Experience The Beauty Of Redemption Series

Life Lessons from the Chief of Sinners

The Beauty of Redemption

Introduction

The Chief of Sinners understands redemption both personally in Christ and in his relationships with other believers. Acts 15:37-40 offers an interesting account of the missionaries Paul and Barnabas planning their next journey.

Acts 16:37-40 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.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.

Barnabas, the son of encouragement, wants to bring along John Mark. Paul rejects that idea - evidently John Mark had been on the previous journey and had left to come home early. Paul and Barnabas decide to go their separate ways and Paul chooses Silas to travel with him. Many years later in 2 Timothy 4:11 Paul is near the end of his life. He writes to Timothy and asks him to bring John Mark to him - because he is “useful”. "Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry."

The Chief of Sinners asks for the failed missionary to come and see him - both of them redeemed by the love of Jesus. As we have followed the life of Paul, we see the redemptive love of Jesus throughout his ministry.

Life Lessons from the Chief of Sinners

-Discern the true hope found in Jesus

-Accept the Truth when you hear it, as Saul did.

-Partner up to find encouragement, as Barnabas did

-Open your Heart to Jesus as Lydia did.

-Decide Now to follow Jesus, Philippian Jailor

-Love Your Faith Family, Paul loved the Ephesian Elders

-Don’t Stop At Almost, like King Agrippa did.

-Experience the beauty of redemption.

1. Redemption is the Healing of Broken Places

We do not know what really happened with John Mark on that missionary journey. Commentators label him as a ‘quitter’, ‘afraid’, ‘inexperienced’, and a ‘failure’. Early church father Chyrsostom said he went home because he wanted his mother! I wonder if the people of his own day spoke of him that way or regarded him that way. It certainly wasn’t a secret that Paul rejected him as a missionary partner.

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas wasn’t just a minor opinion difference. Translations use the term ‘sharp disagreement’, ‘serious argument’ (NCV)‘contention’ (NKJV), ‘dissension’ (DRA).

Whether it’s John Mark’s weakness or Paul’s inability to bridge a disagreement - or whatever it is that is broken in your life - Redemption is the healing of the broken places.

The Bible is not a book of stories of perfect people. Every one of the heroes of the Bible was someone who struggled with something - sometimes very significant things.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

More often than not, when something looks like it’s the absolute end, it is really the beginning. – Charles Swindoll

2. Redemption is Growth into Potential / Strengths

What did Mark become? (Barclay)

Mark was the son of a well-to-do lady of Jerusalem named Mary. Her house was a meeting place of the early church (Acts 12:12). Mark was brought up in the center of Christian fellowship. Mark was also the nephew of Barnabas - why he was along for the first missionary journey, and why Barnabas chose him over Paul in their disagreement.

After Barnabas and Mark take off on their journey, he vanishes from history. When he re-emerges, it is in the most surprising way. Colossians 4:10 "Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way."

We already noted that at the end of his days, Paul desires Mark to come to see him. More, we have Mark’s Gospel. It is the earliest of all the gospels, written just shortly after Peter died around A.D. 65. It embodies the record of what Peter preached and taught about Jesus. All ancient traditions agree that Mark died a martyr.

Remember that you are always on track for Growth. "No man need stay the way he is." – Harry Emerson Fosdick

John Mark’s story reminds us that we are all becoming something.

What elements can help us grow as we need to?

-The efforts of those who influence us. “Mark's life had its "hiccups." But by God's grace and with the help of Christian leaders willing to allow for growth and willing to forgive, his story became one of success.” Towner