EXPOSITION OF I CORINTHIANS 13 – PART 4
February 21, 2010
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
I Corinthians 13:3 – And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
History bears record of men and women who gave their entire lives in
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the promotion of the physical happiness and welfare of the entire human race. Many atheists and agnostics were among them,
and I would certainly not make little of their desire to further the creature comforts and longevity of mankind. They have labored tirelessly in the cesspool areas of the world to preserve the lives of countless numbers of children born in these zones of despair, and I do indeed applaud their efforts.
I would say only this, the eternal destiny of the souls of all those whose lives they extended, by their unselfish acts of self sacrifice, is far more important than time they added to them in this present life.
The love of God
is manifested more in his concern for the eternal destiny and welfare of a man or woman’s soul, than in the trials they suffer here.
If we carry this verse to its ultimate conclusion, it is simply this: A martyr, whose motive is not based on the love of God, will experience no gain in eternity for it. It does not matter on whom the martyr performs his act of love motivated by his love for God, it only matters in eternity that the leadership of God’s Spirit was the generator of his actions. Believers are the workmanship of the Spirit to produce good works of love based on the motivation of God’s love implanted in them. Their walk of love is spotted with periods of suffering for the spiritual benefit of others.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
CHARITY SUFFERETH LONG,
Works, whose motivations are based on the implanted love of God in us, will cont
inue in spite of rejection and the sorrow of seeing few apparent results from them. A longsuffer ing love is motivated by the Spirit if it has as its goal to keep the local church
in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It will put up with the seemingly undesirable natures of some for the benefit of the body.
Ephesians 4:1-3 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation where-with ye are called, [2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; [3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
II Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
AND IS KIND;
It shows goodness toward those who mistreat it.
It gives itself to the spiritual service and benefit of others.
Luke 6:27,28 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, [28] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
James 3:17 – But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
CHARIETY ENVIETH NOT;
Love does not envy, it is not jealous.
It has no jealous feelings toward those who are doing the same work, only better. Love is not displeased at the success of others. Jealousy of other church members has allowed the devil to destroy churches and individual friendships.
James 3:15,16 – This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. [16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
CHARITY VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF,
Love does not push itself forward to be loved or to be the center of attention. It does not lift itself up for all to see as the object of praise. It does not try to make itself the object of other’s love, but rather makes the love of others its object.
We were the object of God’s love long before he ever became the object of ours.
Ephesians 2:4-6 – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) [6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
I John 4:10 – Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
IS NOT PUFFED UP,
The root of the word translated “puffed up” is the action a bull frog performs when he is trying to attract a mate. He sucks in as much air as he can hold to make him appear much bigger than he is, so I suppose this could be applied to a windbag church member who wore his feelings on his shirt sleeve, and got very indignant when he wasn’t recognized for his position.
The opposite of this is humility, which manifests the love of God.
Philippians 2:5,8,9 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
A Unified Islamic Imminent War WARNING
Was devised by Syria, Iran, and Hizbullah,
Not to prevent an immediate Israeli Attack,
But to make sure when it does finally Arrive,
The World Will Label Israel as the Aggressor!
Like my prediction of ‘no war’ in the 2007 Blog,
When Middle East saber rattling was very Loud,
I Think the February 19, 2010 Saber Rattling Blog
Will Calm Down and Fail to Create Middle East War,
But saber rattling is heard so often it will shock Many
When it finally causes a closing war of the Gentile Age
Across the Middle East at some point in time afore 2015!
February 21, 2010
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
Begin Archive Blog from September 28, 2007
King of the South not likely to attack Soon!
September 28, 2007
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
The prediction of Ahmad Jibril concerning an immediate Israeli attack against Syria in the Jerusalem Post is interesting, but very unlikely to occur as soon as he implies.
I would love to see Ahmad Jibril’s prediction of Israel attacking Syria “very soon,” come true because if that were to be the case, Israel would definitely win the ensuing war. However, that is not what I expect to happen, and I do not expect the prophecy of Daniel 11:40-42 to be fulfilled prior to 2010 and, when it finally is fulfilled, the initial push of the king of the south (Israel) will be met by a planned counterattack from the king of the north (Syria), which will drive Israel into the Negev Wilderness, where she will remain for some three and one-half years.
Daniel 11:40-42 – And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. [41] He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. [42] He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Zechariah 13:8 – And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
Revelation 12:6 – And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
The important thing about this prophecy was never WHEN it would be fulfilled, but knowing it WOULD one day be fulfilled and living one day at a time as a believer with a heart committed to serving him. I started guesstimating the time of the attack that would start the last three and one-half years of this present age of the Gentiles many years ago, but only because so many people asked me about it. It has always been a guess, no more and no less! I have tried since 1971 to fight day by day against the evil in my flesh and the world by his power in seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. If I am still doing that on the day any prophecy is fulfilled, the ‘morrow’ of the prophecy will have taken thought for the things of itself.
Matthew 6:33,34 – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Begin Jerusalem Post Article
Jibril: Israel will attack Syria soon
JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST
September 28, 2007
Israel has already made a decision to attack Syria and was just mulling over where to land its first strike, Ahmad Jibril, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed in an interview published Friday by Arabic newspaper Al Hadat.
Jibril estimated that Israeli action, several weeks after an alleged IAF foray into Syria on September 6, would likely be a wide-scale operation, and would probably be answered with attacks by Iran, Hizbullah in Lebanon and the Palestinians of
Syria.
“I believe Israel has prepared all likely scenarios for war with Syria, but they are still considering where they will land the first strike, which will come very soon,” Jibril said. “They are weighing whether to attack on one front or on multiple fronts.
“There is an American Israeli plan, backed by silent agreement from the Arab world, to change the balance of power in the Middle East,” he added.
The PFLP leader said also that Israel was wary of a “domino effect” that would drag other countries into the conflict.
“The Israelis have not formed a final estimate regarding the possibility of Iranian intervention if they will attack Syria. Secondly, the Lebanese resistance, led by Hizbullah’s Islamic resistance, will intervene and strike the Zionist home front with missiles,” he said.
“The Syrian brothers will not be afraid to protect their land and will continue the war with the Zionist enemy, and we, the Palestinians in Syria, will not sit by idly – we will be on the front lines,” Jibril added.
However, despite Jibril’s claim that “Hizbullah would also participate,” officials in the organization hinted that they would not interfere in a future conflict. Two weeks ago, Sheikh Na’im Kassem, Deputy Secretary General of Hizbullah and Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah’s second in command, said that Israeli estimates that the group would try to take revenge on Syria’s behalf were no more that “journalistic assessments based on insufficient evidence.”
Begin Excerpt from the Lebanese Daily Star with AP
Tehran pledges ‘full support’ for Beirut after Israeli threats
By The Daily Star
Friday, February 19, 2010
BEIRUT: Iran’s president expressed Iran’s “full support” for Lebanon on Thursday in light of recent Israeli threats.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad discussed the threats during a telephone conversation with President Michel Sleiman.
Sleiman stressed to his Iranian counterpart that the threats should be faced through “bolstering national unity, military preparedness, and the integration of national capabilities in order to deter any aggression.”
Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad said that if the Israelis launch a new war against Lebanon, Hizbullah should retaliate strong enough to “close their case once and for all.”
His comments, in a conversation with Hizbullah’s leader, were the latest in a heated exchange of rhetoric between Israel and Lebanon and Syria this months in which all sides have been warning the other not to start a war.
Speaking by phone, Ahmadinejad urged Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to prepare his fighters
to be able to retaliate against any Israeli attack.
“The preparations should be of the level that, if they [the Israelis] want to repeated the mistakes of the past [by attacking], then their case should be closed once and for all and the region delivered from their evil ways forever,”Ahmadinejad said, according to the state news agency IRNA.
“The people of Iran will stand by the peoples of Lebanon and the region in this,” the Iranian president said.
Nasrallah dismissed any fears, saying Israeli “threats will lead to nothing.”
Iran is a key supporter of Hizbullah, believed to funnel it weapons and millions of dollars in funding, though Tehran denies arming the Shiite group.
Hizbullah, also closely allied to Syria, boasts a heavy arsenal of rockets capable of reaching deep inside Israel.
The past month has seen increased sabre-rattling between Israel and Syria, Hizbullah and Lebanon – though there’s been little apparent cause on the ground for the warnings of new war. Hizbullah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006 that wreaked destruction in south Lebanon and parts of Beirut.
In a speech aired nationally in Lebanon this week, Nasrallah vowed that if Israel attacks again, his fighters would retaliate in kind, striking Tel Aviv or Israel’s international airport on the city’s outskirts.
Lebanon’s prime minister also warned of “escalating” Israeli war threats and vowed Lebanon would support Hizbullah in any fight. The prime minister, Saad Hariri, is a pro-US figure and longtime rival of Hizbullah, but the group is now a member of his national unity government.
Earlier in the month, Syria’s president Bashar Assad accused Israel of avoiding peace, and its premier warned that if war broke out, Israeli cities would be attacked. – The Daily Star, with AP
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EXPOSITION OF I CORINTHIANS 13 – Part 3
February 20, 2010
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
I Corinthians 13:2 – And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that
I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE;
Although the word “prophecy” applies more frequently to simply proclaiming the word of God, in this context it refers more to proclaiming future events. The teaching of the future events revealed by God are certainly a part of the book of God’s love we call the Bible, but it is not in any way superior to the teachings of the Bible that cause the believer to grow in the love of God. Some believers are prophecy nuts, and thrive on it, but are sadly lacking in the love of the one who gave the very prophecies they seem to thrive on.
It is the love of God manifested in all these prophecies that is the spirit
of prophecy, the mystery of prophecy, and the knowledge gained from prophecy, and the thing we should seek from them.
It is the love of God that causes us to watch, to desire, and to hope for his coming. It is not the time of his coming that is most important, it is that he IS coming, and that we hope
it is soon. If our motivation in wanting to understand the prophecies of God is based on a love to reveal them to others, so they may be used to establish them in the love that is in Christ
Jesus, then our presentation of prophecy has the right motive. The primary motive behind prophecy presentation should always be to build up the local body of Christ in love for “the obedience of the faith.”
Romans 16:25-27 – Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: [27] To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.
Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 – Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
AND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE;
Love is superior to great knowledge and understanding. This involves inspiration and prophecy, which was the work of the prophets. Had they not been filled w ith the love of God, they could not have wr
itten it, so it always leads back to God, who is love. All the true knowledge, prophecy, and understanding we possess, we have only because God, in his great love, chose to reveal it to us.
AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM NOTHING.
Whatever it is that we have, which can be classified as acceptable to God, we received from God, and his love in us is his very nature, and the greatest gift of all, for all the others stem out of it.
John 3:27 – John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be GIVEN him from heaven.
Romans 12:3,4 – For I say, through the grace GIVEN unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath DEALT to every man the MEASURE OF FAITH. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Ephesians 2:22 – In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
John 13:34,35 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
This new commandment is superior and is the law of Christ. It is this commandment that is to be the reason, the motivation, for our service to Christ, and this is the motivation
that Christ seeks to implant in our hearts.
Galatians 6:2,3 – Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. [3] For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
The main point that Paul puts forward in I Corinthians 13 is
that worship in the local church is to be based on love, not individual gifts the members were excelling in, such as prophecy, knowledge, understanding, or faith, or any other thing except love for the brethren. We were born from above for that purpose – unfeigned love of the brethren.
I Peter 1:22,23 – Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Romans 5:5 – And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which
is GIVEN unto us.
I Corinthians 13:13 – And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
The Initial 10 Horns, when Final War Begins,
Will be quickly joined by other Islamic Nations,
When the Antichrist defeats the Egyptian Nation,
Creating world’s largest historical Islamic Caliphate!
Middle East favorable pre-condition acts now Forming!
10 do decide behind closed doors when to launch Attack,
That I feel certain will begin at a point in Time Before 2015!
February 20, 2010
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
The king of the south is Israel.
The king of the north is Syria.
The 10 horns are Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
Daniel 11:40-43 – And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. [41] He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. [42] He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. [43] But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and
the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
Revelation 17:12,13 –And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Begin Two Excerpts from Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs/Daily Alert
Excerpt Number 1 from Fars-Iran
Iran: Islamic Middle East Soon to Be Formed
(Fars-Iran)
Iran’s Islamic revolution has been a source of inspiration for the Muslim nations, ushering the region into a new era of Islamism where an Islamic Middle East is being formed, Maj.-Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s senior military advisor, said Wednesday.
“What is now being formed is an Islamic Middle East, not an American Middle East,” he said.
Formation of an Islamic Middle East is t he result of t
he Islamic revolution in Iran, he stressed.
Excerpt Number 2 from UPI
Iran Seen Tightening Grip on Iraq
(UPI)
Allegations by the top U.S. general in Iraq that two Iraqi politicians are linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has heightened concern that Tehran is tightening its grip as U.S. forces withdraw.
Gen. Ray Odierno identified the pair as Ahmad Chalabi and Ali al-Lami.
Odierno said both men had been in close contact with Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis, the senior Iraqi adviser to Brig.
Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force.
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We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more detailed information go to:
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You may use material originated by this site. However, if you wish to use any quoted copyrighted material from this site, which did not originate at this site, for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner from which we extracted it.
Exposition of I Corinthians 13 – Part 2
February 19, 2010
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
II Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
John 13:34,35 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also
love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Since I believe we are living in the last days, and that the catching out of the saved is not a distant event, the judgment seat of Christ looms in my future, and I am naturally inclined to be more concerned about quality of love in my own life, since I believe it will be the most important factor considered when I am judged.
So I am presenting this exposition of love from I Corinthians 13 for my own edification as well as the readers.
Please allow me to repeat the last portion of Part 1 in this exposition of the 13 verses of I Corinthians 13.
I CORINTHIANS 13:1 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
THE LOVE OF GOD IS NOT LOUD OR BRASSY. IT IS THE WORD OF HIS SON LIVING IN US THAT MANIFESTS A SOUL SUBDUED BY THE LOVE IN HIS
WORD.
This process of submission is outlined by Paul in his first epistle to Timothy.
I Timothy 4:13 – Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
II Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I Timothy 3:14,15 – These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: [15] But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Ephesians 3:21 – Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
I CORINTHIANS 13:1 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The supremacy of love is clearly established by contrast with human oratory (“tongues’) and communication of the angels. No language in heaven or earth can be justly compared with the practice of love. The art of oratory, which was so valued in the Greek culture, could in no way surpass love for one another in the church.
Great oratory of the Greek speakers held their listeners in great admiration of their technique and delivery of presentation,
and their words rippled through the air like the vibrations from a brass gong, but their effect was only as long as the resounding sound lasted. The act of agape love lasted because it engraved itself on the soul of the person who received it.
The clashing sound of cymbals tinkles the inner ear, and is temporarily exciting to the purpose driven man, and may be alluring and persuasive to lead a charge full of fervor, but if its action is not motivated by love, it is only noise, “sound without soul.”
Colossians 3:23,24 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily (ek psuche – from the saved soul), as to the Lord, and not unto men; [24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
I thank God it is not the PERSON preaching the Word that causes men to be saved. The power of salvation is in the Word itself, and not in the oratorical eloquence or style of the one sounding it.
John 6:62,63 – What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? [63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
If the motive of the speaker is the love of God and his Word, then the speaker will receive a reward, but I do understand what Paul stated concerning this process, and am constantly examining myself as to my motives in the things I preach and teach. If it is to draw attention to yourself, to put down others, to show how intelligent you think you are, or to impress others with your ability to speak it eloquently, as long as what you preach is the truth of the Gospel, then I rejoice that you
preach it.
Philippians 1:15-18 – Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [16] The one preach Christ of contention not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: [17] But the other OF LOVE, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. [18] What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Paul longed for the appearing of Christ with an intense love for its occurrence, and seemed to be always looking for things that would indicate it to be near. His love for the Word of God is clearly manifested in the last thing he wrote before his departure from this present life.
II Timothy 4:8-13 – Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing. [9] Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: [10] For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. [11] Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. [12] And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
[13] The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
Why in the world did Paul want Timothy to being John Mark with him, when he knew he was about to die? It was John Mark who was instrumental in causing Paul’s breakup with his great brother in Christ, Barnabas!
John Mark had bailed out on his Uncle Barnabas and the Apostle Paul when the going got tough at the foot of the steep mountains of Turkey. Paul and Barnabas met in Syria during Barnabas’ trip to Antioch. The account is carried in Acts 11:22-26.
Acts 11:22-26 – Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. [23] Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. [24] For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
[25] Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: [26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled
themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Paul, along with Barnabas and his nephew John Mark, later left Antioch on their first missionary journey, and it was a fairly easy mission until they reached the base of the foothills of the Taurus Mountains at Perga on the flat southern coastline of Pamphylia. Mark looked up at these vertical slopes and, knowing they had blizzards and great snowfall on the upper plateaus, as well as many robber bands living in them, he headed for home.
Acts 13:13 – Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
I do not wish to judge Mark for his conduct, for I am confident I would have done the same, being the coward that I am in the flesh. But Mark’s action at that time caused Paul to believe Mark could not be trusted to take on future missionary journeys, and later caused Paul and Barnabas to part ways when planning their second journey.
Acts 15:36-40 – And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. [37] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. [38] But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [39] And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; [40] And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Paul was not a man who preached as “sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.” Paul’s motivation was the love of God manifested in him by his love for the Word of his God. So why in heaven’s name would he want Mark in the last days of his life?
II Timothy 4:11 – Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
So what possible use could Mark be to the man who had refused to let him go on the second missionary journey because of his forsaking the work? The answer is found in 4:13, and is one of the great examples of why it is not as important as to how a man starts the race, but as to how he finishes it.
II Timothy 4:13 – The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
The word translated “books” is “biblion,” which is a paper or letter written on papyrus bark (the inner part of the papyrus plant). “Parchments” is “membrane,” which consisted of stretched and dried animal skins on which papers and letters were written.
The first books of the New Testament were written on papyrus bark and animal membranes.
Most sources put the time of the writing of this last epistle of Paul no earlier than 65 A.D. and no later than 67 A.D., so with this in mind, it is important to acknowledge that only one of the four Gospels was finished by that time, which was the Gospel of Mark.
So we have a worn out old man, cold, tired, and waiting to be executed, in a damp Roman dungeon. What was, and had been, his motive for preaching the Gospel? It was his love for his Master manifested by his love for his Word? He wanted John Mark to being him all that he had written as the account of the first Gospel, and he
wanted to read it before he departed to the one who gave it to Mark.
So what is the “call to preach?” It is a love for the Word and the Lord who gave it, and the desire to please him because he has given you this greatest of all honors. So preach with the motivation of love! And what is the call that all receive to serve him? It is a love for the Word, and for the one who gave it.
Colossians 3:23,24 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; [24] Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
I Corinthians 13:13 – And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.