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"FRIENDLY, FILLED, AND FAITHFUL." "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord." (Acts 11:22-24)What a host of great men of God we find in the Bible. I've liked this guy, Barnabas since I first met him in the Book of Acts. He's the kind of fella I'd like to ne like and I'm going to look him up and chat with him for a while when I get to Heaven.Now we find that Barnabas showed great grace in his warm acceptance of Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) after his conversion. Barnabas had a fruitful ministry of bringing people together and became known as an encourager. This man possessed 3 characteristics that every believer should have in their own lives.First, we see in verse 24 that he was “a good man.” This means more than that he simply behaved himself. It is a reference to his FRIENDLY disposition. Barnabas possessed a pleasant, agreeable, joyful attitude. Not a pharisaical goodness that’s cold and unfeeling, but the kind that is easygoing, openhearted, and gracious.When the other apostles would have nothing to do with Saul, because of his past persecution of believers, Barnabas brought him in and championed his cause. He was not inflexible, but open and ready to investigate any new thing that the Lord might be doing.Next, we see again in verse 24 again that he was “FULL of the Holy Ghost.” This was his most important qualification. In other words, he was a man who was continually receiving God’s wisdom, understanding, and love. That’s what being “full of the Holy Ghost” means in a very practical way. In other words, He was FILLED with the Power of God to be a helper with Paul in leading folks to Christ.The fruit of the Spirit that Paul later wrote to the Galatians about was probably first observed in Barnabas' life: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22). Barnabas wasn’t like this because of his own easygoing personality, but because he was constantly drawing on the Power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.Last, we find in that same verse that he was a man “of faith.” Most people mistakenly believe that faith is a feeling, something like a tremendous sense of expectation or excitement from within. And if they don’t have that feeling they think, “Well, I guess, I just don’t have any faith.” But that’s a sure giveaway that they don’t understand that real faith has nothing to do with feelings.Thank God that FAITH has a different Person to worship than our own selves. Biblical faith is a recognition that God has promised something; and since He is Who He says He is, we believe Him and act on that basis. That kind of Biblical faith is found in men and women who see what needs to be done and do it. They also believe the Scriptures and behave them.You know what friends? We certainly need more Christians like Barnabas who are adders and multipliers to the cause of Christ and less like the Pharisees who are subtractors and dividers. The Lord has promised us so much for our good, yet, we have performed so little for His Glory. As we continue to walk that narrow way. let's be good (FRIENDLY) to others, FILLED with the Holy Ghost with that kind of FAITH which is well-pleasing to God. For Christians like Barnabas are those who will keep adding people to the Lord's family.