When there is division within the church, it is easy to blame the people or person and forget our enemy whose device is to divide and scatter the sheep so he can pluck them off one by one. We have just seen how the book of James fits into the book of Acts. James is right in the middle of the conflict In Acts 15 and behaves as he tells us to behave in his letter, to not be bitter, or have selfish ambition, or to be false to the truth, for that is not wisdom from above but EARTHLY, UNSPIRITUAL, AND DEMONIC. Last week our own Bev told of a conflict when she certainly could have said, “I told you so,” or have spoken against those who made poor decision, but chose to be silent. As James says “wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercxy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Sunday
1. What thoughts do you have on the above?
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
Monday: The Conflict Returns
It’s 10 to 14 years later, but the old conflict reappears, this time by believing Pharisees who want the Gentiles to become Jewish first by being circumcised. In other words, salvation comes by faith plus circumcision.
3. Read Acts 15:1-12 in your translation. Make 5 observations.
4. Now read it in The Message below and see if it gives you further insight and share.
6. What particularly strikes you and why?
Tuesday: An Old Lutheran Principle from Philipp Melanchthon
You may remember Melanchthon as Luther’s good friend who stood with Luther for the gospel during the Reformation. He came up with this helpful quote. What is essential? They believed the Word of God, the gospel, and the Trinity. Today some churches, such as two in my village, would put different things as essential. I asked the pastor of one and she said, “Baptism and communion.”
5. Scripturally, what do you believe belongs in the middle?
Wednesday: James Speaks Up
4. Read Acts 15:13-19 and summarize the message from James to the Jerusalem Council.
5. What is the argument he makes from the prophet Amos?
6. How does he summarize it in verse 19?
7. How does this sermon show that James believed we are saved by faith alone?
Thursday: Don’t Sin So That Grace May Abound
Once when Billy Graham was on Phil Donahue’s show in Las Vegas, Phil asked Graham, “May a Christian gamble?”
Graham said, “We have great liberty in Christ, yet you will never see me put one penny in the slot machine for it may cause my brother who is tempted by gambling to fall. But the biggest gamble you will ever take, Phil, is to gamble with your soul.”
8. Thoughts on the above?
9 Read Acts 15:20-21 and make 5 observations.
10. Why do you think these three things would have been particularly offensive to their Jewish Messianic brothers? Why does he include sexual immorality in this when we already know that truly is forbidden?
Friday: Application
Truly, this is so relevant if we are to overcome the enemy who seeks to divide. The timing is perfect for me, for I am facing a decision that is a non-essentail for our church, yet will be costly either to me or to the church. I hope they will decide to help me, but if not, I need to give grace. This lesson has helped pound that into my heart. Satan would love to see me get bitter or cause discord. I’d love your prayers.
11. Now, how about you? How might you apply this now, or how did you or fail to in the past?
12. Where some areas where you might restrain your liberty out of love for the hard it might bring to brothers?
Saturday: God Shot
12. What is your God Shot?
29 comments
1. What thoughts do you have on the above?
I’m grateful for the reminder, Dee, that it is Satan who divides. Our church is in flux right now and our pastor is posting daily on social media trying to defend his points. I don’t think that is a good idea and I am not a person who participates in social media so I really haven’t seen everything he has posted. I am not commenting on his posts, but I wonder if I should ask him privately if he thinks the “venue” of social media is the best place to have these embers important conversations. I am praying about confronting him. Thank you for prayers for our church too.
Oh wow, Laura. That is so inappropriate.
Father, it does seem that someone should talk to the pastor about this. Please show Laura if it is her. Please give a receptive heart. Please give wisdom to the whole congregation, to the pastor, and bring peace through humility. In Jesus Name I pray.
Laura, praying for you, your pastor, and the congregation. May the Lord lead you as to what to do and say. I pray that no weapon forged against your church will prosper. I also pray for a receptive heart in your pastor.
Dear Laura, I join Dee and Bing in their prayers for your church and for God to lead you, in what to do or say. I pray for softened hearts. It sounds so hard.
Prayers for you and your church, Laura. It’s a hard situation.
Praying.
Sunday
1. What thoughts do you have on the above?
“When there is division within the church, it is easy to blame the people or person and forget our enemy whose device is to divide and scatter the sheep so he can pluck them off one by one.”
So true, Dee. It is easy to play the blame game. We had the most blessed time with 25 kids and 11 workers for our Kids Summer Fellowship last Monday and Tuesday. It took a lot of coordinating with a few last-minute changes. As I get older, thinking on my feet is slower and more stressful.
I find that I can dip into the quagmire of second-guessing the motives of my brothers and sisters when working in “tight” corners. Differing opinions on how to approach things like crafts, games, and overall “operations”. The Lord has been gracious in giving us about 5 couples who, in my heart, seem to really love one another and value each other’s contribution. So it is with much-needed wisdom, the kind that James talks about, that we approach such ministry opportunities. The temptation to major in the minors is often present, and I am thankful for the awareness of who could be behind and devising division, when communication is just what is needed to clear the air.
I love this verse from James: “Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
This past week has been hectic, but I have continually felt the Lord’s presence in directing our steps for what was in store for each day. Answered prayers for tolerable weather and working AC at the barn where we were meeting; though the day was hot, a cool breeze blew throughout the three hours we had the kids fellowship, an older member stepping in to do an errand so his wife could help with crafts, kids getting along, etc., the days were truly blessed by the Lord. When the Lord blows my mind with an Ephesians 3:20 experience, words fail me. He alone deserves all the glory! Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O Lord, but to your name be all the glory because of your love and faithfulness.”
This was good for me to think about, Bing:
I find that I can dip into the quagmire of second-guessing the motives of my brothers and sisters when working in “tight” corners.
Bing, I love the way the Lord has blessed you and your Kids’ Summer Fellowship this week. I love your entire post. We live in a time of many opinions, and sometimes little grace. You have blessed many with your love of God and your gift of time.
Bing, It is so sweet to hear your good report of God at work at your Kids Summer Fellowship. Such appropriate praise from Psalm 115:1
1. What thoughts do you have on the above? Church conflict is such a difficult thing to endure. Especially if the other person is taking things personally and doesn’t look at it from the standpoint that Satan is trying to drive a wedge between brothers and sisters in Christ
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week? When the topics of the Tim Keller sermons that I listen to on the way to work line up with this study and what my pastor preached on, I know that the Lord is speaking to me.
Yes, Dawn — I love how the same Spirit says the same thing.
Amen to Dee. I so agree that we need recognize that it is the evil one driving the wedge.
Dawn I too love when scripture I am studying lines up. I didn’t answer question 2 but when you mentioned your experience, I remembered that there was a mention of Elijah in James and TLC and I was in Kings studying all about Elijah in my read the Bible in a year with TLC! Not sure the implication at this point, but will think on it.
1. What thoughts do you have on the above?
—I think addressing this reality of church division is timely and important to discuss. Within in this small group blog nearly all of us have experienced or are experiencing some form of division in our own churches and as I listen to other believers from other places it is a seemingly common and pervasive problem. I think churches in America are particularly problematic. I wonder if perhaps the individualistic mindset of Americans and strong cultural influences play into it. I don’t hear about Christians fighting with each other in countries where they are being persecuted and facing death because if their faith in Christ. I do agree that we have an enemy who is very strong and our battle is not against flesh and blood. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
But for God!
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
—I just finished doing a SOAP method study of the book of Romans this past week and now I am going back and reading what I wrote taking one chapter a day. I have been incredibly blessed by what this particular book has taught me. I see how the Holy Spirit taught me and made me aware of his presence in doing that study. I’m waiting on God to show me and anticipating where I should go next.
—This past Monday God led us clearly to buy a town home in Lincoln. We made an offer lower than the asking price and the seller accepted it immediately. The affirmations from the Lord in answer to prayers about this decision have been many.
My oldest daughter has been helping me organize and start packing. Our fellowship has been sweet and I am very grateful for her. There are still some significant details regarding the house closings and the move to be worked out but it has been an exercise in faith and continuing to trust God in those details.
I’ll post when I can and I will try to at least read what is written here.
Amen to Ephesians 6:12. Bev! How I cherish the freedom we have to worship in America. How I pray for grateful hearts! What sweet blessings God has given you with your home sale and finding your townhouse. Love the sweet fellowship with you and your daughter.
Ev, I love how God has been in the “thick” of your homes sale/purchase! I know a few who are struggling with this process as we speak. Thank You Lord, for taking care of Bev and her husband. I also love that you and your daughter had a sweet time together. This is a good thing!
1. What thoughts do you have on the above?
There is so much division happening in churches now. ( of course, there always has been) The enemy is working overtime. I think it is so important that leaders seek first wisdom from God. Putting things on social media is so divisive. A certain pastor who lost his church in Seattle, is creating another nightmare in Arizona. Where is the integrity, respect and empathy? We need to stay in God’s Word and follow it, not use it. We all need God to lead. It is amazing how quickly the dissension started when the disciples started to preach. The Pharisees that came to believe, kept trying to bring the old law with them. They seem to be testing God. How quickly man always tries to replace God and take His place.
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
I was looking for a quote by Alistair Begg and I could not find where I wrote it down. I wanted to send it to someone, so I prayed to find it in my journal. I opened my phone to read an instagram message, and there was Alistair Begg, giving the quote! I couldn’t even remember, which of the sermons it was in or where it was I was looking for the written version. And there he was giving the quote. Only God.I posted that quote here before, but I think it’s pretty appropriate for this lesson.
”Every sin is an inside job. Sow a thought, real an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.” Alistair Begg
We start writing our legacy the moment we arrive in this earth. Let us seek God first in doing that. I do not think we take our behavior seriously enough. Probably, too much rabbit trail.
Patti, that church in Seattle devastated so many lives and from what I understand is taking off in Arizona!
Love the quote from Begg, thanks for sharing.
Sunday
1. What thoughts do you have on the above?
Divisions within the church are so sad and cause such hurt. We take our eyes off of Christ and put them on ourselves or others. I believe the biggest cause of division is gossip and satan has a hay day in stirring people up…definitely earthly, unspiritual and demonic.
2. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
I appreciate all the sweet wishes for our 50th anniversary. It still hasn’t sunk in that it’s really been that many years, but I feel so blessed to be married to a godly man.
I have been spending time in Colossians, memorizing, meditating and basking in the fact that Christ lives in me and this gives me assurance of sharing His glory (1:27). A quote from a devotional I’m doing on Colossians…”The Christian life is not just about believing certain truths or behaving a certain way. It’s about a new reality where the Spirit of Christ lives in you, empowering you from the inside out. You don’t have to carry your calling, overcome temptation, or endure hardship on your own . Live like His power and presence are not just near you, but in you.” I pray that this shows up in my conversations, decisions, and mindset each day.
Love this quote from the devotional for Colossians, Sharon! So true and so comforting!
Monday: The Conflict Returns
It’s 10 to 14 years later, but the old conflict reappears, this time by believing Pharisees who want the Gentiles to become Jewish first by being circumcised. In other words, salvation comes by faith plus circumcision.
Wow, this is so true in many churches, including ours. My husband is going on his 15th year as our church pastor. He and I talked about how we seem to be restarting from the beginning, especially with new people in our congregation.
1. Read Acts 15:1-12 in your translation. Make 5 observations.
Certain (!) people…it is amazing how, perhaps, just a few people can come in and disrupt unity.
The word “unless”. Whoa, I have to be careful in using this word, for non-essentials.
v.3 The Christians in Phoenicia and Samaria were glad to hear that the Gentiles had been converted.
v.5 The party of the Pharisees…when have I been a Pharisee?
v.6-11 I love the boldness and testimony of Peter. I think vs 10 is powerful! “Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?”
4. Now read it in The Message below and see if it gives you further insight and share.
6. What particularly strikes you and why?
I would like to have been a fly on the wall during what transpired in vs. 6. What were the arguments back and forth?
Peter’s testimony is powerful! V. 9-11 is the gospel here: He treated the outsiders exactly as he treated us, (at the foot of the cross, the ground is level) beginning at the very center of who they were (the heart!) and working from that center outward (justification and sanctification), cleaning up their lives as they trusted and believed him (good works!).
V. 10 is a sobering question to ponder: why are you now trying to out-god God,…
Jesus…out of sheer generosity moved (tabernacled) to save (the cross!) us.
Monday: The Conflict Returns
It’s 10 to 14 years later, but the old conflict reappears, this time by believing Pharisees who want the Gentiles to become Jewish first by being circumcised. In other words, salvation comes by faith plus circumcision.
3. Read Acts 15:1-12 in your translation. Make 5 observations.
Men in Judea began to teach believers that circumcision was a requirement to be saved.
Paul and Silas disagreed, arguing vehemently, so the church decided to send them along with Barnabas and local believers to the church in Jerusalem to talk to the apostles and elders. They visited believers in Phoenicia and Samaria on the way and were overcome with joy that Gentiles were being converted.
Paul and Silas were welcomed by the church in Jerusalem and reported everything God had done through them. Then some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.
After a long discussion Peter addressed them and reminded them that long ago “God had chosen him to preach to the Gentiles so they could hear the Good News and believe. God knows men’s hearts and He confirmed that He accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did us. He made no distinction as He cleansed their hearts through faith so why are we challenging God by burdening the Gentiles believers with a yoke that we or our ancestors were able to bear? We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
They all listened quietly as Paul and Barnabas told about miraculous signs God had done through them among the Gentiles.
4. Now read it in The Message.
5. What particularly strikes you and why?
“The arguments among the apostles and leaders went on and on, back and forth, getting more and more heated. Then Peter”…
This stuck out to me because of being in church meetings like this, it always seemed that the argument was going no where until a person of reason, a Peter, would speak and bring things back into perspective.
Love your answer to 5. Sharon ! So true. The one who can calmly bring perspective, brings peace.
3. Read Acts 15:1-12 in your translation. Make 5 observations.
Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch in Syria.
Some men from Judea stopped in and said that Gentile believers had to be circumcised.
Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them so they traveled to Jerusalem to talk to the elders about the subject.
Some believers who belonged to the Pharisees thought the Gentiles should be circumcised.
Peter discussed this with the elders and said that he had been commissioned to convert the Gentiles to the Holy Spirit with no strings attached. They were to be able to worship just as the Jewish people were. He said that God cleansed their hearts with faith.
He told them that they all were all saved by the undeserved grace of Jesus. They should not have to suffer the rules that the Jews had to.
6. What particularly strikes you and why?
I love the part about God working from the inside out in our bodies. We are no longer “outsiders.” That is a wonderful idea to me.
Love your answer to 6, Laura!
Monday: The Conflict Returns
It’s 10 to 14 years later, but the old conflict reappears, this time by believing Pharisees who want the Gentiles to become Jewish first by being circumcised. In other words, salvation comes by faith plus circumcision.
3. Read Acts 15:1-12 in your translation. Make 5 observations. 1. Dispute about circumcison being required for salvation (in Antioch) 2. Paul and Barnabas sent to Jerusalem to meet with church leaders about the conflict 3. Much discusiion/conflicting opinion in Jerusalem also 4. Peter stands and gives his personal testimony about his experience with Cornelius and the work of the Holy Spirit among that Gentile household 5. No difference between Jew and Gentile, God purifies hearts (true circumsion is spiritual) 6. Paul and Barnabas are then able to testify about the work of God through their ministry
4. Now read it in The Message below and see if it gives you further insight and share. vs. 12 and “dead silence” This shows what great reapect there was for Peter that all commotion stopped when he spoke. It also tells me that Peter (and James) let the others voice their concerns and opinions first before rising to speak.
6. What particularly strikes you and why? There was a great conflict and difference of OPINION at this stage in the church. Peter’s words emphasize that God is the ultimate authority, and that it’s by the grace of the Lord Jesus that anyone is saved, Jew or Gentile.
It’s 10 to 14 years later, but the old conflict reappears, this time by believing Pharisees who want the Gentiles to become Jewish first by being circumcised. In other words, salvation comes by faith plus circumcision.
3. Read Acts 15:1-12 in your translation. Make 5 observations.
Some men (probably Pharisees) were teaching circumcision was part of being saved.
Paul and Barnabas were directed to go discuss this with elders and apostles in Jerusalem.
Peter shows a different perspective, that God gave them the Holy Spirit to set the foundation of the new church of believers in Christ.
The old law was replaced for all by the cleansing of the heart by faith.
The people listened to Paul and Barnabas, as they related signs and wonders God had done through them woth the Gentiles
4. Now read it in The Message below and see if it gives you further insight and share.
The foundation of the new church was based on Christ’s death and Resurrection, which gave each of us the Holy Spirit. This is the One who helps us in our relationship with Christ. Christ, not the law, makes God accessible to all not just the Jews.
6. What particularly strikes you and why?
It is somewhat understandable that the Jews questioned things. The Mosaic law was their basis for belief. The New Testament was not written yet, they were living it. Paul and Barnabas were filled with the Holy Spirit, as they spoke to the crowd and the crowd kept silent and listened. \
Tuesday: An Old Lutheran Principle from Philipp Melanchthon Essentials-Unity Differences-Liberty All things-Charity (love)
5. Scripturally, what do you believe belongs in the middle? Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus (1 Co 15:1-4, Eph 2:8-10, Acts 15:11), doctrine of the Trinity (Eph chapter 1)
2. Think of a few conflicts that might occur in your church that would belong in the second circle. Hymns vs. contemporary music, pre-trib vs. post-trib rapture
3. How might you apply this principle? By careful study of the Word to KNOW what are the essentials, by being able to agree to disagree about non-essentials, learning to compromise, seeking to maintain unity and peace within the body