Unity in the Gospel: Navigating Church Conflicts
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Acts 15, exploring the internal conflicts that arose within the early church. While the early church faced significant external persecution, Acts 15 highlights the internal disagreements that also threatened its unity. The primary conflict revolved around whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish customs, such as circumcision, to be saved. This issue was significant because it touched on the core of the gospel message—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or adherence to the law.
Peter, Paul, and Barnabas played crucial roles in addressing this conflict. Peter reminded the council that God had already shown His acceptance of the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to the Jews. He emphasized that salvation is through grace and not by the law. The council ultimately decided not to impose the Jewish law on Gentile believers, except for a few guidelines aimed at maintaining unity and respect within the diverse body of believers.
We also examined the principle of prioritizing the gospel and maintaining unity by sometimes laying aside personal preferences and rights. This principle is not only applicable within the church but also in our marriages, workplaces, and other areas of life. The story of Paul and Barnabas parting ways over a disagreement about John Mark further illustrated that even when conflicts arise, staying focused on the mission can lead to greater outcomes for God's kingdom.
In conclusion, the early church's handling of disagreements provides valuable lessons for us today. By prioritizing the essentials of the gospel, being willing to lay aside our preferences for the sake of unity, and staying focused on the mission, we can navigate conflicts in a way that honors God and strengthens the church.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prioritize the Gospel: The early church faced a significant conflict over whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs. The resolution emphasized that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the law. This teaches us to prioritize the core message of the gospel above all else. [49:25]
2. Unity Over Preferences: The council's decision to ask Gentile believers to follow certain guidelines was not about salvation but about maintaining unity and respect within the church. This principle of laying aside personal preferences for the sake of unity is crucial for a healthy church and can be applied in various aspects of life. [01:00:35]
3. Focus on the Mission: The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark shows that even when conflicts arise, staying focused on the mission can lead to greater outcomes. Both went on to plant and encourage more churches, demonstrating that God's work can continue and even flourish despite disagreements. [01:13:20]
4. Sacrificial Love: Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 8 about food sacrificed to idols highlights the importance of considering the well-being of others. Sometimes, we need to lay aside our rights for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This sacrificial love fosters unity and strengthens the church. [01:03:27]
5. Healthy Disagreements: Disagreements are inevitable in any community, including the church. However, handling them with love, respect, and a focus on the essentials of the gospel can lead to growth and unity. The early church's example teaches us to navigate conflicts in a way that honors God and builds up the body of Christ. [01:16:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:46] - Announcement: Summer Classes
[38:18] - Introduction to the Series: Unfinished Story
[39:32] - The Early Church's External Conflicts
[40:38] - Internal Conflicts in the Early Church
[41:55] - Disagreements in the Early Church
[43:03] - Paul's First Missionary Journey
[43:56] - Peter's Vision and the Gentiles
[45:00] - Jesus Came for All People
[45:39] - Satan's Attempts to Divide the Church
[46:23] - The Church Would Be Perfect If Not for People
[47:05] - Acts 15: The Disagreement Over Circumcision
[49:01] - Peter's Argument for Grace
[50:13] - The False Requirements for Salvation
[51:25] - Salvation by Grace Through Faith
[52:44] - Prioritizing the Gospel
[53:30] - Essentials and Non-Essentials in Doctrine
[56:12] - Handling Disagreements in the Church
[57:42] - The Council's Decision for Unity
[01:00:35] - Laying Aside Preferences for Unity
[01:03:27] - Paul's Teaching on Food Sacrificed to Idols
[01:06:03] - Modern-Day Application: Alcohol
[01:08:17] - Personal Story: Wearing a Hat in Church
[01:10:19] - All Things Are Permissible, But Not All Are Beneficial
[01:11:13] - Paul and Barnabas' Disagreement Over John Mark
[01:13:20] - Staying Focused on the Mission
[01:14:47] - The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing
[01:16:49] - Conclusion: A Healthy Church
[01:17:19] - Final Prayer and Invitation for Prayer
[01:27:20] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 15:1-11 - The Council at Jerusalem
2. 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 - Food Sacrificed to Idols
3. 2 Timothy 4:11 - Paul and Mark's Reconciliation
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main conflict in Acts 15 regarding Gentile converts and Jewish customs? ([47:05])
2. How did Peter argue for the acceptance of Gentile believers in Acts 15? ([48:36])
3. What guidelines did the council in Jerusalem decide to impose on Gentile believers, and why? ([57:42])
4. How did Paul and Barnabas handle their disagreement over John Mark, and what was the outcome? ([01:11:13])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was the issue of circumcision so significant to the early church, and how does it relate to the core message of the gospel? ([49:25])
2. How does Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 8 about food sacrificed to idols illustrate the principle of sacrificial love? ([01:03:27])
3. What does the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas teach us about handling conflicts within the church? ([01:13:20])
4. How can the principle of laying aside personal preferences for the sake of unity be applied in modern church settings? ([01:00:35])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized a personal preference over unity in your church or community. How could you have handled it differently to promote unity? ([01:00:35])
2. In what ways can you prioritize the core message of the gospel in your daily interactions and decisions? ([49:25])
3. Think of a current disagreement you have with someone in your church or family. How can you stay focused on the mission and work towards reconciliation? ([01:13:20])
4. How can you practice sacrificial love in your workplace or home this week, especially in situations where you might have to lay aside your rights? ([01:03:27])
5. Identify a non-essential issue that has caused division in your church or small group. How can you approach this issue with love and respect to foster unity? ([53:30])
6. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions do not become a stumbling block for others in your faith community? ([01:03:27])
7. Reflect on the principle of "in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love." How can you apply this principle in your interactions with fellow believers? ([53:30])
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritize the Core Message of the Gospel
The early church faced a significant conflict over whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs, such as circumcision, to be saved. This issue was crucial because it touched on the core of the gospel message—salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works or adherence to the law. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas played essential roles in addressing this conflict. Peter reminded the council that God had already shown His acceptance of the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to the Jews. He emphasized that salvation is through grace and not by the law. The council ultimately decided not to impose the Jewish law on Gentile believers, except for a few guidelines aimed at maintaining unity and respect within the diverse body of believers. This teaches us to prioritize the core message of the gospel above all else. [49:25]
Acts 15:8-9 (ESV): "And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith."
Reflection: Are there any traditions or customs you hold onto that might be hindering someone from understanding the simplicity of the gospel? How can you focus more on the core message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ?
Day 2: Unity Over Personal Preferences
The council's decision to ask Gentile believers to follow certain guidelines was not about salvation but about maintaining unity and respect within the church. This principle of laying aside personal preferences for the sake of unity is crucial for a healthy church and can be applied in various aspects of life. By prioritizing unity over personal preferences, we can create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. This approach fosters a sense of community and helps us focus on our shared mission rather than our differences. [01:00:35]
Romans 14:19 (ESV): "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you have prioritized your preferences over unity. How can you lay aside your preferences to promote peace and mutual respect in that situation?
Day 3: Stay Focused on the Mission
The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark shows that even when conflicts arise, staying focused on the mission can lead to greater outcomes. Both went on to plant and encourage more churches, demonstrating that God's work can continue and even flourish despite disagreements. This teaches us that while conflicts are inevitable, they should not distract us from our primary mission. By keeping our focus on the mission, we can navigate conflicts in a way that honors God and advances His kingdom. [01:13:20]
Philippians 1:18 (ESV): "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice."
Reflection: Is there a conflict in your life that is distracting you from your mission? How can you refocus on what God has called you to do despite the disagreement?
Day 4: Sacrificial Love for Unity
Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 8 about food sacrificed to idols highlights the importance of considering the well-being of others. Sometimes, we need to lay aside our rights for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This sacrificial love fosters unity and strengthens the church. By being willing to sacrifice our preferences and rights, we demonstrate Christ's love and create a more inclusive and supportive community. [01:03:27]
1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV): "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."
Reflection: Is there a right or preference you need to lay aside for the sake of someone else's well-being? How can you show sacrificial love to someone in your community today?
Day 5: Healthy Disagreements Lead to Growth
Disagreements are inevitable in any community, including the church. However, handling them with love, respect, and a focus on the essentials of the gospel can lead to growth and unity. The early church's example teaches us to navigate conflicts in a way that honors God and builds up the body of Christ. By approaching disagreements with a spirit of humility and a desire for reconciliation, we can turn potential divisions into opportunities for growth and deeper understanding. [01:16:49]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement you had with someone. How can you approach future conflicts with humility and a focus on maintaining unity? What steps can you take to ensure that your disagreements lead to growth rather than division?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus didn't ask people to fulfill the Old Testament laws in order to become a Christian. Jesus doesn't ask us to get our lives all together and get our contact all cleaned up first and then we can come to him. He says, come to me with all your mess. Greg Laurie says it this way, Jesus catches his fish before he cleans them. He's going, just come. He just says, come to me. Like, come as you are. That's what our sign says. Come as you are. Come as you are." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus came because we could never actually fulfill the Old Testament law. Jesus came to us because we could never be good enough on our own. He knows we're sinners. He knows we fall short. That's why we're saved by grace. We're not saved because of any amount of good works that we can do. We're saved because of God's grace that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. And that's it. And isn't that good news? It's good news for all of us." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He came for all people. He came for Jews. He came for non-Jews. He came for the rich. He came for the poor. He came for the in-between. He came for people from all ethnicities and all nationalities. He came for those who have a little bit of sin in their lives. And he came for those who have a lot of sin in their lives. He came for the educated and the uneducated. He came for the powerful and the powerless. He came for the well-known. He came for the unknown. He came for all of us, right? Because we all need a Savior. Amen?" (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Whenever God's moving powerfully in the church, Satan's going to be right there to try to mess it up. He's going to be right there to try to cause as much problems as he can. Because he hates the church. He hates us Christians. He hates the things of God. He hates it when people make a decision to follow Jesus. And sometimes he tries to mess things up. He'll try to mess things up from the outside. But sometimes he tries to mess things up by bringing division from the inside." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are currently writing the next chapter of the church because the message and the mission is all the same as the early church had. We're carrying that on. In fact, the story of the church will not end until Jesus comes to take us away. Take the church to be with him. They're going to he's going to snatch us out of here. It's called the rapture. And he's going to grab the church, take him to heaven with him for a seven year period. And then we'll return with him." (27 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We need to be willing to lay aside our own preferences and sometimes even our own rights for the sake of unity. Be willing to lay aside your preferences and even your own rights for the sake of unity. We're told multiple times in the New Testament that we are to put looking out for our brothers and sisters in Christ above our own rights as a Christian." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In the essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love. What does that mean? Let me explain that. It means that there's some things that we need to agree on. There's some things that we must agree on. There are essential Christian doctrines. If someone believes differently about those things, then we are not on the same page. If they believe differently about those things, then they're not really what we would say a Christian. And so we can't really, we can't really continue together as brothers and sisters in Christ." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we stay... When we keep focused on the mission of the church, when we keep busy carrying out of the mission of the church, we don't have time to get caught up in unimportant disagreements. We don't have time to dwell on things or hold grudges against people. We are busy carrying out the mission of the church. We got a lot of work to do. We just keep focused on doing what God wants us to do." (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The bottom line is this. We need to be willing to lay aside our rights and lay aside our preferences for the sake of unity. Sometimes we're going to have to do that. That will head off so many disagreements in the church. When we're unwilling to do that, we may be right about that particular issue, but our hearts are still in a bad place. And we're putting ourselves above keeping unity in the church." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If we at Landmark Church will prioritize the gospel, if we would be willing to lay aside our own preferences for the sake of unity, if we will stay focused on the mission, we will remain, and I say remain because I think we're a healthy church, but we will remain a healthy church where disagreements will arise, but unity, harmony, and love will reign supreme. I think that's what we want." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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