The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 April 2020 – TOPIC: DON’T SACRIFICE THE GOSPEL!
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DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020
(St. Mark’s Day)
TOPIC: DON’T SACRIFICE THE GOSPEL!
READ: ACTS 15:36-41 (NKJV)
36. Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they are doing.”
37. Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40. but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
THE MESSAGE:
Paul and Barnabas needed to visit and strengthen the established Churches. This is worthy of emulation because some Christian gatherings do not give much time to disciple new converts; such converts remain spiritual babies and prey to false doctrines. Barnabas wanted John Mark, who had deserted them in Pamphylia, but who had repented later of his bad behaviour, to join, but Paul refused. Note that this disagreement between Paul and Barnabas did not stop the spread of the gospel. Paul took Silas while Barnabas went with John Mark. Unfortunately today, some persons sacrifice the gospel on the platter of ethnicity, unforgiveness, denomination, politicsand disagreements. They forget that there will always be those like legalistic Paul who expect excellence and zeal at all times and others, patient like Barnabas, who are gifted in re-moulding battered and weak ones.
Let us ensure to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in spite of differences in methods, manpower or facilities. Continue to propagate the gospel, disciple new converts and consolidate new grounds for the Lord. The work of Barnabas turned John Mark into a veritable tool for the ministry of Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 4:11). Nurture the weak brother;he might become a spiritual giant for the gospel in future.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to work earnestly for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ.