DON'T RUN MINISTRY WITH CARNAL SENTIMENTS! (PART 2)
"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(KJV)
This is part 2 in the series. For a good understanding of what is being said, you may need to refer to part 1 in the series which was published on the 11th of November, 2021 by following this link : https://wordfortoday.netlify.app/ .
Our main text, Acts 16:36-41 which we have fully cited above gives us a detailed background of the sharp contention that arose between Apostles Paul and Barnabas on whether John Mark should accompany them to the mission field. Eventually, while Apostle Paul chose Silas, Apostle Barnabas chose John Mark as field companions.
We had in part 1 of this series argued that Barnabas' choice of John Mark was fraught with carnal sentiments as we were able to prove that John Mark was his nephew, who had earlier proved himself to be an unreliable mission partner. While Apostle Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, Barnabas and John Mark sailed unto Cyprus.
No doubt, Barnabas and John Mark went to do ministry work in Cyprus. No doubt again, they ministered the Word of God and did other things like signs and wonders in Cyprus or in other places that they went to; yet their labor wasn’t considered by Heaven to be accounted as something worthy of mention in the Holy Scriptures. In Cyprus, to where they sailed and probably wherever else later that they went, men probably applauded them, praised their work, honored them, held them in high esteem, looked unto them as leaders of the work; but not so by Heaven. If Heaven had considered their work, whatever it was, to be significant and worthy of note, mention of it would’ve been made in the Holy Script.
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!
All of these were the consequences of Barnabas' choice of his nephew for ministry, in spite of opposition to that effect by Apostle Paul (Acts 15:39). By implication therefore, it may be safely said that those who do ministry work with sentiments such as nepotism, favoritism, tribalism, hatred, bitterness, unforgiving spirit, etc, should learn from this that, though they may do great work before men, though men may recognize, appreciate or applaud them or their miraculous work, they are treading on the path fraught with Heavenly disapproval and displeasure!
Let's not forget the man Moses in Num 20:7-13. God had instructed Moses to speak to the rock for water, but in disobedience, he struck the rock twice rather than speaking to it.
Before Israel, Moses did a miracle, the people had their needs met, but it was at the displeasure of the Lord! Heaven was against Moses! The Israelites hailed and applauded Moses, but God was angry with him!
Imagine a man like Barnabas in Cyprus! In the first place, he came from Cyprus (Acts 4:36). Besides, during Paul's first missionary journey, he had been there (Acts 13:4). He was an Apostle of no mean status in the days of the early Church. In Cyprus where the Scripture tells us that he went together with John Mark (Acts 15:39), the tendency was that he was held in very high esteem by men; but not so much by Heaven as to let us have a record of his ministry in that place. Heaven, from the moment he made the choice of John Mark as partner in the work, shifted focus from him to Paul and Silas! What a pity? What do we learn from this? First, don't do God's work under satanic principles. Tribalism, favouritism, nepotism and the like are satanic principles. Secondly, don't weigh your worth by the accolades and applause of men! There's nothing as deceptive as that. Mens' approval shouldn't be interpreted as God's approval. It's trite that satan's purposes will be fully served when a man does God's work under satan's principles. Again, there should never ever be a place for tribalism, nepotism or favoritism in Church work!
There’s a portion of the Scriptures that begs for attention in this regard. It’s 2Kings 20:14!
“Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon.”
Let me give a brief background of what transpired between King Hezekiah and Prophet Isaiah. God had healed king Hezekiah of a terminal illness. Then,
"... Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon." - 2 Kings 20:12-14 (KJV)
From the statement of Prophet Isaiah in verse 14 above cited, it is obvious that it's a matter of what is being said before the nativity of who said it. This is the Divine or Heavenly order! Under this order, men will listen and approve of you simply on the basis of what you say before considering where you come from. But the naive and parochial reverse is frequently now the case. It is now sadly the matter of nativity first before what is being said. In other words, men consider who you are, where you come from before considering what you have to say or to offer.
As the Lord tarries, we shall take on the concluding part of the series next time.
Do have a great day!
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, in governing your Church, in doing the work assigned to me in ministry, I refuse to be led by carnal sentiments as I relate with others, in Jesus mighty name.