Living As A Disciple Of Jesus The Christ

Lesson 7
Beautiful Examples Of Jesus Disciples (II)
I. Jesus made and developed disciples. He taught people like Peter and
Andrew, James and John. Then, He told them, following His
Resurrection, to Go ... make disciples.... baptize them.... and teach them to
observe what Jesus commanded them (Matthew 28:18-20)
1. These disciples were to be witnesses for Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea and
Samaria, and then ALL OVER THE WORLD
(Acts 1:8)
2. They began preaching in Jerusalem. About 3,000 were obedient
(Acts 2:22-41)
3. Multitudes of men and women plus many Jewish priests obeyed the
Lord
(Acts 4:4; 5:14; 6:7)
4. For example, PHILIP, STEPHEN, and BARNABAS were some of the early
disciples
(Acts 4:36, 37; Acts 6:1-6 etc.)

II. BARNABAS, A Beautiful Example Of The Disciples Of Jesus

1. He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus
(Acts 4:36)
2. His name was Joseph, but the apostles called him BARNABAS, which
means Son of Encouragement (Acts 4:36)
3. Except for Jesus, no other one seemed to have touched the life of Paul MORE
THAN BARNABAS!
4. Barnabas had a tremendous influence for good on the early church
NOTE SOME OF THE THINGS HE DID, and HIS INFLUENCE!
a. Barnabas was an example of GIVING.

(Acts 4:36, 37)

--- He sold a piece of land to help needy people (Acts 4:37)

--- See the contrast in Barnabas, and Ananias and Sapphira who lied
to the Lord
(Acts 5:1-11)
b. Barnabas introduced a new Christian, PAUL, to the church in the city
of Jerusalem
(Acts 9:26-30)
--- The disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul (Paul)
--- Barnabas was not afraid to trust this untested new disciple!
c. Barnabas went to Antioch to ENCOURAGE the new church there
(Acts 11:22-26)
--- The Jerusalem church knew who was the best man to send
--- Barnabas encouraged them!
--- Then, he went to Tarsus to find Paul and brought him to Antioch
to help with the work. Many were taught!

d. Barnabas went on the first missionary journey with Paul

--- They took John Mark with them, but he turned back
--- A door of faith was opened to teach many Gentiles

(Acts 13, 14)

(Acts 13:13)
(Acts 14:27)

e. Barnabas continued to train John Mark in the time ahead (Acts 15:36-40)
--- Paul did not want to take Mark with them on the second journey
--- Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement
--- Barnabas took John Mark with him and went to work on Cyprus
--- Many years later, Mark was a faithful worker
(II Timothy 4:11)

III. PAUL is a wonderful example of a disciple of Jesus

1. At one time he was the chief of sinners (I Timothy 1:15). But, he became the
chief of missionaries!
2. Paul truly FOLLOWED JESUS!
a. On the Damascus road, he was told to go into the city, and it would be told
him what HE MUST DO
(Acts 9:6)
b. To Paul, To Live Is Christ ..... (Philippians 1:21)
c. He had been crucified with Christ, and it was no longer Paul who lived,
but Christ lived in him
(Galatians 2:20)
d. He boasted only in the cross of Jesus
(Galatians 6:14)
3. Paul gave his life to the work of EVANGELISM
a. He was deeply concerned about his own people (Romans 9:3; 10:1,2)
b. He taught in Ephesus for two years, so that all in that province heard the
gospel
(Acts 19:10)
c. His desire was to preach Christ where Christ had not been named
(Romans 15:19-21)
4. He gave up earthly success for ETERNAL SUCCESS
a. He gave up all his earthly importance and attainments and counted them
as trash
(Philippians 3:1-11)
b. He willingly suffered for Christ
(II Corinthians 11:23-28)
5. He was completely FAITHFUL to the Lord until he died!
a. At the end of his life, he said, I have fought a good fight
b. He was ready to leave this life, and be with Christ
(II Timothy 4:6-8)