Useful to Me
From "Not Useful" to "Bring Him with You"
SCRIPTURE:
2 Timothy 4:11 CSB - …Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.
OBSERVATION:
In Acts 15, we read about a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark. At one point, Paul considered Mark “not useful” for ministry. This conflict led to a split:
Barnabas and Mark went one way, while Paul and Silas went another.
Acts 15:36-40 NKJV - Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
The disagreement stemmed from Mark's earlier departure in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). Paul felt betrayed or perhaps disappointed. Barnabas, ever the encourager, believed in second chances.
What was the root of the dispute? Pride? Frustration? Fear of being let down again? The text doesn’t give us all the details, but we do know the division was sharp and personal.
2 Timothy 4:11 CSB - …Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.
OBSERVATION:
In Acts 15, we read about a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark. At one point, Paul considered Mark “not useful” for ministry. This conflict led to a split:
Barnabas and Mark went one way, while Paul and Silas went another.
Acts 15:36-40 NKJV - Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
The disagreement stemmed from Mark's earlier departure in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). Paul felt betrayed or perhaps disappointed. Barnabas, ever the encourager, believed in second chances.
What was the root of the dispute? Pride? Frustration? Fear of being let down again? The text doesn’t give us all the details, but we do know the division was sharp and personal.
It is always wrong to step over people in the name of ministry, and when it happens, it must be made right.
There is no doubt God used this division, but this can never be casually used as an excuse for carnal division. God can redeem good out of evil, yet we are all held accountable for the evil we do, even if God ends up bringing good out of the evil. Either Paul or Barnabas — probably both — had to get this right with God and each other.
Later, Paul came to minister with John Mark and to value his contributions to the work of God (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 4:24; 2 Timothy 4:11). We don’t know if it was Mark who changed or Paul who changed. Probably God had a work to do in both of them! – David Guzik
There is no doubt God used this division, but this can never be casually used as an excuse for carnal division. God can redeem good out of evil, yet we are all held accountable for the evil we do, even if God ends up bringing good out of the evil. Either Paul or Barnabas — probably both — had to get this right with God and each other.
Later, Paul came to minister with John Mark and to value his contributions to the work of God (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 4:24; 2 Timothy 4:11). We don’t know if it was Mark who changed or Paul who changed. Probably God had a work to do in both of them! – David Guzik
APPLICATION:
Have you experienced a ministry falling-out like Paul and Mark's?
It doesn’t matter who was right. What matters is whether restoration has occurred.
Let the Paul or Mark in your life be freed from the weight of broken fellowship. Ask God to begin healing in you—whether you hurt someone or were hurt.
And maybe, one day soon, you’ll be able to say, “They are useful to me in the ministry.”
PRAYER:
Jesus, please bring healing to my heart toward those I’ve hurt in ministry—and those I feel have hurt me. Whether I was right or wrong no longer matters. What matters is Your heart for peace, restoration, and unity. Do in me what You did in Paul and Mark—bring forgiveness, maturity, and healing. Let the wounds of division be replaced by usefulness, grace, and love.
Have you experienced a ministry falling-out like Paul and Mark's?
- Is there someone you once served alongside, but now feel divided from?
- Is it a disagreement that remains unresolved—rooted in pride, pain, or unmet expectations?
It doesn’t matter who was right. What matters is whether restoration has occurred.
Let the Paul or Mark in your life be freed from the weight of broken fellowship. Ask God to begin healing in you—whether you hurt someone or were hurt.
And maybe, one day soon, you’ll be able to say, “They are useful to me in the ministry.”
PRAYER:
Jesus, please bring healing to my heart toward those I’ve hurt in ministry—and those I feel have hurt me. Whether I was right or wrong no longer matters. What matters is Your heart for peace, restoration, and unity. Do in me what You did in Paul and Mark—bring forgiveness, maturity, and healing. Let the wounds of division be replaced by usefulness, grace, and love.
God can restore what pride and pain divided — and the person you once wrote off may be exactly who He wants to use beside you in ministry.
Posted in 16 - 2 Timothy
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