By Tim Brown
Read: Acts 15:36-40
“The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company.” (v. 39 NRSV)
One of the saddest stories in the history of the church is our tendency to divide. Today’s passage contains one of these stories.
As they were launching out on their second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas disagreed over whether or not young John Mark should travel with them. Since he had deserted them earlier, Paul thought him unworthy, but Barnabas believed he deserved a second chance.
There are two things to note in response. First, God wants us to do everything in our power to remain in fellowship with other believers. Surely this is what Jesus prayed for: “that they may all be one . . . so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Sadly, Paul and Barnabas were far from being one in this situation.
Second, I love that the Bible contains accounts of our ancestors in the faith getting it wrong. The Bible is a real word from God sent to real people so that we might learn to live to the glory of God.
We must strive with all that is within us to love one another (Rom. 8:28).
I’ve had several dear friends over the years who have lived with addictions that required enormous effort and courage to overcome. Many of them were greatly helped by a program that required keen self-awareness and brutal honesty.
We must be honest about our contributions to discord, confess it as a sin, and move toward Jesus’s vision of oneness in him.
As you pray, ask God to help you love others across our differences.
—————
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary, where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life.
Read: Acts 15:36-40
“The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company.” (v. 39 NRSV)
One of the saddest stories in the history of the church is our tendency to divide. Today’s passage contains one of these stories.
As they were launching out on their second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas disagreed over whether or not young John Mark should travel with them. Since he had deserted them earlier, Paul thought him unworthy, but Barnabas believed he deserved a second chance.
There are two things to note in response. First, God wants us to do everything in our power to remain in fellowship with other believers. Surely this is what Jesus prayed for: “that they may all be one . . . so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Sadly, Paul and Barnabas were far from being one in this situation.
Second, I love that the Bible contains accounts of our ancestors in the faith getting it wrong. The Bible is a real word from God sent to real people so that we might learn to live to the glory of God.
We must strive with all that is within us to love one another (Rom. 8:28).
I’ve had several dear friends over the years who have lived with addictions that required enormous effort and courage to overcome. Many of them were greatly helped by a program that required keen self-awareness and brutal honesty.
We must be honest about our contributions to discord, confess it as a sin, and move toward Jesus’s vision of oneness in him.
As you pray, ask God to help you love others across our differences.
—————
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary, where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life.
