Barnabas’ generosity built a trust, encouragement, and growth for the apostles and the church. Acts 4:36-37 

• A Levite from Cyprus. 
• Birth name was Joseph but given the name Barnabas “Son of Encouragement.” 
• Became a key voice in the church of Jerusalem. 

Barnabas had a gift to see what others could not see in people that could be used by God. Acts 9:26-28 

• While others were in fear of Paul because of the past, Barnabas could see the present truth where there was powerful potential.   
• Not only did he see the truth, but he spoke up. 

Barnabas was sent to Antioch to verify the unlikeliness of the gospel changing the lives of Greeks.  Acts 11:19-26 

• Keeping the church together and rooted in truth was so important during these early fragile days of the church. 
• You send your best and most trusted. 
• The work was so fruitful he needed help, so he set out to go find Paul who had to flee Jerusalem. 
• It is among this movement of God among the Greeks we were first called Christians—coming from the Greek form Christ. 
• Saul becomes Paul—the Greek form of his name. 

The power team of Paul and Barnabas has begun. Acts 13:4-12 

• They build up the church in Antioch and then feel led to go on a missionary journey beginning with Cyprus—Barnabas’ home. 
• John Mark has joined them.  A cousin to Barnabas from Jerusalem. 
• The Gentiles accept the Lord in droves, but a movement of rejection among the Jews took root.   
• They continue to Pamphylia only to have John Mark bail on them in Pamphylia. 

Paul and Barnabas become advocates for the gentiles in Antioch before the church in Jerusalem. Acts 15:1-21 

• Antioch the now Northern Epicenter of the Christian movement among both Jews and gentiles. 
• They experience some true highs and lows. 
• The High is that so many gentiles are coming to Jesus in powerful ways—God was at work. 
• The Low as that some from the church in Jerusalem wanted to make the gentiles become Jewish. 
• Barnabas and Paul become the advocates for the gentiles simply pursuing Jesus. 

Disagreement breaks up the team.  Acts 15:36-39 

• A key mission trip with many perils likely Barnabas wants to take Mark.  Paul cannot see how that would be a good move. 
• Barnabas sticks to his guns, so does Paul. 
• They split up and Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus, and Paul takes Silas to Asia Minor and on to Europe. 

- The disagreement was sharp, but they did not sin against each other.  
- God used it to put two power teams on the road—one West and one to the Northwest. 
- God worked powerfully in and through both teams.   
- No canceling of each other. 
- No failure by one or the other. 
- Fruit proven on both sides. 

Mark becomes indispensable to Paul and to us.  2 Timothy 4:11 

• Like a son to Peter. 1 Peter 5:13  

Lessons from the 1st century church to the 21st century church in not letting a disagreement derail your life. Romans 12:9-13 

1. Generous spirit towards one another—like Barnabas.
2. Love must lead the way. 
3. Honor one another above yourself—other minded. 
4. Staying zealous for the main thing—serving Jesus.   
5. Let God bring to light the unknowns.  1 Corinthians 4:2-5