Jump Start # 2572

Acts 4:36 “And Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means, son of Encouragement).”

I read something the other day that bothered me. It was about the Coronavirus epidemic. The news blip said that many communities were cancelling Fourth of July activities. Fourth of July? We are not through April yet. Then all of May. Then all of June. Then comes July. Now, behind this of course is lots of planning, hiring people, having professionals set off fireworks, bands, food vendors. These things can be planned a week out. But, the fourth still seems a long way out.

And, all of that takes us to our verse today. It’s not about the virus epidemic, but a much larger picture that is often over looked. So many preachers and shepherds are doing all they can to make videos and podcasts to keep the members in the loop, connected and growing. Great things are being done. There is more wonderful encouragement and lessons to be found on the internet than ever before. As social distancing continues on, it is easy for the encouragers to need encouraging. That is a thought that is often not considered.

Those that teach, preach and encourage others are always filling the buckets of others. They always seem to know just what to say. They always are upbeat, hopeful and pointing to the Lord. But after a while, who fills their buckets? What if the Barnabas’ among us needs encouragement? Who encouragers the encourager?

Here are a few thoughts:

First, shepherds need to include preachers in their shepherding. Don’t assume that the preachers are always ok. Sometimes we are not. Sometimes we want to believe that we are Superman and we never are discouraged, but that’s not the truth. A good and close relationship between the shepherds and the preachers will pick up on things and notice things. A honest relationship will allow them to be candid and open without fear of rebuke or criticism.

Second, the woodsman understands that there are times when you must stop chopping and sharpen your axe. A person feels bad when that happens. He feels like he is letting others down. But the truth is, by taking a little time to sharpen that axe, he will come back to the work fresher and able to do more than using a dull axe that wears him out. Find some challenging books to read. Not novels, not sci-fi, but books that will help you do your work better. Get away and visit someone who has ideas. Spend and afternoon talking, listening and growing. Many professions will send workers to conferences, continual education and things to make them better. Find similar things. Be willing to send your encouragers away to learn how to encourage more.

Third, sometimes a person just has to do this on his own. When David and his men were being chased by King Saul. They returned home only to find their wives and children had been kidnapped. David’s men became so distraught, that they were going to kill David. David was alone. The passage says that he “strengthened himself.” He found a way to get focused, get encouraged and stay in the game. A person has to do this sometimes. No one else can help because they are all ready to pick up stones and throw them. Others are wanting to walk away for good. If you have to rely upon someone else to help you, there are times when there is no one. You must find a way with the Lord’s help to encourage yourself. You must strengthen yourself.

Finally, the Lord is always there. That is what really helps. Remember the Lord. Pour yourself into Scriptures and prayer. The Lord understands. The Lord reigns. So, when it seems that the night will never end, keep looking to the Lord. The day always breaks. People look up to you because of the role you fill. You are a leader among God’s people. They feel that you must always know. They feel that you must always be on the top. There are days when you are not, but people expect you to be. Allow the Lord to help. Listen to your own sermons and advice. You are not different than others. The same that you would tell others, tell yourself.

So, you are not a preacher or one of the shepherds in the church. What can you do to help your leaders stay encouraged so they can keep encouraging you? Here are a few simple things you can do.

First, one of the greatest things you can do is to utilize all the resources that your congregation is providing. Keep watching the videos. Keep up with the classes. Keep worshipping in your home. The greatest fear as this “stay-at-home” policy continues, is that people will start dropping out and dropping off. You must be at the helm of your faith, not the church, not others. You must keep feeding, using and exercising your faith. We cannot be together, but that is no reason for you to become weak and indifferent to your soul. Find a routine that works for your family. Don’t become a “Sunday-only” Christian. Listen to podcasts during the week. Keep up with the mid-week Bible classes. Do your daily Bible reading. Preachers are putting a feast before you. It’s up to you to pick up your fork and eat. There will be some causalities in this crisis. Some will be spiritual. You decide and you make up your mind what will become of your faith.

Second, let the leaders know that you appreciate what they are doing. An email. A text. A card in the mail. Preaching to a camera with no audience is hard. Are people watching? Are we effective? Is this working? Through this social distancing with our worship assembly cancelled, I have received so many cards and emails letting me know that what we are doing is helping. That’s awesome! That’s so helpful. That encourages the encourager.

Third, keep using your teachers and preachers. It’s hard to teach a class when no one is sitting in a class. Are there questions? Are there comments? Send yours to the teachers and preachers. This is helpful. This is encouraging.

Fourth, keep praying. This should have been first on the list. Always pray. Pray that the leaders remain strong, connected to each other and encouraged. Thank the Lord for those in your congregation who are trying to make worship as “normal” as they can. God can do things that you cannot.

Barnabas—the encourager. There are times when the encourager needs encouragement.

Roger

Jump Start # 709

Acts 4:36 “And Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means, Son of Encouragement).”

Nicknames are special. Often our dads or grandpas give them to us. There are some who carry their nickname all through their lives, to such a point that the rest of us do not even know their given name. Growing up I was always “Roger the dodger.” That could be one reason why the Dodgers have always been my favorite team. I had a grandfather who called me “sky pilot” after he learned I was preaching. I’m not sure about that one.

Our passage tells us that Joseph was called Barnabas by the apostles. It didn’t say that his parents called him that. It didn’t say that school kids called him that. Rather, the apostles did. Barnabas had left a positive impact upon the apostles. They saw him as an encourager. Barnabas was the one who sold some land and gave the money to the apostles. Later, he would defend and support Paul when he wanted to connect with the Jerusalem brethren. He traveled with Paul and preached often. He stood with his cousin, Mark, when Paul would have nothing to do with him. Barnabas, the one who encourages.

Our word “encouragement” means to “build up.” It’s like putting air into a balloon. We all need encouragement. One writer described encouragement as “oxygen to the soul.” I like that. I’ve come to understand that one of the greatest works in a church is that of the encourager. He may never stand in the pulpit. He may not be a teacher. But he’s always in the audience. He’s the one with kind words after the sermon fell flat. He’s the one that makes you believe in yourself and lifts you up when you feel like a failure. The encourager.

Later in the N.T. we read of Titus coming to visit Paul. The apostle was discouraged and concerned about the brethren in Corinth. Titus brought good news from them. Titus “refreshed” the spirit of Paul. That’s exactly what encouragers do. They refresh the spirit. They make a person feel good on the inside. They are like a warm fuzzy blanket on a cool fall evening. Just enough to take away the chill but not so much that it smoothers. Encouragers are like that. It’s not cheap flattery, nor fake words, but genuine love delivered straight from the heart. Encouragement is real and honest.

It’s easy to complain. It doesn’t take any talent nor brains to do that. Just about anyone can complain, and they usually do. It’s the complainers that kill the spirit of the church. It’s the complainers that so discourage young preachers that they quit. Complainers feel a need to set the record straight. They feel compelled to point out every mistake, every typo, every incorrect word. They weary the heart of those who are trying. Some will never teach a class because they fear the complainers in the audience. Complainers pick and pick and are never satisfied. The temperature in the church building is never right to the complainer. The sermon is never right to the complainer. The announcements are never right to the complainer. Nothing is ever right to the complainer.

Oh, but the encourager, what a difference they make. Their words are timed just right. Their presence is joy to the soul. They lift the wounded heart and are the first to compliment. They often deflect the complainers. They are sweet in heart, kind in nature and Biblical to the core. They love good preaching. They love the young preacher. They love God.

I wish more folks understood how valuable the encourager is. Yesterday, one of our Jump Start readers passed away. He was one of my favorite encouragers. I did not know him long, but his heart and my heart were cut from the same pattern. I saw him interact with my preaching son, and what a beautiful and touching manner he had with him. He was one who shared the gospel with others. Whenever we saw each other, our conversations quickly turned to our favorite subject, the kingdom of God. He cared. He wanted churches to do well. He knew the value of good preaching and he was one who put the preacher up on his shoulders, much more than they deserved, especially me.

His name was Earl. He read our Jump Starts every day. He often sent me emails about what I had written. He listened to my sermons late at night. He had so many more good things that he was going to do. Encouragers are like that. They run out of time before they run out of ideas. He was a spiritual giant with the tender heart that noticed the little guy. My grown children loved him. Everyone loved him. Encouragers are like that. He was generous and thankful. Those are the foundation blocks of encouragers.

His end came suddenly and much sooner than I was ready for him to go. I am happy for him. He finished. He completed. He kept. He was what God wants from all of us. I miss him already. I can see his big smile and I can feel his giant bear hug.

His passing reminds me that life is short. Am I spinning my wheels being a complainer or am I encouraging other? Good question! Have I lifted the spirits of others? Am I making an impact in the lives of others? Have I helped the weary to pick up the sword and continue on? Have I been there to stand in the young preacher’s corner and be there for him? Do others recognize me as an encourager?

Complainer or encourager…which will it be? Oh, to just be a Barnabas. What a great thing that would be.

Thank you, Earl. You are where I want to be. I know what you would tell me, “there’s more to be done.” Someday, we’ll be together. That will be awesome!

A little boy once told me before I got up to preach, “I wish I was you.” Earl, I wish I was you! Thanks!

Roger