Sunday Evening Sermon Outline - 6:30pm 12/18/11

How to Become a Barnabas Christian

I)                   You Must Be Sold Out to Jesus

a.       Barnabas sold his land and gave all the money to Jesus Christ (Acts 4:36-37)

b.      Some may say, “no he gave it to the Apostles not Jesus”.

                                                              i.      Ananias and Sapphira sold their land and held some money back (Acts 5:1-2)

                                                            ii.      Peter told Ananias and Sapphira that they hold lied to and tempted the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-10)

c.       If you want to be a Barnabas Christian you must be completely sold out to Jesus

                                                              i.      And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (Matthew 19:29)

                                                            ii.      But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)

d.      There is really no other kind of Christian (If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.)(Luke 14:26)

II)                You Must Be Willing to Love Others No Matter The Cost

a.       Paul was as unlovable as they come

b.      Barnabas was willing to risk all in order to love Paul and convince others of his conversion (Acts 9:26-27)

c.       Some may say, “this is a special situation which won’t occur often”

                                                              i.      Ask John Mark if his was a “special situation” (Acts 15:35-37)

                                                            ii.      Ask Onesimus if his was a “special situation” (Philemon 1:10-19)

                                                          iii.      Was yours a special situation?

d.      Are you willing to love others no matter the cost?

III)             You Must Be A Spirit Filled Christian

a.       Barnabas was full of the Holy Ghost and faith (Acts 11:22-25)

                                                              i.      Spirit filled Christians are used of God to bring others to Jesus (Acts 2:1-41)

                                                            ii.      Spirit filled Christians are used of God to exhort others to grow closer to Jesus (Acts 11:23)

                                                          iii.      Spirit filled Christians are used of God to provide for the need of others (Acts 6:1-3)

                  b. Are you a Barnabas Christian? Are you willing to become one?