Acts 13:4-13, Acts 15:36-41, 2 Timothy 4:11
John Mark like several other followers of Christ was known by two names. John was his Jewish name, and means ‘the grace of God’; Mark was a Roman name, which was a bit like a surname, and it means ‘the hammer’. Interestingly he experienced both the hammer of human failure as well as the grace of God’s forgiveness. What do we know of this man named John Mark:
1. FAMILY
A. Biological Family
He had a Godly heritage. In Acts 12 when an angel supernaturally sprung Peter from prison we learn that the first place he went was to the home of Mary, John Marks mother. It is here that we discover that she was most likely a Prominent Woman – a woman of wealth who had a house large enough for the church to meet in. She was a Praying Woman, for when Peter showed up he found them in a prayer meeting. Despite the problems and his imprisonment Peter didn’t find them in a panic he found them in prayer, what truths are you teaching your children. She was also a woman of purpose and power for although the early church was in danger, she trusted God. Not only did he have a godly mother but a Missionary Uncle named Barnabas who was a Great Encourager, a Genuine Example , A Generous Man, and a good and gifted man. John Mark also had a
B. Biblical Family
Not only did he have a godly heritage but he also had a great headstart in the faith. It was probably Peter who won Him to Christ for Peter in 1 Peter 5:13 refers to Mark as his son. Not only did he have a faithful family but he also had a:
2. FUNCTION – Purpose
He was called and commissioned by the Holy Spirit to serve. Men you are not just here to take up space, you are here to serve. We are saved to serve, we have a higher and holier calling than self. This doesn’t just teach us about the meaning of ministry but also the motivation. Its not about the man its about the Messiah. The King of Kings has called and commissioned us to represent His righteousness. The question we need to answer is how will we respond, this isn’t a request it’s our God given role. John Mark was given the position of an assistant, in the Greek this word is a nautical term, it literally means, under-rower, a galley slave who sat in the belly of the boat and rowed. He didn’t determine the direction of the ship he just served to move it forward. Men I want you to note that this isn’t a position of power or prestige, its actually the opposite it’s the unseen work that belongs below deck. It’s the silent sweat, the private prayer that pushes the ship through the watery waves. But most men don’t know about the hard work in the hull because they refuse to be humble. The biggest reason we don’t live out our purpose is pride. We want to stand in the wheel house and be called captain, but the goal is not glory its giving God our best. The galley salve is not a glorious position but it’s vital because without rowers the ship is dead in the water. Without servants the ship will always be is still. Where are you sitting in the ship, are you in the seat that says servant or served? Men how would things be different if we faithfully lived out our function? How would things be different if we made the decision to be dedicated to our calling and not our cares?
3. FAILURE
Like death and taxes, failure is one of those things in life we all have in common. We may not have our failures pasted like Mark on the pages of scripture but we know what failure feels like. Failure hurts, haunts and it hinders us. A faithful family is a wonderful thing but its not enough to keep you from failure. All failure has its start in our:
a. Decisions –
John Mark’s decision resulted in his desertion. This was a decision that involved deliberate disobedience to God’s Will. Are you going to walk out God’s Will or walk out on God’s Will? Verse 13 stands in such sharp contrast to the rest of the passage that it just seems out of place. After successfully defeating Satans schemes John Mark just quietly quits less than half way thru. Why the decision to desert? I think it’s the same reason why many men walk away today? Living a holy life is hard, walking according to God’s Will is all out war. Because obedience involves:
• Obstacles
May be he saw service as an obstacle to success, perhaps his position as an under servant was one of the things that was upsetting to John Mark. So far things had been fairly level, smooth sailing, but now as they land in Perga they have a new challenge, the terrain was changing, in front of them lay the Taurus Mountain range. Things were going to get tough. Not quite half way and already there is one who wants to turn back. You may think that the longer you walk with God the easier it will get, but the truth is the further you journey with Jesus and the more faithful you are to the Father the greater the responsibility you will receive. Despite the disappointment Paul and Barnabas pushed on, don’t let other men’s failure of desertion derail you, determine to be dedicated. Don’t be afraid of responsibility, don’t shy back or shirk God’s call. They didn’t focus on the terrain they focused on truth, they kept their eyes on Author not the adversity. With every turn there is a change in the terrain, when things go from trying to tough. Both ministry and marriage will present you with moments of challenge but they don’t have to be a mess. Don’t focus on the challenges focus on Christ. Serving the Savior can be a steep uphill climb but nothing trumps the view from the top. Not only are there obstacles but there is also an:
You don’t have to hang in there during the Honey moon, hard times????? Where to put????
• Opposition
They were opposed by Bar-Jesus a sorcerer who served Satan. You have an enemy that will engage you. Satan’s servants will stand in the way of you serving the Savior and notice that this satanic servant attached himself to the governor, he anchored himself to authority. His goal was to keep the governor from believing in God. He wanted to prevent him from having a personal relationship with Jesus. Satan’s schemes have not changed since the beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He wants to seduce you with sin and keep you from the Savior, to get you to walk away from God’s Will. But I want you to see that the Holy Spirit thru Paul didn’t just disarm the devil He disabled him. God didn’t counter Satan he crushed him. You don’t have to be afraid, yes you need to count the cost of serving Christ (Salvation is free but our service will cost), but you also need to consider who won the conquest. As I have said before stop focusing on the obstacle and focus on the opportunity. The obstacle was Satan but the opportunity was Salvation. Are you going to focus on the voices of opposition or the voice of victory? It is in the midst of problems that we often see God’s mighty power.
b. Direction
Your decision impacts your direction. Which path will you travel, that of Self-Will or the Savior’s Will? These men had been sent out by the Holy Spirit, but once in the field Mark began to focus on his feelings instead of the Fathers Will. He didn’t just question His calling he called it quits. Failure comes in many forms, it fit all shapes and sizes but the bottom line is that failure is the result of not following God’s plan. Many are seduced into sexual failure because we choose to serve pleasure instead of God’s plan. When the going got hard John focused on home, Paul and Barnabas focused on the Hope. You have a choice you can focus on and do what God has called you to do or what you want to do, but don’t whine when you get what comes with not follow God’s Will. Focusing on fear caused John Mark to flee, focusing on the Father caused Paul and Barnabas to be faithful and forge ahead. What direction are you heading in, what path are you on, the path of Least Resistance or the path of the Lord’s Rule? Are you walking in god’s Will or your wants? Not only do disobedient decisions impact our direction but they also create:
c. Division
Failure not only brings misery to us but it but it affects the ministry and fractures families. Acts 15 moves us forward two years, where when Paul asked Barnabas to go on a second missionary journey and Barnabas suggested taking John Mark a sharp contention arose. Your decision to live in disobedience can create division. Look around at the fractures in our families they are the result of our failure to follow God’s plan. Our disobedience is not just dividing our families its destroying them. What about you can your family count on you? Just when they needed John Mark the most, he gave up. Fathers according to God’s plan you are foundational to the success of the family, Men we matter, our call is critical. You have been called to be faithful, don’t flee from your calling, don’t give in to the feelings of failure. Fathers who vacate their calling create a vacuum. Are you going to be part of the vacuum or the victory? Are you going to be a fair weather faith or a faithful follower?
4. FORGIVENESS – Acts 15:36-41 & 2 Timothy 4:11
We get to see failure from 2 perspectives, Paul first perspective was that quitters aren’t qualified. He looked upon John Mark as one who was not worth of Kingdom work. The second perspective is not just more positive but it’s the proper one and that’s of Barnabas. Something in his heart wouldn’t let him give up on John Mark. Just because John had given up on him didn’t mean Barnabas would give up on John. 2 years had passed and I’m going to tell you that time doesn’t fix failure forgiveness does. Now the question for all of us that are familiar with failure is which of these 2 perspectives will we pursue? He could have listened to the perspective of Paul and decided that he was done forever, that he had squandered his potential and that his failure was final. Or he could respond to Barnabas and the gift of God’s grace and say yes to the second chance. Never take grace for granted it isn’t cheap, it cost Barnabas a good friend. John Mark could have believed that Paul had a personal vendetta against him and become bitter. He had a choice, settle for a life of grumbling or a life of grace. Do you know what defines a great man, grace. There are no short-cuts to becoming great man of God. If a man tries to run from or remove the disappointments, defeats, discouragements, and difficulties, he is removing the finishing touches of God’s hand in his life. Failure placed into the hands of God can be fruitful. Too often we allow the circumstances instead of the creator to place the finishing touches on our lives. We let the bitter disappointments, and the trials conform our character in such a way that nothing profitable ever comes of them. Don’t just learn from you failure let it cause you to lean on the Father. The gift of God’s grace means that you don’t have to dwell in defeat, you can live in victory. 2 Timothy 4:11 is not just a powerful verse because Paul forgives, but because John Mark is restored to his original call. The Holy Spirit had called and commissioned John Mark to come alongside Paul and serve but he had walked away from God’s plan. You may have walked away from God but He hasn’t quit on you. God wasn’t just giving John another shot at serving he was restoring him to the position of rower. So let me ask you men are you going to row the boat or run? It was in forgiveness that John found the freedom to live out who God had called him to be and what God had called him to do. He stopped looking at his position and started to look at the privilege. God called him right back to the same place, serving alongside Paul. You were not called to serve solo, you need each other. You don’t have to be paralyzed by your past, you can find forgiveness and freedom. Are you going to live under the heavy hand of failure or in the forgiving hand of the Father? It was John Mark the failure who God the Father used to write the book of Mark. And the message of Marks’s gospel is captured in a single verse, For even the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for all” Mark 10:45. Men you were made for more than mediocrity, you were saved to serve, you can finish well or fail at the finish?
The Message of Mark is one of:
A.​Family –We should thank God for our family, especially our faith family.
B.​Faith –We must determine in our own hearts to serve the Lord.
C.​Forgiveness –We should seek to serve and give others a second chance. Are you going to write people off or help them get right?
D.​Failure – Failure is not final for those who find the Fathers forgiveness.
E.​Future –We can all be “profitable” in God’s service.

SCRIPTURE – Acts 6:1-15, 7:1-7, 7:51-60, 8:1
INTRO
As we continue in our series, “Real People of the New Testament” we come to Steven, the first Martyr in the early church. What a difference between the deaths of Stevens and those of Ananias and Sapphira. Steven who died because of his devotion to God, verses Ananias and Sapphira who died because they tried to deceive God. In Acts 6 and 7 we see the story of the Stephen, we don’t have a lot of details about Stephen’s life. We know that he was a Helenistic Jew—that is, he spoke Greek better than he spoke Aramaic. We know that he was one of the seven men chosen to assist the twelve with leadership responsibilities, specifically the daily distribution of food to widows in the church. We know he had a powerful ministry in Jerusalem, and that he did “great signs and miraculous wonders among the people.” We know that he was martyred for his faith, in fact he was the very first Christian martyr. The story of the Christianity is literally a book of blood. Beginning at the cross of Calvary clear through modern Christianity. We tend to think of martyrs as only being in bible times but there have been more Christians killed for their faith in the 20th century than the combined total of the previous nineteen centuries. Persecution of Christians in this country has only just begun. The question for the church in America is “are we prepared for the persecution that Jesus said would come? Will we, like Stephen, be able to take a stand against the enemy who would love to destroy our faith? Let me ask it this way; “When the crowd has gathered around you, stones in hand, and the look in their eyes reveals their hatred for you, how will you react?” Are you a devoted follower or a fringe dabbler? Steven was a devoted follower and in his life and death we see four marks of a martyr:
1. Lived a Full Life – Acts 6:1-8
There is one word that is used to describe Stephen and it used three times in these passages. It is the word “full”.)
6:5 – Full Spirit
6:5 – Full of faith
6:8 – Full of grace
6:8 – Full of Power
Steven lived a full life, often when someone that is very old dies we will say that they lived a full life but the fullness of a life is not measured by time but trustworthiness – commitment to truth. It’s not how long we live but who we live for that matter. Steven’s life might have been short but it was significant, because of who he served. When we are living a full life it will show, for Steven it came out in his countenance vs 15 says that his face became as bright as an angel’s. Like Moses he had a Godly glow, only his glow was not veiled, but visible for all to see. When you are filled with the Spirit it will show, your life will shine for the Savior. Persecution is designed to destroy your faith but no matter how big the bullies they will never be able to block the brilliance and beauty of God. Steven lied a full life because he died to Christ long before he died for Christ. You cannot consider dying for Christ until you are willing to live for Christ. Listen to the words of Jesus in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” When we hear this passage we often think it says “greater love has no one that this, that one die for his friends.” But, that is not what Jesus said. Jesus said that we are to lay down our lives. There is a tremendous difference between laying down our lives for Christ, and dying for Him. Let me demonstrate what I mean with money. If you live to around 80 years of age that’s approximately 30,000 days. If each day were represented by $1.00, this is what a lifetime would look like. Show first picture (3 neat stacks of $100’s) then say, now most of our lives are not this neat and orderly so let’s look at a realistic picture please (show the second picture with the money all in a pile). Using this analogy of the money, I think we can understand the meaning of the passage in John 13. You see, sometimes Jesus asks us to go out and spend the whole $30,000 at one time, like in the case of Stephen. But in truth this is not the norm, you see for most of us, God asks us to spend our life one dollar at a time. (Hold up the $1.00 bill) He gives us 30,000 one dollar bills – they are called days – and He asks us to go out and spend them individually. According to the bible you have been called to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. In Romans 12:1-2 it says; “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Our lives are to be living sacrifices, we are to die daily to Christ. So many will say that they would be willing to give their lives for their faith, yet they seem so unwilling to live for our faith. What about you are you living a full life or a fools life?
2. Lived a Faithful Life – Acts 6:9-7:7
When you are full of grace you not only get God but you want others to get Him too. Stephen answered their charges, not with a defense of himself but with a proclamation of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations. He challenged his opponents to see their own unfaithfulness in the mirror of their ancestors’ recurring unfaithfulness. Steven faithfully proclaimed God’s plan of peace even in the midst of persecution. So often we make it about me instead of the Master, but people don’t need to hear about how good we are they need to hear about God. Our job isn’t to look right it’s to live right. What if Steven had spent his time defending himself and had successfully convinced them that he was innocent but in the process he had never shared the truth of God’s love, he would have Failed. We are not called to defend our feelings we are called to defend the Faith and defend it to the death. Stephen is aware that his defense may lead to his execution, and yet, he is willing to stand before these men and tell them about Jesus Christ. So let me ask you a question. Do you believe that the eternal soul of another individual is worth your very life? Do you truly believe that sharing the gospel with someone else, so that they may come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior is worth the life of the one who is sharing it? How serious is Salvation to you? Steven chose to standing on the Scriptures, he was determined to declare God’s love. He shared the faithfulness of the Father through generation after generation. Do you want to live a faithful life? Then stop making it about you and your feelings and start making it about the Father.
3. Lived a Fearless Life – Acts 7:51-53
As a follower of Jesus, Stephen faced death without fear. Not without conflict. Not without persecution. Not without suffering. Not without grief. Not without trouble. Not without pain. Not without a lot of things that most of us would just as soon avoid. But without fear, because when you are filled with faith there isn’t much room for fear. Didn’t focus on his current circumstances he focused on Christ. If you want to live a fearless life then stop focusing on your situation and start focusing on the Savior. Because fear traps us from living our life for the Lord. Stephen’s outlook may have been bad but his uplook was out of this world. Sometimes it takes a dark outlook in order to make us look up. Remember Isaiah? It was “in the year that King Uzziah died”; a year of turmoil for his people that Isaiah saw the Lord “high and lifted up.” He focused on the glory of God not the wickedness of this world.
Colossians 3:1-2 says: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Are you going to be short sighted and see only the temporary trouble or will you stand on the truth of your Salvation – “You are already dead to this life, your real life is hidden with Christ” It is fascinating to note not just the position that Steven saw Jesus in (at the right hand, the place of honor) but also the posture (standing). This is the only place that mentions Jesus standing everywhere else He is seated at the right hand. Jesus was standing, as Stephen was being stoned to death, fulfilling His promises to the faithful. Jesus was serving as the one and only Mediator between God and men, as he is described in 1 Timothy 2:5 confessing His faithful ones before his Father as he had stated in Matthew 10:32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Stephen has been confessing Christ before men, and now he sees Christ confessing His servant before God. The proper posture for a witness is the standing posture. Stephen, condemned by an earthly court, yet is vindicated by a higher court, that of heavenly. He sees the mighty mediator the Son of man. What fears are dominating your life? You want to know the most common fear among Christians, the fear of sharing our faith. What we fear is ridicule, rejection even retaliation, but the facts of Stevens story don’t alleviate those fears. It’s not removal of mans meanness that alleviates fear it’s the message of the Masters mercy. No matter what man may, no matter what for of fear he uses God’s faithfulness will never falter. What about you do you want to start living a fearless life? Then look up stop cowering to your circumstances and start living for Christ. Focus on God’s Word not your worry. Live life from a scriptural stand point not a scared one. Stop focusing on what man could do and start focused on what God has done.
4. Lived a Forgiving life – Acts 7:59-8:1
If anybody ever had good reason to be angry and bitter, Stephen did, but he didn’t let bitterness be his boss. When we bow to bitterness we become slaves to sorrow, living in the bondage of bitterness. When we are wronged we tend to focus on what is fair instead of the Father. We need to learn to stop trying to make life revolve around what we feel is fair and start making it revolves around the Father. How many times have you pass problems through your filter of what’s fair only to end up getting frustrated? The truth is if we were to really get what is fair we would be miserable. Are you trying to make life revolve around what’s fair or the Father? How could Steven forgive in the face of such evil, and how do we live the forgiving life? By focusing on Jesus, on His body and His blood. You can’t look at the Savior without seeing His sacrifice? You can’t claim Christ and forgo forgiveness. You will either reject revenge or the Redeemer? Steven had a choice he could focus on the hurts or on the hope that he had in his heavenly home. At first glance this may look like just another senseless stoning but look at the seeds that were sown: in Acts 8:1 it says that Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. Now if you turn to Acts 22:20 it says And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.” Saul witnessed God’s witness, and the seeds of salvation were planted. The way we live is a witness, the question is what will other see, will they see God’s love in my life? Steven reminds us of a powerful truth, we don’t have to focus on others failings, we can focus on forgiveness. Are you going to live life imprisoned by the pain that others have inflicted on you or in freedom of forgiveness the Father has purchased for you? You don’t have to be dominated by the darkness done to you, you can live in the light of what the Lord has done for you. Steven didn’t just preach Jesus he portrayed Him, he spoke the same words in his last moments as the Master had in His as He hung on the cross – Father forgive. He used his last breathed to bear witness to what he believe. You see Steven didn’t just confess Christ he conformed to Christ. The power of a Christian is that no matter what others do you, you are always free to forgive. What about you are you going to live a forgiving life? Are you going to leave a legacy of love?

Are you livinga:

1. Full life – Are you being filled with the hurts or the hope, bitterness or the bible?

2.  Faithful life – Are you following the Father or your feelings? Are you trying to find your joy in your job or in Jesus?

3. Fearless life – What fears do you need yo give to the Father?

4. Forgiving life – Are you holding on to the hope or the hurts? What hurts do you need to hand over to Him? Are you letting th ejunk rob you of your joy? Your heart will get murdered in ministry and you can let your lives be defined by your hurts or HIM.