38 But Paul thought not good to take him (John Mark) with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

In this study it is impossible to point out the purposes in any one of our characters without involving the others. While each man has a purpose it is important to distinguish the individual’s purpose and relate to them one at a time so as not to confuse ourselves. If we see purpose we should not confuse another’s purpose as if it were our own.

Since Paul is our best known character here, it is easier to distinguish his purpose from the others. We have good history as to Paul’s purpose in the early church. In this case Paul might not have seen himself as the architect of the church, but we now know that higher purpose in Paul’s life. We have that church in which we operate.

Paul would often refer to workers and coworkers in Christ. Every architect needs workers. Those workers must have skills which can be relied upon to do that work of service. Paul had no patience for John Mark, he discarded him because John Mark had failed him.

I once served under a pastor of a brand new church. His attitude was that of Paul here. If you failed him, you were out of leadership. No grace was shown, no mercy. Any perceived mistake was met with rejection. He was building a church, he needed skilled workmen. His error was in perceived mistakes. If he had explained his design properly then his workers might have understood what was expected of them.

This attitude can lead to contention and this is exactly what happened in Acts 15 between Paul and Barnabas. We shall now look to Barnabas for God’s purpose in him.

Acts 15:30-41 (KJV)

³⁰ So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

³¹ Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

³² And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

³³ And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

³⁴ Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

³⁵ Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

³⁶ 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.

⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Consider that God had purpose in these men’s lives. We all want to find our purpose in God’s Kingdom and if we can see how God purposed Himself in these men, then perhaps that will help us discover how God might purpose Himself in us.

Find purpose in these men’s lives according to what God was doing in these moment.