In Acts 12:25 we see a young man that decided to leave Jerusalem to become the 2nd man for Barnabas and Paul. His name was John Mark. He left his home town to travel first to Antioch where a good church had been established and then to the unknown world to take the gospel message to the world.
In Acts 13:4 the missionary team departed from Antioch to begin their missionary journey and by verse 13 John Mark couldn't take it anymore. He left on an emotional high from Jerusalem but when things started heating up he took off. Here we can see what not to do at a 2nd man.
Being a 2nd man means staying no matter how difficult the trials become. In the ministry there are going to be times when everything seems to be going perfect and then the other 75% of the ministry comes along. Remember that we have to take up our cross and follow Jesus. We have to die daily to ourselves.
Mark had a tremendous opportunity to help two of the greatest church leaders in history, and he threw it all away.
What will it take for you to turn your back on the 1st man? When he starts being criticized by others are you going look for the back door? When the money goes away are you going to run in the opposite direction? When the ministry just isn't fun anymore are you going to find the easy way out?
Determine in your heart today that no matter what situation comes along you will stand your ground. Jefe has made this statement hundreds of times since I have known him, "Never leave when everything is going wrong. Stick it out until everything is fixed. Not until then can you even consider leaving."
Make sure that you stick by the 1st man no matter what, and if God is moving you away, make sure it's not just because the job is too hard and not fun anymore. I am pretty sure when Jesus said to take up your cross he didn't mean for it to be easy.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Jonathan- Part 3
Jonathan was definitely in a difficult situation. He had the relationship with his father the king on one side and then loyalty to his best friend who he knew was a man of God on the other.
In I Samuel 20:13 Jonathan affirmed David that he would not let His father do anything evil to him without Jonathan letting him know. He proved his loyalty. Our job as a 2nd man is to do all we can to make sure no unnecessary harm comes to the 1st man. We have to be ready to defend and protect. Nowadays it doesn't really mean we will hold up a literal shield in a battle, but it does mean that we will stand up against anyone that tries to hurt his name or his reputation. It means that if someone maliciously attacks his character we stand with him and show support.
To be a 2nd man there has to be loyalty. No matter what happens the first man has to know that his 2nd man is standing with him. If you can't be loyal than you can't be a 2nd man. Of course I am not talking in the context of defending any sin. We are talking about standing behind a 1st man who is sold out for the Lord as David was.
In I Samuel 20:13 Jonathan affirmed David that he would not let His father do anything evil to him without Jonathan letting him know. He proved his loyalty. Our job as a 2nd man is to do all we can to make sure no unnecessary harm comes to the 1st man. We have to be ready to defend and protect. Nowadays it doesn't really mean we will hold up a literal shield in a battle, but it does mean that we will stand up against anyone that tries to hurt his name or his reputation. It means that if someone maliciously attacks his character we stand with him and show support.
To be a 2nd man there has to be loyalty. No matter what happens the first man has to know that his 2nd man is standing with him. If you can't be loyal than you can't be a 2nd man. Of course I am not talking in the context of defending any sin. We are talking about standing behind a 1st man who is sold out for the Lord as David was.
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