Temple Baptist Church - 11-3-2024
2 Timothy 4:6-11
Introduction:
A. As we come closer to the end of this mini-series on “One Leaving (Demas, having loved this present world—the carnal man), One Standing (Luke, the beloved physician—the spiritual man), One Returning,” we come to verse 11 again where Paul says, “Take Mark (the one returning who once quit), and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
B. A young man named John, whose surname (what he is called) is Mark, is asked for by Paul because he had become profitable in the work of the ministry.
C. This is the story of two men, Mark—a young man, and Barnabas—an old man!
D. I want to look at Mark or John Mark (Mark being his surname or the name by which he is called. My name is Robert David Johnston, Sr. but my surname is “Dave.” Or Brother Dave as come refer to me.
E. The First Mention of John Mark is found in Acts, chapter 12. Here we find Peter has been freed from prison by the angel and arrives at the house of “Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark.”
Acts 12:11-12 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (12) And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
F. In the Second Mention of John Mark, we find that when Barnabas and Paul went back to the mission field, they took young John Mark with them.
Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
G. In the Third Mention of John Mark, he had evidently gone to the mission field but, for some reason when arriving at Pamphylia, went not with Barnabas and Paul to the work. He returned home.
Acts 15:37-40 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. (38) But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. (39) And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (40) And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
H. Barnabas was determined to take John Mark back to the field while Paul was determined not to take him because he had left the field previously. Here we find a great contention between to of God’s men with Barnabas taking John Mark and Paul taking Silas.
1. Barnabas means, “the son of consolation”: Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus.
2. It was Barnabas who had taken Paul “under his wing” when Paul was rejected by the disciples in Jerusalem. This would probably include the Apostles of Christ.
Acts 9:26-27 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. (27) But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
3. How soon did Paul forget where he started his ministry? We often ask God to give us another chance while not allowing others the same grace.
4. Now Barnabas works to make a young man who had departed from the field earlier and made him profitable in the ministry later.
5. Though Paul was a great man of God, he was not without flaws and one flaw was his intolerance for quitters! John Mark tried to return but the Apostle Paul refused to permit him to do so!
6. I am not disrespecting Paul but simply seeing, based upon experience, that too often people want to get right, try to get right, and are not allowed to do so. Paul scolded the Corinthian church for the same thing that he did!
2 Corinthians 2:5-8 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. (6) Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. (7) So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (8) Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
J. When people leave, we MUST continue to give them a path on which they can return to fellowship and service. Without a Barnabas, John Mark would possibly not have been able to return to aid the Apostle Paul nor would he have been able to be the physical author of the Book of Mark!
1. Give them a Place to return to. Protect the integrity of the local church.
2. Give them a Path to return on. Show them love, compassion, and forgiveness.
3. Give them a Push to return with! Encourage them to come home.
K. We need more men like Barnabas! Paul would have been much more “spiritual” if he had given John Mark another chance, but Paul chose not to do so. Without Barnabas, where would the Apostle Paul have been?
L. Barnabas knew John Mark well because Barnabas was John Mark’s uncle.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
M. Barnabas: Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
1. Barnabas was a Consistent Man. From the First to the Last Mention, the Bible gives us a picture of consistency in the life of Barnabas. Thank God for people who consistently live for Christ! They are a spiritual magnet that draws both saved and lost to themselves.
2. Barnabas was a Compassionate Man. Compassion is a difference maker. Compassion—Not only sympathy but empathy (identification, understanding, and responsiveness)! Barnabas was a compassionate man, thus Barnabas was a difference maker in many lives including:
a. Paul—Acts 9:26-27 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. (27) But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
b. And John Mark—Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
3. Barnabas was a Coaching Man. A man who mentored new believers and youthful ones. He was a man who could be followed and looked up to.
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Acts 8:30-31 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (31) And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
4. Barnabas was a Consoling Man. Son of consolation – to comfort or solace. A shoulder to cry on and a shoulder to lean on. He was a man of spiritual strength and commitment.
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation—comfort or solace,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
5. Barnabas was a Converting Man. He brought those who had fallen through the cracks and helped to reestablish them in a state usable to both Paul and the Lord.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; (20) Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
No comments:
Post a Comment