Getting God's Message Getting God's Message Program Transcripts
Pastor Lud Golz
Pastor Lud Golz

About the Program | Meet Pastor Golz | Contact Information | Fellowship Bible Church | Christian Resources | Donations

  Home | Transcript Archive | January | January 19, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

“He was accompanied by” 7 associates (Acts 20:4). 

Over the years of his ministry Paul never forgot the lesson he learned from Barnabas. It was a hard earned lesson and he had to humbly acknowledge the wisdom of Barnabas to give Mark another chance to prove himself. At the end of his life, Paul wrote Timothy to bring Mark to him because he now recognized him as being profitable! 
 
In that same letter Paul declared the principle he learned from Barnabas: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2nd Timothy 2:2). Paul became so convinced of this principle of reproduction he recruited many other men to join his team and mentored them as he had mentored Timothy for ministry. In fact there were times it seems as though he had a training school traveling with him. 
 
Acts 20:3-4 describes this: “He was accompanied by Sopater…from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.” That’s just like Paul. If it’s wise to reproduce yourself as Barnabas did, one at a time, why not do it with five or more at a time! Jesus did when He recruited 12 apostles during His earthly ministry. 
 
It’s also wise to remember one of the twelve betrayed Jesus and then committed suicide. Paul had a team mate, Demas, who deserted him. You probably will not succeed with all of your disciples, but the principle of reproducing yourself is not only valid, it is crucial to fulfilling the great commission. Learn this lesson well!
 
“The principle of reproducing yourself is crucial to fulfilling the great commission.”
 

Getting God's Message with Lud Golz, P.O. Box 167, Novelty, Ohio 44072

design by Klein Studios, Inc.