#BibleStudy. Expressions of Faith. Acts Ch 15. Trouble!

Trouble!

³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

 Acts 15:37-39 

Today’s title could be misleading.

• Jail terms, stoning, and executions experienced by the early Christian community were all trouble.

Luke reports the first episode of internal strife severe enough to change leadership’s plans in the early church.

• Barnabas, known for his encouraging nature, and Paul, the emerging leader, cannot agree on the fate of John Mark.
• Paul prevails. 
• Silas becomes his traveling companion.

I’m convinced that Paul and Barnabas both presented valid points in their discussion.

• To his credit, Barnabas chooses to accept Paul’s decision and heads out on a mission trip of his own with Mark.

In retrospect, it seems like Paul’s position was more closely aligned with God’s will at that moment.

• However, the lesson here isn’t about right or wrong in terms of the decision.
• The lesson to take away focuses on
• Paul’s neither demeaning nor defaming Barnabas.
• Barnabas not sniping at Paul as time passed.

Too often in today’s church disagreements like this one, or even of lesser importance drag congregations into episodes of defamation or character assassination.

When was the last time you disagreed with someone to the extent that Paul and Barnabas disagreed?

What was the issue?

• Did you move on like Paul and Barnabas or did you harbor ill will for a time . . . maybe even until now?
• Did you notice there is no mention of praying for guidance by either Paul or Barnabas during this disagreement?

That’s not like the early church.

The upshot of difficult situations is that not that God saves us from them, but through them!

• If you’ve never had a situation like this, pray a prayer of thanks to God.
• If you need to move on from a situation like this, pray and ask God for grace and forgiveness.

Don’t let a time of trouble derail your ministry!

Express Your Faith this Week

• Pray every day. Ask God to reveal what your reactions—how you react—in times of disagreement reveals about your heart. Be specific about at least one time of disagreement.
• Think. What is something in your current situation you could (should!) take to God in prayer for wisdom and direction? What should your heart attitude be in relating to the people involved? How would an attitude of gratitude on your part change your actions in these situations?
• Do. Write a prayer either a) giving thanks now you see how God helped you “think outside the box” in a situation like Barnabas and Paul’s or b) asking for help by giving you the proper heart attitude in a situation you are experiencing.
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