“The Difference Encouragement Makes: A Look at the Ministry of BarnabaS In The Life of John Mark”

2 Timothy 4:11

Monday>Read and consider II Tim. 4:1-11 to get a context for verse 11.

Questions: Reflect on times in your life when you have needed encouragement. Who has God used to encourage you? How did God use them?

Tuesday> Read II Tim. 4:11, Acts 12: 12 and 25, and Acts 13:4-13.

Introduction: II Timothy 4:11 makes sense and takes on meaning as we consider the larger story of Mark’s life.

I.      The weak faith of a believer needs encouragement (Acts 15:36-40).

A.      Acts 12:12 “This verse introduces the reader to John Mark who figures prominently in Paul’s first missionary journey. Evidently his mother Mary was a woman of prominence and means. Probably her house was a principal meeting place of the church, so it must have been spacious. Because John Mark’s father is not named, Mary may have been a widow. This same Mark is considered to be the writer of the Gospel bearing his name.”[1]

B.      Acts 12:25 Paul and Barnabas took Mark with them to Antioch.  Barnabas, and Mary, Mark’s mother, were from Cyprus.

C.      Acts 13:4-13 (c. a.d. 47) After only a short time in ministry on the island, Paul and Barnabas set sail for Pamphylia and Pysidia (which is modern-day Turkey).

1.       13:5 John Mark is their assistant

2.       13:13 and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem

3.       departed:  ἀποστάντα - to abandon a former relationship or association, or to dissociate (a type of reversal of beginning to associate)—‘to fall away, to forsake, to turn away.’[2]

4.       Dr. Stewart Custer wisely observes “Believers should avoid sneering at John Mark.  We do not know the dreadful circumstances that moved him to turn back.  Considering Paul’s staggering recital of what he had to endure (II Cor. 11:23-27), it may have been enough to cause any of us to tremble.”[3]

Questions: In II Cor. 11:23-27, Paul lists some hardships in his life. What current or anticipated hardships are causing you to tremble? On Monday you reviewed how God previously brought you encouragement. Are you, like the Psalmist, rehearsing God’s previous works to give glory to God and allow God to grow faith in your heart?

Wednesday>Read II Tim. 4:11 and Acts 15:36-41.

D.      Acts 15:36-41 (a.d. 49)

1.       Apparently, two years later John Mark’s desertion becomes a point of contention (15:39).

a.       contention:  a severe argument based on intense difference of opinion—‘sharp argument, sharp difference of opinion.’[4]

b.       departed:  to separate more or less definitively from one. . . ‘to separate definitely, to go one’s own way, to split up.’ ὥστε ἀποχωρισθῆναι αὐτοὺς ἀπ̓ ἀλλήλων ‘so that they each went their own way one from another’[5]

2.       This is the point of contention.

a.       Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark (15:37).

1)       ἐβούλετο: decisions of the will after previous deliberation

2)       Barnabas seems to be focusing on Mark.

3)       He concluded that in spite of Mark’s previous departure there was something in the man’s life worth developing and encouraging.

b.       Paul thought it best not to take Mark (15:38).

1)       ἠξίου:  to make a choice on the basis of greater worth[6]

2)       ἠξίου, μὴ συμπαραλαμβάνειν τοῦτον he insisted (impf.) that they should not take him along[7]

3)       Paul seems to be looking at the 2nd missionary journey and the demands.

4)       He saw something more important at that moment than discipling Mark and insisted that they not take him.

c.        Who was right?

1)       Both.

2)       Dr. Custer notes, “Paul and Barnabas were wrong in assuming that God wanted them to go forth together.  It was God’s will that two teams go forth, one to Cyprus and one to Turkey and on to Europe.  But ‘sharp disagreement’ is not God’s method of guidance.”[8]

d.       Who was wrong? Both.

Questions: Has there ever been a time when you questioned or defended someone’s usefulness for ministry? Did you step back to try and see what God might be developing or did you wind up having a sharp disagreement? How have you pursued God’s will and unity in Christ since then?

Thursday>Read II Tim. 4:11, II Tim. 2:21, and Philemon 11.

E.       Point:  Mark stands at the crossroads needing encouragement.  One man makes all the difference.

II.      The Believer’s Encouragement makes an eternal difference (2 Tim 4:11).

A.      Encouragement makes others useful for the Gospel ministry.

1.       profitable: “pertaining to being of positive or good use—‘useful, valuable.’”[9]

2.       σκεῦος εὔ. τ. δεσπότῃ a vessel that is useful to the master 2 Ti 2:21.[10]

3.       See also Philemon 11 – Onesiphorus was at one time unprofitable but now is profitable to Paul and to Philemon.

Questions: Can you remember a time when someone spoke encouragingly to you or invited to minister in some way? How did being useful in ministry encourage you to further ministry?

Friday>Read II Tim. 4:11, I Pet. 5:13, and Acts 4:34-37.

B.      Encouragement ministered over time makes others useful for the Gospel ministry.

Who, besides his mother, Mary, contributed to Mark’s usefulness?

1.       Peter (1 Peter 5:13 “my son”)

a.       There was obviously a mentoring relationship.

b.       1 Peter indicates the Mark was with Peter in Rome in the early 60’s.  The letter was likely written around a.d. 65.

c.        They had apparently developed a close relationship in the years following the contention.

2.       Barnabas

a.       Acts 4:34-37 records a remarkable ministry of mercy.  Many in the church sold land and possessions in order to provide for the poor in Jerusalem.

b.       One particular man from Cyprus participated.  Acts 4:36 And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

c.        In a.d. 49 when Paul and Silas headed out for what is called the second missionary journey, Barnabas took Mark and went back to Cyprus.

d.       We do not know the details, but Barnabas is remembered for encouragement.  This is what he must have given Mark.

1)       How painful it must have been for Mark to learn that Paul insisted he not go on that second trip.

2)       How sobering it must have been to know that the great Apostle felt personally deserted.

3)       But how powerful must have been the action of Barnabas on his behalf to say, “I have considered this and you and believe there is yet something for the Kingdom to be mined from your caverns of your heart and soul.”

e.        Encouragement:

1)       Consolation, exhortation, urging

2)       Barnabas’ encouragement may have come in the form of confrontation.

3)       I have no doubt that the first missionary journey was discussed

4)       Point:  Barnabas was not only a man willing to exhort with the truth, but Mark was a man who was willing to receive that exhortation.

5)       Such giving and receiving of encouragement and exhortation ought to characterize every believer.

f.        He was a man who by words and deeds brought courage to the heart of John Mark.

g.        And his encouragement in the life of Mark is what God used to produce “usefulness.”

Questions: Who is God already using in profitable ministry to you or someone you know? Why not encourage the teacher, usher, nursery worker, meal provider, etc. through a word of appreciation?

Saturday>Consider I Cor. 1:26-31 and I Cor. 12:4-7.  Aren’t you encouraged that God uses normally unimpressive people by giving them desires and abilities for the benefit of others?

C.      What characterizes Mark’s usefulness?

1.       Immediate ministry.

a.       Col 4:10 indicates that by a.d. 60 there had been a reconciliation.  Mark is involved in ministry.

b.       2 Tim 4:11 indicates that Mark was being employed in significant church work.

2.       Authored the Gospel of Mark.

a.       Written from Rome in a.d. 67/68

b.       What is truly wonderful is the emphasis in the book on the teachings from Christ’s life and ministry concerning the believer’s bearing his cross as he follows Christ.

c.        8:34 & 10:21

d.       Mark not only understands who Jesus is, but what true discipleship means.

e.        The usefulness of Mark goes far beyond the immediate encouragement he would be to Paul as he sat in that Roman prison.

D.      Point:  The point of Mark’s testimony is not to make Mary, Barnabas, Peter or Paul to appear great, but to reveal the manifold wisdom of God.

1.       The same God who redeemed and renewed the blasphemer Paul has worked to redeem and renew the deserter Mark!

2.       And He did it through the encouragement of Barnabas.

3.       That same God is able today to redeem and renew your life from whatever blemishes your life and character.

4.       And He may be seeking to do it through the encouragement of someone around you.  Are you willing to listen?

5.       This same God is planning to redeem and renew a life very near to you.  And His desire is to use your encouragement to do it.  Are you listening to God’s leading?  Are you, like Barnabas, a son of consolation?

Questions: Prayerfully think on the questions in Section D above.

Sunday>Read all of II Timothy 4 in preparation for this morning’s message.

----

[1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[2]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament : Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (Vol. 1, Page 448). New York: United Bible societies.

[3]Custer, Stewart, Witness to Christ: A Commentary on Acts, 224.

[4]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A.

[5]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A.

[6]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A.

impf. imperfect

[7]Arndt, W., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (1996, c1979). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian (Page 78). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[8]Custer, 226.

[9]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A.

[10]Arndt, W., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W., & Bauer, W. (1996, c1979). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (Page 329). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.