When we read Acts 15:36-41, we so often focus on the “sharp disagreement” between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark and overlook other principles that are very important and overshadow the disagreement. Paul wanted to “return and visit the brothers in every city where [they] proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are” (36). This type of ‘follow-up’ is critical in any ministry for several reasons:
These and other considerations were part of Paul’s thinking. The disagreement did not hinder Paul from fulfilling his burden from these disciples and churches. As leaders, we should have the same concern for God’s work everywhere. It does not matter the size of church, location, or culture. These principles apply anywhere and under any conditions.
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There are times when we have deep convictions that have been developed over a long period of time and after much searching the Scriptures and prayerful, meditation we cannot believe otherwise. Many well-meaning persons may do all they can to persuade us to move away from our convictions. What should we do in these circumstances?
Having been in this situation myself, I want to offer some advice. There is no authority in what I am about to write, but I trust there will be a little wisdom that will encourage you.
In a similar situation Paul said, “no one came to stand by me…but the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). If your convictions are built on ALL of God’s Word, be assured the Lord will stand with you. We have heard from several sources that Christians in Myanmar (Burma) are fearful because of conditions caused by the military coup. Some are being arrested during the night and their homes burned. We ask that you immediately pray for believers who are in harm’s way.
“Remember (pray for) those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). “Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5). When we look around us and see moral failure with leaders in the Church and those who are willing to compromise truth in order to gain material advantages and popularity, we tend to become discouraged; even think of giving up. This is not an hour for fear, weakness or quitting!
As Paul looks at the last days and hours of his life, he starts writing his last letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. Within a few sentences of beginning this letter, Paul writes, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Remaining faithful to God’s Word will require suffering! Paul then exhorts Timothy, “do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.” Standing alone for truth and the pure gospel of grace is only done “by the power of God.” The last two blogs referred to Nehemiah and his outstanding leadership. At one point when the opposition was very intense, he pleads, “But now, O God, strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9). You may be wanting to compromise your convictions because it seems that most are going a different direction, but I urge you to remain faithful. Your real reward is not from men but God! “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:8). Anyone who desires to be faithful to God’s Word and the truth that it presents are going to discover that there are many who do not share the same moral values as you do. This is a shock to the mental and emotional makeup of anyone who relies on the opinions of others to support their position. In fact, such persons will compromise for the sake of maintaining those relationships.
When Sanballat and Tobiah opposed and threatened Nehemiah even seeking to stop the restoration work on the wall around Jerusalem and plotting to fight against them, Nehemiah did not reply. Instead, they “prayed to [their] God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:9). He then made sure to encourage those who were working with him; “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and awesome…” (4:14). What made the difference with Nehemiah? First, he was driven by a commitment to fulfill what God had called him to do and maintain a God-given standard. Second, he did not let the threats determine what he did. God’s call was far more important. You and I must make the same determination in our hearts. God’s Word and truth is worth standing firm and faithful to the end! As I sit at my desk preparing my heart for the Lord’s Day, many brothers and sisters come to mind, and I immediately turn to prayer for them. I think of the challenging times that Nehemiah went through. Jerusalem was in ruins and the Law of the Lord had been abandoned by Israel. It looked hopeless. “Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do…” (Nehemiah 2:11-12). That is spiritual vision.
In the face of huge obstacles, Nehemiah was confident “of the hand of my God…upon me for good” (2:18). This was followed by the people saying, “Let us rise up and build.” After many days of hard work and facing enemies of God’s work, Nehemiah records this: “So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (4:6). That is unity in the Spirit. These days are very testing in many ways, but I know that "the hand of my God…[is] upon me for good.” Do you know with assurance that God is with you in pursuing His work? Have you let the challenges of these days lose sight of what He is doing and wants to do through you? A day is coming when we will celebrate together all the things God has done because we were faithful. If you feel discouraged and need a specific word of encouragement, please email me at: nfi@newfoundationsinternational.org. As God placed persons in the Early Church from outside Jewish converts, it was beginning to look more like what the Church will be in heaven; “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). In addition to the variety of people added daily, there was unity in the Spirit.
This unity made way for the Holy Spirit to tell the church at Antioch, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). There was no hesitation with this church! There was a Spirit-given desire in them to be unified in mind and heart. This prepared them to receive instructions which they instinctively obeyed. Antioch released Barnabas and Saul into the care and guidance of the Spirit. Before sending these two out on this mission’s trip, there were two things they did first:
These were not ‘disciplines’ for the sake of a good habit but they were attitudes of the heart driven by fellowship in the Spirit. If this were the current condition of the Church today, we would see God work today as He did in the Early Church. It would be highly effective and unstoppable! Yesterday I met with one of our translators just to be an encouragement to him in the work of getting God’s Plan for His Church translated. As I listened to his heart, I realized that there were many obstacles he was facing which made it very difficult to complete the work.
This conversation took me back to a verse that has spoken to me many times. Paul says, “a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). These two facts often run side-by-side. When God is opening “a wide door for effective work,” we will often experience difficulties and opposition at the same time. This was true throughout Paul’s ministry. If it wasn’t riots and stoning, it was those who taught a false gospel. These were “adversaries!” They never stopped Paul from pursuing his purpose and goals in ministry, and they should never stop us. In some translations, the word “earnest” is expressed as “without ceasing” and suggests the idea that persons are not relaxing but acting in a right spirit toward an issue or matter of great concern. This is the attitude that prevailed with the church at Antioch during a very difficult time.
As the power of God prevailed through the Early Church, the number of believers evolved from largely a Jewish community to one of Gentiles and Jews. Persecution also came in various forms. One form came from Herod the king. After “He killed James the brother of John with the sword…he proceeded to arrest Peter also…but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:2-5). As we read the context around this incident, the concern for Peter was his release from prison so the gospel and work of God would continue through him. So “earnest” were the prayers of these disciples that when Peter came to the place where “many were gathered together and were praying” for him, they did not believe it was Peter (12:12). This shows how intense their prayers were. Do we move heaven by our prayers, so the answers come while we are still praying? There are times when we receive messages from those that were trained in the past. They really stir our hearts and make us very thankful for what God has done. This note comes from Zambia.
“I am writing to thank you for bringing revival to my heart and the ministry. Many years have gone by since I first learned through GPHC (God’s Plan for His Church) training from Tim and Sherman. It had an impact on my life and I am really challenged from what I am taught by my Brother Henry. When I started these lessons in 2018, they began a fire through this teaching that has spread to other towns in the Copperbelt. God's timing is the best and I thank Him because 2 Timothy 2:2 is so practical and is being applied so we can teach others. We now have prepared 63 church leaders within Luanshya, Zambia who are so willing to be trained. When they saw the manual, they were very interested in studying because they saw the truth that brings revival into their lives, families and churches. We want to start the training as soon as the manuals and the banners are available. I am glad that 63 leaders are going through the manual with me. Please pray with us for God’s blessing.” Keep these leaders in your prayers that God will establish and strengthen them in the authority and sufficiency of His Word so they can be sent out by the Holy Spirit to multiply God’s work. |
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