GIVEN TO THE LORD,
UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS PRODUCE
BLESSINGS
ACTS 15: 36 – 16: 5
THE STORY:
Chapter 15’s Jerusalem Council concluded – letter to the non-Jewish
believers written and sent with Barnabas and Paul to Antioch and etc.
Paul and Barnabas ready to go on their 2
nd
Missionary Journey – CONFLICT:
Barnabas wants John Mark to go with them. Paul does not! The argument
becomes so “sharp” v39 that Barnabas takes John Mark to Cyprus and Paul
takes Silas on Paul’s 2
nd
Journey. First conflict…unresolved…
As they travel through Syria, they share the Jerusalem letter/decision and
the churches are greatly encouraged.
While in Lystra, Paul & Silas
meet Timothy.
Timothy is recognized as a
“disciple” – spiritually mature &
young leader
Mother, Jewish, a strong
Christian
Father, Greek, no mention of
spiritual life
Paul circumcises Timothy – 2
nd
conflict…
WHAT IS PAUL DOING? BEHAVIOR CONFLICTS WITH WHAT
WAS DECIDED IN JERUSALEM!?
Two basic ways of responding to conflict: “fight” or “flight”
Paul and Barnabas: definitely a fight that seemed unresolved
Paul and team with Timothy: a “flight” response or a preventative
action. They knew everyone in the region knew Timothy’s dad was
Greek and the Jews were stirring “issues” against Timothy. Circumcision
opened doors for Timothy that would not have been if he remained
uncircumcised. (52ad)
This was not circumcision for salvation, this was removing a cultural
block that opened doors for Timothy to minister freely
TIMOTHY
I Tim 1: Lois = Grandmother and Eunice =
mother… Godly Christian women
One of three men Paul called “spiritual son”
I Cor 16 tells us Timothy is timid and a bit
reserved (quiet natured)
Paul advises him to take care of his stomach
issues (“sickly”)
Becomes the Pastor of the Church at
Ephesus
Is stoned and beaten at 80+ years old in 97
ad in Ephesus
JOHN MARK OR MARK
Mary (the owner of the home where Jesus had the Last Supper/
Passover Feast) – his mother
Tradition says he is the young man/boy running in the woods when
Jesus was arrested
This is the same home where Peter goes after the angel releases him
from prison
Barnabas’ younger cousin
After the argument between Paul and Barnabas, Barnabas takes John
Mark to Cyprus ( Barnabas’ home)
Barnabas is martyred on Cyprus and John Mark goes to Ephesus
Tradition has Peter and John Mark reuniting –
now called Mark (perhaps because the
Apostle John was also a part of the Ephesus
church)
John Mark becomes the secretary for Peter –
the Gospel of Mark is this Mark
In Colossians, Paul requests to have Mark join
him because he (Mark) is valuable to the
kingdom
Ministered in N. Africa (Alexandria) where he
was dragged by a horse by the neck through
the city until he was dead… 68 ad
(approximately 2 years before Paul was
beheaded)
GIVEN TO THE LORD,
UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS PRODUCE BLESSINGS
Did Paul and Barnabas (beloved friends/brothers) ever meet on
earth again? No… And we never hear of the men ruining each
other’s name…though unresolved…it was given to God
Both men continued to serve the Lord in obedience – giving
their all, committed to Christ
Timothy and John Mark were results of different options of
conflict resolution: Fight or Flight (move on)
How you process conflicts will either bless or keep the wound
open… before the Lord: your choice…