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Every growing congregation will in time face controversy.

Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. This should be expected because of the various levels of knowledge and maturity within the members of a growing church. (Eph 4:14-16). Every growing congregation will in time face controversy.

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Every growing congregation will in time face controversy.

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  1. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • This should be expected because of the various levels of knowledge and maturity within the members of a growing church. (Eph 4:14-16)

  2. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • (Ephesians 4:14-16 NKJV) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

  3. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

  4. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • The church at Corinth had cause for much controversy! Still as a church of God they were to patiently work on these problems. (1 Cor 1:10)

  5. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV) Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  6. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • When a church purposely avoids the open study of God’s word, then we have ceased being followers of Christ.

  7. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • Controversy will reveal our hearts.

  8. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • Controversy will reveal our hearts. • By its very nature controversy has a measure of discomfort. How will one react in these circumstances? (Jas 3:14-4:1)

  9. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • (James 3:14-18 NKJV) But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. {15} This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. {16} For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

  10. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • {17} But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. {18} Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

  11. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • (James 4:1 NKJV)Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

  12. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • Paul gave the Corinthian’s credit for seeking the truth rather than trying to bury it and ignore it. (1 Cor 7:1; 11:2)

  13. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • (1 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV) Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

  14. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • (1 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV) Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

  15. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • How will you respond under pressure? Will you show the love of God or impatiently write-off brethren as “unreachable?”

  16. Every growing congregation will in time face controversy. • Some under the guise of spirituality run from proper controversy. The fear of discomfort leads them to run and hide.

  17. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (Acts 6:1-7 NKJV) Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. {2} Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

  18. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • {3} “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; {4} “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

  19. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, {6} whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

  20. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • {7} Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

  21. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • You will more clearly see what the Bible teaches in proper controversy.

  22. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • There are some issues that we hear over and over again, but often we never know them like we thought we did. Controversy often makes this point clear. (Ex. Training on teaching a home study.)

  23. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • There are some issues that we hear over and over again, but often we never know them like we thought we did. Controversy often makes this point clear. (Ex. Training on teaching a home study.) • The goal in these discussions is to first learn what God’s will is and then determine the best way to implement it among brethren. (1 Cor 4:6)

  24. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (1 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV) - Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

  25. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • Issues are brought into the open rather than whispered among different groups.

  26. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • The church at Jerusalem had the beginnings of a serious problem. (Acts 6:1)

  27. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (Acts 6:1 NKJV) Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

  28. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • “Complaint” - 1) a murmur, murmuring, muttering 1a) a secret debate 1b) a secret displeasure not openly avowed.

  29. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • “Complaint” - 1) a murmur, murmuring, muttering 1a) a secret debate 1b) a secret displeasure not openly avowed. • These kind of voices in the background must be stopped! (Phil 2:14; 1 Pt 4:9)

  30. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (Philippians 2:14 NKJV) Do all things without complaining and disputing,

  31. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (1 Peter 4:9 NKJV)Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

  32. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • Controversy ended with a solution that “pleased the whole multitude.” (Acts 6:5)

  33. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (Acts 6:5 NKJV) And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

  34. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • Matters are settled so that the church can move forward with its work. (Acts 6:7)

  35. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (Acts 6:7 NKJV) Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

  36. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • When issues are ignored there can be a constant drag on the spirit of a church.

  37. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • When issues are ignored there can be a constant drag on the spirit of a church. • This is true even when it involves two individuals. (Phil 4:2)

  38. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • (Philippians 4:2 NKJV) I implore Euodia and I implore Syntycheto be of the same mind in the Lord.

  39. Proper Controversy has Great Value (Acts 6:1-7) • Leaving to go to another church should not be considered as a solution unless the church as whole has refused to work matters out!

  40. Elements of Proper Controversy • The issue is one that deals with the scriptures. (1 Tim 1:3-4; 2 Tim 2:23)

  41. Elements of Proper Controversy • (1 Timothy 1:3-4 NKJV) As I urged you when I went into Macedonia; remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, {4} nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

  42. Elements of Proper Controversy • (2 Timothy 2:23 NKJV) But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

  43. Elements of Proper Controversy • Men of maturity and knowledge should take a leading role. (Acts 6:2)

  44. Elements of Proper Controversy • (Acts 6:2 NKJV) Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

  45. Elements of Proper Controversy • Dealing with these kind of problems takes a wisdom that experience brings.

  46. Elements of Proper Controversy • Dealing with these kind of problems takes a wisdom that experience brings. • Here is where men lead and do not dictate!

  47. Elements of Proper Controversy • Dealing with these kind of problems takes a wisdom that experience brings. • Here is where men lead and do not dictate! • We should have confidence in brethren to do the right thing. (2 Cor 2:3; 7:15-16)

  48. Elements of Proper Controversy • (2 Corinthians 2:3 NKJV) And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.

  49. Elements of Proper Controversy • (2 Corinthians 7:15-16 NKJV) And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. {16} Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.

  50. Elements of Proper Controversy • There are some who are cynics! Do not let their influence spread.

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