Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Introduction

Just how radical was Paul?  How about the radical things God does in people’s lives – like a great deliverance from tyranny only to end up in a desert?

Definition of radical in the Webster’s dictionary:  Thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms; forming a basis or foundation; of or going to the root or origin.

From Corinth to Antioch, end of the second missionary journey

What stands out?

1. His leadership training method is very successful: P and A are entrusted to plant church in Ephesus.
2. After leaving the Jews (for the 2nd time) he heads back to the synagogue and keeps a vow by shaving his head. The issues of culture and seeing the authority of scripture in the light of a personal relationship with Jesus.
3. Why no reports on the rest of the journey to Antioch? The reports to the senders to give an account of the growth of the church.

Accountability

Acts 18: 24-28

Paul’s third missionary journey begins with a quick introduction

A brief excursion to Ephesus with the introduction of Apollos

1. An eloquent and learned expositor 
2. Demonstrates boldness
3. Only knows baptism of John – repentance 
4. Shown a more accurate way – the Spirit

What about us and our growing relationship with God? Where do we need to become challenged to a more accurate.

“Now He also spoke a parable to them: “A person who is blind cannot guide another who is blind, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above the teacher; but everyone, when he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.”

Luke 6:39-40 NASB2020

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Matthew 28:18-20 NASB2020

“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.”

Romans 14:12-13 NASB2020

“I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do.”

John 17:4 NASB2020

Recap from last week

Focus on the challenge to become more like Jesus – determination and how? Growing, stretching, and being challenged: 

1. Listening to Jesus and doing what he says John 10: 17 – not just our good ideas
2. Being kind to others, especially those who are not of the faith – Hebrews 10:23-25
3. Not forsaking the gathering together – how do you interpret that?

The focus on how the church started in Corinth

1. Meets refugees
2. Disciples them by working together – real Bible School!
3. When his support team arrives, he dedicates himself to full time ministry (who do we support?)
4.  Intercultural church and division
5. Not seeking separation but unity in the Gospel
6. Continued investment in others, reaching out into the community.

The challenge of a growing church.

1. The word of God grows – life begins at conception and continues for the Christian without end
2. The body of Christ will never die
3. Healing and life flow from the Father who loves all
4. The challenge is to be able to incorporate differences: Gentile and Jew
5. God doesn’t back down from challenges
6. The author of the church is Jesus and it is his responsibility: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18
7. Growth happens through relationships
8. The goal is encountering Jesus face to face: looking for his coming. This is our hope.

How will you grow in Jesus this year? Tune your ears and listen to his words. Trust him and obey him!

As we reach the end of 2022 and move into a new year, does this passage not ask us to define what our aim is for 2023? Is it the “one thing” that Paul and Mary embraced? 

“Your next step now is this: set some clear objectives. Ask yourself: where would I like to be a year from now? Robert Mager, a consultant in the field of education, says that a well-stated objective defines where a person will be once he or she has achieved the intended outcome. ‘Clearly defined objectives,’ it has been said, ‘enable us to see truth as actions, not abstractions.’ If this sounds too regimented for your temperament, consider that your goal in life may actually be to remain comfortable rather than to be conformed to Christ. Don’t settle for a decaffeinated form of Christianity – one that promises not to keep you awake at night!” (Selwyn Hughes).

What is my “one thing” – decaffeinated or strong brew?

Paul offers an awful alternative. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things” (vv18-19).

‘Many’? Is it different today? Is it different from me? “Furthermore, some one-time followers of Jesus had given up and were now living as ‘enemies of the cross of Christ’ (v18). There was a danger that some Christians, in making their lifestyle choices, might follow them in abandoning the logic of the cross, opting instead for human wisdom and power and the self-interest they spawn.”

Selwyn Hughes defines that “one thing” very clearly. “Christians need not be in any doubt about the direction in which God wants them to go, or what is the Creator’s highest purpose for their life. It is receiving God’s love, and then channelling that love into the lives of those around us, including those who are discouraged or wounded. God wants you to be a caring person, sensitive to the needs of others, and aware of how He wants you to minister to them. Whatever else God may have for you to do in this world, His highest purpose is to make you a channel of His tender, loving care to others. Once you grasp this, then you are on your way to fulfilling your highest destiny.” 

For that I need to press forward, “eagerly waiting for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (vv20-21). I need to be running that way myself and helping as many as I can in the same direction, so my life and my message are “one thing”. Is that not a great 2023 ambition?

A final thought. “Passion shines bright, with the energy of a sprint, but can be over in an instant: someone launches into a project with wonderful ideas, but flakes out at the first hurdle. Perseverance may seem very dull in comparison, like a slow marathon. The faithful plodder, reliable and self-disciplined, may be less noticed but invariably respected. In this text, both qualities are beautifully combined in Paul as we witness his single-minded perseverance inspired by a passionate response to God’s grace.”

What do I need for that special race, holding on to both ‘passion’ and ‘perseverance’?

“(1) We must forget our sins. Obviously we must remember our sins in order to confess them. But having done so, we must let them go. The fact that God forgets is like calling Heaven and hearing, ‘There is no record of any offence.’ 

(2) We must forget our shame. Paul could have been a prime candidate for shame. He had presided over the harassment, imprisonment, torture and murder of innocent human beings. But God's grace is stronger than our shame. It was defanged when Jesus died and rose again” (Word For Today quoting Ellen Vaughn).

(3) Then “I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (verse 13 NLT).

Here is the test for our time together: for unto us a child is born, and a son is given.

All this is for us: God’s amazing love for each of us.

A child is born.

Mary asks the the question: how can this be?  That is a great question. Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord! How do we receive Jesus? Get born again?

A son is given.  God so loved that he gave

What does he give through Jesus? Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1,2 in Luke 4:18,19:

• To preach the gospel to the poor.
• To heal the brokenhearted.
• To proclaim liberty to the captives.
• To give sight to the blind.
• To set free those who are oppressed.
• To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.  

The end of our verse is this: “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom…” Isaiah9:7

The gift is great but requires our sacrifice to get it. Is it hard? Yes, but it is also easy. Take up your cross and follow me, and my yoke is easy, my burden is light.

The response on our part is amazing joy! 

Received a German song based on Isaiah 9:6 from a friend in Germany.  The concept of time with God is different from us.  We see the future of the one born and his accomplishments: the teaching ministry of Jesus, the Power of Jesus, the nature of Jesus, and now the administration and reign of Jesus!

Where there is no peace

1. My first sermon in the open air - peace
2. In the confusion the story of Prince Charming: Charles and Diana, not the end but the beginning and the mess it made
3. The Prince is one who governs: what goes into the administration of peace? Walls, armies, weapons, money and decisions that have consequences for people.
4. The natural wall in the Badlands of South Dakota that separates the north from the south, the wall on our border, the wall of China, the iron curtain.
5. The greatest wall of all, the wall of separation between man and God, peace on one side and confusion, sin, and it’s results on the other. A lack of peace and the search for it in a bottle, pills, lust, lies we tell ourselves, everything except facing the truth: we need forgiveness that comes from confessing our sins.
6. King David saw this need, and realized that the only way to leap over this wall, was by the strength and power only God provides

The Promise of Peace

1. The announcement of the angels at the birth of Jesus
2. The Hope for peace
3. The scriptures of peace

The battle for Peace

1. Against the enemy of this world. The Prince of darkness! 
2. Jesus has overcome the world!
3. Are you a king?

The Reign of peace

1. The king in our hearts
2. The peace from, with, and in God

The ultimate winner in the conflict is Jesus

His rule extends to the hearts of those who love him: What happens when we encounter Jesus, we are overwhelmed by the freedom from sin, but even more so by the acceptance of the Father! What makes that special is the loss of the enmity against God and the flooding of our souls with his peace!

The beauty of his Kingdom is the nature of peace!  Resolved conflicts! Resolved misunderstandings, resolved personal greed and ambition, resolved stress factors, resolved pressures.  What we experience here when we find peace with God is just a small foretaste of what we will experience when the light overpowers the darkness, and death is no more!

“His Name shall be called … Everlasting Father”. Isaiah 9:6

This one has me stumped.  Why would you call a baby “Everlasting Father”? Son, brother, or uncle might be a better description.  I have some ideas rambling through my mind, but this particular prophecy has captured my imagination this Christmas season. It is a most amazing prophecy concerning Jesus’ names 750 years before he was born. A very powerful declaration of the uniqueness of the coming Messiah.

Something else has captured my imagination as well.  I was gathering up our Christmas albums to play some Christmas music while decorating our home for the season (Jan is always so creative in making our home “gemütlich” – cozy this time of year!) when I came across a cd labeled: Christmas 1969. I had no recollection of it, so Jan suggested I play it and find out what was on it.  The first sounds I recognized immediately as the Bells of Bethlehem, something as a boy I often experience as we spent our Christmases in Jerusalem.  

During Christmas 1969 I was in my freshman year at college, and met up with my sisters during the Christmas break.  Our parents were still in Beirut, Lebanon, and sent us a tape they had recorded for us. Somehow it had been saved to a cd, and I found myself listening to my mother’s voice for the first time since she had died in 1976, and my fathers voice since he died in 1990.  I was reliving memories from over 53 years ago: memories of special experiences as a child shared with family growing up in the Middle East. From my baptism in the Jordan River to walking in the places Jesus had walked, our parents had given us a very special childhood.  It was a foundation that would directly impact the rest of my life.  I can see how from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth I have gone sharing about Jesus wherever I went. Seeing people from all walks of life turning from sin to a savior, breaking the devil’s chains, and being set free to forgive and to be forgiven.  Family is important and key to the growth of individuals as well as communities and nations. Our father’s have great influence on us for good or for bad.  How often do we take on the characteristics of our fathers?  Their influence gives us norms in life. We judge what is normal and foundational by their behavior.  That is not always a good thing.

Just because I got the belt when I was a kid, that was how I knew to punish and correct bad behavior.  And that was how I started with my boys as well. It’s what I knew, and based on my experience it is what I did.  Believe me, I had to repent of my power methods. But we see Fathers as just a larger extension of our own fathers – domineering, inciting fear (just wait until your father comes home!), absent, disinterested in your life, ruling your life to the smallest detail, etc.  is the mighty God really like that?

That kind of a Father is not full of wonder for sure!  If we can adequately describe him, he cannot be the wonder-filled God of this prophecy. 

Now all of us had sinful parents.  They probably did their best, and we all still messed up, regardless of the effort they made. That, however, does not negate the value and importance of family.  Especially when it comes to learning how to be selfless and other key values to living in community. Family is the foundation of ordered life, something our very self centered society is drifting away from. Kindness in some government circles a very rare commodity. Meanness, anger, gossip, name calling, accusations, and general lack of good manners in social intercourse is the rule of the day. What does that teach our children? Perhaps we need better fathers who can teach their children in word, deed, and by example how to live good lives?  That has always been the cry.  Where are the fathers who do that?  From the beginning of time we see this very need! Whether it is Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, or evil men like Herod, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Putin who waste lives striving for power… we always need fathers.  But all the fathers are sinful from Adam on. And we don’t just need a father for one generation, but for all generations!  Every child needs a father! Every generation needs fathers as well; the need is new with every child born! Our great need is for a a good and an everlasting father! One who has the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of One who is old, but the excitement and joy and discovery of one who is a father for the first time!

We each yearn for a father who fits that bill: who loves us unconditionally and continues to pursue us, doesn’t abandon us, who is always available wether we need him or not.  We need a steady constant model we can see and follow, but whose thrill of life and joy is so contagious.  Not just a disciplinarian, but an encouraging source of life, help and encouragement. We need someone who is there for us, our children, our grandchildren, and for generations to come!  We need a strong, and compassionate father. A wise and caring,  knowledgeable and understanding father.  My father is no longer here to ask for guidance or insight, or understanding. Where is the father who is dependable, available, and trustworthy?

Now you. Ought jump ahead of me and say well God is that kind of a father.  The problem we face however, is that we already have a father. 

Even if such a person were available how do you adopt them? If I try to sneak into someone else’s family, the closest I could get would be stepfather. They might be kind. But I would still be an outsider, a fostered child.  The only way you can be a father, is by giving birth. You see the seed enters the woman and it fertilizes the egg and a baby is the result.  Not a different kind of animal, but one born of the same kind.

It is no wonder that Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3: 3-21: “you must be born again!” If we are born by sinners, then that is the nature we get, but if we are born again by the spirit of God, we have a new Father! The Father Heart of God is ours and it affects all of our life.  The word of God is the seed and when it enters our hearts, and is joined by the Spirit of God, it creates a new creature in the likeness of the everlasting father!  It is all encompassing!

A Paradox is not two doctors!

a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.

There are many such things in the Gospel: “Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it.” Luke 17:33 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”” Luke 6:38. The King of a Kingdom that is not of this world. 

Love your enemies and do good to those who persecute you. The first shall be last. Drink the water I give you and you will never thirst again. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,”

1 Peter 5:6 

Messiah – Christmas is another paradox: that is why there are so many festivities that have nothing to do with the Messiah but just having a good time.  Cashing in on generosity! Many just don’t comprehend the paradox.

Is the Messiah is God?  That is a paradox.  A God who is born? How can someone 750 years before Christ be able to prophecy that the Messiah could be both God and man?  This Messiah who comes to deliver is God himself? But this is what makes Christianity unique among religions: God comes to us because we are unable to come to him.  Our concepts and understanding of God(s) are so warped and confused.  Mixed with our own imaginations and our own ideas, thoughts, knowledge we assume things that we may have heard here and there and thrown together. Here in America as well as in the rest of the world we make assumptions and twist the Bible to make it fit our desires.  God is love and he loves me regardless of what I do, who I am, and what I say.  That is only a partial truth about love.  He is greatly concerned, not just about our morals, but also our attitudes, character, and behavior. God is greater than we think he is!

Mighty

Interesting adjective. Not Powerful God, not dominant, forceful, potent, dominant, but mighty. This becomes particularly poignant when we see the Government on his shoulders.  Might is right. Wars continue to prove that the big guy wins. Our concept of might just might not coincide with that of Jesus.  He claims to be meek.  Meekness is power under control. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 

Now Mighty can have two different reactions:

1. Mighty to judge – creating fear the the One who is coming to judge the world in righteousness
2. Mighty to save: grace and mercy, love and forgiveness 

How do you choose? Imagine all is OK, or do you repent and receive the gift of God today?

“Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.”” Acts2:11NASB2020

““For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. “And His mercy is to generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.”

Luke1:49-50NASB2020

““Behold, God is mighty but does not reject anyone; He is mighty in strength of understanding.”

Job36:5NASB2020

“Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.”

Psalms24:8NASB2020

“For this is what the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Isaiah57:15NASB2020

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew11:29NASB2020

“‘Oh, Lord God! Behold, You Yourself have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows mercy to thousands, but repays the wrongdoing of fathers into the laps of their children after them, great and mighty God. The Lord of armies is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of mankind, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds;”

Jeremiah32:17-19NASB2020

“Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, the One who speaks in righteousness, mighty to save.””

Isaiah63:1NASB2020

““You will also suck the milk of nations, And suck the breast of kings; Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Isaiah60:16NASB2020

Introduction

I love the names of Jesus in the Bible.  This prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 is a direct exposition of who the Messiah will be. The focus is naturally an encouraging sign to those who are struggling, and it would lift up the spirits of those who are depressed. It raises our eyes, our vision of a great deliverer and inspires hope. Just saying the names of the coming One is uplifting!

Text again: Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7

My personal question of this passage is: Why is counselor listed first? What is so special about counselors? It surely would not have been my first choice.  Perhaps: Mighty God! Overcomer, Deliverer, Savior, Comforter, but Counselor? 

We often associate counselors with “shrinks”, or strange people who make lots of money off of others misfortunes. It carries a stigma, as if I couldn’t manage my own affairs. There’s a fear that others will look down on me if I have to visit a therapist.

I see two different kinds of counselors:

The first one is for my personal life. Our daughter Hannah, who did very well in Psychology - a course if barely passed in college, is a certified counselor for people who have needs in their lives.

A counselor is not responsible for changing your life. But gives you the insight, education, and tools to enable you to manage or overcome anxiety, come off drugs, or change your attitudes with a goal of motivating you to change. A modern example, though not necessarily a good one is social media.

The second one has to do with direction and comprehension in work or endeavors. A modern example is the use of YouTube. 

What does a counselor do? Helps to see the big picture, helps to understand a situation, helps to lay out options with their consequences. Then helps work out the practical steps to achieve goals.  My need exposed when we started a missions agency in Germany.  I had ideas, but no way of knowing how to go about it. I need a lawyer, other leaders who had accomplished something in missions that I respected, pointers in the right direction.  

How do you start an agency, what do you need to focus on?

What do you need to get to and manage 100 missionaries?

How do you train and release those among the focus people group to multiply among themselves?

Helpful counselors bring clarity to work, purpose, values, vision, direction, methods, and goals.  

The amazing thing about Jesus is that he is the best counselor for both personal and work matters. He guides us through the questions, not just of religion, but of all aspects of life! Does God have a specific calling for you? A specific purpose? For the church? For the community?  He helps us answer such questions and then helps us both individually and as a church to move forward together – and supplies us with all those who can counsel us effectively.  We all gain a lot through an abundance of counselors.

Our resistance to getting help – can have personal and eternal consequences.

Denial of problem.  Pride

Don’t want to change

Afraid if change

Stigma attached to getting help

Work time and cost associated with change. 

Unwillingness to pay the cost leads to no change.

Our desperation leads to acceptance for help

The help Jesus offers

1. For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Romans11:34 first there is not Counselor above God!
2. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. Proverbs:  12:20 know who your counselors are!
3. Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, And on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalms1:1-3 first counsel comes from God’s Word.  It is the manufacturers handbook!  If you don’t understand something, ask the manufacturer.  He has a variety of helpers who can assist you as well!
4. John 14:16 HS is the Counselor! “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate (helper, comforter, counselor) to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John14:16-17our own personal counselor!
5. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 work related 
6. Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory. Proverbs11:14 Guidance
7. Then I will restore your judges as at first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.”” Isaiah1:26 restoration in times of uncertainty and confusion!
8. “A wise person will hear and increase in learning, And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,” Proverbs1:5 personal counsel
9. Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.” Proverbs13:10 personal counsel 
10. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians10:13 personal counsel.  What is the wise counsel of Jesus?
11. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”” Matthew4:17
12. Our role in that: but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians1:23-24

Why wonderful? 

Counselors can be good, or helpful, but my daughter was stumped when asked if counselors were ever called wonderful. But Jesus is called the wonderful counselor. Why?

Because it is all encompassing.  His counsel is full of wonder! It is wise, just, righteous, fulfilling, amazing, full of understanding, logical, all encompassing, pure, clear, uplifting, and life changing! He doesn’t just motivate you towards change, he gives you the change by installing his counselor into your life! He gives you the power to change by giving you new life. He counsel is unique in being wonderful!

Our acceptance of the offer of new life leads to personal growth in every area of our being. Do you need to accept his counsel today?

Here is one of the saddest cases in the New Testament:  the breakup between Barnabas and Saul. It is the end of the first missionary team that brought about such a foundation to the church and the growth of the Christian movement. Some say it is Gods way of multiplying the work.  I have to disagree, even though I fully believe that God can work all things together for good, as he did do in this case.  To see how tragic this incident is, we need to see how their relationship began and grew.  

Barnabas was an apostle (sent one) with a pastoral heart and a gift of healing and restoring leaders.  He was a mentor and spiritual father to Paul. He brought him into international leadership and set him free to pursue his ministry.

Paul is a zealot, an apostolic pioneer, filled with faith energy and willing to die for the cause of Christ! His goal is to make Christ known among the nations! He expects faithfulness from his team as their lives depend on it as well as the growth of the ministry.  This is not for the faint of heart!

The fly in the ointment is John Mark, who will author The Gospel which is based on Peter’s Message of Jesus.  He is related to Barnabas, and he left the missionary team in Perga.

I wish I had been a fly on the wall during this argument:  Barnabas insists on taking Mark along, and Paul resolutely will not allow it. The end result is a separation, Barnabas to Cyprus and Paul to southern Turkey.  Each has a new partner, and the church eventually overcomes this setback and continues to grow. But not without immense difficulties to over come.

1. Paul loses his mentor and spiritual father
2. Barnabas loses his dear friend and partner in the ministry.
3. The church in Antioch which had benefitted from Barnabas’ ministry, who also introduced Paul to them loses their leader and spiritual father. They also take on an offense.
4. The churches in Cyprus and Turkey are left wondering what happened, never to see the other one again – also taking on the offense.
5. There is a time of spiritual dearth coming for Paul.
6. In all of these tragic events, we also see they violated spiritual laws by allowing a root of bitterness to spring up which defiled themselves and many others.

“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15 

The question is, who was right? Each dealt with this event from their own perspective and ministry gift: Barnabas as a restorer of those who are broken and Paul as a pioneer of new churches. Neither was willing to budge from their view of truth, and both were right from their perspective.  We will see that both were effective in doing their work even though Luke will only focus on Paul from here on out as he becomes an eyewitness to the rest of the book.

What I fail to see, is why these spiritual men didn’t take the needed steps towards solving their dispute? Look at what they failed to do:

1. They didn’t pray about it and hear from God ( perhaps they prayed individually that God would change the other)
2. They did not appeal to those over them in leadership as they had with their theological problem
3. Why didn’t they work out a compromise?
4. Why didn’t Paul submit to Barnabas? He doesn’t do what he himself teaches! M 
   1. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17 
   2. “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17
   3. “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” Luke 22:26 (Jesus)
   4. “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,” 2 Timothy 2:24
   5. “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8
   6. “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:20
   7. “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,” Titus 3:10
5. How could they have solved this? In hindsight they could have separated for a time to split the. I is try and meet up to see if Mark had been rehabilitated. They could have run a school in Cyprus with Paul submitting to Barnabas and learning from him. They could have approached others to help them resolve the crisis.  They could have fasted and prayed until God showed them a way out. The church leaders could have said, we will not support this kind of activity, you must stay until you resolve this issue. These are just a few of the thoughts I have had, but there must be other possibilities for conflict resolution.
6. How does this affect us?
   1. Be careful about creating major and bitter divisions that will defile many
   2. Seek God before it gets so far gone.
   3. Seek peace rather than your own will.  Be humble with things, knowing that things are not eternal, but you and the brother or sister are!
   4. Seek to understand the other point of view and how you can assist in helping them find God’s will and way.
   5. Love your enemy and heap coals on their head.
   6. Pay the price for an opportunity: one mile is an obligation, the second mile is an opportunity!