Conflicts, disagreements, and tough decisions are simply a part of life. While the temptation is to avoid confrontations or react poorly, what if we could navigate these moments in a way that benefited our relationships and helped us deepen our faith at the same time? In this video, we explore two conflicts in the Bible that nearly tore a community apart. Instead, these stories reveal how people facing extreme differences found a way forward that ultimately strengthened their relationships and shared mission. From these stories, we’ll gain practical insights on handling conflicts with grace, seeking wise counsel, and growing through the challenges of life.

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MESSAGE NOTES

Unstoppable: God’s Plan For Multiplication

Handling Conflict Well

Introduction: Challenging Christian Practices

  • Why do Christians worship on Sunday instead of Saturday?
  • Why do Christians eat pork and shrimp if the Torah forbids it?
  • Why don’t Christians wear yarmulkes?
  • Why does it seem that Christians pick and choose what verses in the Old Testament to obey?

The Council of Jerusalem

[Acts 15:1-2, 4-6] “While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question… When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, ‘The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.’ So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue.”

Key Points:

  1. When division and emotions were elevated, they sought counsel from seasoned believers
  2. Everyone needs a “wisdom table” – trusted people to give godly advice

Peter’s Address

[Acts 15:7-12] “At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: ‘Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe…'”

Key Points:

  • God didn’t require the Gentiles to convert before conversion
  • Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone

“Biblical Christianity is based on faith rather than good deeds.”

James’ Decision

[Acts 15:13-21] “When they had finished, James stood and said, ‘Brothers, listen to me. Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself…'”

Key Points:

  • The church is built on Jesus, not Peter
  • James, as the first pastor, had the final say
  • They appealed to scripture to decide what they should do

“We interpret our experiences through the scripture rather than the scripture through our experiences.”

Understanding Old Testament Laws

Three types of law in the Old Testament:

  1. Civic Law
  2. Ceremonial Law
  3. Moral Law

“Our gratitude to the Lord for our salvation is the motivation for our obedience to the Law of Christ and to obedience to the moral law.”

Paul and Barnabas’ Conflict

[Acts 15:36-40] “After some time Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.’ Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work…”

Key Points:

  • Their parting of ways didn’t hurt the church or keep either from serving Jesus
  • It’s okay to part ways as long as it’s amiable
  • They didn’t build coalitions against each other
  • Later, Paul acknowledges Mark’s value (2 Timothy 4:11)

“Even when we KNOW we’re right, we need to leave room for the POSSIBILITY we MIGHT be wrong.”

Application

  1. Identify your “wisdom table” of godly, seasoned Christians
  2. Examine areas of your life where you’re disregarding clear scriptural boundaries
  3. Rest in God’s grace if you’ve failed Him
  4. Reflect on relationships where you’re at odds and how you’ve handled them
  5. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting for changes in your life regarding conflict, relationships, or understanding of grace

“Leave room for grace.”

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?