WHEN GOOD CHRISTIANS CAN’T GET ALONG
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
I hope I will not shock you when I tell you this, but Christians - even good Christians - do not always get along.
I hope I will not shock you when I tell you this, but Christians - even good Christians - do not always get along.
Where there is light there will be bugs.
Where there are dogs there will be fleas.
Where there is a barn there will be flies
Where there is hay there will be mice
Where there are humans, there will be hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and differences of opinion
Even if those humans are Christians
Even if they are good Christians
Do you remember the events of…
36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare. 37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; 40 but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
A sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas…
The question is not “If Christians disagree, what should we do?”
But “When Christians disagree, what should we do?”
The study of this hour revolves around two sisters in Christ at Philippi who were not getting along
The study of this hour revolves around two sisters in Christ at Philippi who were not getting along
Earlier, Paul emphasized the importance of being united
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
2 make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
Some think these general admonitions were leading up to this specific case of disunity
Whether this is true or not, the first three verses of chapter four highlight the importance of living in harmony with fellow Christians
The way Paul handled this situation can help us know what to do when brothers and/or sisters in Christ are at odds with one another
Paul begins with a…
DISCUSSION
SINCERE COMMENDATION
SINCERE COMMENDATION
Paul first establishes a positive atmosphere
Paul first establishes a positive atmosphere
He assured all the Christians at Philippi, including the two troubled sisters, of his love for them.
So, before he commanded - he commended
1 Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.
No verse in the Bible is filled with more warmth and affection
No verse in the Bible is filled with more warmth and affection
“Brethren” - they were family
“Beloved” - αγαπη … used it twice for emphasis
“Longed for” - homesick to see his friends
“My joy and crown” - he thought of them as his crowning [στεφανος] achievement
And because of his deep affection for them - he encouraged them to
“Stand fast in the Lord”
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
Do you want to help two Christians to be reconciled?
Do you want to help two Christians to be reconciled?
Do not start by pointing out their short comings
First, affirm your care for them
Before you can influence their wills, you must touch their hearts
They need to feel and understand your genuine care for them
After confirming his care and love for these two sisters, Paul then moves to a…
SENSITIVE CONFRONTATION
SENSITIVE CONFRONTATION
The Philippian church was Paul’s crown - the laurel wreath of victory - but there was a “thorn” in the crown: two sisters who had a serious disagreement
The Philippian church was Paul’s crown - the laurel wreath of victory - but there was a “thorn” in the crown: two sisters who had a serious disagreement
In direct fashion, Paul said…
2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
As we look at Paul’s addressing of this problem, let us first consider the word…
“Exhort” - παρακαλω
Meaning to “call to one’s side” and “to urge strongly”
So we see that Paul was going to deal with issue strongly - but with compassion
Paul, with loving force, said “be of the same mind”
The conflict between Euodia and Syntyche could get out of hand and cause great havoc in the church.
When the physical body is well and in good health, there is harmony between its many components; the same is true with reference to a congregation of God’s people.
A spiritual disease affecting one or more of the saints, creates disharmony among the whole body of believers.
A Christian shows his selfishness and his disregard for God when he disturbs the body of Christ to gratify his own personal will and gain his own personal ends.
One ought to be willing to bear and suffer wrong rather than to defile the temple of God with disharmony.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
16 only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.
Another interesting truth found in verse 2 is the meaning of these ladies names…
“Syntyche” can mean “pleasant” and “Euodia” can mean “sweet fragrance”
At this time, however, they were anything but pleasant - and they were spreading the unpleasant aroma of discord
So Paul commended AND commanded
Generally, it is not enough just to put your arm around them
You must encourage them to resolve their differences
Who were these women?
On The Positive Side
On The Positive Side
“labored with me in the gospel,”
“Labored” means to struggle along with
To struggle together as in an athletic contest
Team work!
This is not means that they preached…
8 I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing. 9 In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; 10 but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works. 11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. 12 But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.
but they did share in Paul’s struggle in some way
Women can spread the Gospel in many ways:
Teaching women and children
Working benevolently
Encouragers
What ever they were involved in - Paul considered them to be fellow laborers
Another positive attribute of these ladies…
“whose names are in the book of life”
27 and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
When Paul spoke of these two ladies, it reminded him of others who has struggled along side of him - “Clement” and “the rest of my fellow-workers”
These ladies knowing that their name was written in God’s Book of Life should have been motivation for them to resolve their differences
On The Negative Side
On The Negative Side
The friction among them threatened to cancel all the good they have done
How do you think they would have felt to see their names written in a public letter to Philippi?
Embarrassed? Ashamed?
And it is still being read to this day!
If one line were to be written about your life what would it be? …
“he did not get along with others”
"he was mean spirited"
"he always complained"
“he is always negative”
“he walks around like he has been weaned on a sour pickle”
"he always has a sharp tongue"- etc.
Why was Paul so specific regarding the two women and their disagreement?
Surely is was not to embarrass them
Rather, there was the danger of it spreading…
16 There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; 18 A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
This disagreement was most certainly not a doctrinal issue
Paul would have dealt with it if it were
It was matter of opinion
And I think Paul knows something about this…Don’t you?
So, Paul is striving for a…
SATISFYING RECONCILIATION
SATISFYING RECONCILIATION
How did Paul handle this explosive situation?
He Did Something - Immediately
He Did Something - Immediately
He did something - he did not ignore it, hoping it would go away - we do this all too often
Apparently, he did something as soon as he knew the problem existed
He did not wait so long that the entire congregation had taken sides
He Remained Neutral - But Concerned
He Remained Neutral - But Concerned
He did not side with either woman - he urged the same for each
When two Christians clash, the Bible teaches that each is to take the first step in being reconciled
15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
He Urged Unity - Strongly
He Urged Unity - Strongly
Sometimes Christians think that their misunderstandings are “nobody else’s business” …
But trouble in the congregation is everyone’s business
Why?
Disagreements not only harm those who disagree, but they also give others a bad impression of the church…
11 For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them that are of the household of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
It can also drive away unbelievers…
20 Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. 22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me.
The Lord wants us to live at peace with each other…
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
So Paul addresses this issue immediately, showed concern - being neutral, strongly urged them to get this fixed, and…
He Reminded Them - Appropriately
He Reminded Them - Appropriately
Paul reminded the two women that they were both “in the Lord”
This was a favorite expression of Paul
They were baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), all spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph. 1:3), they were children of God in Christ (Gal. 3:26), etc.
They were therefore to one in Christ
Being “in Christ” gave them common ground on which to meet
Standing, as it were, at the foot of the cross and looking up into the face of the One who had died for them, they should have joined hands in praise for the Lord instead of looking with animosity at each other!
He Helped Them - Competent Help
He Helped Them - Competent Help
Christians should try to work out their differences on their own - but sometimes they need help
Paul asked help of a “true yokefellow” – to help these ladies…
3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Fewer task are more difficult than trying to mind fences among brethren, but fewer tasks are more important
CONCLUSION
Remember, the Lord wants His people to live together in harmony
Remember also, to have true unity we must be in Christ…
