Introduction

• Joshua 22:16, 21-24, 27, 29-30

Take God’s word seriously

• Deuteronomy 12:5-6, 13-14
• God had strict laws concerning His place of worship.
• How seriously do we take God’s word today?
• The Bible must be taken in its entirety.
• God still expects us to worship Him as He has commanded today.

Address error immediately

• Joshua 22:12-14
• In issues with our brothers and sisters
  • Matthew 18:15-17 – Go talk to the person you have a problem with!
• Within the church
  • Ezekiel 22:29-31 – Address the problem out of love.

Handle confrontation correctly

• Joshua 22:22-29
• Don’t get defensive
  • James 1:19
• Don’t be prideful
  • Proverbs 9:8-9
• Thank the one who comes to you

What is encouragement?

• To inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.

What is exhortation?

• Language intended to incite and encourage.

Barnabas

• Acts 4:36-37 – Barnabas was called a “son of encouragement”
• Tabitha / Dorcas – Acts 9:36
• God told Moses in Deuteronomy 3:28 to command Joshua and encourage him.
• I Thessalonians 3:2
• Romans 12:6-8

Barnabas’ character traits – can we use these to develop similar traits in ourselves?

Barnabas encouraged not only through his words but through his actions – Acts 4:37

• He doesn’t just applaud what others are doing. He made the sacrifice himself.
• Showing a true commitment to the Lord is an encouragement to others.

We have to truly care about people the way Barnabas did.

• People see the encouragement of God’s love through us.
• “See” the people around you. Listen to them. Look for opportunities to help and encourage.
• What does that look like for us?
• It is difficult sometimes because they are uncomfortable asking or don’t want to be “pushy” or offend someone by trying to help.
• Remember that even the small things we do can be an encouragement. Remember Dorcas (Acts 9:39).

Barnabas was a man of integrity. He was trusted enough that the disciples listened to him and allowed Saul to join them (Acts 9:27-28).

• He had been leading a life that was an example to others.

Barnabas encouraged others by giving the right people opportunities, even though it may have meant the glory wasn’t his. He put others first. He was a man of humility.

• Acts 11:19-26

Barnabas encouraged others by always believing in people (Acts 9:27).

• Barnabas believed in Paul and that Jesus can change even the worst of us!
• Acts 9:28-29
• John Mark (Acts 15:36-40)
  • Must have made an impact – II Timothy 4:11

Encouragement means taking risks when standing by others.

• Believing in people sometimes means getting out of our comfort zone.
• Encouragement may mean reminding people we believe in them and that God has a plan for them.

What does Barnabas teach us about encouragement?

• True commitment – lead by example
• Care about people – inside and outside the congregation
• Humility – put other people first
• Integrity – be someone who can be trusted
• Believe in people – look for the good in people
• Take risks – get out of your comfort zone with people

What does encouragement look like in 2025?

• Lead by example, don’t just exhort. It is encouraging to see people overcoming problems. It helps us be encouraged that Christ’s power is there for me as well and I can also overcome through Christ.

Introduction

• II Corinthians 1:8-10

“But God” has authority over the wicked

• As seen in Jacob’s life
  • Genesis 31:5-9
• As seen in Joseph’s life
  • Genesis 50:20; 39:20-21 – God took “bad” things and brought good from them.
  • Acts 7:9-10
• As seen in David’s life
  • Psalms 31:1-5
  • I Samuel 23:14
• As seen in Christ’s life
  • Acts 13:28-30 – God raised Jesus from the dead, giving us hope of heaven.
  • God is ultimately in control, no matter what we try to do.

“But God” has authority over temptations

• Temptation and sin – James 1:12-16; Matthew 26:41
  • It’s hard to fall into temptation if you are looking to God.
• God’s aid in our temptation – I Corinthians 10:13
  • God is faithful.
  • God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability.
  • God will provide a way of escape.

“But God” has authority over all nations

• Against the Assyrian army
  • Isaiah 17:12-14
• Government under the authority of God
  • Romans 13:1-6

“But God” has authority over death

• Psalms 49:13-15; I Corinthians 15:19
• Authority to suspend death – Philippians 2:27
• Authority to raise the dead – I Corinthians 15:51-57

God’s Love and Power (song)

Matthew 14

Matthew 14:1-12 – Herod Antipas and John

• Matthew 14:1-5 – Herod feared John the Baptist. He had beheaded John and was afraid that he had come back from the dead. John was killed for telling the truth about Herod’s adultery.
  • Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1, 3, 7, 12-13, 15-16, 19; Luke 1:5)
    • Named “Procurator of Judea” after murder of Julius Caesar
    • Mark Antony gave him title “king of the Jews”
    • Rise to power was due to his connection with Mark Antony and Cleopatra
    • Killed two of his ten wives, three of his sins, a brother-in-law, and grandfather of one of his wives
    • Augustus said, “I’d rather be Herod’s hog than his son.”
    • The family of Herod
      • Philip – married Herodias, his niece
      • Philip the Tetrarch – married Salome, his niece
      • Herodias – married two uncles
      • Aristobulus – married Salome
      • Drucilla – left husband to marry Festus, Roman governor
      • Antipas – killed John, married Herodias
      • Salome – married to her uncle and cousin
      • Bernice – married uncle Calchis, lived with her brother
      • Agrippa II – lived with his sister
• Matthew 14:13-21 – Feeding five thousand
  • Matthew 14:13 – The crowd was determined to follow Jesus as best they could.
  • Matthew 14:15 – The disciples had their priorities wrong. The need for spiritual food was much greater than that of physical food.
  • Matthew 14:17 – The disciples still did not have confidence in Jesus’ abilities.
  • Matthew 14:21 – There were 5,000 men. Adding women and children, this is like 10-15,000 people or more.

• I Thessalonians 4:13
• Acts 14:15
• Genesis 1 – God created all and it was good. Man was God’s most glorious work.
• II Corinthians 5:17 – God has a new creation – the saved relationship.
• II Samuel 7:12-13
• Acts 9:15
• Ephesians 3:4-13 – Paul was to preach to all.
• Ephesians 6:12 – Heavenly places means “high places” here – rulers and authorities.
• Ezekiel 20:24
• I Corinthians 1:2 – God has no recorded His name in the church.
• Ephesians 4:25; 5:16, 22; Acts 4 – God tells us how we should live our lives.
• Romans 2:2, 21 – Paul warned them against hypocritical rebuke.
• Men have tried and failed to improve on the local church arrangement that God set in order. The church is not God’s most glorious work.