Barnabas & Saul

Acts 9:26-30 (NIV)

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.  He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Many things to look out for in this portion of scripture. Paul has regained his sight and he immediately starts preaching amongst the Jews. His message was true yet everyone around him questioned his authenticity because of his past life. They even plotted to kill him because they sincerely thought he was not genuine. Here is what I will like you to see when everyone doubted Saul, one person did not. That person was Barnabas. The name Barnabas also means “Son of Encouragement”. As we read earlier in Acts 9:26 (NIV) - When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.

Our focus today is on Barnabas. How can we examine our instrumentality through the eyes of Barnabas in this day and age? First, we need to ask the Spirit of God within us to help take off any limitations that prevent us from seeing people the right way. Our eyes need to be open in order to see the great potentials in people. Secondly, we need to put aside judgmental attitudes. The disciples were very judgmental of Saul and they could not see past their judgment towards him. Thirdly, be careful not to allow a person’s past determine how you deal with them in the future.

Barnabas became very instrumental in the life of Saul who was later re-named, Paul. They ministered the gospel on many occasions together. Saul was greatly encouraged by Barnabas. Today, most Christians talk about Paul, how great he was and how he is still influencing our lives through his epistles. Very few remember the instrument of change called Barnabas. Choose to become a Barnabas (A son or daughter of Encouragement) in your generation.  

Ananias & Saul

Let’s continue to examine our instrumentality through the eyes of Ananias. He was very instrumental in the life of Saul. The Saul we are referring to in this context was the person who was later called Paul after his life-changing encounter with Jesus.

Our focus today will be on a few verses in the book of Acts 9 however, I will like to present to you a brief background on the life of Saul. Saul was a Roman citizen and a student of Gamaliel. In our day, we will say Saul went to Yale or Harvard and he was taught by the best teachers. Saul was an intellectual and was very zealous for his course. He passionately persecuted the church and consented to the killing of Stephen. Saul later had an encounter with Jesus and lost his eyesight. After this event, Saul was led to the house of Judas, by the men who traveled with him. These details will come in handy soon. Amen.

Acts 9:10-18 (NIV)

In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Our goal is to present to you from scripture, many ways through which you can become an instrument of change. Ananias is faced with this great challenge because of an instruction he received from the Lord as we can see from the scriptures we just read. Will he obey God and help Saul regain his sight or will he not. Thank God Ananias obeyed and Saul received his sight.

Back to you.

- Who is that person you are afraid to help regain their vision because everything you know about them seems to be dangerous? Saul persecuted the church and consented to the killing of Stephen.

- Who is that person you are afraid to help regain their vision because you esteem them higher than you in one way or the other? Paul was an intellectual. He studied in the best school and had the best teacher, Gamaliel.

- Who is that person whose clarity of vision depends on you and because of fear, you held back help from them? Saul’s vision was dependent on Ananias’ obedience. Thank God Ananias obeyed.

These are very serious questions to think about. Ananias was very instrumental to Saul regaining his eyesight/vision. Choose to be an Ananias in your generation. Do not allow fear rob you of the benefits of becoming an instrument of change in your generation. Saul was later called Paul and he authored most of the books in the New Testament.

Andrew and Simon Peter

Andrew was the brother to Simon Peter and Andrew served as an instrument of change in the live of his brother Simon Peter. As we look at their story and receive the blessings and the lessons it has to offer, I will like for you to remember that your instrumentality in the life of another is not always as a result of your direct activity with that person. Meaning, you may not necessarily be the one to bring about change in them, however, you can serve as a tool that leads them to where they can receive change.

John 1:40-42 (NIV)

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Summarily, Andrew found Jesus and embraced him and the very first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Immediately, Simon received a name change from Jesus Christ. Initially, he was called Simon, when he encountered Jesus because of Andrew, his name changed to Peter. This may not seem very significant to you until I mention to you that this Peter is the same Peter mentioned in the book of Acts who preached and about 3000people received salvation. This Peter is the one who authored the book of 1^st and 2^nd Peter as we find in the bible. All these subsequently happened, however, the journey began with a simple introduction to Jesus.

It is noteworthy that many have used scriptures such as Mark 6:4 (ESV) which states that And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” As a prerequisite not to reach out to those closest to them. When you read this scripture in context, you will see that before this statement was made, Jesus made an attempt to reach out in His hometown. So, just before you conclude or give up on your hometown, your household, and your relatives, make an attempt to tell them about Jesus.

Remember, we are examining our instrumentality. I thought one way to start is to begin examining the eternal difference (s) we are making in the lives of others. Who has come to a better understanding of the “Word” (Jesus) because of you? Who has accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord because of you? Who has received a name change because of you?

You may say, it was not in my power to do all these. I can agree with you, however, what are you doing to invest in yourself in order to become that instrument of change? Please do not take the questions lightly. Think through them and become an “Andrew” in your generation.

Examine "Your" Instrumentality

Welcome family to this series titled “Examine Your Instrumentality”. Just like the title states, the goal of this series is to probe you to a place where you physically and spiritually examine your instrumentality. To “examine” is to inspect someone or something in detail, to determine their nature and condition; to investigate thoroughly. “Instrumentality” is the quality of serving as an instrument. This series is a call to examine “your” instrumentality not someone else’s. It is a call to take inventory of your life, not another person’s life. With these understandings, you will agree with me that it is not a casual activity. It has to be done intentionally for the purpose of re-strategizing where needed; improve where needed and introduce excellence in the already successful areas. This series will serve as a tool to help navigate you through the thought processes and the many things you ought to do in order to properly look into the details of your life, your purpose, your vision, your lifestyle.

As you listen, I will like you to begin thinking – how instrumental am I to the Father, the Lord God my creator? How instrumental am I in the lives of the people around me? How instrumental am I to the world I live in and to the situations I encounter? Another way to ask this question is “What am I living for? Whom am I living for? How does my family, my neighborhood, my county or province, my world benefit because I am alive?

Whatever the questions you ask and however you choose to ask them, one thing remains, the goal is to evaluate yourself and begin making the necessary changes. There is always room for improvement when we think we have failed and when we think we are very successful. Please do not live another day idle. Do not live another day doing things that are destructive to you or to your environment. Rather, invest your life, your time, your resources for kingdom advancement.

It all starts with you. How willing are you to invest in yourself to a place where you can begin investing in others. As we all know, heaven and hell are real. My final questions to you today are these; “Who will make heaven because you led them to the saving knowledge of salvation and they accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord of their life? “Whose life has been destroyed by you; be it through your words or your actions.

Together, we will learn from the word of God how people were instrumental in the lives of others and how that changed them forever. We will carefully identify these instruments of change and look at different ways in which we too can become instruments of change in the lives of other people. Stay tuned.

God Gives “Patiently”

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Patience plays a key role in giving and that is very evident in the Father’s giving even up to this moment. To be patient is one’s ability to tolerate delay; to suffer long. When it comes to giving, patience is required. The fact that you have something good and godly to offer is no guarantee that it will always be accepted. Please settle that within you.

-We see patience exercised through love in the Father’s giving. We are told in scripture that love is patient, love kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). When we look at our verse of interest we see that love was the reason why He sacrificed His son. It says “For God so loved the world that He gave…”

The Father exercised patience in the giving process in that man was truly undeserving of the gift yet, He had to look past that aspect and still offer the gift of salvation because He had the future in mind.

Even after the gift has been offered and many have received that gift, many others still need to receive the gift of salvation in order to be redeemed. So, the Father continues to be patient with man. We are told…

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

So, my encouragement to you is this, do not despair if the great gift or resources you have to offer are not received. It is not unusual. It is constantly being done to the Father. Continue to trust the Father to redirect the paths of those who will and should receive it from you. Amen.

Remain patient in your giving lifestyle. In Jesus Name. Amen.

God Gives “Substantially”

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The Father’s gifts to us are of great quality and quantity. If you evaluate every gift of God the Father in your life, you will attest to the fact that it has been of great worth and value. That is how He gives. His very best, all the time. Amen.

I will like us to take a moment to appreciate the Father’s gift to us. The gift of His son and every other gift we have received from Him. The gift of His son was a seed He sowed. Most often we do not value a seed as we ought to mostly because we do not have a full understanding and picture of the harvest we will get as a result of the seed sown.

God’s gift of His son is a gift that keeps on giving. Have you ever thought about it? Thousands of years ago Jesus was crucified and resurrected for the purpose of salvation and today many who receive this gift are guaranteed a new life. What a seed?

With this understanding, how differently will you sow your seed? How can you ensure that your gift keeps on giving even in your absence? I believe one way we can do so is by speaking into the seed even before we sow it. Any kind of seed. Be it financial; a word of advice; time, and other resources so that those into whom this is being sown will receive their part and begin to improve in the respective areas.

Add value to your seed with your words. Speak into the future of that seed. Give your seed a mission to accomplish. And do so prayerfully. Amen! Then sit back and watch it manifest for the glory of the Lord. Amen.

God Gives “As The Source”

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God is the source and He knows He is the source. This is important to know because when He gives, He does not give with the mindset that He will run out. The source never runs dry. Also, in giving His son Jesus, He did not look up to anyone for that decision to be made. It was His decision to give His only son. When it comes to our giving, we should give with an understanding that He is the source. Sometimes, we need to be reminded about His place as the source in our giving. In your giving lifestyle, get to a place where your focus is on the Father and your understanding is that He is the source. This point cannot be overemphasized.

Your giving attitude will change when you make this truth yours. Most often, when we receive an instruction to give we hold back because it could be the very last thing we have but remember that God gave His only begotten son. And today He has many sons and daughters in return.

Your giving is an act of faith; it is your demonstration of your understanding of the principle of the seed; it is your demonstration of confidence in your source and your giving is also your act of obedience.

God gives as the source. We give as channels in that, we can allow ourselves to become the medium through which kingdom resources pass through to others. When this happens, you can be guaranteed that you will never run dry. Amen.