Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Acts 15 describes how a horrendous situation was avoided and how men of God who were leaders in the church of Jesus Christ handled a potentially explosive situation in the city of Antioch. Paul and Barnabas are back there too, and note their work - teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord - with many others also.
This is what moulds our characters. This is what gives us quality, and transforms us into the men and women Jesus Christ wants us to be.
All this is New Testament reality. It is real. This was how the Church of Jesus Christ should have remained - like this. But let's read on into some more reality.
Their year or so at home is over, following that first missionary journey, and Paul takes the initiative and says to Barnabas, "Let's go again. Let's get going. Let's keep moving on. Let's go and visit our brethren in all these places where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.
Here we see in one sentence, Paul's concern for his converts - verse 36. He cares for these young disciples like a nurse. Those who had come to believe in Jesus through his preaching - Paul's remember them and his desire is to see them grow and mature.
Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, but Paul disagreed. Paul had been disappointed with John Mark on that first mission. They had not been long on the road when John Mark resigned - gave up - gave in - and went home. He did not seem to have what it takes - faithfulness - endurance - loyalty - staying power when it is hard going.
This too is part of Christian reality. O, if Jesus gives you a job to do - do it. When Jesus give us a ministry, we are to see it through - and serve dutifully and joyfully, and show ourselves to be reliable, and willingly available.
But, what do you do with a weak Christian? What do you do with someone who has let you down? Paul would not give John Mark a second chance, and John Mark was related to Barnabas. The contention was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus, and Paul chose Silas, the man who had come down from Jerusalem.
This is part of New Testament reality. Again we see a problem arising, and the outcome of this situation is, two missionary teams. The local church agrees with the decision, and they recommend them to God.
One of the most serious problems in ministry and mission can be problems regarding relationships with others on the team or in the fellowship. And, bad relationships can be draining on all who are concerned and involved. Later on, this rift is healed, and in the Christian Fellowship, people must work at healing whatever rifts arise, and reconciling those who have fallen out or disagreed or had something divide and separate them. Whatever your task is in the Church realise that problems and issues will arise because there is an enemy of the Gospel who will do what he can to disrupt the work and divide the fellowship and it has always been so from the beginning.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.