Leading with Truth: Biblical Manhood in the Church
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series on biblical manhood, focusing on how men are called to lead within the church. We are diving into Acts 15, a pivotal chapter that addresses a significant controversy in the early church. Paul and Barnabas, while at the church in Antioch, encounter false teachers who claim that Gentile believers must first become Jews through circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law to be saved. This teaching threatened the very foundation of the gospel, which is salvation through faith alone by grace alone.
Paul and Barnabas, understanding the gravity of this false teaching, engage in sharp debate and are sent to Jerusalem to consult with the original apostles and elders. After much discussion and debate, the apostles and elders, led by Peter and James, affirm that Gentile believers do not need to follow the Mosaic Law to be saved. This decision underscores the truth that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
This passage provides a profound example of how men are to lead in the church. The apostles and elders demonstrate the importance of defending the truth of God's Word and striving for unity within the church. They engage in rigorous debate, not to divide, but to unify the church around the essential truths of the gospel. This unity is crucial for the church's missional effectiveness.
James, in his address, emphasizes that the Gentiles should abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, and practices that would offend their Jewish brothers. This instruction aligns with Jesus' teaching to love God and love others, highlighting that true worship and moral integrity are central to the Christian life.
As men in the church, we are called to lead by applying and defending God's Word, striving for unity, and advancing the mission of the church. This leadership is not about superiority but about sacrificial service, following the example of Christ. We must ask ourselves if we are faithfully fulfilling the roles God has positioned us in, whether in leadership, support, or growing into leadership.
### Key Takeaways
1. Defending the Truth of the Gospel: Paul and Barnabas model godly leadership by engaging in sharp debate to defend the gospel's integrity. They understand that adding requirements to salvation undermines the gospel's core message of grace through faith. As men in the church, we must be vigilant in defending the truth of God's Word against false teachings. [33:14]
2. Striving for Unity: The apostles and elders in Jerusalem demonstrate the importance of unity in the church. They engage in rigorous debate to reach a consensus, showing that unity is achieved through hard work and mutual submission. This unity is essential for the church's health and mission. [29:50]
3. Applying God's Word: James' instruction to the Gentile believers to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, and offensive practices highlights the importance of applying God's Word to our lives. This application is not about legalism but about living out the love of God and love for others. [45:57]
4. Sacrificial Leadership: Biblical leadership is a servant role, not a position of superiority. Men are called to lead by serving the church sacrificially, following Christ's example. This leadership involves defending the truth, striving for unity, and advancing the mission of the church. [31:39]
5. Missional Effectiveness: The unity and truth upheld by the apostles and elders lead to missional effectiveness. When the church is unified around the gospel's essential truths, it can effectively advance the mission of making disciples. This effectiveness brings encouragement, strength, and peace to the church. [01:02:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[25:01] - Introduction to Biblical Manhood Series
[25:42] - Recap of Previous Weeks
[26:25] - Prayer and Gratitude
[27:30] - Context of Acts 15
[28:44] - Journey to Jerusalem
[29:50] - Purpose of the Passage
[30:36] - Clarification on Complementarianism
[31:39] - Goal of the Sermon
[33:14] - Defending the Gospel
[34:49] - Arrival in Jerusalem
[36:27] - Peter's Address
[38:13] - Paul and Barnabas' Testimony
[39:56] - James' Conclusion
[41:30] - Old Testament Prophecies
[43:06] - James' Instructions to Gentiles
[45:57] - Application of Jesus' Commands
[47:31] - Sexual Immorality and Its Impact
[50:58] - Unity in the Church
[52:54] - Sending the Letter
[55:52] - Implications for Church Leadership
[57:28] - Defense of the Word and Church
[59:18] - Striving for Unity
[01:02:37] - Missional Effectiveness
[01:04:08] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 15:1-21
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main controversy addressed in Acts 15, and who were the key figures involved in resolving it? ([27:30])
2. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to the false teaching in Antioch, and what steps did they take to address it? ([33:14])
3. What was the final decision made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem regarding the Gentile believers? ([36:27])
4. What specific instructions did James give to the Gentile believers, and how do these relate to Jesus' teachings? ([43:06])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it important for Paul and Barnabas to engage in sharp debate with the false teachers, and what does this teach us about defending the truth of the gospel? ([33:14])
2. How did the apostles and elders demonstrate the importance of unity in the church, and what can we learn from their approach to resolving conflicts? ([57:28])
3. In what ways did James' instructions to the Gentile believers reflect the teachings of Jesus, and why is this significant for applying God's Word in our lives? ([45:57])
4. How does the concept of sacrificial leadership, as demonstrated by the apostles and elders, challenge our understanding of leadership in the church today? ([31:39])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to defend the truth of the gospel. How did you handle the situation, and what did you learn from it? ([33:14])
2. Unity in the church is essential for its health and mission. What practical steps can you take to promote unity within your small group or church community? ([57:28])
3. James emphasized the importance of abstaining from things polluted by idols and sexual immorality. How can you apply these principles in your daily life to honor God and love others? ([45:57])
4. Sacrificial leadership involves serving others selflessly. In what ways can you serve your church or community more sacrificially, following Christ's example? ([31:39])
5. The apostles and elders worked hard to reach a consensus and maintain unity. How can you contribute to resolving conflicts and fostering a spirit of cooperation in your church? ([57:28])
6. Consider the role God has positioned you in, whether in leadership, support, or growing into leadership. Are you faithfully fulfilling this role, and what steps can you take to improve? ([01:04:08])
7. How can the principles of defending the truth, striving for unity, and sacrificial leadership enhance the missional effectiveness of your church? ([01:02:37])
Devotional
Day 1: Defending the Integrity of the Gospel
Paul and Barnabas model godly leadership by engaging in sharp debate to defend the gospel's integrity. They understand that adding requirements to salvation undermines the gospel's core message of grace through faith. As men in the church, we must be vigilant in defending the truth of God's Word against false teachings. This vigilance is not about being argumentative but about protecting the purity of the gospel message. The early church faced a significant challenge when false teachers insisted that Gentile believers must adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. Paul and Barnabas recognized the danger of this teaching and took a firm stand to preserve the gospel's truth.
Their journey to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles and elders underscores the importance of seeking wisdom and unity in addressing doctrinal issues. The decision reached by the apostles and elders affirmed that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. This example teaches us the importance of being well-grounded in Scripture and willing to engage in necessary debates to protect the gospel's integrity. [33:14]
Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV): "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
Reflection: Think of a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed to add to the gospel. How did you respond, and how can you better prepare yourself to defend the gospel's integrity in the future?
Day 2: Striving for Unity in the Church
The apostles and elders in Jerusalem demonstrate the importance of unity in the church. They engage in rigorous debate to reach a consensus, showing that unity is achieved through hard work and mutual submission. This unity is essential for the church's health and mission. The early church faced a significant controversy that had the potential to divide believers. However, the leaders' commitment to unity and their willingness to engage in open discussion helped them reach a consensus that upheld the truth of the gospel.
Unity in the church is not about uniformity but about coming together around the essential truths of the gospel. It requires humility, patience, and a willingness to listen to others. The decision made in Jerusalem not only preserved the gospel's integrity but also strengthened the church's mission. When the church is united, it can effectively advance the mission of making disciples and bringing glory to God. [29:50]
Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent disagreement or conflict within your church community. How can you contribute to unity and mutual understanding in that situation?
Day 3: Applying God's Word to Our Lives
James' instruction to the Gentile believers to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, and offensive practices highlights the importance of applying God's Word to our lives. This application is not about legalism but about living out the love of God and love for others. The early church leaders recognized that while salvation is by grace through faith, believers are called to live in a way that honors God and respects others. James' instructions were practical guidelines to help Gentile believers live in harmony with their Jewish brothers and sisters.
Applying God's Word to our lives involves understanding its principles and allowing them to shape our actions and attitudes. It means living in a way that reflects our love for God and our commitment to His commands. This application is not about earning salvation but about responding to God's grace with a life of obedience and love. [45:57]
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle to apply God's Word. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with His commands?
Day 4: Embracing Sacrificial Leadership
Biblical leadership is a servant role, not a position of superiority. Men are called to lead by serving the church sacrificially, following Christ's example. This leadership involves defending the truth, striving for unity, and advancing the mission of the church. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem demonstrated sacrificial leadership by prioritizing the well-being of the church and the integrity of the gospel over their personal preferences or positions.
Sacrificial leadership means putting the needs of others before our own and being willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of the church's mission. It involves humility, selflessness, and a commitment to serving others as Christ served us. This type of leadership is essential for building a healthy, thriving church community that reflects the love and grace of God. [31:39]
Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: Think of a leadership role you hold, whether in the church, at work, or in your family. How can you practice sacrificial leadership in that role this week?
Day 5: Achieving Missional Effectiveness Through Unity and Truth
The unity and truth upheld by the apostles and elders lead to missional effectiveness. When the church is unified around the gospel's essential truths, it can effectively advance the mission of making disciples. This effectiveness brings encouragement, strength, and peace to the church. The early church's decision to affirm salvation by grace through faith and to provide practical guidelines for Gentile believers helped to strengthen the church's mission and foster a sense of unity and purpose.
Missional effectiveness is achieved when the church is focused on the gospel and committed to living out its truths. This involves both defending the gospel's integrity and striving for unity within the church. When believers are united in their mission and grounded in the truth of God's Word, they can effectively share the gospel and make disciples, bringing glory to God and transforming lives. [01:02:37]
Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Reflection: Consider how your church can improve its missional effectiveness. What role can you play in promoting unity and truth within your church community to advance its mission?
Quotes
1. "God made men to lead by applying and defending God's word to unify Christ's bride, the church, towards missional effectiveness. That's what we're going after this summer. This summer, this sermon. I hope it doesn't take all summer. God made men to lead by applying and defending God's word to unify Christ's bride towards missional effectiveness." [31:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul and Barnabas understand that this is a foundational issue. That this is going to be a fundamental issue. That this is going to affect everything. The way that their people, that the Gentiles look at the gospel and understand the gospel. And so Paul and Barnabas already in our passage are modeling how godly leadership involves defending the truth and engaging in wrong teaching that is being done in the church in order to keep the integrity of the gospel." [33:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Peter reminds them that it is the grace of God that saves anybody, whether you are Jew or Gentile. Peter here is giving us an example of using the truth of God to combat misunderstanding and misreading of the scriptures." [36:27] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Sexual immorality always includes the misuse of people, including yourself. And consensuality has nothing to do with it. It doesn't matter if both parties are willing. It always includes the misuse of people. It includes the mistreatment of people. It always includes the stealing of people's dignity. It always is using people in ways that God never intended. It never lifts people to the point to where it is honoring the image of God that they intrinsically have." [47:31] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Friends, if you have a sin struggle that you need help with, whether it's sexual immorality or something else, then let us help. Come confess and find freedom in that. Come and join me on Monday nights at Regeneration.com. And learn about the love that God has for you, the grace that he has for you, and the transformed life that he wants you to experience." [49:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "As men in the church, we need to lead the example of defending the word of God with the word of God. The next thing that we need to learn about how men should lead the church is how we saw them fight for church unity. I really love this point, so if you've fallen asleep, please wake back up." [57:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "At FCC, seeking unity as much as we can is central to who we are. It's central to our heritage. Even if we cannot all be on the exact same page with our convictions, which might even include male leadership in the church, we strive for unity on the essentials of the gospel." [59:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Faithful, able to teach men have fought for centuries, have fought for centuries to keep the truth, the essentials of the church. Surrounded around these things. If you sit here this morning, believing these things that we just read, calling yourself a follower of Christ, it is in thanks to part to these men who have taken the mantle of church leadership incredibly seriously." [01:00:58] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When we step up and lead in this way, it brings good things to the church. It brings rejoicing and encouragement to the church. We saw that in our passage. And if you keep reading, you'll see a little more. It strengthens the church. We saw that in a passage and we'll see it continue if you read the rest of the book of Acts. It brings peace to the church. The gospel brings righteousness to the church. It brings peace to the church. When it's rightly understood, brings peace with God and his people." [01:02:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Are you faithfully fulfilling the role that God has positioned you in, whether leading or supporting or growing into leadership? Are you faithfully fulfilling the role God has positioned you in, whether leading, supporting, or growing into leadership?" [01:04:08] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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