Give Me Someone To Believe In

Acts 15:36-41

 


 The question of wether or not the Gentiles should have to be circumcised was just settled in Jerusalem some days before. After teaching, preaching and establishing this proper doctrine in Antioch(the hub of the Christian Church). Paul decides it is time to go and revisit some of the cities where they have previously preached to see how they are doing with this new Christianity. Also, with the decision from Jerusalem, it is important that he makes sure that circumcision is not being taught as a prerequsit to salvation.

  He mentions this to Barnabas and I am sure he agreed that it was time to take this trip. But, this is where their agreement ends.

 Barnabas wanted to take Mark with him but Paul feels he is unfit for the work. This creates a split between Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas goes on to his home in Cyprus with Mark never to be heard from in the book of Acts again, and Paul continues on his journey after chosing Silas as his help in the work.

  What was it about Mark that made him unprofitable to Paul and the work he needed to do?

He lacked faithfulness and dependability.

Why Silas? because he did not.

Lets compare Mark and Silas and see where you fit in.

 WHY NOT MARK?

             1. Maybe Fear?

                   Acts 13:13 is when Mark leaves the company of Paul and Barnabas and returns to Jerusalem. Perhaps he got a taste in Paphos of the resitance that this work could be met with. Perhaps Paul new that if times got tough he couldn't count on Mark not to turn tail and run.  God can't use someone who is full of fear.

He did not see things as the Psalmist. The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:6

  When serving God and doing his work we must not fear man only God.  Perhaps Mark did not remember the words of his savior when he said.

 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:4-5

   2. Maybe Selfishness?

       Perhaps Mark just wasn't happy with what he was doing and wanting to do something that would make him happy.
      Most people today would defend Mark and say everyone should do whatever makes them happy. In humanistic 1Corinthians Chapter 13

The Biblical oppisite of selfeshness is Charity or Selfless love.

 3. Maybe Undependable or Unfaithful?

          Perhaps he was spiritually imature and just couldn't be counted on. This is often the reason many people don't get called on to do more. You just cant trust that they will be there.  It is Impossible to rely on the unreliable. They will let you down again and again. If this where the case with Mark where would the church be if Paul decided to use him. Probally alot like many of our churches today who have alot of people that are undependable. EMPTY. If God cant count on you to at the very least to be there he certainly can't count you to work for him.

          Proverbs 20:6 says : Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

      Barnabas obiviosly argued that Mark was a good guy. Be that as it may, but if he had proven himself to be unfaithful he wasnt fit for the work. A ministry can only prosper if it is built upon truly faithful people. And the prosperity of that ministry is directly related to the faithfulness of its members. A Church cannot and will not prosper if it's members are not faithful. And you certainly cannot hold a position of athority unless you have been first found faithful.

      "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." 1Corinthians 4:1-2

Why Silas?

    Silas did not fear man. It was he that came as a witness to the church in antioch that the Gentiles did not need to be circumcised. He was selfless and exhorted the church in Antioch along with Judas surnamed Barsabas. He was found faithful to stay the course no matter the situation. Paul was wise in his selection because Silas was with him through thick and thin.

What about you?

    Are you more of a Mark or a Silas?

              Are you fearful or faithful?

              Are you Selfish or Selfless?

              Are you undependable or counted upon?

 Conclusion

             This story has a happy ending

    Mark eventually turned himself into someone whom Paul could trust with the work.  

 "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." 2Timothy 4:11

   If you thus far have been fickle, undependable, fearful, unfaithful, or selfish. Let your testimony take a new turn today and become Someone We Can Believe IN.