Mending Our Relationships With Other Christians (2)

Introduction

story in Wales

Going back to our Paul passage Paul has to mend his relationships with the Christians that he had been persecuting.

In this in order for Paul to be able to mend his relationships with other Christians he need 3 different kinds of relationships. In this same way we need these three same relationships.

We all have relationships with people around us. People come and go and we meet new people very often.

Relationships are very important in our lives because they affect us and the way that we grow or don’t grow in Christ and in life

Acts 16:1–5 NIV

1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Acts 9:27–28 NIV

27 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. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Body

Everyone Needs a Paul

1 Timothy 1:1–2 NIV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:18–19 NIV

18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

We see here that Paul is guiding and showing Timothy the way that he should lead and Pastor where he is at.

It is vitally important for us that we have someone that is older than us to mentor us. Someone that can show us and give us wisdom

Example:

My mom always used to say when you go through a minefield you would follow someone else

We see that the disciples had Jesus to train them.

Nate in high school.

Everyone Needs a Barnabas

Acts 9:27–28 NIV

27 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. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

We see in this passage that Barnabas vouched for Paul and then we know through other scriptures that they became a team and worked together to spread the gospel.

This shows us that we need people that are at the same life step as us to go along with us

Mark 6:7 NIV

7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits

Galatians 6:2 NIV

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

People Come and Go So We Have To Keep Seeking Relationship

Acts 15:36–40 NIV

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.

There will be seasons with some people and with other people.

People will come and go and in these season we have to make sure that we find new people to fulfill each of these roles

Everyone Needs a Timothy

2 Timothy 3:14–15 NIV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

We see here again that Paul is mentoring Timothy

We need to always have someone to be pouring into.

Conclusion

Everyone needs a Paul, Barnabas, and a Timothy

Why do you think that it is important that we have a Paul in our life?

Why do you think it is important that we have a Barnabas?

Why do you think it is important that we have a Timothy?

Which one of these three relationships do you have? Which one might you be lacking?

What are some practical ways that you can try and gain the relationship that you are lacking?