DON'T RUN MINISTRY WITH CARNAL SENTIMENTS! (PART 1)
"36 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. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." - Acts 15:36-41
I have endeavored to cite these verses of Scriptures in full, that we may have a balanced view of events that transpired among these brethren, Paul, Barnabas, Silas and John Mark. Great men of God they were, prominent early Church apostles they were, but something happened amongst them, from which, God helping us, we would be able to learn the proper principles to run the Church, ministry or rather, the work of God in our care.
Firstly, let me mention from the outset that Apostle Paul was a man of mighty accomplishments, he was greatly used by God. Nevertheless, he owed Barnabas much acknowledgement because at the beginning of Paul's ministry, it was difficult for the early Church to accept him, but for the persuasive efforts of Barnabas (Acts 9:26-28) From that point in Church history, Barnabas took the lead and Paul was in second fiddle position. At that time, the mention of their names as they worked for the Lord was in the order of "Barnabas and Paul" (Acts 11:30,12:25,13:1,2,7) Again, when they both went to Jerusalem to seek the opinion of the Apostles and the Church elders on the question of the necessity to circumcise the Gentiles believers, the prominence of the two brethren was also in the same order "Barnabas and Paul" (Acts 15:12)
Our text for the day tells us that soon after the council of Jerusalem as aforementioned, "... 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." (Acts 15:36). On this journey, Barnabas was determined to take John Mark with them, while Paul disagreed because the latter had
" ... departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work." (Acts 15:38). Acts 13:13 tells us that " ... John departing from them returned to Jerusalem." We are told that " ... the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God." (Acts 15:39-40)
Apostle Paul probably had reasons to not have John Mark go with them. To him, John Mark had shown no dedicated commitment to ministry at a time when such was mostly needed from him. He left the field for Jerusalem, for no tangible reasons. Paul's fear was probably that with such antecedent, John Mark couldn't be a trusted partner in ministry with the fear that perhaps, in the future, for flimsy excuse, he could again abandon the work! But Barnabas felt otherwise, insisting that John Mark could go with them. The Bible says that the " ... contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, ... " (Acts 15:39)
Interestingly, Colossians 4:10 reveals that John Mark was Barnabas’ nephew (being his sister’s son). Could Barnabas' insistence and eventual choice of John Mark be faulted on the ground of nepotism? In other words, was Barnabas' action in this matter based on kinship considerations and if so, can we rightly fault him for running the ministry with filial sentiments? Like Apostle Paul, shouldn't Barnabas have seen the obvious lapse in John Mark's attitude to ministry? Are you a Church leader that would shut your eyes to obvious adverse ministerial lapses in a candidate and for carnal sentiments, go ahead to appoint such a fellow to office?
Some are of the view that Barnabas action was a mistake and a costly one at that. To them, he was guilty of allowing kinship or relational sentiments to affect his choice of a partner in ministry. In support of this preposition, it is often remarked that Barnabas choice of John Mark as aforesaid, marked the end of the mention of the person and the works of Barnabas in the book of Acts of the Apostles. Let’s beware please! From that point onward, it is said that Barnabas went into oblivion and irrelevance as far as heaven was concerned. This appears so because the Holy Spirit made sure that focus wasn't on him or his work anymore!
Mention is made of where Barnabas and John Mark went to. The Bible says that they “sailed unto Cyprus” - Acts 15:39. From that moment of their separation from Paul, and as far as the Book of Acts of the Apostles is concerned, the Heavenly focus shifted from Barnabas and John Mark to Paul and Silas. Indeed, as far as it relates to the Book of Acts of the Apostles, no mention was made anymore of both Barnabas and John Mark. I believe that the shift of focus and attention to Paul and Silas thenceforth wasn't ordinary. Was it that Barnabas and John Mark were not "busy for God" in Cyprus? Of course, they were! The issue is simply that care must be taken for one not to be busy for God under principles that are unacceptable to Heaven! It can be disastrous and eventually a wasted effort, one with no consequence whatsoever!
Today, so many Church leaders are losing Heavenly recognition on similar ground by running ministry with carnal sentiments. The danger in this is that, like Barnabas and John Mark, the Heavenly approval or otherwise of their work is not revealed to them then, but much later, most probably on the Judgement day. Today, you and I are fortunate to read the Bible to know what Barnabas didn't know about his actions. The Bible says that "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid." (1 Timothy 5:24).
Another thing worthy of mention here is that Acts 15:40 shows us that Paul and Silas took sail to their destinations, “being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” This is powerful! I want to note that the recommendation by the brethren of Paul and Silas unto the grace of God wasn’t enjoyed by Barnabas and John Mark. It seemed as though the Church took notice of Barnabas wrong in the choice of John Mark and couldn't bless it with prayers. Any wonder that the approval of Heaven was bestowed on Paul and Silas and not on Barnabas and John Mark?
As a Church leader, the Church membership may not be willing to counter some of your decisions, but instead, they have recourse to praying to God for His intervention. Let's beware! Any wonder that the work of God is stifled, and goes on with little progress?
As the Lord tarries, be on the lookout for the Part 2 of our discussion.
Meanwhile, have a beautiful day!
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, you have placed in my hands the responsibility of running your ministry. Help me to do it in a manner pleasing unto you, not with carnal sentiments, in Jesus name.