CONFLICT: THE OTHER SIDE OF LOVE
Acts 15:36-41
TEXT: Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
PROPOSITION: To motivate the believer to seek reconciliation with anyone with whom they have had or may have a disagreement with.
INTRODUCTION: Notice Paul and Barnabas¡¦ reaction to disagreeing:
- Both Paul And Barnabas Felt They Were Right; And They Probably Were
- Both Paul and Barnabas Continued In There Respective Ministries; The Mission Of God Did Not Fail Because Of Their Disagreement
- Nowhere Do We See Either Paul Or Barnabas Trying To Prove The Other Wrong
I. LOVE DEMANDS THAT YOU DO NOT SIN WHEN YOU ARE IN DISAGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER BELIEVER
Ephesians 4:25-26 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
Application: Hatred is sin. Gossip is sin. A superior attitude is sin. As a believer you must not allow these things to enter into your life ¡V You must be especially on guard when your are in the midst of a disagreement with another person.
II. LOVE DEMANDS THAT YOU KEEP A RIGHT ATTITUDE WHEN YOU ARE IN DISAGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER BELIEVER
Application: Often we want to take on a superior attitude believing that we are more right than the other person ¡V especially if we feel the other person has wronged us. Love demands that we love them with the same or even greater intensity, accepting them for who they can become rather than for what they have been.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:10,11 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Application: Love sees beyond the action to the person beneath. Even in disagreements, true love keeps the right attitude:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
III. LOVE DEMANDS THAT YOU BE THE SEEKER OF RECONCILIATION WHEN YOU ARE IN DISAGREEMENT WITH ANOTHER BELIEVER
Matthew 5:23,24 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Application: Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that you have agreed with your adversary ¡V Forgiveness means that you have moved beyond whatever you disagreed about to a place where your relationship has been restored. You may never agree, but you must agree to disagree agreeably.
CONCLUSION:
