HOW A DISCIPLE LOOKS

Any of us can become a strong disciple.

1. A Messed Up Disciple

(Acts 11:19-26) “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch... (24) He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

Colossians 4:10 says Barnabas and Mark were cousins.

(Acts 12:25) “When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.”

(Acts 13:2-5) “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.”

(Acts 13:13) “From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamhpylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.”

(Acts 15:36-40, “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.”

2. A Mentored Disciple

A. Living outside the Lord’s will brought short-term pleasure but long-term sadness.

B. He humbled himself before the Lord.

C. He sought out a mature disciple and began learning from him.

D. Peter became Mark’s mentor.

3. A Mature Disciple

A. Mark was the first in the early church to write a Gospel.

B. Papias, Bishop of Hieropoloi (140 A.D.), “The Apostle John said this: Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered.”

C. Irenaeus (185 A.D), called Mark “the disciple and interpreter of Peter.”

D. Philemon 24 – Mark was at Paul’s side.

(2 Timothy 4:11) “Get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”