Navigating Conflict with Grace and Unity
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone, to our Uncharted series at Crossroads Community Church, where we are delving into the book of Acts. Today, we explored Acts 15, focusing on the inevitability of conflict and the importance of handling disagreements in a Christ-like manner. We began by acknowledging that disagreements are a part of life, whether in personal relationships or within the church. Pastor Daniel's previous message reminded us that while conflict is inevitable, drama is a choice. This sets the stage for our discussion on how to navigate disagreements, especially those that arise from differing interpretations of faith and practice.
We looked at the early church's struggle with legalism, particularly the debate over whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs like circumcision. Paul and Barnabas faced this issue head-on, seeking wisdom and guidance from the church leaders in Jerusalem. This led to a significant council where Peter and James emphasized that salvation comes through grace, not adherence to the Mosaic Law. They concluded that Gentile believers should abstain from practices that would offend Jewish Christians, thus promoting unity and respect within the diverse body of Christ.
The message also highlighted the importance of testing every testimony and ensuring that our actions and beliefs align with the truth and love of Jesus. We must avoid the extremes of legalism and lawlessness, striving instead to hold truth and love in tension. The ultimate test of our faith and actions is whether they glorify Jesus and promote His teachings.
Finally, we discussed the unfortunate but instructive disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark. This incident teaches us to test our motives and remain committed to the mission of spreading the gospel, even when we face personal conflicts. Ultimately, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the hill we must be willing to die on, and His example of love and forgiveness should guide our interactions with others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Conflict is Inevitable, Drama is a Choice: Disagreements are a natural part of life, but how we handle them is crucial. We must strive to resolve conflicts in a way that honors God and promotes unity within the body of Christ. This involves choosing not to escalate disagreements into drama but addressing them with grace and wisdom. [06:46]
2. Test Every Testimony: It's essential to critically evaluate what we hear and believe, ensuring it aligns with the truth and love of Jesus. This means not taking everything at face value but examining it against the Scriptures and the character of Christ. This practice helps us avoid the pitfalls of legalism and lawlessness. [55:08]
3. Jesus Passed the Ultimate Test: Jesus' life and sacrifice are the ultimate standards by which we should measure our actions and beliefs. He fulfilled the law perfectly and demonstrated the highest form of love. In our disagreements and conflicts, we should ask whether our stance glorifies Jesus and reflects His teachings. [01:05:31]
4. Respect Cultural Contexts: The early church leaders advised Gentile believers to abstain from certain practices to respect Jewish customs and promote unity. Similarly, we should be mindful of the cultural and social contexts in which we live, ensuring our actions do not cause others to stumble but instead point them to Christ. [01:06:59]
5. Test Your Motives: In any disagreement or conflict, it's crucial to examine our motives. Are we acting out of pride, fear, or a genuine desire to serve and honor God? By testing our motives, we can ensure that our actions are aligned with God's will and contribute to the mission of spreading the gospel. [01:18:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:15] - Introduction to Conflict
[06:46] - Conflict is Inevitable, Drama is a Choice
[09:13] - Community Engagement and Announcements
[10:35] - Prayer and Opening of Acts 15
[45:39] - The Reality of Disagreement
[49:20] - The Jerusalem Council
[55:08] - Test Every Testimony
[01:05:31] - Jesus Passed the Ultimate Test
[01:06:59] - Respect Cultural Contexts
[01:18:34] - Test Your Motives
[01:21:21] - Welcome One Another as Christ Welcomed You
[01:23:51] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[01:25:49] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 15:1-21
### Observation Questions
1. What was the main conflict in Acts 15 regarding Gentile converts? ([49:58])
2. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to the teaching that Gentile believers must be circumcised? ([51:09])
3. What was the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council about the requirements for Gentile believers? ([01:03:15])
4. How did Peter and James contribute to resolving the conflict in Acts 15? ([01:01:35])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church struggled with the issue of legalism, and how does this reflect in today's church? ([52:34])
2. How does the principle of "testing every testimony" help in maintaining the integrity of the gospel message? ([55:08])
3. What does it mean that "Jesus passed the ultimate test," and how should this influence our approach to conflicts and disagreements? ([01:05:31])
4. How can respecting cultural contexts, as advised by the early church leaders, promote unity within a diverse body of believers? ([01:06:59])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict you had. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to avoid drama and promote unity? ([06:46])
2. Think about a time when you accepted a testimony or teaching without testing it against Scripture. How did that impact your faith, and what steps can you take to ensure you test every testimony in the future? ([55:08])
3. In what ways can you ensure that your actions and beliefs glorify Jesus and reflect His teachings, especially in times of disagreement? ([01:05:31])
4. How can you be mindful of the cultural and social contexts in your community to avoid causing others to stumble and instead point them to Christ? ([01:06:59])
5. Examine your motives in a current disagreement or conflict. Are you acting out of pride, fear, or a genuine desire to serve and honor God? How can you realign your motives with God's will? ([01:18:34])
6. How can you apply the lesson from the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas to your own life, ensuring that personal conflicts do not hinder your commitment to spreading the gospel? ([01:17:09])
7. Identify one specific way you can welcome others as Christ has welcomed you, especially those who have offended you or whom you disagree with. ([01:21:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Conflict is Inevitable, Drama is a Choice
Disagreements are a natural part of life, but how we handle them is crucial. We must strive to resolve conflicts in a way that honors God and promotes unity within the body of Christ. This involves choosing not to escalate disagreements into drama but addressing them with grace and wisdom. The early church faced significant conflicts, such as the debate over whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs. Paul and Barnabas sought wisdom from the church leaders in Jerusalem, leading to a council that emphasized salvation through grace, not adherence to the Mosaic Law. This approach promoted unity and respect within the diverse body of Christ.
In our own lives, we can learn from this example by addressing conflicts with a focus on grace and unity. Instead of allowing disagreements to escalate into drama, we should seek wisdom and guidance, aiming to resolve issues in a way that honors God. By doing so, we can maintain harmony within our relationships and communities, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus in our interactions. [06:46]
James 1:19-20 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Think of a recent conflict you experienced. How could you have handled it differently to avoid drama and promote unity?
Day 2: Test Every Testimony
It's essential to critically evaluate what we hear and believe, ensuring it aligns with the truth and love of Jesus. This means not taking everything at face value but examining it against the Scriptures and the character of Christ. The early church leaders tested the testimonies and teachings they encountered, ensuring they aligned with the gospel of grace. This practice helped them avoid the extremes of legalism and lawlessness, maintaining a balanced and faithful approach to their faith.
In our own lives, we must also test every testimony we encounter. This involves being discerning and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we evaluate teachings, sermons, and advice. By doing so, we can ensure that our beliefs and actions are rooted in the truth and love of Jesus, avoiding the pitfalls of false teachings and misguided practices. [55:08]
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ESV): "But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Reflection: Think of a recent teaching or advice you received. How can you test it against the Scriptures and the character of Christ to ensure it aligns with the truth?
Day 3: Jesus Passed the Ultimate Test
Jesus' life and sacrifice are the ultimate standards by which we should measure our actions and beliefs. He fulfilled the law perfectly and demonstrated the highest form of love. In our disagreements and conflicts, we should ask whether our stance glorifies Jesus and reflects His teachings. The early church leaders emphasized that salvation comes through grace, not adherence to the Mosaic Law, pointing to Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate test of faith.
In our own lives, we should continually measure our actions and beliefs against the example of Jesus. This means asking ourselves whether our attitudes, decisions, and interactions glorify Him and reflect His teachings. By doing so, we can ensure that our lives are aligned with the gospel and that we are living in a way that honors Jesus. [01:05:31]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In your current situation, how can you ensure that your actions and beliefs are glorifying Jesus and reflecting His teachings?
Day 4: Respect Cultural Contexts
The early church leaders advised Gentile believers to abstain from certain practices to respect Jewish customs and promote unity. Similarly, we should be mindful of the cultural and social contexts in which we live, ensuring our actions do not cause others to stumble but instead point them to Christ. This approach promotes unity and respect within the diverse body of Christ, allowing believers from different backgrounds to coexist harmoniously.
In our own lives, we should be aware of the cultural and social contexts around us. This means being considerate of others' beliefs and practices, and ensuring that our actions do not cause offense or division. By doing so, we can promote unity and respect within our communities, pointing others to Christ through our love and consideration. [01:06:59]
1 Corinthians 9:22 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."
Reflection: Think of a cultural or social context you are part of. How can you ensure that your actions are respectful and promote unity within that context?
Day 5: Test Your Motives
In any disagreement or conflict, it's crucial to examine our motives. Are we acting out of pride, fear, or a genuine desire to serve and honor God? By testing our motives, we can ensure that our actions are aligned with God's will and contribute to the mission of spreading the gospel. The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark serves as a reminder to test our motives and remain committed to the mission of spreading the gospel, even when we face personal conflicts.
In our own lives, we should regularly examine our motives in our actions and decisions. This means asking ourselves whether we are acting out of selfish desires or a genuine desire to serve and honor God. By doing so, we can ensure that our actions are aligned with God's will and that we are contributing to the mission of spreading the gospel. [01:18:34]
Proverbs 16:2 (ESV): "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision or action you took. What were your motives, and how can you ensure they align with God's will and contribute to His mission?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Conflict is inevitable, but drama is a choice. Yes. If you were here, that was such an epic moment. So, yeah. We're going to add up to that and talk a little bit about that, how we handle disagreement and what are the essential elements of disagreement." [06:46] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul is teaching, doing a Bible study And these people show up It's no surprise that when people are set free Satan isn't happy You guys believe that? The moment people are set free We saw this modeled in the life of Jesus In his ministry throughout the gospels He's going around setting people free And these people would follow And try to undo all that Jesus had done." [52:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus is the only one. He shows us the better way. And the better way is love. You see, they gave them four commandments, right? They said, hey, listen, we want them to abstain, abstain from certain things. This is what James is saying. I finally make this ruling. And for a lot of us, we're like, okay, well, what does this mean? Why does this matter? You know, why these four things? It's kind of weird. I mean, who wants to drink blood anyways?" [01:05:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The most necessary thing, Jesus loves you, okay? He loves you right now. He loves you on your worst day. He loves you on the day that you think you're like killing it. You're like, I am super Christian right now. I didn't watch no R-rated movies. I read five chapters of the Bible. He loves you on that day. There is no, from this moment forward, there's no future version of you that Jesus will one day love. He loves you already. He loves you right now." [01:25:49] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "One of the things my old senior pastor used to say down in Arizona Is he used to say we shouldn't agree on everything I say He would say this from the pulpit He says if you and I agree on everything I say One of us isn't thinking And I wrote this sermon so I know that I'm thinking He used to say that And I would admire that so much Because at the time I was a college student at the U of A And I don't want to paint with a broad brush But every college professor is prideful and arrogant." [47:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Legalism is the idea that You know what? I can obtain favor With God by keeping certain Checks and balances I can actually earn God's favor By how pious and godly I am This is something that happened in the first century It's something that happens today A silly side note Years ago I got convicted about how much TV I was watching I kind of tried to limit my TV watching And then I cut it out entirely And it was a whole like two days That went by Before I started judging people." [53:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul is such a leader in the church And he's willing to test Every testimony Point number one if you're taking notes Whatever you hear about the gospel Whatever good story you hear in someone's life It's your responsibility To test every testimony Is that accurate Is it true Is it loving Does it produce the fruit of righteousness in your life I think for many of us We see things on social media We hear a podcast We watch the news We watch a YouTube video And instantly that seasons and flavors our theology And it impacts the way we worship God And we never once stop to think about What we just heard We have to test every testimony." [55:08] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul and Barnabas submitting to the, the leadership of the church. So they go to Jerusalem and that's where the early church leadership team is, the elders of the church. Right away, Peter steps up and he's like, guys, what are we doing? We're being hypocrites. We aren't even able to live up to this mosaic standard and we're expecting these Gentiles to do that? I don't know how necessary that is. Now, the next thing that happens is James stands up. James is the half brother of Jesus." [01:03:48] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Friends, we have to stick true to the necessary things. Now, for this group in this context, those things were necessary. They were important. But for each and every one of you, that will be different. In your workplace context, in your home, over a few days, it's all going to be different. But I think in general, for our culture, sexual immorality is a huge thing. I'm not going to spend any time on it, but if you haven't, don't go back and watch the Olympic opening ceremony. A little cray, okay?" [01:14:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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