church of Christ Calgary 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary The Reading Acts 15:37-39 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary Hello Brother, I have some differences with a sister here in the congregation. She doesn't listen, she’s always right, and I don’t know how to talk to her because of the fact that she thinks that she knows it all. What can I do? I don’t even feel like being around her, because I feel the tension between us. Can you please explain what I can do, to smooth out our relationship, and to find the possibility to be in harmony again? Thank you kindly! 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary A question has been asked without giving me the details of these “differences” She doesn't listen (about what?) she’s always right (about what?), and I don’t know how to talk to her because of the fact that she thinks that she knows it all. (About what?) I will assume that these “differences” are not doctrinal but opinions. If they are opinions, they can be dealt with easily. If they are doctrinal, then I will give the answer very quickly, from the word of God! Matthew 18:17-18 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

IT IS THE LORD AND SAVIOR! Paul is not the one talking. Peter is not the one talking. John is not the one talking. IT IS THE LORD AND SAVIOR! If the problem is doctrinal, that is what you MUST DO! If those “differences” are opinions, then let me give you a different answer! 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

When Christians Disagree Acts 15:39 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

Being Honest With Ourselves Acts 15:19-20  Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. We need to admit when there are difficulties (1 Pet. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). We need to be honest about our level of confidence (Rom. 14:15). Not every issue is clear-cut (1 Cor. 8:4; 10:25-27). It is not always all or nothing (Acts 15:19-20). 1 Cor 10:25-27 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.. 1 Cor 8:4  Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. Romans 14:15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 1 Cor 6:9,10 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 1 Pet 3:16  having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

We may be very passionate about our convictions (Acts 15:37-39). Making Our Case 1 Cor 7:27-28  27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. Acts 15:37-39  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; We must distinguish between what is clearly sin and what is judgment (1 Cor. 7:27,28). We may be very passionate about our convictions (Acts 15:37-39). 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

church of Christ Calgary Things to Remember We need to recognize when a weaker brother is involved (Rom. 14:1). Convictions can affect our relationships without breaking fellowship (Acts 15:39). We must avoid a “taking sides” mentality (1 Cor. 1:12). There is a big difference between disagreement and contempt (Rom. 14:3). 1 Cor 1:12  Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Romans 14:1  Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. Acts 15:39  Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

Galatians 5:14-15 14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15  But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 1 Corinthians 6:7 7  Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? Philippians 4:2 2  I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Romans 14:19 19  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. If the problems are opinions, I will suggest you let it go now before you become bitter and alone. Strive for unity not division. Philippians 4:2 Romans 14:19 Romans 12:9-21 1 Corinthians 6:7 Galatians 5:14,15