Text: Acts 15:36-41, Title: Sharp Contention, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/7/08, AM
A. Opening illustration: they called it the first church of laying on of hands and healing (see below)
B. Background to passage: Theological conflict settled. Church rejoicing in unity and freedom. And the heart of the Apostle Paul was still burning for the calling that God had placed on his life—“he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” So his heart and his proposal were to again leave Antioch and go to the nations and to the churches he had started. And so he went to recruit his long-time partner in the ministry and friend Barnabas, so they could plan their journey. Everything was great.
C. Main thought: Until then. And then we see a volatile situation develop between two seasoned, mature, Christ-centered missionaries, not over theology, but over personal convictions…
A. The Problem (v. 37-38)
1. John Mark was not necessarily the problem. The personal convictions of Paul and Barnabas were the problem. Barnabas the “Son of Encouragement” was willing to give John Mark (his cousin) another chance. Remember that he had deserted them in Pamphylia. When the going got tough, Mark hit the road. We don’t really know why, but from Paul’s assessment, it probably wasn’t for health reasons. And Paul didn’t think it was wise to take a deserter with them. Barnabas was thinking of the man (Mark), and Paul was thinking of the mission (it wasn’t a picnic). And they were both very persistent. The word in the Gr. that is used to describe this disagreement means “a severe argument based on intense difference of opinion.”
2. Acts 13:13,
3. Illustration: the Donatist controversy of 311 AD, list of how to have a fair fight, Covenant Marriage, 217,
4. Although the disagreement was intense and emotions probably ran high, this does not necessitate sin. It is never stated that Paul, Barnabas, or their supporters ever resorted to name-calling, character assassination, rounding up support, throwing things, etc. It does not say that they lost their cool, their head, or their temper. They probably realized that there was not clear scriptural commands regarding such a situation, and that their problem was not theological, but opinion in nature. Even though their fight was heated, and unresolved, they maintained their religion. With the influence of the Spirit, they kept their actions under control. Were they listening to the Spirit?
B. The Solution (v. 39)
1. Consider the possibility of a Spirit inspired discord? So the Dynamic Duo decide to part ways. They decide that, even though firm in their disagreement, Christ was more important. So again, they are careful about what they do. They don’t say things that they will regret later. They don’t compromise their personal convictions. Yet, they are gracious and humble, but convinced that with this particular disagreement, they could no longer work together.
2. Pro 11:14, James 1:19-20,
3. Illustration: My roommate in college, Preston, tell about the pastor talking to the perspective church member, and inviting him to go somewhere else to church, A news story from Wales told of a feud in a church looking for a new pastor. It read: "Yesterday the two opposition groups both sent ministers to the pulpit. Both spoke simultaneously, each trying to shout above the others. Both called for hymns, and the congregation sang two--each trying to drown out the other. Then the groups started shouting at each other. Bibles were raised in anger. The Sunday morning service turned into a bedlam. Through it all, the two preachers continued trying to out shout each other with their sermons. Eventually a deacon called a policeman. Two came in and began shouting for the congregation to be quiet. They advised the forty persons in the church to return home. The rivals filed out, still arguing. Last night one of the groups called a let’s-be-friends meeting. It broke up in argument."
4. How often in arguments we say or do things that we will regret? Sometimes we complicate the situation seemingly beyond repair, when we could have just agreed to disagree. We must always be gracious and leave room for God to repair the situation. And it is really good to wait until emotions have calmed down before making any sort of decisions. Sometimes its good to just wait a few hours or days before we send that email, write that note, or have that conversation. It happens to the best of us. And always get counsel. Find someone more objective, unrelated, and wise, and get their advice, not their support.
C. The Results (v. 40)
1. Before there was one mission team that we know about. Now there are two. There used to be two missionaries, and now there are four. And they are going to pick up Timothy in the next chapter, so their will be five. Only one area could be covered at a time, and now two. Think if the exponential possibilities that exist now, rather than before. Now jump way down the road, remember the possibility was left open for later reconciliation. Paul affirms the ministry of Barnabas in the letter to the Corinthians. He also later mentions Mark as being useful to him. And remember there is a gospel that bears his name, and the recollections of Peter. And church tradition says that Mark was the first to carry the gospel to Alexandria, Egypt, and there is a long standing rich Christian history in that city.
2. Rom 8:28, Gen 50:20, 1 Cor 9:6, Col 4:10, 2 Tim 4:11,
3. Illustration: the number of disciples made b/t and evangelist and a discipler, Transforming Discipleship, p. 137, “There is no situation so chaotic that God cannot from that situation, create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.” Their Scripture reading from their smuggled Bible that morning in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted. Corrie finally agreed to somehow thank God for even the fleas. During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings in their barrack without guard interference. Several months later they learned that the guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas
4. We must remember that God has the ability and wisdom to turn a seemingly bad situation and use it for His good and glory. So do not begrudge suffering or difficult situations or disagreements. Handle them in a Christ-like fashion and leave the results to God. View these situations as opportunities for God to show Himself mighty. Always be open for reconciliation. We are never really told who was right. (marriage advice: know without a doubt that you are right, then let her win.). Know that God is far more concerned about his glory than over a dispute about whose going on a mission trip or how a certain ministry should be operated. God is focused on His Kingdom!
A. Closing illustration: Chuck Swindoll tells about a Missionary family who left their Work because of Condemnation from other Missionaries. What was the theological disagreement over? Peanut butter. You see, the Mission field where they went did not have access to Peanut Butter. So, that particular family arranged for a friend to send them Peanut Butter from the States every now and then. The problem was that the other Missionaries considered it a mark of their true spirituality that they did without Peanut Butter. They explained, “We believe that since peanut butter is not available here, we should give it up for the cause of Christ.” Well, the new family disagreed. And the end result was that they were pushed out of that mission.
Additional Notes
• Jesus came to a village and found a man there who was blind. He laid hands on Him and prayed over the man, and he was healed completely. The townspeople were so appreciative that they built a church, and they called it the first church of laying on of hands and healing. So, Jesus goes to the next village, and there He found another blind man. So, Jesus spits on the ground and makes some mud, and applies it to the man’s eyes. He then tells the man to go wash in the pool, and the man receives his sight. The townspeople are so overjoyed that they decide to start a church in Jesus’ honor, and they called it the first church of Here’s mud in your eye and be healed. Jesus goes on to yet a third village, and finds a third blind man there. So, Jesus tells the man, “If you go and wash in this pool seven times, you will receive your sight back.” So the man does as Jesus says. The third set of townspeople was so appreciative of God’s work that they built a church in Jesus’ honor too. They named it the first church of washing seven times and healing. One day, the Lord calls all these groups together for fellowship. But, over the course of time they began to break down over doctrinal discussion as to how healing takes place. One group said, “You can’t heal unless you lay hands on those who are sick.” A second group said, “That’s fine, but if you forget the mud in their eye it doesn’t work.” The third group said, “You guys only have part of the truth, washing seven times is the real key.” The contention became so great among them that they broke fellowship between them, none of them wanting to fellowship with heretics any longer.
