Partners With Christ

Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1–3 “Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.”

Seeks, Believes, Follows

Missionary Example

Disciple relationship - Teacher to Student

Fellowship Relationship - Believer/Priests

Mature Relationship - Partners in Work of Ministry / Go into all the World

Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark

It is possible that John Mark overcame his fear of venturing beyond the familiarity of Judea, Syria, and Cyprus (if that is what caused his turning back) and was reconciled to Paul. 2 Tim. 4:11 asks the recipient of the letter to send Mark, “for he is very useful in serving me.”

According to early Church tradition Mark accompanied Peter, for whom he was the “interpreter” (Eusebius HE iii.39.15), and wrote the gospel of Mark at Rome.

Allen C. Myers

No one can rightly blame Barnabas for giving his cousin John Mark a second chance nor Paul for fearing to risk him again. One’s judgment may go with Paul, but one’s heart goes with Barnabas.

Archibald Thomas Robertson

We know very little about the ministry of John Mark.

J. Vernon McGee

Mark - an action gospel - short and to the point Mark is first known as a young missionary, cousin to Barnabas, then as a useful interpreter to Peter, then as an aid to Paul. He worked with the greatest apostles. and we know little about him other than his youthful failure redeemed by a lifelong service to his Lord.

1st Journey - Paul and Barnabas go on to Perga…, John Mark returns to Jerusalem

Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.”

2nd Journey - Paul and Silas go on…, Barnabas and John Mark go to Cyprus

Acts 15:37–38 “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.”

Colossians 4:10 “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),”

2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”

XXV. A Heavenly Association (Eph. 2:6):

1. Partners with Christ in life,

Colossians 3:4 “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” ;

1 John 5:11–12 “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

2. Partners with Christ in position,

Ephesians 2:6 “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”

3. Partners with Christ in service,

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ;

“Workers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”);

“Workers together with him” (2 Corinthians 6:1 “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” ); “Ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” );

“Ministers of God” (2 Corinthians 6:4 “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,” ); “Ministers of the New Testament” (2 Corinthians 3:6 “who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” );

“Epistles” (2 Corinthians 3:3 “clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.” ).

4. Partners with Christ in suffering,

2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”;

Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” ;

1 Peter 2:20 “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” ;

1 Peter 4:12–13 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” ;

1 Thessalonians 3:3 “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” ;

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” ;

Colossians 1:24 “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,”

5. Partners with Christ in betrothal

2 Corinthians 11:2 “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”; Ephesians 5:25–27 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

XXVI. Heavenly Citizens:

1. Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” , R. V.;

Ephesians 2:19 “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” ;

Hebrews 12:22 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,” ;

Luke 10:20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”” ).

XXVII. Of the Family and Household of God:

1. Ephesians 2:19“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”

Ephesians 3:15 “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

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