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Explore how to handle conflict in relationships and ministries, using the example of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:36-16:5. Discover the importance of love, reconciliation, and accommodating cultural differences in order to glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
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Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Dissension & DisseminationActs 15:36-16:5 How do you handle conflict? Dominate & win? Avoid at all costs? Depends on the particular conflict? How important is the relationship? How important is the issue?
Dissension Acts 15:36-41 Barnabas & Paul are both guilty Sharp disagreement – paroxusmoV paroxusmos – contentious / provoking A failure to love – 1 Cor. 5 (love is not provoked)
God Uses Ordinary People Paul & Barnabas were “also men of the same nature as you” God uses us while He is making us holy & blameless – conformed to the image of His Son – Eph. 4:1; Rom. 8:29 There are requirements for ministry – but perfection is not one of them Are you a true Christian? Are you willing?
Basis of the Disagreement Inherent personality differences Barnabas was an encourager who was people oriented Paul was a doer who was task oriented Should John Mark go with them again? He had “deserted” them before Barnabas’ failure – Galatians 2:13
DivisionActs 15:39, 40 Paul & Barnabas split up The tragedy is not the split itself – God will use that to increase His kingdom The tragedy is the manner in which the division took place
Dissension without Contention Philippians 3:13,14 Romans 12:10,11 Philippians 2:2-4 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Ephesians 4:1-3
God’s Use of the Division God uses us despite our imperfections The Missionary Force doubles Silas is a Roman citizen, which proves to be an advantage where they went Silas represents the church in Jerusalem in delivering the council’s decision
Reconciliation 1 Corinthians 9:6 – 5 or 6 years after 2 Timothy 4:11 – 10 or 11 years after Philemon 24 & Colossians 4:10 – 11 or 12 years after Disagreements can be reconciled by those who continue to grow in the Lord and seek His will over their own
Selection of TimothyActs 16:1-3 Timothy is in late teens or early twenties Good reputation in Lystra & Iconium 2 Tim. 1:5 – Mother & Grandmother saved – they taught Timothy the Faith Circumcised because mother was Jewish, therefore he was also Jewish
Principle of Accommodation Paul rejected circumcision for Gentiles and as a requirement for acceptance by God 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “Being a good Christian does mean being a bad Jew” Remove unnecessary offenses for the sake of the gospel – without compromising God’s commands Avoid being conformed to this world – Romans 12:2
Principle of Accommodation Refrain from what is perceived as ungodly and practice what is seen as godly – But do not compromise God’s commands The gospel is not “fire insurance.” It is salvation from sin to righteousness. You must discern what cultural things should be practice or refrained from in seeking to bring people to Jesus Christ.
Delivering the DecreeActs 16:4,5 Paul & Silas also delivered the decision of the council in Jerusalem This strengthened their faith It removed any remaining confusion
Salvation is by God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ & not by works (Ephesians 2:8) Will you believe and follow the revelation of God or the musings of men?
Grace Bible ChurchGlorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
O sacred Head, now wounded With grief and shame weighed down Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, Thine only crown. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Hymn # 316
How pale Thou are with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn; How does that visage languish, Which once was bright as morn!
What Thou, my Lord, has suffered Was all for sinners’ gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior; Tis I deserve Thy place. Look on me with Thy favor; Assist me with Thy grace.
What language shall I borrow To thank Thee, dearest Friend, For this, Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever; And, should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love to Thee.
The Old Rugged Cross Hymn # 327 On a hill far away Stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering And shame;
And I love that old cross, Where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners Was slain.
So I’ll cherish The old rugged cross, ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling To the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday For a crown.
O that old rugged cross, So despised by the world, Has a wondrous attraction For me;
For the dear Lamb of God Left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary.
So I’ll cherish The old rugged cross, ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling To the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday For a crown.
In the old rugged cross, Stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see.
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died To pardon and sanctify me.
So I’ll cherish The old rugged cross, ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling To the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday For a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach Gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday To my home far away, Where His glory forever I’ll share.
So I’ll cherish The old rugged cross, ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling To the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday For a crown.
Blest Be The Tie That Binds!Hymn #426 Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.