Introduction:  We have a great church here at Antioch Baptist Church.  I’m sure if the Lord were to write us as He did the seven churches of Asia Minor, He would have some positive things to say to us.  No doubt God is pleased when a church does not correct the Bible but rather believes it as it is.  He must be pleased when the music speaks of His Son, His truths and holy living.  No doubt He likes it when a church is sending and supporting missionaries.  However, I’m sure as with the churches in the Book of Revelation the Lord could say to Antioch Baptist Church, “I have somewhat against thee”.  What would the Lord see in our church that needs strengthening?  The answer can be found by looking at the life of the man named Barnabas.

1. An Introduction to Barnabas
1. His Name – Means “Son of Consolation”
2. His Fame – Declined as Paul became the focus
2. Bringing in a New Believer (Acts 9:1-6 [1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. [3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: [4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
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1. Discipleship – Be responsible for teaching them the basic truths of the word of God
1. Salvation
2. Baptism
3. Christian Living
4. Witnessing
2. Fellowship
1. Spend time with them
2. Call them
3. Write them
4. Pray for them
5. Give them your phone number
3. Bringing in a Servant of God (Acts 11:25-26 [25] Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: [26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
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1. Fellowship
1. Make them feel welcome
2. Encourage them that this is now their home
2. Leadership
1. A true soldier won’t be able to come in and sit still
2. Offer to go on visitation with them
3. Encourage them to serve the Lord here
4. Bringing in a Fallen Brother (Acts 15:36-40 [36] And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do. [37] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. [38] But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [39] And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; [40] And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
   See All...; 13:13
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1. Responsibility
1. Take the fallen brother under your wings
2. See their potential
3. Be responsible for them
4. Be willing to take a stand for them
5. When others forget about them you had better not
2. Restoration (2 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
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1. Work with them until they become profitable again
2. Study the Bible with them
3. Pray with them
4. Remind them of the goodness of God

Conclusion: The disciples might not have ever accepted Paul or he might have been left in Tarsus rather than going all over ministering like he did, had it not been for a man named Barnabas.  Mark may have never written the Gospel according to Mark had it not been for Barnabas.  Today in churches we boast of salvations, baptisms and new members and we sweep under the rug the spiritual casualties.  God, however, does not ignore them and He asks of us to be a Barnabas and make it our life’s mission to rescue and bring in the wandering sheep.  Do you have an honest love and burden for those who are saved and fallen by the wayside?  According to 1 John 4:20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
See All..., “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen.”   Will you be a Barnabas?  Will you give of yourself to help another?