Saturday 2 May 2026

Psalm 38:1-8

Background
As I look back over 30 years of preaching, I’m so grateful for all the encouraging people I’ve met after worship who’ve shaken my hand at the door and said, "That was a wonderful sermon" (particularly when I know it wasn’t) because those people have sustained me more than they will ever know.

In today’s reading, the Church continues to move and grow, helped paradoxically by persecution after the stoning of Stephen. (Acts 7: 54-60) What looks like a setback becomes a catalyst for mission. The believers scatter and go ‘gossiping the gospel’ into Phoenicia (modern Lebanon), Cyprus and Antioch so that non-Jews begin hearing the good news also.

We’re told that "The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:21) Not surprisingly, the church in Jerusalem despatches Barnabas to investigate this latest turn of events in the amazing adventures of the Holy Spirit.

Barnabas is committed and generous. He is first introduced in Acts 4:36-37 when he sells a field and gives the money to the apostles. He is "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith". We see him building bridges: when Paul (who used to persecute Christians) first attempts to join the disciples they're afraid of him, but Barnabas intervenes (Acts 9:26-28).

Barnabas becomes a leader and mission partner in Antioch, teaching the new believers, or 'Christians' as they’re now known, and helping the Church to grow. But most of all he lives up to his name which means ‘son of encouragement’, recognising where God is at work: "When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion."(v 23)

The fledgling Church, powered by the Holy Spirit is on the move to the ends of the earth, but it depended very much (as it still does today) on people like Barnabas. They love to encourage others in their calling, build people up rather than tear them down and recognise, sometimes before others, where God is at work, and then join in!

To Ponder:

• Is there a Barnabas in your life? What difference do they make?
• Is the Church growing where you are? Why do you think that is?
• Perhaps you’re a Barnabas? Who or what can you start encouraging today?

Bible notes author: Sue Moore
Sue Moore is a visiting Anglican preacher on the Methodist circuit in West Norfolk. She is candidating for the role of Distinctive Deacon and together with her husband runs a bereavement support group. They have two greyhounds who keep them fit with plenty of walking.