“A Long Road Of Service”
Acts 12:25 - 13:13
When describing the faith of a believer in Christ it should be explained that although we are in a race; it is not a sprint but a marathon.
Don't Quit (By: Edgar Albert Guest 1920’s)
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst, you must not quit.
Often days are long and nights seem short.
The roads seem endless and danger is all around us, even today.
Yet we find our text today filled with inspiration.
I. The Completion On The Trip
Acts 12:25 “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
We find the return after they had taken the relief to Jerusalem and a note that John Mark had joined them in the trip.
He was a cousin of Barnabas.
We find John/Mark several times in the New Testament but prominently John/Mark is the author of “Mark” which is written to the Roman believers and is the account from the eyes of Peter whom John/Mark traveled with.
II. The Calling On The Trip
Acts 13:1-3 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
We so often hear the testimony of an individual that they “Surrendered to the ministry.”
I find it interesting here that it was not Barnabas nor Saul that declared their calling, but rather it was others who, while fasting, found direction from the Holy Ghost to send Barnabas and Saul out on this first journey to plant churches.
And laid their hands on them, they sent them away. - This was not an ordination because Saul was ordained by God and not by man.
Rather it was a prayer time, sending them out with blessings and the backing of the church in Antioch.
Just an observation: God calls into His service those who are walking in obedience to the Word Of God.
III. The Consent On The Trip
Acts 13:4-5 “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”
Departed unto Seleucia - This city was situated at the mouth of the river Orontes, where it fails into the Mediterranean. Antioch was connected with the sea by the Orontes River.
At this time they sailed up the river in one day; the distance from Antioch to Seleucia by water is about 41 miles, while the journey by land is only 12-16 miles.
They sailed to Cyprus - An island in the Mediterranean, not far from Seleucia.
And when they were at Salamis - This was the principal city and seaport of Cyprus. It was located on the southeast part of the island.
In the synagogues of the Jews - Jews were living in all the countries adjacent to Judea, and in those countries they had synagogues. The apostles uniformly preached first to them.
Why the synagogues and to the Jews?
Romans 9:1-5 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
Saul had a burning desire that the Gospel message would reach the very heart of his people and that they would understand their need of salvation and not traditions.
And they had also John to their minister - John Mark
IV. The Confusion On The Trip
Acts 13:6-8 “And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.”
Bar-jesus - The word “Bar” is Syriac, and means “son.” Jesus (Joshua) was not an uncommon name among the Jews. The name was given from his father - son of Jesus, or Joshua
Notice the desire to hear the Word Of God.
A deep longing to find truth
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) - Elymas the magician.
Elymas is the interpretation, the word rendered “the sorcerer.”
It is an Arabic word.
Withstood them - to set one’s self against, resist, or oppose
The Bible is so clear about those who choose to cause disruption to the Gospel message:
1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
James 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
To turn away the deputy from the faith - To prevent the influence of the truth on his mind; or to prevent his becoming the friend and patron of the Christians; perhaps even following into salvation.
V. The Confrontation On The Trip
Acts 13:9-11 “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.”
O full of all subtilty and all mischief - The word “subtilty” denotes “deceit and fraud,”
The word rendered “mischief” speak of “of acting,” and then “sleight of hand; sly;, cunning arts.
Child of the devil - Under his influence; practicing his arts; promoting his designs by deceit
Enemy of all righteousness - Practicing deceit and iniquity
Any person who lives by lies against TRUTH will be opposed to the truth and should be called “Enemy of all righteousness”
VI. The Confirmation On The Trip
Acts 13:12 “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.”
Then the deputy ...believed - Was convinced that Elymas was an impostor, and that the doctrine of Paul was true.
Salvation is still the opening of one’s eyes to the truth that Jesus is who he said and did what He was called to do; pay for my sin and your sin.
VII. The Changes On The Trip
Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”
And John departing from them ... - Why he departed from them is unknown.
“When the Bible is silent so shall we be.”
It was enough that Paul did not want John/Mark to go with them again.
Acts 15:36-40 “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
Conclusion:
Salvation is still the path unto life, not religion nor religious acts.
Being sent by God does not mean there will not be problems.
After one has fallen, there is still God of another chance.
John/Mark did not give up nor did Barnabas.
How close are you to the LORD?
I would recommend a very close walk with the LORD.
