May 25th, 2025
Mr. Lonely: A Biblical Survey on the topic of loneliness.
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
May 25, 2025
"Son of Encouragement" - Acts 4
Opening Verse:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! We are in week two of our new series "Mr. Lonely " a biblical survey on the topic of loneliness. It's obvious that all of us have experienced some kind of loneliness in our lives. Even if the Bible does not talk about it by name, it is evident that the Scriptures expresses the feelings of sadness, despair, and sorrow even in the lives of God's people. Remember it is not a sin to feel lonely. Loneliness is a state of mind caused by a strong feeling of isolation or separation. Being lonely is not the same as being alone or vice versa. You can be alone and not feel lonely or you can be lonely even if your are not alone.
Part 2 of this series is about encouragement. The Greek word used for encouragement (mentioned 80 times in the Scriptures) is "parakaleo", it translates as "to exhort" or "to urge." It comes from the word "para" which means alongside and "kaleo" which means to summon. The word itself can mean to "call someone to your side to help or comfort."
Main Pointers:
“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37 NLT
1. Encouraging people are selfless people.
A. The early church experienced tremendous persecution but they also experienced one of a kind unity and encouragement from one another.
B. One of the men mentioned was a guy named Joseph who was called Barnabas which means "son of encouragement." Barnabas was one of the underrated character in the New Testament but had a tremendous impact in the early church even in the life of the apostle Paul.
C. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
2. Encouraging people build bridges not walls.
“When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown. The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.”
Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31 NLT
A. Paul's conversion was supernatural. He came from killing Christians to becoming one. It's understandable if many were still afraid of him even after his conversion.
B. Barnabas being the the "son of encouragement " that he was, he became the bridge that brought Paul to the other apostles. He was very instrumental to Paul becoming accepted in the early church.
C. “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 NLT
3. Encouraging people are spirit-filled.
“Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.”
Acts of the Apostles 13:1-4 NLT
A. It was undeniable how powerfully the Holy Spirit was moving the life of Paul and Barnabas. They were sent by the Spirit to do the ministry among the gentiles and the Holy Spirit have done great and mighty things through them.
B. “Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.”
Acts of the Apostles 13:9-12 NLT
Conclusion:
Without encouragement life would be lonely and burdensome. Without encouragement we will all be overwhelmed by the deep sorrows of life. The Bible commanded us to encourage one another. We all need a Barnabas in our lives. We all need to be a Barnabas to someone right now!
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
May 25, 2025
"Son of Encouragement" - Acts 4
Opening Verse:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
Hebrews 10:24 NLT
Introduction:
Welcome to an amazing Sunday here at River of Faith! We are in week two of our new series "Mr. Lonely " a biblical survey on the topic of loneliness. It's obvious that all of us have experienced some kind of loneliness in our lives. Even if the Bible does not talk about it by name, it is evident that the Scriptures expresses the feelings of sadness, despair, and sorrow even in the lives of God's people. Remember it is not a sin to feel lonely. Loneliness is a state of mind caused by a strong feeling of isolation or separation. Being lonely is not the same as being alone or vice versa. You can be alone and not feel lonely or you can be lonely even if your are not alone.
Part 2 of this series is about encouragement. The Greek word used for encouragement (mentioned 80 times in the Scriptures) is "parakaleo", it translates as "to exhort" or "to urge." It comes from the word "para" which means alongside and "kaleo" which means to summon. The word itself can mean to "call someone to your side to help or comfort."
Main Pointers:
“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37 NLT
1. Encouraging people are selfless people.
A. The early church experienced tremendous persecution but they also experienced one of a kind unity and encouragement from one another.
B. One of the men mentioned was a guy named Joseph who was called Barnabas which means "son of encouragement." Barnabas was one of the underrated character in the New Testament but had a tremendous impact in the early church even in the life of the apostle Paul.
C. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
2. Encouraging people build bridges not walls.
“When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus. So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. When the believers heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown. The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.”
Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31 NLT
A. Paul's conversion was supernatural. He came from killing Christians to becoming one. It's understandable if many were still afraid of him even after his conversion.
B. Barnabas being the the "son of encouragement " that he was, he became the bridge that brought Paul to the other apostles. He was very instrumental to Paul becoming accepted in the early church.
C. “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 NLT
3. Encouraging people are spirit-filled.
“Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.”
Acts of the Apostles 13:1-4 NLT
A. It was undeniable how powerfully the Holy Spirit was moving the life of Paul and Barnabas. They were sent by the Spirit to do the ministry among the gentiles and the Holy Spirit have done great and mighty things through them.
B. “Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.”
Acts of the Apostles 13:9-12 NLT
Conclusion:
Without encouragement life would be lonely and burdensome. Without encouragement we will all be overwhelmed by the deep sorrows of life. The Bible commanded us to encourage one another. We all need a Barnabas in our lives. We all need to be a Barnabas to someone right now!
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