53 Acts 15:36-41 Pride and Providence

September 08, 2024

Christopher C. Freeman

Title: Pride and Providence Text: Acts 15:36-41 FCF: We often struggle disagreeing with mercy and grace and pursuing unity with one another. Prop: Though God providentially uses even our sinful disagreements over upright things, even so we must pursue unity in truth and love. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 15. In a moment we’ll read starting in verse 36 from the Legacy Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or in the version you prefer. There is no question that Luke is beginning a new section in his book with this text. However, the themes that begin this new section connect in a contrasting way to what we have been discussing for the last 6 chapters. In the last six chapters we’ve seen the slow build of the church mission to advance beyond the Jews and go to even pagan gentiles. In culmination of that gospel work the Jerusalem council delivers the definitive word on the subject of the Jewishness of the New Covenant. In short, those who are united to Christ by true faith are not of any one specific culture or background. Christ has fulfilled the law and therefore Gentiles need not keep the ceremonial law. But they must submit to the law of Christ and love one another and strive for unity and peace. As Luke moves on now to the second missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, the theme of unity and peace remains – but sadly - with the inverse outcome. Two of the godliest people who were currently setting fire to the world with the gospel of Christ now succumb to disunity over a matter that did not require it. To transition us to the second missionary journey of Paul, Luke provides a cautionary tale on the heels of the great success story of the Jerusalem council. It would be wise for us to take heed. So let us stand to honor and focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Father, we know that those whom you have united by true faith to your Son, are declared righteous in your heavenly court based on the substitution of Christ for us. But we also know that although we are declared to be righteous and treated as sons and daughters, and although sin’s penalty has been paid for us, and although sin’s power over us has been broken – we know well that though you call us saints, which is certainly true, we yet remain, for now, sinners also. We recognize that unless we are busy about the work of killing sin, then sin will be busy about the work of killing us. Spirit of the living God, help us learn from the poor examples of these spiritual giants. And help us to be better. Help us to see your hand of providence in all things. Teach us today we pray in your precious Son’s name. Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] In a discussion with my daughter this week, we asked her how she might engage in battling the selfish temptations of her heart. She replied that she could ignore the impulses within her to be selfish. I said, that in theory this makes sense. But in reality this will not work. I told her that if two armies stood on the battlefield and one fired a round of machine gun bullets at the other and the other decided to simply ignore them, hoping they’d just go away… who would win? She replied that the ones shooting would win. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against intelligent evil both from outside of us and from within us. And no matter how mature in Christ you become, the moment you stop fighting… is the moment you leave yourself open to a terrible defeat. Today, in the afterglow of a wonderful story of the church preserving unity and peace… we have a story of war and division. But even in the mist of this there is hope. Let them hear who have ears to hear. I.) Godly people can come to two upright but different conclusions, even so we must pursue unity in truth and love. (36-38) a. [Slide 3] 36 - Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” i. Paul and Barnabas clearly spend a good deal of time in Antioch of Syria. ii. It makes sense. They spent an entire year there preaching together. iii. They were sent out from the church in Antioch of Syria on their first missionary journey. iv. In other words, there is quite a history here. No doubt we could see Antioch of Syria as their home church or sending church. v. The elapsing of time also helps us to smooth over the difficulty we have with Silas suddenly being present in Antioch after leaving for Jerusalem. vi. Since it seems that many days separated the delivery of the Jerusalem council’s decision and the events recorded here, Silas could have made his way back to Antioch at some point. vii. Paul, no doubt feeling the tug of the Spirit, desires greatly to check in with all the churches they had set up on their previous missionary journey. viii. We don’t know how long it has been, but it is safe to say that it has at least been a couple years. ix. Paul is often known as a great evangelist but he is more than that. Although not an original apostle of the twelve, he certainly is a commissioned one of Christ. He has the zeal of an evangelist, the credentials of an apostle, and the heart of a Pastor. x. He desires to not only preach the gospel to those who have never heard, but to ensure the spiritual growth of those who are believers. b. [Slide 4] 37 - And Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. i. Barnabas seems to be in full agreement with Paul that they should go back to these cities. ii. However, Barnabas desires to take John, called Mark, along with them. iii. We remember that on the first missionary journey, they did take John Mark with them for the first leg of the journey in Cyprus. iv. John Mark is the son of a woman named Mary in Jerusalem whose home was a meeting place for the church. v. In Colossians 4, we see Paul mention that Mark is Barnabas’s cousin. vi. This helps us to make sense of why Barnabas might have wanted to take John Mark the first time and to take him again now. vii. Of course, there is a piece of information we have omitted from this discussion of John Mark, isn’t there. viii. Yes… and it is the reason that Paul is not keen on the idea to take John Mark. c. [Slide 5] 38 - But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. i. Here we see that Paul did not think Mark was a good choice. ii. The word translated “kept insisting” has the idea of counting something worthy or deserving. iii. In other words, Paul thought that this was not wise to take this man with them. Why? 1. First, because he had already deserted them once. a. If we remember after they left Cyprus, and once they landed in Pamphylia, John Mark went home to Jerusalem. b. Luke so far has not really revealed to us why Mark left. c. Here Paul says that he deserted them, which is the same word used for apostasy. d. Luke’s usage of this word to describe Paul’s thoughts on the matter reveal that Paul did not think John Mark’s reasons for going home were honorable. e. And if he deserted them once, he could do so again. 2. Secondly Paul focuses on the work itself of preaching and teaching the gospel to those who had never heard. a. John Mark did not go with them to do this work. b. He is unfamiliar with the people on the second leg of the missionary journey because he did not feel that they were more important than his reason for leaving and returning home to Jerusalem. c. What other priorities would John Mark place in front of the ministry? iv. But before we assume that Paul’s argument is the only valid one, let us look at Barnabas’ side. 1. So far, Barnabas has been the poster child for sticking up for people who no one wanted to be around. 2. He did this for the less fortunate when he sold his estate and gave it to the apostles to give to the poor. 3. He did this for Paul himself, when none of the church in Jerusalem wanted anything to do with him - Barnabas took him to the apostles and vouched for him. 4. Although he faltered slightly in declining to eat with the gentile Christians, he quickly rebounded and helped Paul to defend the cause of freedom from the ceremonial law of Moses for the Gentiles. 5. It seems as though Barnabas is doing what he always does. And His track record, thus far, has never faltered. Every person and every cause he has stuck his neck out for, has prospered. 6. Perhaps John Mark has repented of his desertion? Perhaps he is ready now to go on such a journey? v. So, who is right? Should they take Mark? Should they not take Mark? 1. The question is difficult because we don’t have all the information, but we have to think that this should not be so great a matter that they cannot solve it. 2. I mean the church just came together in unity regarding the proper place of the ceremonial law as applied to Gentile Christians. 3. If the church can do that… it seems like Barnabas and Paul can figure out whether they should take John Mark or not. Right? 4. Maybe there is a compromise in here where they take Mark and someone else? 5. Maybe Paul can meet with John Mark and explain his hesitations and see if John has changed? 6. Maybe they could cast lots? 7. Maybe Barnabas could spend some time in prayer waiting for unity. 8. Maybe Paul should trust Barnabas who has a knack for supporting those who no one else supports. 9. Maybe Barnabas should trust Paul who has the mission and the gospel burning in his heart. vi. We have the two sides of the argument. vii. Both sides have good reasons and there is no clear indication to us of either being more wrong or right. viii. But before we see if they can work it out, let’s draw some teaching and application from this so far. d. [Slide 6] Summary of the Point: Luke continues to deliver the realistic view of the early church in that it was not always peace and harmony. Sometimes there were disagreements. He has already several times when disagreement occurs. But here today, we see another disagreement arise on something as simple as who would be joining Paul and Barnabas on a follow up trip to the churches they had established only a few years prior. Although a simple matter we see both Paul and Barnabas have upright and good arguments for what should be done. So, what must happen next? The same thing that happened at the Jerusalem council. They must pursue unity in truth and love. They must selflessly seek the Lord and the love of one another to do this. We have already observed several things that they could have done toward that end. But of course, many times, it is easier for us to find solutions to problems that are not ours. May we be quick to find solutions to our own disagreements with others who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Transition: [Slide 7 (blank)] So what happens? How do Paul and Barnabas resolve their dispute? Unfortunately… it is not well. II.) God, in His providence, uses even the sin of men to further the gospel of Christ, Even so we must pursue unity in truth and love. (39-41) a. [Slide 8] 39 - And there was such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. i. If you had never read this passage before, and if we did not read it this morning to introduce the text of the sermon… I don’t think you’d ever see verse 39 coming. ii. After reading all that Paul and Barnabas had been through. After Barnabas vouched for Paul, after Barnabas went to Tarsus to hunt Paul down and bring him to Antioch so they could minister there for a year, after they toiled in Cyprus and Southern Galatia facing grave persecution and even beatings and a stoning. After this Jerusalem council where they stood shoulder to shoulder representing the gospel of grace and freedom in Christ. iii. If this was my first time reading this – I think I would be completely stunned. iv. And to be honest, even though it isn’t my first time reading this… I am still deeply saddened. v. Although some scholars attempt to paper over this and make it seem like an insignificant spat… vi. I believe Barnabas and Paul were sinfully prideful here. vii. They have fallen into Satan’s snare. If the forces of darkness cannot get you to divide over faith and practice, they will get you to divide over a trivial matter which is relatively amoral by tempting you to fight for your opinion in an ungodly way. viii. Paul and Barnabas had elevated each of their positions to a matter of principle. They have entrenched themselves and argued themselves into corners to where they could no longer back down nor could they compromise. ix. We look at this situation and ask… x. Neither of them would budge? Really? xi. Neither of them could find a way to get around this issue? xii. Is this a gospel issue? Is this a matter of Essentials here? xiii. I do not believe Luke records this merely as a segue to get to the next missionary journey. xiv. Instead, I believe Luke records this as realistic look at the church. That despite the unity around truth and love that was achieved at the Jerusalem council… even great missionaries like Barnabas and Paul are still sinners wrestling with their own arrogance and selfishness. xv. Only a short time ago they told a crowd of worshippers that they were mere men like them possessing the same nature that they had. xvi. Here they prove that statement to be true. xvii. My friends this is a tragedy. This is heartbreaking. xviii. As UP as we were for the great compromise earlier in this chapter… this is a dark DOWN for the church. xix. But… God still uses it. xx. God in His providence uses the sin of these men to divide one missionary endeavor into two. xxi. That doesn’t remove the responsibility of these men who were unable to set aside their pride and come to an agreement. xxii. But it does give us comfort that our God can make magnificence from our mess. xxiii. Luke records for us that Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus. xxiv. This is the last time that Luke mentions Barnabas in the book of Acts. b. [Slide 9] 40 - But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. i. Here we see Silas is back in Antioch. ii. In comparing the two statements about Barnabas and Paul’s departure, we notice some interesting details. 1. We do know that Cyprus is how Barnabas and Paul began their first missionary journey. So, it appears that Barnabas is retracing their steps chronologically. 2. We know that Barnabas and probably John Mark are originally from Cyprus. So, they are going home in a way. 3. In comparison to what we read in verse 40, Barnabas is not said to have gone with a commissioning of the brothers or with the grace of the Lord. 4. Luke leaves Barnabas for good and focuses on Paul and his missionary journeys for the rest of the book of Acts. iii. With all these details we may be tempted to conclude that Luke is siding with Paul and sees Barnabas in error on this issue. iv. However, I have some counter points to that thought. 1. This is a book inspired by the Holy Spirit. And since the greater context of the New Testament indicates to us that Barnabas was actually right… Mark becomes a very spiritual and useful figure in the church – aiding Peter and Paul and writing one of the four synoptic gospels, perhaps even the first one, we can conclude that Luke who writes several years later, is probably not showing Barnabas to be wrong. 2. Just because Barnabas is not said to have gone with the commissioning of the brothers or the Lord’s grace does not mean he has neither of those. 3. The comment about the commissioning of the brethren applied toward Paul could just as easily indicate that Luke thought Paul was wrong and had to assure Theophilus that despite his stubbornness, the church still commissioned him to his mission. But I don’t think Luke is supporting either of these missionaries… in reality. 4. Luke is merely transitioning from Paul’s time with Barnabas to his time with other companions. One of which will be Luke himself. c. [Slide 10] 41 - And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. i. Here we notice that Paul went the opposite direction as Barnabas. ii. He did not revisit Cyprus at all and chose to go the back way through the gates of Cilicia to get to Southern Galatia to Derbe and Lystra. iii. Paul also went home first, visiting Cilicia whose primary city would have been Tarsus, his home. iv. It is interesting that both missionaries after having a selfish dispute which led to division, went home first. v. In the process of this, he and Silas strengthened the churches that he had helped in these places. d. [Slide 11] Summary of the Point: In Luke’s effort not to guild the lily, we arrive at an uncomfortable and unfortunate point that is not without its silver lining. The dark cloud of the matter is that even the godliest, most Christlike, most graced and used believers, are still merely human and thus are sinners. Here we see both Paul and Barnabas insisting on their own way rather than seeking unity and peace in truth and love. But the silver lining in all this, is that God’s sovereign providence has used even their pride for His glory and the furtherance of the gospel ministry. Now two missions go out instead of one. More people are being trained up for the work of the ministry. But even though God does work things out for our good and His glory… that should not soften the imperative for us to pursue unity and peace with one another through truth and love. God working things out is not the liberty we need to run roughshod over each other and insist on our own way. We are all responsible for our actions even when God uses them to accomplish His greater purposes. So, we must pursue unity and peace through truth and love. Conclusion: So, what have we learned today, CBC, and how should it change how we live? Doctrinal Takeaway: [Slide 12] Luke shows us a realistic picture of the early church. He does not hide the sometimes-ugly details. He didn’t hide Annanias and Sapphira. He didn’t hide the widows being neglected. He didn’t hide the Jerusalem council. And he didn’t hide Paul and Barnabas’ disagreement. In his realistic view, he shows that godly people can arrive at two upright conclusions that are seemingly incompatible. This is possible. Barnabas and Paul both had great and upright reasons for taking or not taking John Mark. Unfortunately, this situation also shows us that even godly people reaching godly conclusions can defend those conclusions in ungodly ways. We are shocked to see both Paul and Barnabas caught up in such a small matter. And yet… here we are. And even though the Lord in His providence used this for His glory, it remains a cautionary tale for us. One that requires that we intentionally and purposefully pursue unity with one another. That we be makers of peace. That in truth and in love, we strive to be of one heart and mind and not separate over things that do not matter. But let me enter into a more practical discussion especially as it relates to the Lord’s Supper today and our impending fellowship together around the Lord’s Table. 1.) [Slide 13] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must believe that God uses even our failures to further His Kingdom. a. Let me do a little logic with you to prove this point. i. Do we believe that God is all powerful, omnipotent? Yes. Why? Genesis 18:14 asks is anything too hard for God of which the response is the implied… NO! This and literally hundreds of other verses attest to His omnipotence. ii. Do we believe that God is all knowing, omniscient? Yes. Why? Peter in his answer to Jesus if he loved Him answered that Jesus knows everything so he knows that Peter loves him. This and many other verses reveal overtly and logically that God knows everything. iii. Do we believe that God is everywhere, omnipresent? Yes. Why? David claims in Psalm 139, that even if he made his bed in the realm of the dead, the Lord is there. For He is everywhere. This and many other verses prove that God is not bound by space… or even by time. iv. Do we believe that God is good? Yes. Why? In answer to the rich young ruler Jesus Himself reveals that none are good except God. That and hundreds of other verses prove God is good. v. Now. If God knows everything, is everywhere and every when, is all powerful and good… vi. It makes absolutely no sense that God would allow His people to EVER fall into sin… unless He had a purpose in it that was for our good and for His glory. b. Listen to the text of the 1689 London Baptist Confession regarding God’s Providence. i. The perfectly wise, righteous, and gracious God often allows His own children for a time to experience a variety of temptations and the sinfulness of their own hearts. He does this to chastise them for their former sins or to make them aware of the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts so that they may be humbled. He also does this to lead them to a closer and more constant dependence on Him to sustain them, to make them more cautious about all future circumstances that may lead to sin, and for other just and holy purposes! So whatever happens to any of His elect happens by His appointment, for His glory and for their good. ii. Let me just say… They nailed it. They nailed it. c. God could have stopped Paul and Barnabas from sinfully fighting over this issue. But He did not. So that 2 missions could go forward instead of one. d. Now, does that mean that Paul and Barnabas get a pass here? e. Absolutely not! f. In a rare instance, we can say, DO NOT BE LIKE PAUL. DO NOT BE LIKE BARNABAS. g. Instead, we must pursue unity and peace around truth and love and not allow petty squabbles like this to divide us. h. And how do we do that? i. Well, a good start for us is to admit a lie that we often believe. 2.) [Slide 14] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that if our opinion is biblically solid, we are free to defend it however we wish. a. My friends, many a man and woman have fallen prey to this lie. b. In the name of conviction, in the name of righteousness, in the name of holiness, in the name of wisdom they have chewed up and spit out their fellow member of the body of Christ. c. Essential matters of faith and practice must be discussed, defended, and if necessary, divided over. d. But so many of our disagreements do not fall into this category. e. So many of our principled stands and worthy causes are insignificant next to the clear teaching of the Word of God. f. Paul and Barnabas each had great reasons… biblical reasons… for their position. Barnabas’ heart was to restore the man. Paul’s heart was to safeguard the mission. g. But my friends these positions are only incompatible because they allowed them to be. h. They are only incompatible because both men were equally inflexible. i. We must recognize that it is possible for two godly people to come to two godly conclusions about a matter that seem to be incompatible. But what they do from that point comes down to whether or not they are intentionally pursuing unity through truth and love. j. We all can have our own opinions on a great deal of things. From parenting style all the way to music preference, from educational philosophy to our stance on consuming alcohol - we all can arrive in different places. k. In fact, we can all have well-reasoned and incredibly biblical and logical arguments for our particular opinion. l. But what we cannot do… what we must not do… 3.) [Slide 15] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop looking for ways to win and start looking for ways to be united. a. We must not take the nuclear option. We must not destroy unity and peace for the sake of being right or for the sake of winning the argument. b. Instead of unity Barnabas and Paul pursued victory. c. My friends we must learn from the mistakes of men who are spiritual giants to us. d. We must learn that we are all sinners and capable of being pridefully petty. e. And we must learn that some things matter more than winning. f. Like being united around truth and love. g. Paul insisted John Mark not come with them. And although I’m sure his arguments were good, they lacked love for God and for Barnabas and for Mark. h. Barnabas insisted that John Mark come with them. And although I’m sure his arguments were good, they lacked love for God, for Paul, and for the people who might be harmed if John Mark abandons them again. i. If they had fought for unity instead of victory… this may have ended very differently. j. So we must stop fighting to win. Instead… 4.) [Slide 16] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don’t naturally do or aren’t currently doing?” We must pursue unity and peace with one another in truth and love. a. This is not our default setting. b. This does not just happen. c. There are certain people it is easier to be united with than others… but even those with whom we have a natural bond, there will come times when unity will need to be fought for. d. Even in a little rural church like this – the temptation to divide over things that don’t matter is alive and well. e. We must all do our part to pursue unity through truth and love. f. Truth in the sense that we all affirm and accept the Scriptures as the final authority for our faith and practice. g. Love in the sense that as much as it depends on us, we will be at peace with all people especially with those of the household of faith. h. We must care about people more than our opinions and unity more than victory. i. This must be true of us or it will be the end of us. j. Let us set aside anything we may have against each other and any disagreement we may have and seek to love one another as Christ has loved us. k. And as we turn our attention now toward the Lord’s table, let us take some comfort for our souls in this thought… 5.) [Slide 17] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” The meal we are about to share not only partners us with Christ but also with one another. a. I Corinthians 10 instructs us that not only are we partnering with the thing sacrificed, meaning we partner, fellowship with, or are united to Christ in the Lord’s Supper… b. But also let us see that we are also partnered with one another since we are one body in Christ. c. Although this meal has personal significance in that God uses it for those who approach by faith to grow them and press them and lavish His grace on them… d. We cannot deny that since its beginning the Lord’s Supper has always been a meal shared between a family. e. Jesus called His disciples brothers and friends. He ate this meal with them and told them that He would not eat it again until He ate it with them in the New Kingdom. f. My friends, the meal we will partake in soon is a meal of unity in Christ. g. So let us cast aside any non-essential that divides us and pursue unity in truth and love and do so before partaking of the atonement of Christ together. Let our souls feast on His person and work and bind us more fully together. [Slide 18 (end)] Let me close in a prayer by the Puritan Robert Hawker How good it is, Lord, to receive a broken Christ into a broken heart. We feed on your body broken, and your blood shed, as the sole, the only, the all-sufficient means of salvation by faith! Lamb of God! Keep your table sacred from all leaven, both in the persons approaching it, and the offerings made upon it. Do not allow the leaven of hypocrisy and wickedness here, but let all who meet around your table be of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. And Lord, please come into your house, to your table, to your people. Let each person hear and joyfully accept the invitation of the kind Master: Eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved! Then Lord, make us yours, altogether yours! Let our whole body, soul, and spirit be all yours, both by the conquests of your grace, as they are justly yours, and by the purchase of your blood. Never, never more may we depart from you, but as did the church of old, may we exult in this blessed assurance, "My beloved is mine, and I am his." For it is for His sake we ask this… Amen. Benediction: For those who are believers, who are not clinging to some sin refusing to repent of it, who desire to have their souls sustained by the atonement of Christ in His body and blood, please follow us up to the upper room for the Lord’s Supper. If you are not a believer, or are not joining us for any reason, I’d ask that you go in peace and not distract those who go to the communion feast together.