Rivers and Roads Pt. 6 - Opening Our Arms to Insiders - 7/18/2021

Pastor Dale Acts 11:19-20 Acts 9:19-31 The life of Saul/Paul shines a little light on how a fellow Christian was treated by early believers. Some of it was good. Some of it was not so good. By the time we get to chapter 11, things are looking a little rosier for Saul/Paul, and for those of you who aren’t aware, Paul wrote between 25-30% of the New Testament. But things weren’t always that rosy for Saul/Paul. Saul’s Early Days with the Church • He faced scrutiny (by the church) • He faced rejection (by the church) • He faced abuse (by the church) Much of the Church rejected him, but there was one man who helped Saul/Paul navigate the complex landscape of the early church and helped lead Saul/Paul into a position of honor. This man’s name was Barnabas. Acts 11:19-30 Barnabas (the example in the church): • Barnabas took the step to take Saul to safety • Barnabas took the step to bring Paul with him to disciple others • Barnabas took the step of accompanying Saul back into harm’s way All three of these steps begin with Barnabas extending grace to a former murderer of Christians. • God wants to forgive your past. • If God doesn’t hold someone’s sins against them anymore, why do we? • Reconciliation and relationship begin with me. (Matthew 5:23-24) What steps do you need to take this week to become more like Barnabas? 1. How are you being a “safe place” for someone in their walk with God? 2. How are you helping that person take their next steps toward reconciliation? 3. How are you willing to stand with that person as their protector?