Grace Church San Diego

As the Gospel advances into Gentile territory, we find an icon of grace-filled leadership.  His name is Barnabas.  Rather, he is renamed Barnabas, son of encouragement.

Luke tells us that he is sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch, to care for and observe this work of God.  The summary of his ministry is simple: he arrived, he saw the grace of God, and was glad.  Then he encouraged them to grow in grace by adhering to the gracious Savior.

This does not mean Barnabas arrived and found no deficiencies or sin in the church.  It does not mean he arrived and was comfortable with everything he saw.  Afterall, they were probably eating bacon sandwiches.  These were former Gentiles. 

It means he had his heart tuned to grace -- to the activity of God through Christ.  He knew what it looked like when God was active and grace was at work. He knew it was grace -- undeserved favor in place of wrath. He had received such grace. So had they.  He looked for it. He saw it. He was glad.

This reveals anything but a proud and self-righteous heart. This reveals a humble heart.  It would have been easy and "natural" to see sin and weakness and failure -- all of which were there.  Barnabas sees grace. That is because he was humble.  Humility looks for grace.

This does not mean he simply decides not to talk about the sin he sees.  He does not discipline his words to focus on grace.  No, his heart is focused on grace and his eyes and words follows. This does not mean he ignores the weaknesses and need for growth.  No, he cares for the church.  He moves there.  He knows he needs help to care for the church, so he grabs Saul of Tarsus to come alongside.  They build up the church by teaching. They fan the flames of grace.

Do the people around us find us like Barnabas? Do we overflow with grace? Are they more aware of our encouragement than our criticism?

At Grace Church in San Diego, we want to overflow with grace and be people who see grace in others and are glad. 

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