The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-08-24
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
BARNABAS

! abas and Saul the church assem-
bled regularly for worship and
for systematic Bible study. The
doctrinal work of Saul and the
hortatory work of Barnabas were
complementary to each other.
The congregation greatly appre-
ciated their labors. For a whole
year the good work went on with
such power and manifest success
that "the disciples were called
Christians first at Antioch"
CONSECRATED RELIEF
WORKER
The famine fund for Judah
showed Barnabas to be con-
secrated relief worker. While
things were going we'll with the
growing church in the prosper
Gus city of Antioch, the shadow
of dearth and famine was dis
cerned by the prophets of Jeru-
salem, some of whom came to
Antioch and bore the ominous in
telligence. The most prominent
of these was Agabus, who under
impulse of the Spirit delivered
the definite prophecy of tn e
famine which actually took place
right away during the reign of
the Emperor Claudius. Unless
relief was sent in good time such
a dearth was sure to work un-
| told hardship and suffering in
the church at Jerusalem, which
was already heavily burdened
with it's charity work and doubt
less literally supported the Apos-
ties in their ministery. In view
of this situation, the church at
Antioch determined to make
contribution for the relief of the
brotherhood at Jerusalem. Every
man in the membership was call
ed on to give according to his
ability, and the offering must
have been creditable to the gen
crosby of the givers. The amount
was sent to Jerusalem by Barna-'
bas and Paul, brethren beloved
by both the churches concerned,
and their errand of relief was
pleasing to the sain,s alike at
Antioch and Jerusalem.
THE MINISTRY OF A
CONSECRATED MAN
o. The Ministory of Sympa-
thy. "Son of exhortation. Barn.
abas was great because he was
great-hearted. He felt for 9TH
ers in their hardship and suffer-
ing. He was a son of exhorta-
ton because he was son con-
ISOLATION.
(2) The Ministry of Liberality.
"Sold it, and brought the money"
Great need calls for great gen.
erosity. Barnabas was equal to
the occasion. Are our hands
open to the needy around us to-
day? Are we willing to sacrifice
for their sustenance?
81 The Ministry of Fellow
ship. "Save only to Jews-unto
the Greks also" Our work should
not be limited to easy and con-
genial fields. Our labors should
not be narrow and restricted. Yet
we ought to work where we can
be most useful.
(4) The Ministry of ProcIama-
ton. preaching the Lord Jesus"
| No better service can we render
to mankind than to spread the
gospel into all the world. Simply
to tell the good news is to do
good work. 1t is the very heart
of our ministry to others.
(5) The Ministry of Evange-
lism. "a great number that be-
, lieved." We are called to be
| fishers of men. Our greatest work
is to win others to Christ. Every
Christian Should aim to be soul
winner.
(6) The Ministry of Edifica-
ton. ale exhorted them all.
Those who are won to Christ.
must be built up in Christ. The
infant church at Antioch needed
the Encouragement which Barna-
has was ready to give. His earn.
est, eloquent words thrilled them
Into renewed activity for Christ
and the church.
(O The Ministry of Enlist
ment. "To seek for Saul-foundj
him-brought him to Antioch"
Help was needed in the growing
work at Antioch. The helper
needed was the brilliant young
preacher of Tarsus. 1t took
Rarnabas to bring him into the
larger field and train him for
the greater work.
(8) The Ministry of Organiza-
| tion "Gathered together with the
church, The mighty movement
lin the Syrian metropolis was I'M
tder the auspices of the church
there. We think of the campaign
as being we'll organized and car
Tried on by jealous men and wo-
men.
| CO.. The Ministry of Teaching.
"Taught much people" The Bible
lis the textbook. Barnabas and
Paul were the great teachers,
!but they must have had a large
number of capable assistants.
For a whole year the blessed
work went on. The saints at An
tioch were thoroughly indoctrin-
ated.
COY The Ministry of Benevol-
ence. Determined to send re-
lief" No church can live for it.
self alone. That hand becomes
paralyzed which is not stretched