Loving Conflict in the Church

The Jerusalem Council & Paul’s Big Fight with Barnabas

Acts 15:30–35 “So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.”

Acts 15:36–41 “After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

Many of you have heard me talk about a man that played a big part in my early life in ministry, Bishop Tony Miller. I was with some friends this past week and we were recalling stories of our time with him…One of the stories we all had were times when you got on Bishop’s wrong side…When you did something he didn’t like he didn’t waste any time letting you know how he felt about it… But the pattern was the same for all of us. After he had unloaded his frustration, his tenderness would kick in. typically within an hour or so you would get a phone call and he’d say, “Hey bud, are we good…I love you.”

He didn’t always handle the conflict in the best way, but one thing we learned from him…. Principle: Never rest until you have restored the bond of love and fellowship with the people God has placed in your life.

The Blessings of the Lord flow from the Place of Connection!

The enemy would like nothing more than to divide the church and divide loving relationship.

A broken bond of relationship in the church = a broken body of Christ.

It quite literally is like leaving Jesus on the cross, the place of separation and sin.

Two Examples of Conflict in this one chapter of Acts

Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council

When the church in Jerusalem had attempted to separate themselves from the Gentile churches, Paul fought for unity in the body of Christ.

Acts 15:36-38 - Paul’s Rigid emotions get the best of him

Have you ever felt so strongly about something and you knew you were RIGHT!

“I never argue about something I’m not right about!”

Principle: Being RIGHT about something is often overrated.

It is one of the enduring features of any Christian work that when Christians have worked and prayed their way through a problem or a difficult task, and seen it safely to a conclusion, they no sooner breathe a sigh of relief than they find themselves tripped up by something small and comparatively insignificant. The person who preaches a brilliant sermon may go home and be unkind to her spouse. The man who pioneers a major work of love in action may fall down in his relationships with his close colleagues. It should not be so, but how often it is. And it is to Luke’s credit that when it happens to Paul, he doesn’t gloss it over. It is a sad little story, but we can learn quite a bit from it.

N.T. Wright (Small Faith, Great God)

Talking with a pastor friend just this week…the same thing has happened in our Pentecostal movement…the same generations that endured such persecution and trials to birth this movement have often found themselves at odds with a new generation of Christians that don’t see the world the way they do…and so they DIVIDE.

The Importance of Conflict

Conflict should be embraced, not avoided.

Conflict should sharpen the conversation, not divide us apart.

Conflict should broaden our view, not make is narrower.

Conflict should generate humility, not arrogance.

When our love for one another is tested…

Refuse the Gossip & Backbiting

Soak the conflict & yourself in Prayer.

pray first, pray often, pray always

Matthew 5:23–24 “So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”

Confront with Compassion and Generosity.

You are probably not right about everything.

You probably don’t see ALL SIDES of the issue.

No Matter what, always “Pass the Peace” (Acts 15:33).

This became the standard practice for all the churches and continues today.

Classical Pentecostal: Extend the right hand of fellowship.

BSC: “Meet & Greet”

Acts 15:33: “they were sent out with The Peace of the brethren” or “they gave them the Peace as they sent them on their way”

It’s not just something we do to fill the time in service.

We are quite literally fulfilling the command of Scripture…

Romans 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.”

1 Corinthians 16:20 “All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

2 Corinthians 13:12 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.”

1 Thessalonians 5:26 “Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.”

1 Peter 5:14 “Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

I feel like men kissing is not going to work in our setting! It might work in FRANCE, but not in Possum Kingdom!!!!

But there is something powerful about saying to one another, “God’s peace and God’s grace to you” or “Sister, I love you and speak God’s best over your life” or “I’m with you friend, I’m praying for you this week.”

That’s especially important when saying it to those we don’t understand or don’t agree with.

Where has the enemy attempted to severe the bond of fellowship in your life?