THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
09/02/10 10 Filed in: LEADERSHIP
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”--Acts 17:6 (NKJV)
The first century believers turned their world upside down. I’ve been spending time this year looking through the Book of Acts, seeing how the early believers turned their world upside down and wondering how we can too. So how did they do it and how can we do it?
The book of Acts gives several insights into what empowered God’s people to do great things. Clearly they were filled with the Holy Spirit--turning the world upside down was a God-thing. They also were constantly together--they didn’t try to do it alone. There was a spirit of tenacity-- they knew how to shake off adversity--even the worst situations. The way they handled conflict also spurred them on. But there was another significant characteristic of the first century followers that spurred them on to turning their world upside down. Acts 11 outlines that key:
“Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God,
but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.
And many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people.
(It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)”
--Acts 11:19-26 (NLT)
Acts 11 is one of those fairly obscure but amazingly significant turning point chapters in the Bible. In this passage Christianity changes from a Jews-only sect to a worldwide movement; it transforms from a Jerusalem thing to an everywhere thing; from contained to viral. The author, Luke, notes that it was here in Antioch that Christianity really got it’s liftoff--the believers weren’t called Christians in Jerusalem, it was in Antioch that things exploded.
The first century believers turned their world upside down. I’ve been spending time this year looking through the Book of Acts, seeing how the early believers turned their world upside down and wondering how we can too. So how did they do it and how can we do it?
The book of Acts gives several insights into what empowered God’s people to do great things. Clearly they were filled with the Holy Spirit--turning the world upside down was a God-thing. They also were constantly together--they didn’t try to do it alone. There was a spirit of tenacity-- they knew how to shake off adversity--even the worst situations. The way they handled conflict also spurred them on. But there was another significant characteristic of the first century followers that spurred them on to turning their world upside down. Acts 11 outlines that key:
“Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God,
but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.
And many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people.
(It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)”
--Acts 11:19-26 (NLT)
Acts 11 is one of those fairly obscure but amazingly significant turning point chapters in the Bible. In this passage Christianity changes from a Jews-only sect to a worldwide movement; it transforms from a Jerusalem thing to an everywhere thing; from contained to viral. The author, Luke, notes that it was here in Antioch that Christianity really got it’s liftoff--the believers weren’t called Christians in Jerusalem, it was in Antioch that things exploded.
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”--Acts 17:6 (NKJV)
The first century believers turned their world upside down. I’ve been spending time this year looking through the Book of Acts, seeing how the early believers turned their world upside down and wondering how we can too. So how did they do it and how can we do it?
The book of Acts gives several insights into what empowered God’s people to do great things. Clearly they were filled with the Holy Spirit--turning the world upside down was a God-thing. They also were constantly together--they didn’t try to do it alone. There was a spirit of tenacity-- they knew how to shake off adversity--even the worst situations. The way they handled conflict also spurred them on. But there was another significant characteristic of the first century followers that spurred them on to turning their world upside down. Acts 11 outlines that key:
“Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God,
but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.
And many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people.
(It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)”
--Acts 11:19-26 (NLT)
Acts 11 is one of those fairly obscure but amazingly significant turning point chapters in the Bible. In this passage Christianity changes from a Jews-only sect to a worldwide movement; it transforms from a Jerusalem thing to an everywhere thing; from contained to viral. The author, Luke, notes that it was here in Antioch that Christianity really got it’s liftoff--the believers weren’t called Christians in Jerusalem, it was in Antioch that things exploded.
After the stoning of Stephen in Acts chapter 8 there was a great persecution and “all the believers except the apostles were scattered” all over. The ones that went to Antioch saw a great work of God. People turned to Jesus in droves, even some non-Jews. Word got back to the remnant in the Jerusalem church that things were happening in Antioch. Not only were their big numbers of folks responding there, the believers in Antioch were doing thing differently than the Jerusalem church. They were including Gentiles.
So how did the church in Jerusalem respond? They did something amazingly strategic. They made an ingenious move. Their one decision changed the course of history and turned the world upside down. They sent Barnabas.
I know I’ve read about this before, but when I read this recently, I was stunned. This isn’t the move most religious organizations make. They send the old fuddy-duddy denominational executive who shows up with a scowl on his face, a stern, “Knock it off!” and a warning that , “We don’t do things that way!”
In the nineties I was part of a denomination whose church planting ministry had taken off. We weren’t turning the world upside down, but we were making a mark. So when we met as planting leaders the denominational leaders sent a representative--an assistant accountant who announced that the executives back at headquarters were not pleased. They would not be funding us anymore and instead they demanded that the church planters get more committed to the way the denomination did things. Our church planting momentum came to a screeching stop--our fire was doused.
The Jerusalem church didn't take the negative approach. They sent Barnabas, a man so bent on encouragement that he wasn't know by his given name, Joseph, but Son of Encouragement (Barnabas). He poured gasoline on the fire. He encouraged the people, he told them they had a good thing going, keep it up and stay close to God.
The result of the sending of Barnabas was many turned to God and the movement multiplied--the world was turned upside down.
So what characteristic from Acts 11 caused the world to be turned upside down? A Spirt of Encouragement.
The followers of Jesus embraced a spirit of encouragement, of approval, of support. There wasn't competition, back-biting, cut- downs, or "We've never done it that way before." There was an attitude of positivity. There was an atmosphere of, "God can do it, and he can do it through you " That attitude permeated the early church and was an important factor in their accomplishments for the kingdom.
Charles Schwab observed, “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”
Amazingly the spirit of encouragement that led the believers came from the one man, Barnabas. One person with an encouragement- bent can make a major difference.
Barnabas was the catalyst. He encouraged by listening. He encouraged by looking for opportunities to affirm, include and partner. He encouraged by allowing God to fill him with joy and passing that joy on. And I suspect he encouraged by giving. After all, Barnabas first came to the scene in Acts 4 by encouraging with generosity. I imagine that he slipped the Antioch leaders some money (few things encourage like cash!)
One guy’s encouragement made a big impact.
We have some options for application: 1. Be that guy. We can be the Barnabas in our world and play the role of encourager. 2. Find that guy. We must unleash the encouragers in our midst--they can make a huge impact. 3. Both. We can play the encourager part, and empower others to encourage.
That's what the GHC Network is about--setting apart and supporting (Acts 13) leaders to fulfill their calling in the kingdom. We are trying to foster an environment where support and appreciation trump competition and disapproval.
Let's keep working on developing that spirit of encouragement. Let’s listen, let’s look for the positive opportunities, let's allow God's joy to flow through us. And let's continue to give generously. Encouragement makes a difference, it can help us and others turn our worlds upside down.
And by the way, you are making a difference for God--keep up the good work!
The first century believers turned their world upside down. I’ve been spending time this year looking through the Book of Acts, seeing how the early believers turned their world upside down and wondering how we can too. So how did they do it and how can we do it?
The book of Acts gives several insights into what empowered God’s people to do great things. Clearly they were filled with the Holy Spirit--turning the world upside down was a God-thing. They also were constantly together--they didn’t try to do it alone. There was a spirit of tenacity-- they knew how to shake off adversity--even the worst situations. The way they handled conflict also spurred them on. But there was another significant characteristic of the first century followers that spurred them on to turning their world upside down. Acts 11 outlines that key:
“Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God,
but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.
And many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people.
(It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)”
--Acts 11:19-26 (NLT)
Acts 11 is one of those fairly obscure but amazingly significant turning point chapters in the Bible. In this passage Christianity changes from a Jews-only sect to a worldwide movement; it transforms from a Jerusalem thing to an everywhere thing; from contained to viral. The author, Luke, notes that it was here in Antioch that Christianity really got it’s liftoff--the believers weren’t called Christians in Jerusalem, it was in Antioch that things exploded.
After the stoning of Stephen in Acts chapter 8 there was a great persecution and “all the believers except the apostles were scattered” all over. The ones that went to Antioch saw a great work of God. People turned to Jesus in droves, even some non-Jews. Word got back to the remnant in the Jerusalem church that things were happening in Antioch. Not only were their big numbers of folks responding there, the believers in Antioch were doing thing differently than the Jerusalem church. They were including Gentiles.
So how did the church in Jerusalem respond? They did something amazingly strategic. They made an ingenious move. Their one decision changed the course of history and turned the world upside down. They sent Barnabas.
I know I’ve read about this before, but when I read this recently, I was stunned. This isn’t the move most religious organizations make. They send the old fuddy-duddy denominational executive who shows up with a scowl on his face, a stern, “Knock it off!” and a warning that , “We don’t do things that way!”
In the nineties I was part of a denomination whose church planting ministry had taken off. We weren’t turning the world upside down, but we were making a mark. So when we met as planting leaders the denominational leaders sent a representative--an assistant accountant who announced that the executives back at headquarters were not pleased. They would not be funding us anymore and instead they demanded that the church planters get more committed to the way the denomination did things. Our church planting momentum came to a screeching stop--our fire was doused.
The Jerusalem church didn't take the negative approach. They sent Barnabas, a man so bent on encouragement that he wasn't know by his given name, Joseph, but Son of Encouragement (Barnabas). He poured gasoline on the fire. He encouraged the people, he told them they had a good thing going, keep it up and stay close to God.
The result of the sending of Barnabas was many turned to God and the movement multiplied--the world was turned upside down.
So what characteristic from Acts 11 caused the world to be turned upside down? A Spirt of Encouragement.
The followers of Jesus embraced a spirit of encouragement, of approval, of support. There wasn't competition, back-biting, cut- downs, or "We've never done it that way before." There was an attitude of positivity. There was an atmosphere of, "God can do it, and he can do it through you " That attitude permeated the early church and was an important factor in their accomplishments for the kingdom.
Charles Schwab observed, “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”
Amazingly the spirit of encouragement that led the believers came from the one man, Barnabas. One person with an encouragement- bent can make a major difference.
Barnabas was the catalyst. He encouraged by listening. He encouraged by looking for opportunities to affirm, include and partner. He encouraged by allowing God to fill him with joy and passing that joy on. And I suspect he encouraged by giving. After all, Barnabas first came to the scene in Acts 4 by encouraging with generosity. I imagine that he slipped the Antioch leaders some money (few things encourage like cash!)
One guy’s encouragement made a big impact.
We have some options for application: 1. Be that guy. We can be the Barnabas in our world and play the role of encourager. 2. Find that guy. We must unleash the encouragers in our midst--they can make a huge impact. 3. Both. We can play the encourager part, and empower others to encourage.
That's what the GHC Network is about--setting apart and supporting (Acts 13) leaders to fulfill their calling in the kingdom. We are trying to foster an environment where support and appreciation trump competition and disapproval.
Let's keep working on developing that spirit of encouragement. Let’s listen, let’s look for the positive opportunities, let's allow God's joy to flow through us. And let's continue to give generously. Encouragement makes a difference, it can help us and others turn our worlds upside down.
And by the way, you are making a difference for God--keep up the good work!