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Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.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
-Our own efforts. “Each new day offers countless opportunities to serve God, to seek His will, and to obey His teachings. But each day also offers countless opportunities to stray from God’s commandments and to wander far from His path.” - Arterburn
-The work of God. Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
3. Redemption is Ongoing Grace
Paul and Barnabas didn’t get along sometimes. John Mark was a failed missionary at one point. Paul even calls himself the Chief of Sinners.
There’s not a person in this room who isn’t deeply in need of the grace of God.
-To overcome sin
-To know they are accepted and loved.
-To build a new life out of the rubble.
-To have strength to continue on the path.
-To help other people know they can make it.
Grace is everything. Romans 3:24 NLT “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”
Conclusion
Acts 28:28-31 - Paul spends the rest of his days in Rome until he meets with Nero and is executed for his faith.
Acts 28:28-31 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.??He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, ??proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
We have so much to learn from Apostle Paul and his willingness to be used by the Savior who redeemed him
The Chief of Sinners, Redeemed by the Savior of all.
“Consider this day a new beginning. Consider it a fresh start, a renewed opportunity to serve your Creator with willing hands and a loving heart. Ask God to renew your sense of purpose as He guides your steps. Today is a glorious opportunity to serve God. Seize that opportunity while you can; tomorrow may indeed be too late.”– Steve Arterburn
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Discussion Questions
1. What observations do you have about the conflict between Paul and Barnabas and how it might help us in conflicts with friends/believers today?
2. Just as Saul of Tarsus needed Barnabas to encourage him, so did John Mark. Who is someone that encouraged you in your Christian walk? What are some ways you can make the effort to be an encouragement in the lives of others?
3. John Mark’s mother was Mary. Their home was one of the main places for the Jerusalem church. Peter went there after getting out of prison (Acts 12:12).Wiersbe suggests it may have been the location of the last supper. If you grew up in a Christian home, what practice do you remember as being very important? How does that influence your home life today?
4. What efforts to grow spiritually are a part of your life? What has been the hardest thing to do consistently? What is one thing you would like to do better that you believe would help your spiritual life to grow?
5. Under house arrest, Paul seems to be at peace and content to give the message of salvation to any who came by to see him. How can one have peace in the middle of unhappy circumstances?
6. Mark’s recovery from a past mistake can encourage all who have failed and wondered if recovery was even possible. How can God sometimes use our failures to be a blessing ultimately?
7. In this brief study of Paul’s life, we have concentrated on his encounters with individuals. With which one did you identify the most / which encouraged you the most?
-Discern the true hope, encounter with Jesus
-Accept the Truth when you hear it, encounter with Ananias.
-Partner up to find encouragement, encounter with Barnabas
-Open your Heart to Jesus, encounter with Lydia.
-Decide Now to follow Jesus, encounter with Philippian Jailor
-Love Your Faith Family, encounter with Ephesian Elders
- Don’t Stop At Almost, encounter with King Agrippa
-Experience the beauty of redemption, encounter w/John Mark
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Resources
Arterburn, Stephen and David Stoop. The Life Recovery Devotional: Thirty
Meditations from Scripture for Each Step in Recovery. Tyndale, 1991
Barclay, William. The Daily Bible Study Series: The Gospel of Mark, Revised Edition.
Westminster Press, 1975.
Barker, William P. Everyone in the Bible. Fleming H. Revell Co., 1966.
Towner, Philip H. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series, 1-2 Timothy & Titus.
InterVarsity Press, 1994.
