Mark : Bio [Who Mark is, where does he appear in scripture, his life in ministry - John-Mark =Paul/Baranabas ]

Welcome:

NEXT STEPS

CLOSER TO JESUS

BECOME A DISCIPLE

Introduction:

J1

Around this time of the year we are preparing for what’s next

new year resolutions

new year and new rhythms

new year and new beginnings [or endings]

Most of the times we come into the New Year ready to accomplish the things we’ve set our sights on

and often, we fizzle out or we realize we’ve bitten off more than we can chew

AND WE ABANDON our goals and resolutions

GOOD NEWS…YOU’RE NOT ALONE…

Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January. [OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY [Feb/2023]

The chances are pretty high that most of us in this room will default on our resolutions at some point

[how’s that for New Year’s Encouragement! haha]

J2

But we’ve all been guilty at overpromising and underdelivering at some point in life

We’ve all had that moment when we realized that what we thought we signed up for isn’t what we got into!

How do you respond when you fail at a goal or drop out of a commitment?

for myself…:

I get embarrassed

I get upset at myself

I sulk

I try and shift blame

Sometimes zeal and enthusiasm isn’t enough to keep us in the game for the long haul!

you need grit

you need prayer

you need stamina and more

J3

What if I told you that the guy who wrote the earliest account of Jesus’ life, was a guy who knew what it felt like to bail out on a commitment? Or knew what it felt like to miss the mark and experience embarrassment?

His name is JOHN MARK — but we all know him commonly by his last name; MARK, who writes the Gospel of Mark!

—Today begins a new journey together:We’re going to journey through the Gospel of Mark together

What a better great place to begin the New Year; with a guy who missed it, recieved grace, and got a 2nd Chance to make things right!

I want us to talk about WHO MARK IS before we dive into his Gospel……

A little History:

The Gospel Of Mark:

The Gospel of Mark is the earliest [and the shortest] of the 4 Gospels in the bible.

[written only 25-30yrs after Jesus ascended to Heaven in Acts — around 50-60AD]

It’s been said that it is the primary source of information about the ministry of Jesus

early church father, Papias or Heriapolis [Turkey], lived around 60Ad-130AD and is said to have known the Apostle John and mentioned John Mark in some of his writings

The Gospel of Mark is said to be the most reliable sources of information regarding Jesus, His ministry, death, and resurrection.

Matthew and Luke are said to both use Mark for composing their gospels [90% Matthew account and 50% of Luke account can be found in Mark]

This would make sense, because Luke and Mark knew each other prior to them writing their gospel accounts

Mark’s gospel has been said to have been written to Gentile converts and probably those who specifically live in Rome

Scholars have agreed that Mark recieved his information by experience and mostly from being Peter’s interrupter. [It’s said that Peter didn’t speak Greek and Mark spoke fluent Greek]

J3

This is where I want us to start today…with John-Mark

Mark is not a well-known figure in the bible.

He’s very young when he shows up on the scene [some say between 15-18yrs old]

He wasn’t one of the 12 disciples

Some believe Mark was an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus

Mark makes his debut in his mom’s house:

{Acts 12:6-18} = When angel of the Lord rescues Peter from prison, he went to John-Mark’s mom’s house [Mary]

- there were many believers there praying for Peter [this house was possibly a common gathering place for believers to hide out and pray and commune together]

What Mark is most remembered for IS NOT great :(

Everything starts off great for young Mark! [he’s excited to be an missionary and part of the work of God!]

{Acts 12:25} = Barnabas and Saul [Paul] bring John-Mark with them as they head back to Jerusalem

Acts 12:25 (ESV)

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

this is where we see Mark enlisted into the collective work of Barnabas and Paul

Mark gets involved in the ministry with Barnabas and Paul [Saul] in Cyprus

{Acts 13:5 }

Acts 13:5 (ESV)

5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

The evangelistic work in Cyprus wasn’t easy

they were met with demonic opposition

Mark witnessed Paul rebuke a local magician [Bar-Jesus] which let to the magician becoming blind!

Acts 13:9–11 ESV

9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.

John Mark decides to leave the mission field

{Acts 13:13 }

Acts 13:13 ESV

13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,

John-Mark decides to abandon the ministry team and head back home to Jerusalem.

- [it’s possible that through their time in Cyrus there was great opposition and only one convert - Sergius Paulus the proconsul]

Some commentaries suggest:

Mark couldn’t handle the pressure of the ministry and didn’t want to risk his life

Mark was disappointed that their efforts in Cyprus only produced ONE convert

Mark missed home and went back to be with his momma in Jerusalem [we all go home when we don’t know what to do]

It’s not clear how much time passes from Acts 13 to Acts 15 where Mark resurfaces:

Acts 15:36–41 (ESV)

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Mark finds himself the key factor of a dispute and a ministry fracture!

Paul and Barnabas were an amazing duo, but now, because of John-Mark’s past actions, the two apostles split up and went their separate ways!

For Mark: These are the moments that can really discourage a person

he failed

he’s probably self loathing

self blaming

self condemning

you can get bitter, resentful, hateful

he’s wondering if there’s any hope of making a difference in the Kingdom

This is often how we all feel when we fail

For Barnabas: He is willing to give Mark another try — extend grace, forgiveness, and reinstate Mark back into the ministry. This fits Barnabas - his name means “son of encouragement”.

Also, Barnabas and John Mark are cousins

Barnabas is living up to the meaning of his name

For Paul: this was not a time to mess around. The news of Jesus must go forth! This is serious stuff, and we can’t depend on someone who has a history of running away!

When the stakes are high and you have a mission to complete…you don’t want a quitter on the team

Both Paul and Barnabas have valid points

[on one side we should be willing to give grace and second chances] - Barnabas

[on the other side we need to be wise and realize that saying “no” to someone can actually help the cause ] - Paul

God still values restoration and redemption

Mark disappears from the scene until Paul mentions him in Colossians 4:10

Paul writes to the church at Colosse and at the end tells the people that if Mark comes to them, they are to welcome him! = {Col 4:10}

When Paul writes to Philemon he sends greetings from his “fellow workers” and Mark is listed! It seems as if Mark may be in prison with Paul too! {Philemon 23]

When Paul writes to Timothy, and tells him to send Mark to him for “he is profitable to me for the ministry” [2 Tim 4:11] — Paul seemingly has forgiven Mark or moved on from the offense of deserting him and now he wants Mark!

Peter calls John-Mark “my son” in [1 Peter 5:13]

[this is seemingly the marker of some of the relationship strength that Mark and Peter had with each other, and probably led Peter to utilizing Mark to interpret for him, and Mark’s gospel coming into existence!]

FAILURE \ FAMILY \ FORGIVENESS

Some of us are Mark today:

You’ve backed away from following Jesus cause it got hard

You’ve quit some part of your pursuit of Jesus and the faith

You’re wanting to come back into the game

I’m here to tell you that as long as you have breath in your body, you can repent and confess, and be restored!

Stay humble; own your part; turn from where you’ve been and head back to Christ

none of us deserve a second chance

Some of us are Barnabas today:

You’re an encourager; an optimist — we need you

You know some people in your circles who are bitter, resentful, sad, and leaning away from their faith; SPEAK UP! Go to them..encourage them to stay in the game!

Even though you are an encourager, you need to make sure your grace is mixed with truth. Don’t forget to encourage people towards repentance. Don’t let grace confuse the faith of others; God is still holy; God is still just; sin is still sin

Some of us are Pauls today:

You’re not here to play a game, you’re here to complete a mission — we need you!

You are good at bringing sobriety to our minds about the Great Commission and holiness!

But make sure you share grace with truth..if not, people may find it hopeless to turn back to God; they may believe the lie that, “they are useless because of their failures”

You need to remember that you too were in need of grace and forgiveness

You need to remember that unity is important, and if there’s a chance to live in harmony with your brothers and sisters in Christ, then you [we] should pursue it.

So how does the backstory of Mark help us today?

What encouragement can we draw from Mark’s life that can help us continue on following Jesus?

maybe you realize that God still used Mark..so God can still use YOU

you realize that: It’s hard following Jesus

you are reminded that just because you’ve quit in the past, doesn’t mean you have to stay there

you are in need of encouragers [Barnabas] that will help us with 2nd chances

Think about this: Knowing what Mark went through, how do you think the teachings of Jesus hit home with someone with his backstory?

CLOSING:

Mark’s backstory reminds us that the church isn’t perfect.

It reminds us that God still values restoration and reconciliation among His followers

Mark reminds us that failure doesn’t have to be final, but it will take humility, grace, courage, and forgiveness to overcome our failures.

RH

Open your bibles to...

Explanation

FAILURE

FAMILY

FORGIVENESS

Application/Next Steps

Next Steps:

What is God Saying?

What are you going to do about that?

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Prayer Team

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (ESV)

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

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https://overviewbible.com/john-mark/

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/John-Mark

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-we-know-mark-in-the-bible.html

https://www.moodymedia.org/articles/story-john-mark/

“Soon after Paul’s death, it would seem that Mark associates himself with Peter, and under his guidance and direction writes the second Gospel which bears his name, the Gospel according to Mark.”

“Certainly it is clear from this chapter that the Holy Spirit who unmistakably spoke to Saul and Barnabas, at least spoke to the church concerning them, and said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them,” did not speak in the same way to John Mark. Perhaps truth had never gripped his heart, perhaps the reality of the Gospel had only been a mental conception. It hadn’t been something that burned like a fire within him, it wasn’t truth that gripped his soul until he could do nothing but preach the Gospel. Maybe he just put up a show, a front of piety and of enthusiasm, but perhaps deep down there was no real victory in his life.”

“Here we have the story of how Paul and Barnabas differed as to how to deal with John Mark. I said differed, but I paused a moment afterwards when I realized that that is an understatement, because in that thirty-ninth verse you read of a sharp contention. I am terribly sorry to have to tell you that the literal meaning of those words is “paroxysm of rage.””

“I suggest to you, because I think all of us would find at some time or other that John Mark is a reflection of our own experience, that his greatest punishment for shirking work was to discover he was without any. To be faithful in the little sphere that God has given us is the sure way to the opening up of a greater one. But the reason why so many Christians today are without service and say as those in the parable said, “No man doth hire us,” is that past tasks have been dropped and given up, tasks that were offered, sometimes even forced upon them, have just been dropped when it came difficult and hard. The days of opportunity have gone by, and God has put somebody else where you should have been.”

“Listen to me, the past need never be a specimen of what the future can be in the hand of God.”

-Pastor Alan Redpath [1953-1962]

https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/leadreadtoday/why-most-new-years-resolutions-fail#:~:text=Researchers%20suggest%20that%20only%209,by%20the%20end%20of%20January.