The Return Policy
by Darien Chaffart | Oct 3, 2026
Sermon Notes
- Acts 13:13 CSB
Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem. - Acts 15:36-40 CSB
After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. - We live in a culture that often values convenience over depth
* We want the benefits of real relationships without the inconvenience of vulnerability and discomfort
* We want convenience over depth, connection without vulnerability, and intimacy without risk - The strongest relationships develop when people refuse to abandon each other even when it’s hard
- 1 Corinthians 13:7 CSB
[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. - True love doesn’t run when things get hard
- If soul mates do exist they’re not found, they’re made. People meet, they get a good feeling, and then they get to work building a relationship.
– The Good Place - Real, healthy relationships require:
1. Commitment despite difficulty – “I’ll fight for this relationship”
2. Vulnerability despite uncertainty – “This is who I really am…”
3. Risk despite anxiety – “It may not end well, but real relationship is still worth it” - 2 Timothy 4:11 CSB
Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. - Sometimes, even when a relationship is hard, it is still worth pursuing
- 1. Ask God: Who have you placed in my life that I can build a deep, genuine connection with?
2. Ask God: What can I do, this week, to build a deeper relationship with that person?
3. Pray: God, help me to not run from a relationship just because it is hard. Help me be courageous enough to be vulnerable, committed enough to do my part even when it’s hard, and wise enough to recognize what healthy relationships look like. Help me learn to pursue others, the way you have pursued me.
Discussion Questions
- In Acts 15:36-40, we see that Paul was unwilling to bring John Mark with him because Mark had previously deserted them. How do you think Paul may have been feeling in that moment? Do you relate to this story and what Paul may have been feeling in that moment? If so, how?
- In his message, Darien described our tendency to treat relationships like “paper plates”, replacing them when they become difficult or damaged. In your experience, what makes it easier to walk away from a relationship than to work through the difficulty?
- In 1 Corinthians 13:7, Paul tells us that love “bears all things” and “endures all things”. What do you think this practically looks like in a healthy friendship, family, marriage, or other relationship? How can we bear and endure all things, without simply tolerating unhealthy or harmful behavior?
- The message outlines three things that healthy relationships require: commitment despite difficulty, vulnerability despite uncertainty, and risk despite anxiety. Which of these is most difficult for you? How come?
- Towards the end of Paul’s life, we see he eventually asks Timothy to bring John Mark to him, because he is useful in ministry. We don’t know exactly what happened between the two of them, but what do you think may have changed between Acts 15 and 2 Timothy 4? What does this story teach us about not allowing past hurts to permanently define a relationship?
- Who is someone God may be calling you to pursue more intentionally in this season? What is one practical step you could take this week to build, repair, or deepen that relationship?
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