Word from Wiese

Barnabas Encouragement

Barnabas Encouragement

September 10, 2025

Friends in Faith,

Usually, my Sunday sermon and Wednesday email explore different territory. But today, I really want to emphasize my challenge to all of us to be Barnabas-like encouragers each day.

Since we live in a world that knocks us down, lifting others up is an essential duty for ones Jesus commissions to be light-sharers. The knocking-down defense of Mike Ditka’s Chicago Bears might not surround us, as we laughed about in the sermon. But the force of sin around—and even within us—tempts us to tear down more than lift up. So, leaning into intentional encouragement is key.

As Scripture teaches, Barnabas was the friend of Paul who stood up for him when everyone else shunned him because of his Saul-days mayhem. Barnabas actually accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey to open doors, introduce him to leaders, and walk alongside him when others doubted. Without Barnabas’ encouragement, who knows if Paul would have thrived and how many of the New Testament books we’d actually be able to read today.

Impressively, while his given name was Joseph, so many early Christians experienced his positivity and uplift they re-named him Barnabas, which means “Son of  . . . Encouragement.” Wow. What an honor to be given.

Great news!  We don’t have to travel like Barnabas to encourage our loved ones and neighbors.  Effective support can be shown through the accessible “Five Love Languages” (Gary Chapman):  words of affirmation, acts of service, sharing gifts, quality time, and physical touch. They are not just for Valentine’s Day. Which one are you naturally adept at sharing? Which method do you know friends and loved ones appreciate experiencing? Whichever you choose, they all are impactful ways to brighten someone’s day.

Encouragement flows through smiles, handshakes, hugs, text messages, phone calls, and thank-yous. 24/7. And thanks for worshiping faithfully. Because even on Sundays when the sermon or music doesn’t hit home, the Spirit still works through your presence, hugs, and comments to lift up someone else.

That’s the kind of culture I pray for here at Christ Our Shepherd, as we move into our next 50 years. What if we became known in our community as a “Barnabas congregation”? A place where, in a world that knocks people down, visitors and members alike always feel lifted up?

I appreciate that so many readers of this WFW are not COS members, but maybe part of our FOCOS group (Friends Of Christ Our Shepherd).  You represent the good news that “Barnabas bandwidth” is active around the whole country.

On Sunday, we shared how you Latin and French students know the word encourage literally means “to give heart.” Think of the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz longing for courage. When we encourage, we touch and strengthen another’s heart for life and faith. And along the yellow brick road of discipleship, we all need one another’s encouragement.

In my sermon, I shared a story my dad tells.

He was mowing the lawn one muggy afternoon when a stranger stopped her car just to compliment the flowers and landscaping. Ninety seconds, a few kind words—and both went away encouraged. My dad found new energy for his remaining chores, and the driver left with joy from blessing someone else.

Indeed, encouragement doesn’t take much, but it multiplies quickly. Mark Twain once said, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.” The apostle Paul said it even better: “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). And even at creation’s beginning, God set the pattern: after each day’s work, the Lord encouraged it, saying, “It is good.”

Encouragement changes everything. It gives hope. It fosters growth. It reflects the heart of Jesus. It opens up opportunities for ourselves, the neighbors and the world.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. What’s your favorite way to encourage those around you?
  2. If co-workers describe you, would they say you offer more criticism or encouragement, on balance?
  3. Do you agree with Mark Twain that when you cheer someone else up you feel better too?
  4. What’s your Barnabas bandwidth? In God’s love, could you commit to encouraging at least one person a week? For some of you . . . even one person a day?
  5. Who encourages you most often? Give God thanks for them . . . and maybe let them know they make a difference in your life.


Let us pray. Gracious Lord, thank You for surrounding us with encouragers and for calling us to be encouragers ourselves. Just as Barnabas lifted up Paul, help us lift up our families, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers with words and actions of hope. Fill us with your Spirit so that our encouragement reflects the heart of Jesus and strengthens others for faith and life. May our church and our lives shine with your light of encouragement each day. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Trying to encourage with you,

Pastor Fritz