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