Sons and Daughters of Encouragement

Acts 4:36-37

When we were children in elementary and middle school, we had a bad habit of giving teachers names – depending on their mannerisms, appearance or something.  It was such a common thing that I didn’t know the actual names of some teachers. Now I realize that we were not the first ones to do this. There is actually a Biblical precedent (as we will see shortly) – but in a positive way. We both have official names and nicknames. Which name have you earned? When you enter a room, which name is identified with you?

Acts 4:36-37 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Because of his character, Joseph was given a new name, it is a name that…