SERIES: LOSERS, LOVERS AND LEADERS
SESSION TWO, FALL 2016
A MAN FOR OTHERS The man we are looking at this morning believed the way you succeed in life is by investing yourself in others and helping them succeed. Acts 4.36: There was a Levite, Joseph, a native of Cyprus, whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas, which means “The Encourager.” The word “encourage” literally means “to put ________ into someone.” Question: If you were to be named after your number 1, overriding trait, what would it be? What would you like it to be? Jesus gave us two great commandments (Matthew 22.36-40). 1. Love God with the entirety of our being. 2. Love ________ as we love ourselves. We will not succeed in life unless we love others in ways that build them up, give them heart, and make them better. How do we give people heart? By investing our time in their lives, by sharing our expertise, by investing our finances when appropriate, and by putting our ______ in them – pointing out their potential and helping them gain a vision for their lives.
BARNABAS INVESTED HIMSELF IN 1. A ___________ WHO WAS ALL ALONE. Acts 9.26-28: When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They thought he was only pretending to be a believer. Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus. Barnabas also told them … how Saul boldly preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. Then the apostles accepted Saul, and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. Barnabas was the first to meet with Paul, learn his story, believe in him and be willing to take a ______ on him. And then he builds a bridge of trust, making a way for Paul to be accepted and included in the community of believers. Why do most people work at a church or in ministry? They want to ______ people and make a difference in the lives of others.
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2. A MAN WHO FELT LIKE A ____________ Acts 16.36-40: After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return to each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord …” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them …. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. John Mark: Did well on the trip with Barnabas. Became a leader in the church. Worked alongside Paul later in his life. Wrote __________________. The Son of Encouragement believed that great failures can rise. He believed if someone cares, if someone provides a second chance, if one man will say to another, “I believe in you and I’m going to walk with you,” a man’s mistakes can be redeemed, a life can be changed and a man’s failures in the past can make him a _________ man in the future. 3. THE LIVES OF YOUNG ____________ If you’ve been in the church for a while, you can start thinking everyone’s like you – comfortable here, lots of friends, with real faith and a personal relationship with Christ. But if we’re doing our job and God is blessing our ministry, there will always be people who are without faith, new to faith, broken, and uncertain if they fit in. And that’s who the church and Quest are for. Acts 11.22-23: When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. What did Barnabas see? Not maturity or depth or perfection. He saw the ____________________ at work.
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UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE Mission Trip to Honduras. Build a church, a house and provide concrete floors for families with dirt floors. November 10-13. Seven spots left. $1300. Contact Jane Jordan at
[email protected] or call 281.297.5929. Anger Management Course. Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm in Jones Library. Now until December 15. $30 for materials. Contact Joy Johnston at
[email protected]. Post-Abortion Recovery for Men: Healing a Father’s Heart. Thursdays, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Bible study for men seeking healing from one or more abortions of a partner. Contact Joy Johnston at
[email protected] ____ Men’s Small Group ____ Couples’ Small Group Mentoring/Encouraging Possibilities: ____ Mentor one or more men in succeeding in business as a Christian man ____ Lead a men’s small group ____ Lead a class/study for young adults ____ Lead a small group or Sunday school class with your wife for married couples
The Woodlands United Methodist Church www.thewoodlandsumc.org
