May 18, 2013 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "John Mark" -Bernard Taylor

Pastoral Welcome: Joelle Reuer

Children’s Feature: Patty Marruffo

Scripture Reading: Acts 15:36–41, TNIV- Jessica Williams 

Sermon Notes:

The story of the Book of Acts fascinates me. It was such a bold move, especially since it began in Jerusalem. In hindsight would it not have made more sense for the apostles to make a
fresh start somewhere like Antioch in Syria (the third largest city in the Roman Empire) where
Gentile Christianity was later based, away from the pull of the familiar and customary; and the
idea might have been entertained had not the departing Lord told them to begin in Jerusalem,
and fan out from there.

And so it began, and began well, with a major influx at Pentecost, seven weeks after the passion weekend. What no one expected was the persecution led by one Saul from Tarsus; but
then no one expected the story of his conversion. Suspicions ran deep; how could he ever
be trusted? It was one thing to be called by God to be an apostle. It was quite another to find
acceptance in Jerusalem, as Saul learned all too soon.

I believe that in all likelihood there would have been no apostle Paul had it not been for Barnabas, “the son of encouragement” as he was dubbed. The apostles stiff armed Saul, let it be
known that he was not welcome, because he could not be trusted. Then Barnabas stepped
in and extended “the right arm of fellowship” and put his reputation on the line by personally
taking Saul to meet the leaders and telling them Saul’s story.

Not surprisingly, then, thanks again to Barnabas, he and Saul end up in ministry together in
Antioch leading Gentile Christianity. All goes well until John Mark is added to the mix.

Whichever one of the three relates to you and your Christian walk, let us be open to the leading of the Spirit in University Church as we reach out to each other in deep Christian love.

Bernard Taylor
Scholar in Residence

Meditations:

A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity. – Gospel Workers, 122
 
If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one. – E. G. White, Loma Linda, California, August 24, 1905

Baptism: Aneliis Paulina Reid, Timothy A. Tan, Beau Julian Young- Rob Mohr1

Child Dedication: Preston Josiah Bernard Hartnell- Rob Mohr2

Jude Florentino Ayala, Lucas Joseph Ayala- Patty Marruffo2

Note:

Baptisms and Child dedications are included in the extras section of the DVD