. Here’s how you can follow Barnabas’ example:

🔍 1. Focus on the Good

No church is perfect. But if you walk in looking for the grace of God, you will find it. And when you do, celebrate it. Your attitude will influence others more than you know.

📣 2. Get Involved in Evangelism

Barnabas joined in with a church that was passionate about reaching its city. You can do the same. Invite someone to church. Share your faith. Show up for outreach. God can use your willingness.

🤝 3. Invite Others to Serve

Barnabas recruited Saul. Who could you invite to join your ministry? Maybe someone who moved to town. Maybe someone who’s been sitting quietly in the pews. Extend the invite!

⛪ 4. Assemble Faithfully

Just showing up matters. Your consistent presence at church is a blessing to others—even if they never say it out loud.

🎁 5. Use Your Gifts

If you’re a believer, you have a spiritual gift. Use it! Whether it’s teaching, serving, encouraging, or something else, your church needs you.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Barnabas didn’t wait until he felt comfortable to contribute. He stepped into something new and chose to bless it. His attitude and actions strengthened the church in Antioch—and helped shape the future of Christianity.

You can do the same.

So here’s the question:

Is your attitude a blessing to your church? 🤔

Are your actions building others up? 🙋‍♂️

Let’s be a people who—like Barnabas—see God’s grace, join the work, and bring others along for the journey.

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