(2 Timothy 4:11)

Unfortunately, people often have differences between each other that cause them to go their separate ways.  Perhaps it is a family member.  Perhaps it is a friend.  Perhaps it is a church member.  Sometimes the person that you were close to had a problem that you could not put up with.  Maybe their goals did not line up with your goals.  Whatever the case may have been, you just gave up on trying to get along with them.  The message today is, don't give up on them too soon.

In the passages above, Barnabas and Paul disagreed sharply about taking Mark with them because he had left them on their 1st missionary journey.  Even though they were all Christians, this dispute caused them to separate.  In essence, all three gave up too soon.  1. Mark gave up on the journey.  2.  Paul gave up on Mark.  3. Barnabas gave up on Paul (wouldn't go with him). 

Have you given up on someone close to you?  Have you decided that they will never change for the better?  Are you just tired of dealing with them?  Perhaps you should reconsider.

Years later, Paul asked for Mark.  He said that Mark was profitable to him for the ministry.  Even the Apostle Paul reversed himself as he realized that Mark had a lot to offer. 

I don't know what changed Paul's mind, but I do know that sometimes we also give up on others too soon.  Perhaps if someone in our past life had not been patient with us, we would not be where we are today.  Have patience with others.  Remember, God can change all of us over time.  Don't give up on yourself.  Don't give up on your church.  And don't give up on your brother or sister too soon!