Part 2 of 2 -. Barnabus
Barnabus sought out people to make them leaders. Paul and John Mark are the two examples we are going to use as we see how Barnabus helped them.
If we are going to be a king maker, there are a few things from Barnabus’ life that we must do:
- You Have to Take a Risk
Persecution has hit and everyone had left Jerusalem except for the apostles.
If you are going to make kings, you must be willing to take a risk. You might not be sure if a person will turn out good, but you must be willing to take a risk. If one fails, you must still be willing to take a risk with helping someone else.
- You must Have a Good Eye and a Glad Heart
Acts 11:23 says that when he saw the grace of God he was glad.
The person that is going to be a king maker needs to constantly be watching for potential people and when that person does a good job, rejoice and be glad for them, not jealous of them.
- You Have to be Humble and Self-less
After Barnabus finds Saul, the next four times the Scripture says “Barnabus and Saul”, but soon it begins to say “Barnabus and Saul” and in Acts 13:9, 13, Barnubus is not even mentioned. As Barnabus, you must be humble and selfless to be a king maker. Barnabus didn’t get mad and say, “I’m going home”.
If you are going to build leaders on the field, you must be willing to take the back seat. Barnabus didn’t leave but let Paul lead… and so must every king maker do.
- You Have to be Patient with the Failures of Others
After John Mark, the nephew of Barnabus, turned back from the missionary journey and when Paul says let’s go, Barnabus again wants to take John Mark (Acts 15:36-40). Paul was against taking John Mark but Barnabus was patient with him and took him under the same wing that he previously did Paul. The same love that Barnabus had with Paul that has become a success, he now has with John Mark who is currently a failure. Later, in II Timothy 4:11, Paul requests that John Mark returns and says “he is profitable to me for the ministry”. The same Barnabus that helped form Paul into a success has repeated the same procedure with John Mark… with much patience. And everyone who wants to be a king maker must learn to be patient!
- You Have to be Free from Materialism
In Acts 4:34-36, we see that Barnabus owned property but sold it and gave the money to God’s work. It was very evident that he was dead to materialism and that God’s work was more important to him than material possessions. He was free of materialism, they made no difference to him. It is apparent that he was more interested in building leaders than owning or obtaining possessions.
In I Corinthians 9:19, 23, Paul says that he has right to have a salary, money, but that was not important to him.
You don’t go to the mission field or work in the ministry because of conveniences. All we do is for the Gospel’s sake. We may have the right to have or do things, but remember we do what we do for the Gospel’s sake. If your are going to be a king leader and prepare leaders, you must forget about materialism and do all you do for the Gospel’s sake.
Here to Serve,
Jeff Bush
General Director of Vision Baptist Missions