Paul wanted to go on a second missionary journey, to return the churches they had visited on the first journey.
• He shared the plan with Barnabas, who suggested taking John Mark with them again, and a quarrel broke out.
• Mark had travelled with them on the first journey (Acts 13:5 ‘as their helper’), but did not complete the journey with them; he left them halfway.
• Acts 13:13 “From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.”
Why did he left? We do not know. It could be because of the tiring journey, the many sacrifices he had to make in travelling from one place to another, and being their helper, or simply for a lack of commitment.
• Whatever the reason, it wasn’t good. Paul did not take it well. To him, Mark has failed them, and probably, failed God in making such a desertion.
• Paul was a tough and determined man - remember because he was converted, he was out beatings up and killing followers of Christ – and he has little sympathy for such weaknesses.
• Paul was not willing to let this failure follow them again on a second journey.
Barnabas was however, determined to take Mark on this second journey, and give him a second chance.
• We thank God for people like Barnabas. No wonder the early church called him, “son of encouragement”!
• Acts 4:36 “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)...”
In fact, he was the one who encouraged Paul when he first came.
• Acts 9:26-27 “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But 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.”
• It was Barnabas who stood by Saul when the church doubted him.
• We see here an older brother, with more experience of life, helping the younger ones adapt and learn, and grow in their faith and ministry - first with Saul, and now with John Mark.
That’s the wisdom of Barnabas – he saw the potential in a person. That’s what God sees in us, and that’s what we must see in each other.
• Barnabas took Mark and mentored him in their second mission work together. It takes faith and a willingness to say “I believe in you!”
What happened to Mark subsequently?
• We have no news of him until more than a decade later, when Paul mentioned him in Col 4:10 “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.)”
• Again in 2 Tim 4:11 near the end of Paul’s life: “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
• That’s over a decade after this critical remark in Acts 15. Mark was no longer a helper but a fellow worker (cf. Philemon 24 signing off with Mark as my fellow worker.)
Mark has changed, quite remarkable, because a Barnabas believed in him. Someone did not write him off when he failed.
• How do you feel if you failed and you are written off for good? Barnabas made that different in his cousin Mark.
• Change can come, and it comes through encouragement.
(1) KNOW THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT IN CHANGING LIVES
Think for a moment:
• When children make those first attempts at walking, what do they need? Encouragement.
• When someone is challenged to do something that may be slightly beyond his ability, what do we give him? Encouragement.
• What does a person struggling to cope with difficulties need? Encouragement.
• In a race, what do you give the runners? Encouragement.
What can really change a life? Encouragement.
• Think back on your own life, who are those who have made an impact in your life? They are usually those who have taken the time to encourage you.
• Yet very often, in relationships, we tend to look for faults and weaknesses. We do the direct opposite of what would bring change.
In fact, encouraging someone does not come naturally to most of us. We need to make an effort to say something good, to encourage and build somebody up.
• We can afford to do that more. Adopt the mindset of Barnabas. Affirm people and make a positive difference in their lives.
• William Arthur Ward, a Christian writer, says: “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
In 1896, Henry Ford attended a company event where Thomas Edison (the great inventor) was the guest of honour. His friend introduced him to Edison as "the man trying to make a car that runs on gasoline.”
Edison asked young Henry Ford a host of questions and when the talk was over, Edison banged his fist down on the table and said, "Young man, that’s the thing! You have it! Your car is self contained and carries its own power plant."
Years later, Ford, reflecting on their first meeting, said in a newspaper interview, "That bang on the table was worth worlds to me. No man up to then had given me any encouragement. I had hoped that I was headed right. Sometimes I knew that I was, sometimes I only wondered, but here, all at once and out of a clear sky, the greatest inventive genius in the world had given me complete approval. The man who knew most about electricity in the world had said that for the purpose, my gas motor was better than any electric motor could be."
Ford never forgot those words of encouragement. They became very close friends.
• That’s what can happen with a simple vote of confidence. 1 Thess 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”
• Tell someone, “I believe in you. You can do it. I’m behind you.”
• Ask this: “Is there a John Mark around here? Then am I willing to be a Barnabas.”
(2) KNOW THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CHANGING LIVES
God is in the business of changing lives. If you truly believe Him, then change is inevitable.
• Phil 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
• We will change, if you allow God to work in you. The Holy Spirit works in our heart and mind constantly.
Therefore invest in someone’s life. God can change it.
When we talk about investment, we usually think of things we can own like investing in stocks and properties.
• Barnabas chose to invest in lives – in Saul’s life and in John Mark’s life.
• Paul saw it as a disadvantage to have Mark with them again because he was less than dependable; he will not be an asset to the team.
• Barnabas saw more than these - he saw what Mark CAN BECOME. He has faith that Mark can change and grow beyond what they are seeing now.
Has someone ever believe in you that way? Are you glad that they did?
Then adopt this perspective – don’t see who a person is, but what he can become in Christ!
Barnabas has such a faith because he has faith in God. He has seen God changed lives – in Saul himself – and he wants to be a part of that great work.
• It would be so easy for him to decide to go with Paul and not insist on training Mark. That’s the easy way out.
• But Barnabas was willing to invest time and effort to train Mark. That’s our calling – make disciples!
His investments paid off. Not only did John Mark become a fellow worker with them in ministry (we noted that in Paul’s letters), he also wrote the Gospel of Mark (most likely). Tradition also credits him with the founding of a church in Alexandria, Egypt.
Do you know that you can make an influence in someone’s life?
• In fact, you are constantly making an influence – it’s just whether that is a good or bad influence.
In the past, I use to think that only older, elderly people can be mentors, because they have lived a longer life, richer in experience and knowledge.
• Later I got to read a book and it dawned upon me that every one of us can be ‘mentors’, because we are influencing all the time.
• A 14 year old can mentor a 6-year old kid. When you spend time playing and talking with them, you’re mentoring them. When you teach them how to cross the road, when to say THANK YOU, give up a seat for the elderly, or say a prayer to God, you are mentoring them.
Think about that. Even peer mentoring is taking place. You are constantly influencing people, either closer to or away from Christ.
• We do not need to be old to be an influence. You can mentor someone today. You can make an impact in someone’s life.
Conclusion
Let us response to God in two ways:
(1) We thank God for the Barnabas in our lives.
• We thank God for second chances! Your past failures don’t define you. God can change you, if you allow Him to.
• Are you someone who needs a second chance? Let God know today.
(2) We want to be a Barnabas in someone’s life.
• We can, if we are willing to let God use us.
• Is there someone that God has placed in your heart that you can encourage today?
• Who has God reminded you? Take note of that and act upon it this week.
