COVENANT COMMUNITY ONLINE SERVICE
PRESENTER: Pastor Steve Mayo
PREACHER Pastor Colin Turner
PRAYERS: Calvin T Samuel
SUNDAY 09th AUGUST 2020 – Wise and Spiritual Leaders
Welcome to this service for 9th August 2020.
This service, as with last week, will be a joint effort between myself, Pastor Steve Mayo,
Rev Dr Calvin Samuel and Pastor Colin Turner.
We are all ministers of Methodist Church within the Southend & Leigh Circuit in Essex.
Our call to worship is from Psalm 85 and will be read to us by Ade Adeosun, from Canvey Island Methodist Church.
Call to Worship
Psalm 85:8-13
8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants –
but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
[NIVUK]
Our opening hymn is an old one written right back in the 1600’s but still remains a popular hymn today; ‘Let all the world in every corner sing’, written by George Herbert (1593-1633).
Let all the world in every corner sing: my God and King!
The heavens are not too high, his praise may thither fly;
the earth is not too low, his praises there may grow.
Let all the world in every corner sing: my God and King!
Let all the world in every corner sing: my God and King!
The church with psalms must shout, no door can keep them out;
but, more than all, the heart must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in every corner sing: my God and King!
Our opening prayers are led by Rev Dr Calvin Samuel.
- PRAYERS
As we come to our prayers I invite you to respond using the words in yellow which appear on your screen, or the text in bold type if you’re listening on audio and working from a hard copy.
Let us pray.
Gracious Father,
by the obedience of Jesus
you brought salvation to our wayward world:
draw us into harmony with your will,
that we may find all things restored in him
Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers of Confession
Let us make our confession to God:
Lord God, our maker and our redeemer,
this is your world and we are your people:
Come among us and save us.
We have wilfully misused your gifts of creation;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin.
We have seen the ill-treatment of others
and have not gone to their aid;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin
We have condoned evil and dishonesty
and failed to strive for justice
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin
We have heard the good news of Christ;
but have failed to share it with others;
Lord, be merciful:
forgive us our sin
We have not loved you with all our heart,
Nor our neighbours as ourselves;
Silence
May Almighty God
who sent his Son into the World to save sinners,
bring you His pardon and His peace now and forever.
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Our second reading for this service is from Acts 13:1-16 & 15:36-41
Acts 13:1-16
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
On Cyprus
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6 They travelled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.’
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
In Pisidian Antioch
13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.’
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: ‘Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!
Acts 15:36-41
Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas
36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 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. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. [NIVUK]
Our sermon today is brought to us by Pastor Colin Turner.
Paul's 1st Missionary Journey
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Sermon: Paul, Barnabus and Mark
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Names and Characters. There are some names and characters that, when linked together bring to mind events, genres, memories, emotions or even historical events. Here are a few:
Hanna and Barbera. (From the world of American motion-picture animation),
Posh and Becks. (Icons of Sport, Pop and Fashion Celebrity)
Rodgers and Hammerstein (From the world of American Musical Theatre).
Bonnie and Clyde. (The Bank Robbers of the 1930’s USA Great Depression)
Lennon and McCartney. (The UK Liverpudlian songwriting partnership )
And who can forget good old Ant and Dec. (The English TV presenting duo).
From the pages of the Bible come more names that elicit memories of a host of stories of faith and Divine encounter; In the Old Testament names such as Adam and Eve, Samson and Delilah, David and Goliath, Shadrach Meshach and Abednego, and from the New Testament, Mary and Joseph, James and John, and, the subjects of our thoughts today, Paul, Barnabus and Mark. These three men, both singly, and together, were, along with others, such as Silas and Luke, the very effective trailblazing team of evangelists of the early church, responsible for the rapid spread and growth of the Christian Church under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And yet, as the text we read today makes clear, the relationships between these main players was not always smooth. So what is their story and how did they all end up in Antioch.
At the time we encounter Barnabus and Paul in Antioch they were both described as being prophets and teachers in the Antioch Church leadership team along with lesser known names such as Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch). This was clearly a very diverse church leadership with a mix of skills, education, prior allegiances, and backgrounds.
Acts11v19 and 20 gives the clue as to how this all came about, “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among 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 Jesus. — Acts 11:19,20 NIV
It is a relevant thought that without this persecution, the spread of the gospel across Asia Minor might never have happened so quickly, if at all; A lesson for us today that God moves even through our negative experiences, our pains and disappointments and the pressures of life.
He also, of course, moves through our giftings and relationships as he did here through those of Barnabus, Paul and Mark. Before the Antioch commissioning ever occurred, Barnabus and Paul had crossed paths before; they had a history so to speak! It all went back to when Paul had met the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road, and was dramatically converted.
Having previously been the chief persecutor of the “followers of the way”, Saul had now become one himself, and he became the newly named Paul. Perhaps understandably when he tried to join the Jerusalem Church, he had a very mixed reception from some of his new Christian family. Who was it who stepped in to smooth the way? No less than our friend Barnabus, the encourager. (Barnabus means Son of Encouragement),
Acts 9:26-27; 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Barnabus must have been impressed by Paul’s eloquence and commitment to the preaching of the gospel because he sent for Paul to join him at Antioch to help with this young vibrant church.
(Acts 11:25-26; 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 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.).
So what went wrong in their relationship? Was it to do with status and jealousy I wonder? After all is very noticeable that at the time of their commissioning for mission, St Paul was still known as Saul and was the junior partner to Barnabus. It was only after he challenged Eylomus the magician and displayed God’s power with such dramatic effects that the amazed Proconsul believed in Jesus, that the textual references changed the seniority references from “Barnabas and Saul” to “Paul and Barnabus”. And yet, and yet! jealousy just does not seem to fit into the known character of Barnabus. After all, here is the man of Cyprus who gave up his land and wealth for Jesus and the gospel, laying down the proceeds at the apostles feet.
(Acts 4 v36 - 37- Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet- Acts 4:36-37).
Was this split over doctrine? It would appear not? They both preached a gospel of repentance.
(Acts13. 38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses).
The split appears to be over family loyalty. (Colossians 4:10 tells us that the Aunt of Barnabas was the mother of John, surnamed Mark (Colossians 4:10), and when Paul wanted to revisit the places of their first journey to encourage the Christians there, Barnabus wanted to take Mark along. Paul was less than keen about this. As Mark had left them half way through their first journey he thought the risk was too great of a repetition. Thus these two devoted servants of Jesus, agreed to differ and they went their separate ways; Paul taking Silas with him, (joined in progress by Timothy and by Luke) on a fruitful but difficult journey through part of what is now Turkey, into Europe on to Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea after which Paul went on to Athens and thence to Corinth, where he was joined again by Silas and Timothy.
Meanwhile Barnabus took Mark to Cyprus where he ministered to the Churches there.
Whilst very little additional mention is made of Barnabus and his work from that point on, Mark went on to be a secretary to the Apostle Peter and then to write the Synoptic Gospel that bears his name. And, it also seems that over time, Paul changed his mind and was reconciled to Mark. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul says, "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." (NIV)
The last mention of Mark occurs in 1 Peter 5:13, where Peter calls Mark his "son," no doubt a sentimental reference because Mark had been so helpful to him.
This then is part of the story of Barnabus, Paul and Mark. Spirit filled, energetic, devoted, passionate, gifted, empowered, commissioned and fruitful evangelists, as they were, Barnabus and Paul still managed to fall out with each other and poor old John Mark collected a demerit point that has gone down in history as part of the New Testament record. Oddly enough, I am quite encouraged by this rather human trait displayed by these Evangelistic Superheroes of the Christian Faith. Whilst it is always best to find a way through our disagreements, if we fail to do so, redemption of future actions and relationships is always possible in Christ. In reality, the Grace of God powers through and the work the kingdom continues, even when using our occasionally flawed vessels and lives.
Foundational to the success of this commissioning of Paul and Barnabus for Mission was the emphasis and reliance of the Antioch Church upon seeking the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. They fasted and prayed and expected God to move, and He did. Through their praying, they identified, amongst their diverse number, those whom God had called for the task. And Foundational to the success of the mission itself was the obedience of those who were called. Barnabus and Paul did not prevaricate, but they went. The call of the kingdom came first. They went and people responded to the call to repent of sin and to follow Jesus themselves. The church grew and it spread across the globe and then on to subsequent generations. Today, it is you and I who are now called to pray, to commission workers and to be prepared to serve ourselves. May God help us to hear His prompting and to keep our suitcases packed! Amen
Let us Pray.
Loving Father God. We praise you for your Son Jesus and for His saving, transforming love and Grace. For your Holy Spirit who fills, gently prompts and moulds our lives according to your will and purpose. As your Church, help us to wait on you more, to sense your leading and to be bold in our commissioning and response. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Before we come to our prayers of intercession which will be led by Calvin, let us sing our next hymn written by Noel and Tricia Richards, ‘By your side I would stay’.
BY YOUR SIDE I would stay;
In Your arms I would lay.
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Nothing from You I withhold.
Lord, I love You, and adore You;
What more can I say?
You cause my love to grow stronger
With every passing day.
(Repeat)
Prayers of Intercession
In peace, let us pray to Jesus our Lord,
who ever lives to make intercession for us.
Saviour of the world,
be present in all places of suffering, violence and pain,
and bring hope even in the darkest night.
We remember the people of Lebanon
and we stand in solidarity with those killed, injured or dispossessed,
in the explosion in Beirut this week.
Inspire us to continue your work of reconciliation today.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Lord of the Church
empower by your Spirit all Christian people,
and the work of your Church in every land.
Give us grace to proclaim the gospel joyfully in word and deed
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Shepherd and Guardian of our souls,
guide and enable all who lead and serve this community
and those on whom we depend for our daily needs.
Grant that we may seek the peace and welfare of this place.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Great Physician
stretch out your hand to bring comfort, wholeness and peace
to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit.
Fill us with compassion, that we may be channels of your healing love.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Conqueror of death,
remember for good those whom we love but see no longer
Help us to live this day in the sure and certain hope of your eternal victory.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
In silence Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
We draw all our prayers together in the prayer that Jesus gave us in its modern form. The words will appear on screen:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
Some material included in this service is copyright:
© 1999 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Common Worship, © Archbishop's Council 2006.
Our closing hymn for today is a more modern hymn with a bit of a reggae beat.
‘He has been given’, written by David Fellingham.
HE HAS BEEN GIVEN a Name above all names,
In earth and heaven, let all creation claim
That Jesus Christ is King, and Lord of all.
He is the Victor over satan’s reign,
His blood has triumphed over sin and shame,
Jesus Christ is King and Lord of all.
He is the likeness of Jehovah,
Through whom the world was made.
By His word the universe is sustained,
Every power is subject to His name.
The name of Jesus in victory will resound,
In every nation let the good news sound:
Jesus Christ is King, and Lord of all.
Thank you for joining us in this service and I hope you have found it beneficial.
A final benediction.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us now, and forevermore.
May God bless each one of you.
CCL No. 250079