Most of us know Barnabas as the traveling companion of the apostle Paul, but he actually comes into church history in the book of Acts before Paul does. Barnabas was one of the first to sell property to help raise funds to support the widows and other needs in the early church. He was also one of the first ones to welcome Paul, then Saul, after he converted to the Way instead of trying to destroy it. When no one really trusted his claim to now be one of them, Barnabas reached out to Paul and opened the door for him. Later when Paul and Barnabas got ready to go out on their second missionary journey Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along, even though he had run out on them during the first trip. Barnabas believed so much that John Mark deserved another chance that he separated from his old friend Paul over this. Barnabas was always looking for ways to encourage others, thus his name as a son of encouragement.
We need Barnabas’ in the church today, people who look past what’s wrong and have something positive to say instead of negative. The world has a lot of negative messages for us already; the church doesn’t need to add to it. When people come into our doors we need to be that lifejacket for the drowning, we need to be the place of rest on a long journey. We need to be that word of encouragement and understanding shoulder. Of course sometimes the encourager needs to be encouraged. That’s the purpose in our revival this year. We want to give a message of encouragement, but we also want to be encouraged. I can think of no better group than Broken Vessels to give us that encouragement and lifting of the heart.
So my prayer for you is that you will take time out of a busy schedule and schedule the church in Sunday through Wednesday. We don’t have the services planned out to the second. I have some ideas of what I would like to happen. I know the music will be second to none. I encourage anyone who has a word of encouragement to be willing to share it. I think we need a time of prayer. I just want us to be encouraged in the Lord and share that with those around us. So come out and be a part of something good.
We need Barnabas’ in the church today, people who look past what’s wrong and have something positive to say instead of negative. The world has a lot of negative messages for us already; the church doesn’t need to add to it. When people come into our doors we need to be that lifejacket for the drowning, we need to be the place of rest on a long journey. We need to be that word of encouragement and understanding shoulder. Of course sometimes the encourager needs to be encouraged. That’s the purpose in our revival this year. We want to give a message of encouragement, but we also want to be encouraged. I can think of no better group than Broken Vessels to give us that encouragement and lifting of the heart.
So my prayer for you is that you will take time out of a busy schedule and schedule the church in Sunday through Wednesday. We don’t have the services planned out to the second. I have some ideas of what I would like to happen. I know the music will be second to none. I encourage anyone who has a word of encouragement to be willing to share it. I think we need a time of prayer. I just want us to be encouraged in the Lord and share that with those around us. So come out and be a part of something good.
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