9202015 church of Christ Calgary 9202015 church of

9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

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

9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

9/20/2015 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 church of Christ Calgary 9/20/2015 to be in harmony again?

• 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! church of Christ Calgary 9/20/2015

• 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 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

• 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 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary

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

Being Honest With Ourselves • 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). 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary Acts 15: 19 -20 1 Cor 10: 25 -27 11 Romans Cor 8: 4 1 Cor 6: 9, 10 I wrote Pet. I 3: 16 Therefore judge Eat whatever is sold to 14: 15 you in my epistle Therefore Yet if having a in the meat market, that we should not to keep concerning your brother the is asking no questions good trouble those from company with for conscience’ sake; sexually immoral eating grieved of among the Gentiles conscience, 26 forpeople. “the earth is the 10 Yet I who are turning to things because offered of that when Lord’s, anddid all not its certainly God, 20 but that we your to idols, food, we you they defame fullness. ” 27 If any mean with the of write to them to those who do sexually immoral you asnot are know no that longer an abstain from things people of this world, believe invites you to evildoers, walking idol is nothing in love. polluted by idols, or with dinner, and youthe desire those who incovetous, not the destroy world, or is to Do go, eat whatever from sexual revile extortioners, or with and that your there food set before you, your asking immorality, from

Making Our Case • 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 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary 1 Acts Cor 15: 37 -39 7: 27 -28 was 27 Now Are Barnabas you bound to a determined to take wife? Do not seekwith to them John called be loosed. Are Mark. you 38 But Paul insisted that loosed from a wife? they should not take with Do not seek a wife. them the one who had But even if you doin departed from them marry, youand have Pamphylia, hadnot sinned; and if ato virgin gone with them the work. 39 Then thenot marries, she has contention became so sinned. Nevertheless sharpwill thathave they trouble parted such from one another. And so

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). 9/20/2015 church of Christ Calgary 1 Romans Cor 1: 12 Acts 15: 39 Romans Now. Let I say 14: 3 not Then the 14: 1 this, that each him who eats contention one of. Receive you says, despise him became so “I whoof is weak who does not am Paul, ” sharp that they in the faith, eat, and let not or “I am of parted from him who but notdoes to “I one another. Apollos, ” or notdisputes eat of judge And so am Barnabas took him who overeats; Cephas, ” or “I

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 5: 14 -15 1 Galatians Corinthians 6: 7 14 Philippians 14: 19 4: 2 For all the law is 7 Romans Now therefore, 19 fulfilled 2 I implore in one Therefore it is alreadylet anus word, even in this: pursue things utter failure for Euodia and I "You shall love your you that you go to which make for imploreas neighbor law against one yourself. " peace and the Syntyche to bedoof another. Why 15 But if you bite things by which the same mind you not rather and devour onein one may edify accept wrong? another, beware the Lord. another. Why doyou lest benot