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Delivered 08/19/02

PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE
(John 15:12-15; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Edwin Markham wrote:

There is a destiny that makes us brothers.
None goes his way alone.
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.

Yes, all of us need people. Let's consider 5 types of
relationships in the life of Paul.

I. FIRST, PAUL HAD A STEPHEN.

Stephen was a witness and a great influence on Paul when he was
still Saul the unbeliever. As far as we know these two only had
one encounter, but the impression was powerful and long lasting.
The Scriptures say, "Stephen, (was) a man full of God's grace
and power . . . Opposition arose, however, from members of the
Synagogue . . . These men began to argue with Stephen, but they
could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he
spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, 'We have
heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against
God.' So they stirred up the people and the elders and the
teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before
the Sanhedrin" (Acts. 6:8-12).

When Stephen spoke, the people were furious. The Scriptures
say, "Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up . . . (and)
said, 'I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the
right hand of God.' At this they covered their ears and,
yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,
dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile,
the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man
named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, 'Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell on his knees and cried
out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had
said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:55-60).

Later Paul referred to this incident. He said, "And when the
blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my
approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him"
(Acts 22:20).

Stephen was probably unaware that his testimony led to Paul's
conversion, but it did. Now, what if Stephen had not been
faithful? Everyone needs a dedicated Christian example.

II. NEXT, PAUL HAD AN ANANIAS.

Ananias was the first person to accept Paul after his
conversion. When Paul had that strange experience on the way to
Damascus, he was confused and broken. The Scriptures say, "Saul
got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see
nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three
days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In
Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to
him in a vision, 'Ananias . . . Go to the house of Judas on
Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he
is praying.' 'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many
reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your
saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from
the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.' But the
Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument . .
. Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his
hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who
appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me
so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit' "
(Acts 9:8-11,13-15,17).

Now, it took faith and courage for Ananias to even meet a man
with such a reputation for cruelty. But, he did more. He
called him brother and verbalized his call to service. Paul
gave him credit for his generous spirit. He said, "A man named
Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and
highly respected by all the Jews living there" (Acts 22:16).

Ananias saw Paul's potential and was willing to give him a
chance. Everyone needs a mentor who believes in them.

III. THIRD, PAUL HAD A BARNABAS.

Barnabas was a good friend. He, too, stood up for Paul. He
helped and encouraged Paul; but even more importantly, he was
willing to confront and oppose Paul when he believed he was
wrong.

Many people were suspicious of Paul when he started preaching.
In fact, they tried to kill him. That's when Barnabas came to
his aid. The Scriptures say, "(Barnabas) was a good man, full
of the Holy Spirit and faith . . . (He) went to Tarsus to look
for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So
for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and
taught great numbers of people . . ." (Acts 11:24-26).

Barnabas and Paul worked together for a long while. Invariably,
however, a disagreement arose. Paul was a strong willed,
opinionated leader and not many people would dare cross him; but
Barnabas did. The Scriptures say, "Some time later Paul said to
Barnabas, 'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the
towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they
are doing.' Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,
with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because
he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with
them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they
parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus . . ."
(Acts 15:36-40).

This is one of the few times that Paul was dead wrong. Mark
deserved a second chance and Paul later admitted it. Everyone
needs a friend who will support them when they're right and
confront them with they're wrong.

IV. FOURTH, PAUL HAD A SILAS.

Silas was Paul's associate for many years. He shared in his
good times and bad times. The Scriptures say, "Paul chose Silas
and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches"
(Acts 15:40-41).

Luke described one of their interesting experiences. They had
healed a fortune teller. The Scriptures say, "When the owners
of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was
gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the
marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before
the magistrates and said, 'These men are Jews, and are throwing
our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us
Romans to accept or practice.' The crowd joined in the attack
against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be
stripped and beaten . . . They were thrown into prison, and the
jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving
such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their
feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening
to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the
foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison
doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer
woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his
sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the
prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, 'Don't harm yourself!
We are all here!' The jailer called for lights, rushed in and
fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out
and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied,
'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your
household.' Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to
all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the
jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he
and all his family were baptized . . ." (Acts 16:19-34).

Paul and Silas seem to have made a great team. They
accomplished a lot in their mission endeavors. Everyone needs a
dependable associate.

V. FINALLY, PAUL HAD A TIMOTHY.

Timothy was Paul's protege. He was the son Paul never had.
Fortunately, Timothy justified Paul's faith in him. Paul first
met Timothy when he was very young. The Scriptures say, "He
came to . . . Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived,
whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a
Greek . . . Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he
circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for
they all knew that his father was a Greek" (Acts. 16:1,3).

Paul used Timothy as his messenger on many occasions. The
Scripture says, "He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and
Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a
little longer" (Acts 19:22).

Paul often referred to this young man as his fellow worker.
"Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you . . ."
(Rom. 16:21).

He complimented him. "For this reason I am sending to you
Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He
will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees
with what I teach everywhere in every church" (I Cor. 4:17).

He recommended him to others. "If Timothy comes, see to it that
he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying
on the work of the Lord, just as I am" (I Cor. 16:10).

He relied on him. "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to
you soon . . . I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine
interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own
interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy
has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has
served with me in the work of the gospel" (Phil. 2:19-22).

Paul depended on Timothy more and more as time went by. The
Scripture says, "We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's
fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen
and encourage you in your faith. . ." (I Thess. 3:2).

Paul gave Timothy fatherly advice. "To Timothy my true son in
the faith . . . I give you (these) instructions . . . so that by
following them you may fight the good fight . . . guard what has
been entrusted to your care . . ." (I Tim. 1:2,18; 6:12,20).

Paul was passing the torch on to the next generation. Everyone
needs a protege who can carry on after them.

Each of these individuals had a significant influence on Paul's
life. What individuals have been significant in your life? Who
has been a witness, a mentor, a friend, an associate or a
protege? More importantly, are you a significant person in
someone else's life? Have you been a witness, a mentor, a
friend, an associate, or a protege?

Scientist have discussed why geese fly in a "V" formation. As
each bird flies, it's wings create an uplift for the bird
following. If one falls out of formation, it feels the drag of
trying to do it all alone and quickly gets back into formation.
It's the same with us. People need people!

****

(Word Count 1840)

My ministry has been blessed immeasurably by reading other
people's sermons. When I started preaching 54 years ago, I
waited for "inspiration" before I began my sermon preparation
(usually Saturday night, about midnight). Then, I discovered it
wasn't inspiration at all-it was sheer PANIC. I would have
welcomed this service.

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted
by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in
any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that
you give credit for original material in published works.

Miles Wesner