Encouragement – Stay True to the Lord

SCRIPTURE:
Acts 11:22-24 NLT - When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

OBSERVATION:
Acts chapter 11 continues the story of the Good News spreading to the Gentiles. After Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion, the gospel began to break down cultural and religious barriers. When Peter returned to Jerusalem, some Jewish believers criticized him:

Acts 11:2-3 NLT - …But the Jewish believers criticized him. "You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!" they said.

Peter explained what had happened and reminded them that the same Holy Spirit who had
fallen on the Jews had also fallen on the Gentiles.

Acts 11:17 NLT – “And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God's way?”

This revelation silenced their objections and opened their eyes to God’s heart toward all people.

Acts 11:18 NLT - When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, "We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life."

Soon, the gospel reached Antioch—a major city known for business, culture, and deep immorality.

In this unlikely place, God was at work.

Acts 11:20-21 NLT - However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

I love these verses because they start with a “however.” You could say that, despite all of this, God sent the message of His Son to those who needed it most – the truly lost!

When news of this reached Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas—whose name means "son of encouragement." He saw God’s grace at work and responded with joy and exhortation:

Acts 11:23–24 NLT – When he arrived and saw this evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

APPLICATION:
Barnabas didn’t criticize what he saw. He didn’t dwell on immaturity or the remnants of their past lives. Instead, he rejoiced that God was moving and saving people. He celebrated grace and encouraged growth.

We can learn from his example:

• See the evidence of God’s work. Even when it’s messy or imperfect, recognize His hand at work.
• Celebrate new life. Rejoice when people come to Jesus, no matter how rough around the edges they may be.
• Encourage growth. Help new believers “stay true to the Lord.”

 
In doing so, Barnabas modeled true discipleship—rejoicing in salvation and nurturing faith.

For us, it’s a call to do the same. Rather than grumbling about spiritual immaturity, we can be encouragers who build others up in Christ. The world needs more Barnabases—joyful, Spirit-filled believers who help others grow in faith.

PRAYER:
Jesus, give me the heart of Barnabas. Help me rejoice when the lost come to You, no matter where they come from or what they look like. Fill me with joy at the evidence of Your work, and help me encourage and disciple others to “stay true to the Lord.”