Hello, thank you so much for joining me today for Give Him 15. My title today,

We all need a Barnabas. In asking for the Lord's guidance regarding today's post, my mind

kept being drawn to Barnabas, Paul's traveling companion for a few years. His given name was Joseph, but he was

nicknamed by the church Barnabas, meaning son of encouragement. It is telling that perhaps the

greatest of the early church apostles needed an encourager by his side.

Here's a brief summary of Barnabas' ministry life.

He was a Levite from Cyprus, nicknamed Son of Encouragement by the Apostles, Acts 4.

A man of radical generosity. He was the man who sold a field he owned

and brought the money to the apostles to support the church in Jerusalem, Acts 4. He was an advocate

for Paul. When Paul formerly saw first came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the disciples

were afraid of him. Barnabas risked his reputation to vouch for Paul, introducing him to the

apostles and recounting Paul's conversion experience. He was a leader in Antioch.

Sent by the Jerusalem Church to investigate the growing church in Antioch,

Barnabas saw he recognized God's grace on them

and encouraged the new believers.

He was described in Acts 11 as a good man,

full of the Holy Spirit and faith,

which resulted in many people added to the Lord.

He mentored Paul, Acts 11 through 13.

He went to Tarsus to find Paul, brought him to Antioch, where they taught together for a full year.

The two were sent out by the church in Antioch on the first missionary journey.

On their missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor, together they faced intense persecution and dealt with it together.

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