WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:09.820 Father, we ask for your blessing. Your Word, wherever we find ourselves in Acts, your Word is, 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:17.120 it is for our benefit. It is for our learning. It is for our growth. It is for the conviction 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:24.260 of sins if we need it. It's for right thinking. Lord, we ask that you would help us by your Spirit 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:31.120 and through your Word to understand who you are in greater depths, your heart, towards us and 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:38.179 towards the world. And Lord, help us, again, by your Holy Spirit to take these words that they'll 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:43.760 go into our souls and, Lord, that we would grow to be more and more like your blessed Son, Jesus. 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.180 We pray all of this in his name. Amen. 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:59.420 Amen. Having parents from two completely different cultural backgrounds is a wonderful privilege. 00:00:59.659 --> 00:01:05.640 That's me, by the way. My parents come from two very different backgrounds. My mom grew 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:11.659 up just outside of Toronto but was born in Corner Brook. That's all her family is from. My father 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:20.359 was born in the Middle East. His parents come from Morocco. Very different. Completely different 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:25.039 cultures. And on one hand, it's a privilege. On the other hand, it's difficult to navigate. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:33.900 A lot of differences with the two cultures. On my mom's side, conflict was usually avoided. 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:39.819 Little things. I'm talking big conflict. I'm not saying, like, you know, somebody ate my leftovers. 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:47.619 Like, I'm talking about, like, legit conflict. Was avoided until it was unavoidable. And then, 00:01:47.759 --> 00:01:54.079 when it was unavoidable, you'd have it out. It wouldn't necessarily be civil. Maybe it would, 00:01:54.159 --> 00:02:01.399 but by and large, you'd have it out. And usually, the issue wouldn't be the issue at hand, but it 00:02:01.399 --> 00:02:06.899 would include other issues from weeks and months, maybe even years in the past. It's an interesting 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:12.400 way to do conflict resolution. On my father's side, you confront people when you disagree with 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:18.000 them, no matter what, even if it's offensive. Like, it's a bit something. It's a bit jarring for our 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:23.159 North American sensibilities. A story. So, Christine and I, we got married. We went to visit my family 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:34.480 in the Middle East. And my cousin, she went the whole, like, nine yards for us. She shifted her work 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:39.579 schedule. So, she was waking up to get to work at four. Not waking up at four, but getting to work 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:46.159 at four so that she could get off at noon and give us, like, spoil us for the week that we were there. 00:02:46.579 --> 00:02:50.879 Wonderful. Loves Christine. But one of the first nights we were there, she said, listen, it's a pity 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:56.479 that Daniel didn't marry someone like himself. Like, she just said that right to her face. And Christine's 00:02:56.479 --> 00:03:03.419 like, like, how to handle that. And then, you know, I know how to navigate it decently. So, we chatted 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:09.599 in the topic, the disagreement. We moved on from it fairly quickly. But afterwards, Christine was just 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:17.399 like, what was that? Interestingly, she didn't feel offended. Anyways, there's more to that story, but 00:03:17.399 --> 00:03:24.500 completely two different ways to deal with disagreements and difficulties and conflict. Crazy. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:32.360 But it raises the question, I'll put it to you guys, what is the right way to navigate 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:38.639 disagreements and differences? How do we do it well? How should we approach difficult situations 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:44.520 with people we love and especially people that we are in partnership with in the church? How do we 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:49.719 navigate this kind of stuff? People come from different backgrounds, different approaches to 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:57.000 conflict resolution or no background to conflict resolution. It can be a difficult thing to 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:03.300 navigate differences with people that you care for, that you're in relationship with. There's real 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:13.280 potential for relational breakdown. So, it's an important question to ask, especially as the church is 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:22.939 supposed to be, according to the scriptures, the family of God. That people that belong to the church are a part of 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:26.439 that household of God. Brothers and sisters in the faith. 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:35.980 That means we ideally go deep with people. It takes time. There's vulnerability, things to work through. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:44.000 You want to gain people's trust. But by and large, this isn't just some affinity group or club. This is described as a family. 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:48.400 The text we have is short, the one that Jack read. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:58.299 But as with everything in God's word, it is breathed out by God. It is for our learning. It is for our growth. It is for our 00:04:58.299 --> 00:05:07.679 correction. And this morning, I think it's going to be for our training to how we navigate differences and disagreements in the church. 00:05:08.239 --> 00:05:13.819 And the hope is, according to 2 Timothy chapter 3, that it will equip us for every good work. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:23.420 So, if you weren't here last week, no problem. A bit of a background. We are in Acts chapter 15. And in Acts chapter 15, we have something called the Jerusalem Council. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:32.060 The question is, this is Cole's notes here, the question was raised, can you be a non-Jew and believe in Jesus and be a part of the church? 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:42.800 And the answer is yes, you can be. They worked out some of that stuff. And then they drafted a letter that would be passed around to the various churches, informing them of the decision. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:48.980 And that Jew and Gentile were now one in the church. A Gentile is a biblical term for somebody who's not a Jew. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:54.160 But within the church, the family includes both Jew and non-Jew. 00:05:56.139 --> 00:06:05.019 The story, our story, picks up right after this. And it says sometime after this. We kind of more or less think it's sometime in the spring, 00:06:05.019 --> 00:06:11.339 after when this would have taken place in the Jerusalem Council and maybe the fall or winter time would be the spring. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:19.459 And Paul and Barnabas, the key evangelists in the first missionary journey, we looked at that a few weeks back. 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:26.799 Acts chapter 13 and 14, there's a missionary journey that starts in Antioch, which is in a part of Syria, 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:34.480 goes to Cyprus, then goes up to Asia Minor. If you can picture a map, that's the way it goes. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:44.139 And Paul and Barnabas were key in all of this. They were key in spreading the gospel to these different cities across the known world. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:52.419 So, they had this letter from chapter 15, and they were going to distribute it in the various churches 00:06:52.419 --> 00:06:59.560 as they would do essentially a reunion tour of sorts back to the cities that they first proclaimed the gospel. 00:06:59.979 --> 00:07:04.159 They're going to encourage them and give them this letter. It would be a fantastic thing. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:08.300 Paul and Barnabas, they're back at it again. The boys, they're on it. 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:12.020 This time, they're not going to sail. They're going to walk it, which is crazy. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:19.340 But they're walking it from essentially Syria all the way to what is modern-day Turkey, all the way back to Pisidia. 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:25.280 Just like a huge journey. They're going to do it. And then, a problem arises. 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:31.519 Barnabas wants to bring John Mark. John Mark turns out it's his cousin. 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:38.280 Paul says, not a chance. This guy, back in Acts chapter 13, 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:42.879 if you remember a few weeks back, this guy was a part of that first missionary journey, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.879 but we don't know why, but for whatever reason, he skipped out. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:52.139 He did not join Paul and Barnabas and whoever else they had in their crew. 00:07:52.520 --> 00:07:54.420 He didn't. He left. He went back to Cyprus. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:59.060 We're not sure why, whether it was a good reason or not. 00:07:59.139 --> 00:08:01.920 It wasn't really told to us in the text. 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:07.920 However, we come to see that it becomes the very issue at hand that we'll see. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:09.759 We'll split these two brothers in arms. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:12.580 There's a disagreement that arises. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:15.319 How will they deal with it? How will they navigate it? 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:18.540 Let me read this first portion. 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:23.160 Again, page 92 in one of these books, and we'll start in verse 36. 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:26.660 And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:29.600 some days is an interesting way of saying weeks and months, 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:31.480 but after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:36.879 let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord. 00:08:37.540 --> 00:08:38.620 Let us see how they are. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:43.120 Now, Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark, 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:49.600 but Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:52.879 and had not gone with them to do the work. 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.080 Verse 39, 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:58.440 And there arose a sharp disagreement so that they separated from each other. 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:01.799 Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:06.500 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers, 00:09:06.560 --> 00:09:09.779 that is the church in Antioch, to the grace of the Lord. 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:14.100 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:21.620 What's interesting is this text neither condemns nor commends this story 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:24.899 as a paradigm for how to disagree with somebody else. 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:26.539 It just states that there's a disagreement. 00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:30.360 So one of the beautiful things about the scriptures is that 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:38.399 it gives us a picture of what has happened, both good and bad. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:41.720 In this case, there is no papering over the issue. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.980 There is no ignoring the fact that there is a disagreement. 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:45.600 There is a disagreement. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:49.159 There were brothers, and now they have separated. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:54.559 A really significant relational breakdown has taken place, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:59.860 and it would seem that there is no condemning it or commending it. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:01.579 It's just stated as is. 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:07.620 It's very interesting because it says to us that even godly and wise leaders 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:13.300 can disagree in very, very honest but difficult ways, 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:15.960 and there's implications and there's consequences to that. 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.540 They disagreed. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.160 They separated. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:22.440 And in this section of scripture and in the rest of Acts, 00:10:22.540 --> 00:10:24.540 it does not seem like they reconciled. 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:27.419 Barnabas pretty well falls off of, 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:29.879 it falls out of the narrative at this point. 00:10:30.599 --> 00:10:33.319 In other letters and in other parts of the New Testament, 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:37.019 we'll see that it would seem that Paul and Barnabas, 00:10:37.439 --> 00:10:38.959 they reconciled, 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:43.599 that John was now in Paul's good standing, 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:45.480 even though before he wasn't. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:50.320 But for this narrative, that's it. 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.200 That's all we get. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:54.300 It's difficult. 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:55.340 It's a difficult narrative. 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:59.240 I think both sides of this, 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.980 it's funny, the commentators, 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.720 they'll almost certainly side with Paul. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.580 Paul was so hardcore about the mission 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:10.519 that he would not even let a dear relationship get in the way. 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:11.940 He was on mission for Christ. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:14.320 And I think that's commendable and wonderful. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:17.000 And right. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:19.879 But what they don't usually highlight 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:22.700 is that Barnabas, the encourager that he is, 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.659 he saw fit to take time, 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:27.960 as long as it took, 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:31.940 to restore somebody who had fallen. 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:34.820 Somebody who was not in a great spot. 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:37.300 Somebody that needed to be rehabilitated. 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.360 Not only that, we'll see later on 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:45.120 that Barnabas at Cyprus encouraged the church there. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:49.299 So it's not as if he only focused on John Mark. 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:52.820 But what we see here are two people 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:56.060 with, by and large, the same goals, 00:11:56.299 --> 00:11:58.139 going about things different ways. 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.600 Neither are wrong. 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:05.200 I mean, the scripture doesn't say of name calling. 00:12:05.320 --> 00:12:07.679 I'm not talking about maybe they handled it this way or that way. 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:09.519 But by and large, the disagreement is, 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.199 it's not wrong. 00:12:12.479 --> 00:12:14.799 So what can we gather from this section 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:16.559 on how to move forward 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.279 after such a disagreement takes place? 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:21.739 I mean, unless there's some gross misconduct 00:12:21.739 --> 00:12:24.859 that somebody is just completely stubborn about, 00:12:24.959 --> 00:12:27.059 by and large, issues that arise, 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:30.419 people are both at fault, 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:32.500 but also people are both in the right. 00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:34.279 Disagreement is messy. 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.480 It's difficult. 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.860 How do you untangle it all? 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.519 So, a couple things 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:42.299 on how we navigate disagreement well. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.039 The first thing, 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:46.559 it is often better to communicate 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:47.720 and air disagreements 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:49.100 rather than ignore or deny them. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.959 That can be very hard for some people 00:12:51.959 --> 00:12:54.059 who struggle with conflict, 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:57.360 who would rather peace at any price. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.339 It's, I get it. 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.340 I think there's something, 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:06.060 you know, I don't look down my nose at that. 00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:07.860 Who wants to be in conflict? 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:08.879 Who wants to be in an argument? 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:11.019 Who wants to be at odds with somebody 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.800 butting their heads? 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:13.220 It's uncomfortable. 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:14.840 It risks a lot. 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.580 It risks relational breakdown. 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:21.340 It risks being hurt 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:24.540 or hurting somebody else. 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.699 Many of us, 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:28.459 we value harmony 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:29.599 and relationships 00:13:29.599 --> 00:13:32.620 at all costs, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.579 peace at all costs, 00:13:33.599 --> 00:13:34.199 like I've mentioned. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:37.860 So, we can bypass 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.480 constructively dealing 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.139 with differences 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.139 and disagreements 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:43.299 and we flee conflict. 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.659 But here's the thing, 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.139 when you flee conflict, 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.539 the conflict seldom, 00:13:47.699 --> 00:13:48.579 if ever, goes away. 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:51.599 It usually just gets built up. 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:52.819 The example I gave 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:53.439 with my family, 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:55.040 my family's on my mom's side, 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:56.120 it's not like they're not, 00:13:56.380 --> 00:13:57.820 I'm over-exaggerating 00:13:57.820 --> 00:14:00.240 for the point of illustration. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:02.340 But there was times, 00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:03.420 like you don't deal with things 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.020 and all of a sudden 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:05.080 it comes out 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:07.440 and the issue isn't 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:10.760 helping out around the house 00:14:10.760 --> 00:14:13.120 or a snarky comment made. 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:15.560 It is months and years 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:17.260 of built up frustration 00:14:17.260 --> 00:14:17.800 that just, 00:14:18.020 --> 00:14:19.380 it just comes out 00:14:19.380 --> 00:14:21.300 and it's crazy and intense 00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:22.320 and where did that come from? 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:24.400 But when you flee conflict 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:25.320 at any cost, 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:26.760 it doesn't go away. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.740 It just builds up. 00:14:28.900 --> 00:14:29.580 It's a pressure cooker. 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:31.820 So, first thing, 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.960 it's better to communicate 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.340 and err disagreements 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.680 rather than ignore 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.160 and deny them. 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.740 And I'll just say, 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.920 that doesn't mean 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:40.700 every way that we communicate, 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:43.580 even if we step on people's toes 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.720 and make them feel this big, 00:14:44.800 --> 00:14:46.740 is better than not saying anything. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.340 No, there's, 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.520 you need to grow 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.300 in our communication. 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:50.240 But by and large, 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.519 we can't ignore problems. 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.879 Conflict is difficult. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:57.319 We should not enter into it lightly 00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:59.379 or with any kind of animosity. 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:01.519 However, 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:03.159 we need to enter into it nevertheless. 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:05.099 So communication is important 00:15:05.099 --> 00:15:06.979 even if it leads to sharp disagreement 00:15:06.979 --> 00:15:08.259 like we see in the text here. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:10.500 So in this case, 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:12.779 we see reconciliation 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:14.659 not take place. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.740 And like I mentioned, 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.779 we see in Colossians 4 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:20.039 and in 2 Timothy, 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.259 at the end of 2 Timothy, 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.379 there seems to be 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.240 some kind of reconciliation 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.419 that takes place. 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:27.179 And here's an important principle 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.700 with that, 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:31.399 is that as we, 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:33.659 especially as Christians, 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:37.799 we look to address conflict, 00:15:38.079 --> 00:15:40.100 we have to entrust it to the Lord 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.399 because some of these conflicts 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:42.439 and some of these issues 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:44.899 are just too big of a burden 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.639 for us to handle. 00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:47.079 They're too big of a problem 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:47.899 for us to fix. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.399 So we commend them to the Lord 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.319 and we try with the best wisdom 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.399 and the best patience 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.719 and the best strength 00:15:54.719 --> 00:15:55.819 that God is giving us 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:57.000 to address it. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.139 But in the end, 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.399 we entrust it to the Lord. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:03.039 We ask Him to do the heavy lifting, 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:04.219 even though it feels like 00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:05.179 we're doing the heavy lifting. 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:07.459 We ask Him to do the heavy lifting. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.740 So prayer and wisdom, 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:12.480 it's key to all of this. 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:15.599 The second thing we can see 00:16:15.599 --> 00:16:16.199 from this text 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:17.139 is the importance of 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.639 staying the course. 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:22.539 Sometimes conflict can be 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:25.039 so derailing 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:27.819 that it wipes us out. 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:30.059 The things that we were responsible for 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.199 or the things that we are doing, 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.580 we just take a break from it. 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.440 We stop doing it. 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:36.860 We check out mentally or otherwise. 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.820 Here, what's interesting is that 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:42.140 this disagreement seems devastating. 00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:46.220 And disagreements can often feel devastating. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.640 But there is great wisdom 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:51.060 in not allowing our feelings 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:52.680 of panic and pain 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:55.340 to shipwreck the good things 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:55.980 that we are doing. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.500 We stay the course. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:01.019 that often requires help 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.559 and often requires inviting people 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.380 to pray for you 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:07.259 and sharing the difficulty 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.200 that you're going through, 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.960 which is very difficult. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.539 That's not what we're talking about here. 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:14.160 That is another sermon or another talk. 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.680 Vulnerability is needed. 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.220 But nevertheless, 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.319 you stay the course. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.059 And we see this. 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.019 Paul and Barnabas, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:23.440 they're not standing down. 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:25.380 This huge rift happens 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:29.680 and neither of them says, 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.740 this is too much for me to handle. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.980 This is causing a huge problem. 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.120 I'm done. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:36.740 I'm checking out. 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:37.279 No, no, no. 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.320 Paul continues on 00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:39.259 with the missionary journey. 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:41.539 This time he gets Silas 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.240 to join him. 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:42.759 Later on, 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.420 it'll be Timothy. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.779 But Barnabas also, 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.660 he is committed 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:48.440 to this wonderful, 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:49.860 beautiful, 00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:51.080 broken man 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:51.860 that is his cousin, 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.419 John Mark, 00:17:52.479 --> 00:17:53.419 who will end up writing 00:17:53.419 --> 00:17:55.759 the gospel according to Mark. 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.819 He's committed to him 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.919 and he sees it 00:17:58.919 --> 00:18:00.719 all the way. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:02.119 He stays the course. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:06.939 It is not easy to do so. 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:09.399 We have responsibilities 00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:12.500 and those responsibilities 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:14.959 require a level of mental strength 00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:16.659 and emotional strength 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:18.059 and conflict 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.139 and disagreements 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.319 and relational breakdown 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.679 can sap us of that. 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:24.419 And I'll say, 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.000 don't give up. 00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:27.319 Don't throw in the towel. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.219 Don't check out. 00:18:29.219 --> 00:18:30.059 You need time. 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.759 You take time. 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:32.759 But don't give up. 00:18:33.199 --> 00:18:34.199 Ask for help. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.459 Seek the Lord's face. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:38.539 Ask brothers or sisters 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:41.879 to help shoulder this burden with you. 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:45.700 So the question I want to ask is, 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:49.200 how is this way to deal with conflict, 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:51.120 how is it any better or different 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:53.040 than the best wisdom 00:18:53.040 --> 00:18:54.280 and it is fantastic wisdom 00:18:54.280 --> 00:18:55.180 that the world can offer? 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.680 I'll say this. 00:18:59.460 --> 00:18:59.940 Oftentimes, 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.580 we don't seek out 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:03.380 the best forms of psychology 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:05.540 or conflict resolution. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.339 Oftentimes, 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:06.359 oftentimes, 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:10.019 we get tools 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:11.960 from popular psychology 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:13.079 and popular psychology 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:14.740 can be sometimes good. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:15.799 Oftentimes, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:19.859 can be fairly detrimental. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:24.299 The idea that you ought to cut yourself off 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.379 from every toxic person in your life 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:29.539 might sound like a healthy thing to do. 00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:31.460 And I think there is a place 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:33.200 where you just have to 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.460 maybe not engage 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.980 with somebody 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:36.779 who is abusing 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:39.720 and emotionally aggressive. 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.359 I'm not saying that 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.319 in all circumstances 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.039 not to do this. 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:43.700 But by and large, 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.940 this idea that you cut yourself off 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.359 from toxic people, 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.480 what ends up happening 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:50.240 is that you fail to judge yourself 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.559 by the standard of other people. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:54.359 As if everybody else out there 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.480 is toxic except me. 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.779 As if I don't have problems. 00:19:57.879 --> 00:19:58.899 As if my issues 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.060 are small 00:20:00.060 --> 00:20:01.940 and easily dealt with 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.300 and really, 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.860 they're not really issues at all. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.860 It's just a misunderstanding. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.880 But them, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.560 they're the problem. 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:09.000 They have the issues. 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:11.300 They're the ones 00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:11.780 that have 00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:13.940 a wrong way of thinking. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:16.900 But the scripture here 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:18.840 and in elsewhere, 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.740 throughout the scriptures, 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.300 it commends us 00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:22.400 to have the mind of Christ 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.840 which is 00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:25.580 to seek understanding, 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:27.560 to not think 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.919 so low of somebody 00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:30.179 but to steel man them 00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:31.059 as opposed to 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:32.299 straw manning them. 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.179 To seek reconciliation 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:35.940 until things get reconciled 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.960 or until all avenues 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.019 of peace are spent. 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.799 And even then, 00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.759 it may not be 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.639 the end of the relationship. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.319 As we gather 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:44.179 from Paul's letter, 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.919 we commend things 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.720 to the Lord's hands 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.279 and we trust 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.899 that in His time 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:48.659 and in His ways, 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.579 He might see fit 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.139 to reconcile. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.720 That's what we see from here. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:54.900 The reality is 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:57.220 sin makes things toxic. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.000 It makes people toxic. 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:01.160 It makes us toxic. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.880 And the only antidote 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.779 to that toxicity of sin 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.819 isn't behavior modification, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.180 however good it is. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.079 It is to deal with 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:13.860 that toxicity of sin itself 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:15.140 and that is by the shed blood 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.460 of Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.940 So when we put our faith in Him, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.799 He gives us His Spirit 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.240 and this begins 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:24.920 this cleansing work 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.360 in our lives, 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.220 changing our view 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:30.180 from a worldly view 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:31.200 to a godly view. 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.100 It takes time. 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.059 It takes a whole lifetime. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:35.299 But this is the promise for us. 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.920 What's the big marker 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.039 of the person 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.180 who has a heart 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.299 that is turned towards the Lord? 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:43.920 It is a love for the brethren, 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.360 the love for other Christians. 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.120 And this is why 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:48.440 conflict resolution 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.140 in the church 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.320 is so important 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:52.620 when differences come about. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.320 Because how we love each other 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:56.820 and how we approach each other 00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:58.820 is this proclamation 00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.720 to the world 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.299 of Christ's goodness 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.019 and kindness 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.680 and grace 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.340 and love. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:05.180 So if you remember, 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:06.259 Jesus 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:10.400 washes the disciples' feet 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:13.019 and then says this 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.660 groundbreaking, 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.140 gives them this 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.279 groundbreaking commandment. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.539 And this is from John 13, 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.619 34 to 35. 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.279 He says this, 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.399 A new commandment I give to you, 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.740 that you love one another 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.639 just as I have loved you. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:28.660 You also are to love one another. 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.759 By this, 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.819 all people will know 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.799 that you are my disciples. 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.139 How? 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.940 If you have love 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.700 for one another. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:35.960 This love, 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.319 again, 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.359 coming on the heels 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:40.419 of Jesus washing the disciples' feet, 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:44.000 it implies a servant-oriented, 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:46.219 a selfless type of love, 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.199 a sacrificial love, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.119 a love that is willing 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.799 to get dirty and messy 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:53.779 and to struggle 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:57.139 with the difficulties of life. 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.619 Sometimes this love 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.940 is difficult to stomach 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:02.799 because we are difficult 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.079 to stomach sometimes. 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.680 You are difficult 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.960 to stomach sometimes. 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:09.440 And the background 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.359 that we've had 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.460 and the experience 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.399 that we've been through 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:14.799 just cause us 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.039 to have that flight 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:18.220 or fight reaction. 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.400 and we're not willing 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.259 to engage, 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:22.420 but to the best 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.200 of our ability 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.220 with God's strength, 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:24.799 we are called 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.620 to love one another 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.519 and it is messy, 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.519 but it is wonderfully beautiful. 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.579 In the church, 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.220 by God's grace, 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.339 this is how we are 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.980 to navigate 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:38.079 disagreements well. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.700 Like Paul and Barnabas, 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.460 Barnabas, 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:46.160 such love in relationships 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:49.740 it requires a commitment 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.300 to the Lord, 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.840 a love for his church 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:52.420 and a trust 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.279 in his providence 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.779 and grace. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:55.560 So, 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:58.820 Paul goes one way, 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.279 Barnabas goes the other way 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.240 and the story 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.140 then continues 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.560 on both of them 00:24:04.560 --> 00:24:05.720 committing the situation 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.460 presumably 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.519 to the Lord's hands 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.519 and we see 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.400 the Apostle Paul 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.920 make his trip 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.800 from Syria 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:12.720 to Asia Minor 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:14.400 to encourage the churches. 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:14.940 This gets to 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.620 our second point. 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:17.439 If that first point 00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:18.099 was how to deal 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.239 with disagreements 00:24:19.239 --> 00:24:20.539 within the church, 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.500 how do we navigate 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.399 differences? 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.559 Disagreements 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.299 and now differences. 00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:24.859 Look with me, 00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.699 verses 16, 00:24:25.979 --> 00:24:26.659 chapter 16, 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.500 verses 1 to 3. 00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:30.199 Paul came also 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:30.779 to Derbe 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.519 and to Lystra. 00:24:33.739 --> 00:24:34.819 A disciple was there 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.379 named Timothy, 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.919 the son of a Jewish woman 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.739 who was a believer 00:24:37.739 --> 00:24:39.119 but his father 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:39.719 was a Greek. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.659 He was well spoken of 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.319 by the brothers 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.939 at Lystra 00:24:42.939 --> 00:24:43.599 and Iconium. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.240 Paul wanted Timothy 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:46.059 to accompany him 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.699 and he took him 00:24:46.699 --> 00:24:47.639 and circumcised him 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.799 because of the Jews 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.219 who were in those places 00:24:50.219 --> 00:24:51.379 for they all knew 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.240 that his father 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.959 was a Greek. 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:54.899 If you aren't familiar 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:56.000 with the Bible 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.879 or the Old Testament, 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:59.079 why is circumcision 00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.959 mentioned here? 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.119 Why is an adult 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:02.079 getting circumcised? 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.339 Good questions. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.219 I'll try to give 00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:06.099 just a nutshell of it. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:08.379 Circumcision 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:09.699 was the sign 00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:11.139 of being a part 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.440 of God's covenant community, 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.180 God's people 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.900 in the Old Testament. 00:25:15.800 --> 00:25:16.820 It was just 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.640 for men 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.620 and boys 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.540 were circumcised 00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:20.259 at the eighth day. 00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:20.960 Timothy 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:24.100 was Jewish 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.320 and Greek. 00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.259 His mom 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.800 was a believer 00:25:26.800 --> 00:25:27.660 but he 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.620 essentially 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.840 was a Greek 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.580 in all 00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:31.660 aspects 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.360 of his being. 00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:33.900 And from 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:35.920 the Jerusalem council 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.720 we learned 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.600 in chapter 15 00:25:37.600 --> 00:25:38.640 that there was 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.440 a whole segment 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.519 of Jewish people 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:42.400 that although 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.740 they were open 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.600 to the 00:25:44.600 --> 00:25:46.019 Jesus being 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.580 the Messiah 00:25:46.580 --> 00:25:47.480 and Jesus being 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.019 the Savior 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:48.660 and 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:51.380 the gospel message 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.039 and maybe they even 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.820 accepted it, 00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.240 they struggled 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.200 with 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:57.600 moving past 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.180 this idea 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.559 that 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.740 to be a part 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.600 of God's people 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.380 no longer 00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.440 required circumcision. 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:05.019 Paul here 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:07.039 and elsewhere 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.839 he is rock solid 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.519 on this issue. 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.019 He is saying 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.559 you become 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.519 a part of God's family 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.159 by faith 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.659 in what Jesus 00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:13.079 has done 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.019 not by circumcision 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.099 but he's saying 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:16.119 hold on a second here. 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.779 For the cause 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.539 of differences 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.920 that we'll encounter 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:22.240 if we 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.440 bring Timothy along 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:23.879 and Timothy 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.639 needs to come 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.279 because he is 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.139 this excellent 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:26.779 person, 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.740 he is going to be 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.159 an excellent 00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:28.980 brother in arms 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.480 as we do 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.220 the missionary journey, 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.319 if they see 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.180 that he's a Greek 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.980 they're not going 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.700 to listen to us. 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.259 Their ears 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.920 are stopped. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.940 We're not going 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.279 to get 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.220 through the 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.920 front door. 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.120 So 00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:41.560 we'll circumcise 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:41.779 him. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.660 Not that we 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.560 believe that 00:26:43.560 --> 00:26:44.620 it is a means 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.400 of faith 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.320 that brings him 00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:47.100 into the family 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:47.460 of God 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.700 but it is a way 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.200 that we can 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.920 then communicate 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.580 to get on 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.019 their level 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.140 to eliminate 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.960 a difference 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.080 between us 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.600 and them. 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.220 I don't know 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.000 if that made sense. 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.400 You're going to 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.259 talk to me afterwards. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.539 The idea of 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.100 circumcision 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.480 it's like 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.200 it's a big one 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.800 but hopefully 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:02.940 I've done 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.820 a decent job 00:27:03.820 --> 00:27:04.220 kind of 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.940 cold noting it. 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.640 So he is not 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.380 circumcised 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.740 out of conformity 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.340 to the law 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:11.920 nor as a pretext 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.519 to salvation 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.019 but rather 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.860 as an open door 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.680 to open doors 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.799 for this fruitful 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.900 missionary journey. 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.880 What we see here 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:21.059 I think is a 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.920 beautiful picture 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:23.220 of how to deal 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.080 with differences 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:25.480 that aren't 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.660 of first order issue. 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.100 When I say 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:27.980 first order issue 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.440 issues around 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.980 salvation 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.559 or issues 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.420 around who 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.360 God is 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:33.980 Father, Son, 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.539 and Holy Spirit 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:34.980 or issues 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.420 around who 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.039 Jesus is 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.640 fully God 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.319 and fully man 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.860 but second order 00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.279 issues 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.259 or third order 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.779 issues. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.319 It's to 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.000 eliminate as 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.180 many differences 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.120 as possible 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:48.039 in a recognition 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.599 that listen 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.960 the gospel message 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.500 itself 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:52.160 is a scandalous 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.579 message 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.400 and we want it 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:55.000 to go forward 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.559 and that 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.759 these people 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.620 will embrace it 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.839 and we will do 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.720 anything we can 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.700 to that end. 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:02.340 So consider 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:02.779 the heart 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.440 of the apostle 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.100 not from 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:05.460 Acts chapter 16 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.000 but actually 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.819 a letter he wrote 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:08.039 to the Corinthian church 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.600 1 Corinthians chapter 9 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.380 and this is what he says 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.279 in verses 19 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.340 to 23 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.120 he says this 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:15.180 this is Paul talking 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:17.440 for though I am free 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.180 from all 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.080 I have made myself 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.140 a servant to all 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.080 like a pause there 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:21.920 that is the heart 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.840 of the apostle Paul 00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:25.180 that I might 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.259 win more of them 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.940 to the Jews 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:28.000 I became as a Jew 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:29.200 in order to win Jews 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.680 to those under the law 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.559 I became as one 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.299 under the law 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:34.120 though not being myself 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.819 under the law 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.779 that I might win 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.720 those under the law 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.420 to those outside the law 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.319 I became as one 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.279 outside the law 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.480 not being outside 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.420 the law of God 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.400 but under the law 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.880 of Christ 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:45.019 that I might win 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.160 those outside the law 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.080 to the weak 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:47.799 I became weak 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:49.319 that I might win 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.720 the weak 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.900 I have become all things 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.580 to all people 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.519 that by all means 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.539 I might save some 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.259 I do it all 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.539 for the sake of the gospel 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:58.000 that I may share with them 00:28:58.000 --> 00:29:03.740 in its blessings. There's similar sentiments in 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14. This is the man's 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:12.240 heart in doing this, to eliminate differences, to meet people where they're at. Missionaries 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:21.960 across the world, across the generations, have sought to eliminate as many differences as 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:26.400 possible, the good godly missionaries that are following in the apostles' footsteps, 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:34.660 by adopting the dress of the people, dropping the diet of the people, adopting as many customs as 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:41.440 possible of the people that they're evangelizing to, to bridge as many gaps, to eliminate as many 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:48.240 differences. Why? So that the gospel message can be heard. It's an act of love. It's an act of service. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:53.700 It's taking our freedom and not using it for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. 00:29:56.400 --> 00:30:02.620 So there's always time to concede ground for the sake of differences. And this is interesting. 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:10.680 There's this very kind of pithy but wonderful quote by a Lutheran theologian, Robertus 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:18.660 Meldinius. I have no idea if I pronounced that right. He wrote this in 1627, well into the 30 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:26.680 years war that ravaged Europe, which a big part of it was on religious grounds. And this is the quote. 00:30:26.800 --> 00:30:33.519 He says, in essentials unity, those are those first order issues, in non-essentials liberty, 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:39.720 that is freedom, but in all things charity. It's a wonderful little line. In essentials unity, 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:46.019 in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. This man wrote this. He penned this. Nobody, 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:51.119 I've never heard of this. Man, I've heard of this line for years and years and years, but I had no 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:58.900 idea who this Lutheran theologian was. And yet he wrote it in almost 10 years into the 30 years war 00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:04.940 that absolutely decimated a continent. Over what? Differences. Over differences. 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:13.880 We would do well, friends, to eliminate as many differences as we can for the sake of others. So 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:21.200 I'll ask you a few questions. What motivates your actions? How do you view your freedoms? Are you 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:29.400 willing as someone who has been freed from the slavery of sin and death and the resurrection of 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:38.960 the Lord Jesus to make yourself a servant of all? For the benefit of unbelievers coming to faith and 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:45.080 for believers to be strengthened in the faith? What sacrifices are we willing to do? What 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:54.340 things are we, differences are we willing to concede on? Ultimately, the example comes to us of Jesus 00:31:54.339 --> 00:32:02.019 himself, himself seeing the chasm, infinite difference between him and us. 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:11.099 All the privileges he suspended coming down into human form as a servant, fully man, yet still fully 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:18.559 God. Why? In order to bridge the gap, to eliminate the differences, to deal with the differences and the 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:24.319 disagreements so that in Christ, if we are in him, we are forever redeemed, connected, 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:33.779 connected to him for all eternity. He unites himself to us, to us toxic people. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:42.740 And the wonderful thing about what Jesus does is that he doesn't then demand soul-crushing, 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:50.980 personality-killing conformity. But in him, we can be our most truest self because now we are 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:59.819 able to enjoy human life the way that God intended it for us to live, connected to him again. 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:09.740 So Christ is our most excellent example, but also the power by which we then follow his example. 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:16.279 So what is the result of Paul and Timothy making these concessions in the hope of seeing people come 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:23.379 to salvation? Look with me, verses 4 and 5. So 4 on 92 and then 5 on 94. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.720 Verse 4, 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:55.039 The result of being a servant of all is the strengthening of God's church. 00:33:55.720 --> 00:34:02.799 And the salvation of many who are outside of it. I'll end with this. Disagreements and differences 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:12.980 in the world's eyes can very much seem fatalistic. They're emotional and relational dead ends. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:20.280 But in the gospel and in our text today, in the gospel, such things have the potential of being 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:27.680 transformed into opportunities of love and grace. They're not dams. They don't have to be dams that 00:34:27.680 --> 00:34:33.900 block the flow of a river, but rather they have the opportunity to transform into streams that can 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:40.320 irrigate and spread the life-giving flow to many. And friends, this is the strength and the power of the 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:50.280 gospel of Christ. Let us pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for even narrative, short little narrative 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:57.039 bits in your word like what we read today. Lord, a lot to glean from, a lot to consider. 00:34:58.300 --> 00:35:04.740 Lord, we pray that you would give us, first and foremost, a love for those that are in our life 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:11.199 that we struggle with, that we come into conflict with. Lord, we pray that you'd give us a great love 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:19.919 for them. And Lord, give us also a great courage to the best of our ability so that when such conflict 00:35:19.919 --> 00:35:27.679 arises by your strength, we would not run away but have courage to walk toward. And Lord, sometimes 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:35.379 there is no peace to be found. So please help us to commend such things, such conflicts, such disagreements, 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:43.519 such differences into your hands. And trust that you are the great reconciler. You are the one that desires 00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:51.039 to heal and to piece together and to restore and to redeem and to rehabilitate. And that we'd have great 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:54.739 faith to that end. And we pray all of this in Christ's name. Amen.