28-10 Vermenigvuldigen [08]

Divide to Multiply Acts 15:35-18:22 The Church was characterized by JOY, SIMPLICITY, and UNITY. These nouns ought to characterize our Church, but as we have seen more than once in Acts, these are the areas that Satan attempts to destroy. Two weeks ago we handled a threat to the doctrinal simplicity of the Church - a conflict arose. The end-result: a Jerusalem resolution that faith is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. No additional external rule of law required for salvation. You don’t need Judaism, you don’t need circumcision, you don’t need a rigorous set of laws or traditions… Christ’s accomplished work on the cross covers it all. Gospel math… Jesus plus nothing equals everything! But chapter 15 does not end on a high note. It does, but it doesn’t… as we will see this morning. A contention arises between Paul and Barnabas and the dream team separates. Barnabas essentially slips from the pages of Scripture into Cyprus and Paul goes to Europe with a new team. So what happened? And what may we learn? Division [15:35-41] Paul and Barnabas seem to be two peas in a pod. They had worked well together during their first missionary endeavour through Galatia and Pamphilia, and successfully defended the foundations of the gospel against the attack of the believing Pharisees. Paul suggests revisiting and strengthening the Churches that had been established. Paul says in one of his later letters that there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:28) Paul was deeply concerned for the faith of these young Churches and so he desires to return. Barnabas wants to take John Mark. And there’s the rub. John Mark had deserted them on the first missionary venture (Acts 13:13) and Paul didn’t want to chance it. Their contention leads to heated discussions, which leads to disagreement, which leads to hurt feelings, and Barnabas takes John Mark and sails to Cyprus. If that was the first time you read this… it’s not how you expected this paragraph to end. The question that always gets asked is: Who was right? There are some suggestions, but they always end up spiritualizing the text, which isn’t helpful. For instance, some suggest that Barnabas was more people-oriented, which Paul was mission-oriented. Possible, but the entire reason for this trip was Paul’s people-orientation (see verse 36). Others point out Barnabas’ focus on second chances, where Paul’s focus is on proven character. If there was anyone that understood second chances is was Paul… or should we call him Saul? Yet another suggestion is that Barnabas is blinded by family (John Mark is his cousin). I propose that was is happening here is something that we see more often in ministry: God has given Barnabas a new passion and wants to divide Paul and Barnabas so that the gospel might multiply greatly. In this respect, both men are right. And yet both men are wrong for allowing this Spirit-led change to have turned into a sharp disagreement and hurt feelings. We know that these men reconcile. Not in the pages of Scripture, but Paul calls John Mark “useful for ministry” and even commends him (Colossians 4). According to tradition Mark becomes Peter’s companion and writes the Gospel of Mark. But Paul would not have been able to write 3:13-15 if he had not reconciled with his friend. Multiplication [16-18:22] What we read next is that Paul picks Silas, is commissioned by the Church in Antioch, finds Timothy in Lystra and travels with this this team through Galatia and Pamphilia. They make their way to Troas, where they meet Dr. Luke (the tense of the narrative changes to we in 16:10). Paul receives his Macedonian call in a vision and this new team crosses over to modern Greece. Lydia is converted in Philippi together with a jailor, Jason in Thessalonica, Diodysius in Athens and Cryspus in Corinth. What’s interesting to notice is how Paul has learned a bit about division for multiplication, as he leaves Luke in Philippi (the narrative returns to second person plural in 16:40; cf. 20:13), leaves Silas in Berea and sends Timothy back to Thessalonica, while he goes on to Athens. Churches are established and strengthened and then they meet up again in Corinth, where a large Church develops and they spend a year-and-a-half there. What does this picture paint? The work of God multiplying… and let’s add Barnabas to this list… he goes to Cyprus. The gospel is spreading! It’s invigorating and exciting! And it proves that the Holy Spirit is at work… despite all of man’s “stuff.” We can even add Aquila and Priscilla to this list… they meet Paul in Corinth and follow him to Ephesus. They meet Apollos and they lead him to Christ and he gets sent to Corinth. People are ending up where God wants them. Three lessons >> God has a plan. Do you follow Him--even if others have a different passion? However, this is no license for harsh words or growing conflict. Conflict happens… that’s true, but that doesn’t mean we have license to hurt one anothers feelings. Colossians 3:13-15 is very helpful here. >> God leads. Do you ask where He wants to use you, though? It may not be where you thought… and are you willing, even when you need to say goodbye? >> God uses everything. Do you trust him through human conflict, the ups and downs and even suffering? God uses it all to multiply his message. You know, the same word for “sharp disagreement” is used in Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” So, I guess we have a choice… do we passionately pursue God and stir up disagreements? Or do we stir up love and good works in others… because there is our calling: discipleship. Investing in others.