God comforts those who are suffering and challenges those who are comfortable. Jesus commands believers to obey his teachings, not just when it is convenient. The Holy Spirit brings the Bible to life, empowers believers, draws people to Christ, transforms them into his likeness, and bears witness that they are God's children. Paul endured many hardships and persecutions for the sake of the gospel. Barnabas defended Paul after his conversion and encouraged the church in Antioch. They worked together to teach many people and were the first to call believers in Antioch "Christians."

2. God comforts the discomforted and
discomforts the comfortable.

3. Crazy Love pg. 169
“Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey my
command” (John 14:15). Jesus did not say, “If you love
me you will obey me when you feel called or good about
doing so...” If we love, then we obey. Period.This sort of
matter-of-fact obedience is part of what it means to live
a life of faith.

4. The Holy Spirit
It brings the Bible to life (Luke 24, 44-48
It empowers people to proclaim Christ (Acts 1:8)
It brings us to a relationship with Christ (John
3:5-8)
It sanctifies us. It transforms us into the likeness
of Christ (Romans 8:29)

5. Romans 8:16-18
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God, and if children,
then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with
Christ, provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him. For I
consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worth comparing with the glory
that is to be revealed to us.

6. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the
growth. So neither he who plants nor he who
waters is anything, but only God who gives the
growth. He who plants and he who waters are
one, and each will receive his wages according
to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers.
You are God's field, God's building.

7. Acts 20:25-27
And now, behold, I know that none of you
among whom I have gone about proclaiming the
kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I
testify to you this day that I am innocent of the
blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from
declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

8. Oikos - These are the people you’re in
regular contact with for about an hour
or more each week.
Koinonia - These are the people you’re
living in community with and sharing
your life with on an ongoing basis.

9. Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer
I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the
life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me.

10. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes
less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at
sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from
robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles,
danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea,
danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a
sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold
and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily
pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

11. Acts 14: 19-20
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having
persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged
him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But
when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and
entered the city, and on the next day he went on with
Barnabas to Derbe.

12. Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those
who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be
haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in
your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give
thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If
possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably
with all...

13. Romans 12:14-21 (con’t)
...Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the
wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will
repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is
hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to
drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his
head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good.

14. Barnabas and Paul
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to
join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for
they did not believe that he was a disciple. But
Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and
declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord,
who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had
preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:26-27

15. The report of this came to the ears of the church in
Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he
came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he
exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with
steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the
Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were
added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look
for Paul, and when he had found him, he brought him to
Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and
taught a great many people. And in Antioch the
disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:22-26

16. Barnabas and Paul
He’s Paul’s accountability partner and encourager
He takes Paul to the apostles and defends his
conversion (Acts 9:27)
He takes Paul with him to Antioch (11:22-30)
They are sent from the church in Antioch (13:1-15,
40)
He challenges Paul on his treatment of John Mark
(Acts 15:36-41)

17. Paul and Timothy
Acts 16:1 - Paul takes Timothy with him.
Philippians 2:19-24 - Paul sends Timothy
1 & 2 Timothy - Paul gives Timothy instruction
and encouragement.

18. Other mentor pairs
Jesus/Disciples
Moses/Joshua
Naomi/Ruth
Elijah/Elisha
Samuel/Saul
Jonathan/David

19. What we need...
Mentor
Partner
Successor