Barnabas: Living A Legacy

“[Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” — Acts 11:24 ESV   

When you die, you will be remembered by something. When I first started out in ministry, I sat at a table full of older ministers and heard their conversation. They were telling stories about their old preacher friends, mostly about people who had preached at their churches. For each one, they had something positive to remember them by. “He was so anointed,” or, “He was so Christlike,” or, “He had miracles in his services” … and then someone named a certain person and there was silence for a few seconds. Then someone else said, “He was always dressed well.” How tragic! Other people were remembered by their Christian character or their powerful ministry, and this guy was only remembered for his fashion sense. It hit me like a ton of bricks — I will leave a legacy, and people will remember me by something. 

We are all writing our eulogies by the life we live now. We get a snapshot of Barnabas in Acts 11:24. There are four characteristics presented: 1) he was a good man; 2) he was full of the Holy Spirit; 3) he was full of faith; 4) he brought many people to the Lord. How amazing!  The fact that he was a good man means that he loved goodness — moral excellence, purity, holiness, righteousness, call it whatever you want. He lived a godly life. The fact that he was full of the Holy Spirit means that he was visibly and consistently full. He was so full of the Spirit that he overflowed onto other people. After all, you’re not full until you’re overflowing! The fact that he was full of faith means that he could see what other people couldn’t see. He was able to set the standard of risk taking and boldness. It was obvious to all. The fact many people were brought to the Lord means that he was a soul winner. Lord, raise up an army of soul winners with no desire for their own glory! They will leave a legacy on earth, and they will be remembered forever in heaven.


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This blog is an excerpt from Robert Presson’s devotional book, “People Of His Presence,” available on Amazon: Click here to purchase on Amazon.  Alternatively, the book is available for free when you give a donation of any amount to City Revival Ministries at  cityrevivalnola.com/give. Please indicate that you would like the book when you give.