THE COST OF

MAKING DISCIPLES

Acts 13:1-3; 15:36-41

Reviewing Barnabas’ Story

An Successful ENCOURAGER (“son of encouragement”)

An Successful EQUIPPER (Saul’s mentor) A Successful SHEPHERD (Antioch church)

WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE LIKE BARNABAS?

What was Barnabas’ secret?

The “price” Barnabas had to pay:

Sowing in the SpiritFor the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Gal 6:8)

Following John the Baptist’s principle (John 3:30):

“He must increase, but I must decrease”

Acts 13:1-3 (NASB95)

1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Barnabas giving up POWER OF INFLUENCE

Acts 11-13 (NASB95)

11:30 … Barnabas and Saul to the elders12:25 … Barnabas and Saul returned13:1 (list of Antioch leaders) Barnabas … and

Saul13:2 Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul13:7 This man summoned Barnabas and Saul13:9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul …13:42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out …13:43 (the people) followed Paul and Barnabas …13:46 Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly …13:50 … Paul and Barnabas Barnabas giving up POSITION OF AUTHORITY

Acts 15:36-41 (NASB95)

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Barnabas giving up PROMINENCE & FAME

Barnabas’ Difficult Decisions Giving up POSSESSION & PLEASURE (Acts 4:36) Giving up POWER OF INFLUENCE (Acts 13:1-3) Giving up POSITION OF AUTHORITY (Acts 11-13) Giving up PROMINENCE & FAME (Acts 15:36-41)

How did Barnabas did it? He must increase, but I must decrease!

What was the result?God increased indeed through

Barnabas!

Gordon Smith’s Discernment

PrinciplesWhen making a big, difficult decision, always

test your motive against these things:1. Possession (wealth & pleasure)2. Power3. Position4. Prominence (fame & pride)

In all decisions, can you always say:He must increase, I must

decrease?

Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB95)

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Freely Freely Give

1. Tình yêu Chúa sâu rộng đã đến với tôiÐời tôi nay xa lìa đường cũ lối xưa

Từ miền tối thế gian vào nơi hiển vinhJêsus vẫn sống dẫn bước tôi theo Ngài

Nầy ta xóa muôn tội, xóa muôn tội lỗi cũ của con

Nói cho người nói cho người điHãy tin thật Chúa nhân từ vẫn sống muôn

thuHãy đưa người đến chung niềm tin

Freely Freely Give

2. Một hôm Chúa nhân từ đã đến với tôiLàm sao tôi quên được giờ phút biến thay

Từ ngày ấy lối đi dường như nở hoaVì tôi vẫn sống trong ơn yêu thương trời

Nầy ta xóa muôn tội, xóa muôn tội lỗi cũ của con

Nói cho người nói cho người điBiết bao người biết bao người

vẫn sống đau thươngHãy đưa người đến trong tình yêu

Freely Freely Give

3. God forgave my sin in Jesus' nameI've been born again in Jesus' nameAnd in Jesus' name I come to youTo share His love as He told me to

He said: 'Freely, freely, you have receivedFreely, freely give

Go in My name, and because you believeOthers will know that I live.'