A Silver Lining in a Disagreement
Acts 15:36-41
July 13, 1997
The Bible is transparent: David's sin, Elijah's depression, and Peter's impertinence. Here, we see two friends, two co-workers are at a crossroad with each other. There is information we do not know about this separation. The truth is this: God works providentially in His people to carry forth the work of His kingdom.
I. Intentions for Ministry
1. Return and review (v. 36)
a. Responsibility of spiritual leaders
- Shepherd the flock
- Ensure reality
- Ensure stability
E.g. easily seen in Paul's epistles
b. Relationship of the Redeemed
Greater unity crossing culture and language borders. We are not to live in isolation. We have a connection through unity in Christ (John 17:20-21).
2. Exhort and Encourage
This was typical apostolic practice: "see how they are" in the Greek is cumbersome - "how they have it," "how their state is." Why is this necessary?
a. Negatively: The devil seeks to work mischief in the church, "doth seek to work us woe" (Luther)
b. Positively: The brethren must be constantly nourished in the faith. See this in the epistles. A good work to all in the ministry!
Here is no unequal yoke nor doctrinal issue. Legitimate separation: unequal yoke, doctrine, unrepentant, ethical/moral breach. A paroxysm took place. Why did it happen? We cannot be absolutely certain, but I believe we can pinpoint three reasons:
1. Primary reason: personality
Barnabas - compassionate, tender, accepting, encouraging, sides with underdog, sanguine
Paul - uncompromising in work and deed, stable, analytical, strong work ethic, courageous, choleric
Personality should never become an excuse for a breach. We must learn from each other and to work with each other.
2. Methodology
Barnabas - training first, proclamation second
Paul - proclamation first, training second
3.'Authority
A shift had taken place. Perhaps Mark had failed to submit to this and then left. Perhaps Barnabas, accustomed to the lead as one with apostolic authority, could not follow.
III. Lessons for Ministry
We cannot necessarily decide who was right and who was wrong or whether either was. We probably will find ourselves siding with our own personality best.
1. Personality
a. We all have strengths and weaknesses
b. We must be aware of the foibles in our personalities
c. We must seek to live under the Spirit's control, Ephesians 5:15-18
d. We must learn to show deference for one another's personality
2. Ambition
Both had good, noble intentions
a. Danger of fleshly ambitions clouding God-given direction
b. Regular evaluation of ourselves in light of the Word: Are we unbending for the Lord's sake or our own?
c. All ambitions must be sanctified before the Lord
3. Methods
A 'can of worms' in our day
a. Must be consistent with Biblical revelation
b. Must be consistent in proclaiming truth
c. Must give all glory to Christ not self
4. Disagreements
a. Seek to avoid having a contentious, disagreeable spirit; "not contentious," "not pugnacious."
There is an inevitability of disagreements in this life!
b. Seek peaceableness, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, but never peace at any price
c. Maintain your focus on your ministry because disagreements can be strategic diversions from the
enemy!
d. Recognize God-given changes and directions. Though there may have been one or two at fault,
God worked providentially to further His kingdom. J. A. Alexander, "It is equally admissible, and
much more pleasant, to suppose that the 'paroxysm,' although directly caused by human frailty,
was a providential means of sending out four men instead of two, on the same errand in different
directions, so as at the same time to avoid collision and enlarge the field of missionary labor" (II
99)
e. Seek to learn about self, ministry people, while guarding against an embittered spirit
The Lord works good, even from our weaknesses and failures (Romans 8:28).
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