Spiritual Leadership: Three Graces every Believer Needs

September 22, 2020

Timeline of Mark in Scripture

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” Acts 13:4-5

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.” Acts 13:13

“36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” –Acts 15:36-41

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) “ –Collosians 4:10

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.” –Philemon 1:23-24

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:9-11

  • Mark had multiple mentors throughout his spiritual life
    • Paul
    • Barnabas
    • Peter
  • Word “deserted” versus “left” implies Mark lost purpose, focus, and commitment to the mission
    • Earlier in Acts, Luke points out that Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp disagreement” with the Jerusalem ambassadors and their message
      • Possible disagreements:
        • Theological: Mark did not agree with Paul’s pro-gentile slant
        • Fear: Mark felt it was/would cost to much
        • Selfishness: Serving God was inconvenient
        • Personal: Unknown personal issue between Paul and Mark

Mark: A Lifetime of Mentorship

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. “ Acts 12:12-13

  • John Mark was a Jew
  • John Mark was probably rich (house big enough for a church to meet, servant, and courtyard)
  • John Mark was probably a Roman Citizen based off of his Greek identification

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) “ –Collosians 4:10

  • Cousin of Barnabas, who was also rich (See Acts 4:37)

*Many scholars believe Mark was the man who delivered water in Mark 14:13, the “naked boy” in Mark 14:51-52, and the young, rich man in Mark 10:17-27

*My view of why Mark Left: from what we know of Mark and the situation, I think Mark did not fully believe in the gospel mission to the Jews. From his doubt, he was not willing to risk his comfort (he went from his rich home in Jerusalem to his cousins rich home in Cyprus, then left when it was about to be hard), nor was he willing to risk his Roman citizenship or being thrown in prison.

Paul: Grace

Observations with Paul:

  • He was radical in every way
    • Zealous and passionate for faith
      • Persecuted Christians when he believed them wrong
      • Ostracized Judaizers when he believed them wrong
    • Even his conversion was radical, and instant
  • To Paul, you were either all in or all out
    • “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”- 2 Timothy 1:7
      • To Paul, if you were timid in faith then you are:
        • Not of the Spirit
        • A coward
        • Selfish
      • Jesus preached the same
        • Luke 14:25-34
  • Paul was blunt and to the point
  • Paul was also horrible in relationships, particularly in ministry
    • Disputes with Mark, Barnabas, Peter, Demas, James, Judaizers, etc.
      • 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”” – Galatians 2:11-14
      • 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.” –Philemon 1:23-24
      • Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:9-11

*Example: Your sleeping with your girlfriend. Paul would say your not of the Spirit, surrendered to and living for Christ, and your selfish and have no use as a witness to the gospel

*Paul had little patience for a lack of grace towards Gentiles, Slaves, and Women. Often, his zealous, radical grace did not translate to common grace among believers.

*We need mentors in our lives who will tell us the harsh truth sometimes

Barnabas: Grace

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”- Acts 4:36-7

  • Barnabas was an encourager
  • He was also probably rich and gave it all up

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” –Acts 9:27

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” –Acts 11:22-26

  • Barnabas encouraged everyone everywhere he went
  • Barnabas was a mentor to Paul!
  • Barnabas probably introduced and encouraged Paul not just to ministry, but to the Gentiles!
  • Barnabas showed tender grace to Paul when Paul had a dramatic conversion
  • Barnabas lacked a zeal for the gospel that Paul did

39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus”- Acts 15:39

  • At this point, Barnabas drops off the book of Acts, and so does Mark
    • Like Mark, we see Barnabas referred to in Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians)
  • Barnabas and Mark return to Cyprus, and its assumed Barnabas disciples Mark here
  • Paul was probably very harsh with Mark, and Barnabas was able to encourage back into God’s service

*Example: Sleeping with your girlfriend. Barnabas would say, you are hindering your ability to fulfill the great purpose God has for you by living in that sin.

Peter: Grace

  • Gospel of Mark
    • Commonly understood that Mark’s gospel was Peter’s gospel
    • Mark learned and served with Peter for about 12 years before Mark returns to work with Paul

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. – 1 Peter 5:13-14

  • Peter demonstrated a patient Grace
  • He was not always brave and knew what failure in ministry was like
    • Walked on water then sank
    • Denied Jesus three times
  • When Mark returned, he probably was effected by his actions on Cyprus
  • Barnabas seemed to encourage Mark, not just in choosing him but also sending him back to Jerusalem with purpose to still serve WHERE MARK WAS AT
  • Peter patiently disciple Mark to a place where Paul was 12 years prior

*Example: Sleeping with your girlfriend. Peter would say, repent of your sin, and I’ll bring you into ministry per your gift and maturity.

Conclusion

*Believers need these three graces to be effective

  • The Radical Grace tempered with a patience and tenderness
  • Paul had a radical grace but lacked patience
  • Barnabas had a Tender Grace but lacked a Radical Grace
  • Peter lacked the radical grace, but had a patient and tender grace

*Most believers practice one of these three graces

  • If you are a lot like Barnabas, try to be more like Peter and Paul
  • If your Paul, be like Peter and Barnabas

*Conclusion: Mark, who I think struggled with fear, watched all three of his mentors killed

  • Watched Barnabas get pulled out of a synagogue, dragged by the neck through the street, and burned alive
  • Watched Peter crucified upside down
  • Watched Paul beheaded

*After all his mentors died, he evangelized in Alexandria and became the first bishop there, until eventually, about 5-6 years after watching his last mentor die was himself martyred the same way Barnabas was

 

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