Heroes: John-Mark

Speaker: Colin Boyd

Notes

Human data base demonstration of people who make mistakes.

Mark 14:50-52 Mark's failure to follow Jesus on night of arrest - like everybody else.

Encouragement by Barnabas and joining Paul+B to go on mission journey. Failure and return home. Acts 12:25, Acts 13:5,13, Acts 15:37-40. Paul's rejection and Barnabas' refusal to give up on him.

Mark's reinstatement, even in the eyes of Paul.

• 1 Peter 5:13, Mark seen as a "son".

• Colossians 4:10, paul refers to Mark as a colleague & commends him.

• Philemon 24, Paul refers to Mark in same comment as Luke is mentioned.

• 2 Tim.4:11, Paul, awaiting death in prison, asks to see Mark.

Work of Mark in producing his gospel, which I claim as a possible eye-witness account from Peter himself.

Summary points: learn from failings and accept that we all make them; be a trusting friend, like Barnabas, to any of us who fails; let God use even your bad experiences because He will not give up on you - and don't give up on yourself.

Application

Think back to when you were a child. Can you remember any situation where at first you failed but later went on to succeed? (E.g. learning to ride a bike, or reading. Did somebody come alongside you to encourage you?)

Look at the story of Zaccheus, [Luke 19]. He was successful in the eyes of other people, but he was obviously still dissatisfied. What was lacking?

How far can your willingness to be part of a team help others to succeed in what God has called them to do?

Posted: 19 Apr 2009