My sermon notes for Sunday morning, July 19th. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. They are provided to help you follow the sermon as we walk through the Word each week. The church provides a live stream of the service each Sunday at 10:45 on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistavonpark/ We also provide the services through our website by Sunday afternoon at www.fbcap.net
When Believers Disagree
2 Thess. 3:6-15, Matthew 18:15-20, Phil. 4:1-3,
Titus 3:1-11, 2 Tim. 2:14-19, 1 Cor. 5:9-13, Gal. 6:1-5
Big Picture Thoughts:
- Disagreements within the Lord’s Church
- When, Why, What
- The reality of disagreements within the family
- Conflict resolution
- Biblical Church Discipline
Intro:
A few weeks ago, as we were finishing up 2 Thess. We came across some pointed words.
- Take Note, Keep Away, and Warn as a Brother.
- What do we do with these words (believe and live it out or just ignore and do what we want?)
2 Thess. 3
[6] Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
[13] As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. [14] If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Do not regard him as an enemy but warn him as a brother.
Obviously, there were disagreements within the church body (then and now). We know specifically from the text their issue, but it does point out a great truth…. CHURCH PEOPLE WILL DISAGREE.
A Few Thoughts:
- It is going to happen.
- We are a family
- The issues of the day
- We live in a fallen world.
- We are not perfect.
- We are all pretty selfish and want what we want.
- We get lazy. It is hard work. IT NEVER STOPS.
- We forget the promises and truths of the WORD (remember Satan’s tactic…Is that what God really said?)
Therefore, we need to know how to respond.
The following texts will help us with the what.
Differences between believers
Philippians 4:2–3
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Matthew 18:15–20 (context of previous verses…Lost Sheep Parable)
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. – v. 15
If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. – v. 15
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector – v. 17
Before the church
- Think of Church discipline as we would discipline within the home. We do discipline because we desire for what is best for our children.
Doctrinal Error
Titus 3:9-11 – Avoid foolish controversies…quarrels about the law– v. 9
- Avoid – turn from, to shun
- Foolish (moros. Moron)
- Controversies – based on human reason and imagination, rather than the Word of God.
Because it is Unprofitable/Worthless
- because it is not based on the Word of God.
- 2 Tim. 2:15-17 – Leads more people. Spreads. Swerved from the truth
- Not profitable, because it gets us off our mission. TIME KILLER.
Either one of two things going on within this person:
- Lack of knowledge (they have never been taught)
- Heresy (deny the truth embrace the false)
OUR GOAL IS NOT TO BE ARGUERS, BUT RATHER PROCLAIMERS. I have much more confident in God changing one’s heart as I proclaim the truth than me being right as I argue (my power to change or God’s power to change)
[10] As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, [11] knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
- As for a person who stirs up division
- Warn him
- Have nothing to do with
- They must be disciplined
- We are a family (same is true for our family) We discipline our children because we love them and we want them to mature into Godly adults
- Warped and sinful. Self-Condemned.
Why so harsh?
- For the church’s purity
- For God’s blessing
- For their good…Hopefully, their repentance.
Open Disobedience
(Recognizable, clear to all)
1 Cor 5:9-13 – Not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother who is guilty…v.11
- Associate – our relationship signifies agreement
- Bears the name of brother – claims and expresses his faith in Christ.
- Guilty – without doubt. Not judging…just discerning.
Gal. 6:1-2 – Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Caught in a transgression
- against God
Those who are spiritual
- a believer. Doing what a believer should do.
Restore Him gently
- all discipline should be motivated by love. Restoration (in their walk with God) is the KEY.
Conclusion:
What have we learned from the text?
We need to Recognize, Respond , Restore, & Reconcile
Recognize
- Our own life and heart (no one is perfect)
- The Holiness and Majesty of the Lord and His desire for His Church
- The convicting power of the Holy Spirit
- For me to act
- For others to be forgiven
- We all should want the same thing – An obedient, faithful and blessed life unto the Lord.
Respond
- JUST DO IT.
- Love the Lord and others enough to care and YOU be willing to be the vessel that God uses.
- Do we care enough to do something?
Restore
- Any act should be motivated by love.
- Restoring relationships.
- Being patient and loving. Knowing that it may take time.
Reconcile
- To make things right is the goal.
- Between us and others.
- Between us and the Lord
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Matthew 18:15–20 – [15] “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. [16] But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. [17] If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [18] Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (ESV)
Philippians 4:1–3 – [1] Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.[2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (ESV)
Titus 3:1-11 – [1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. [3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. [4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [8] The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. [9] But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. [10] As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, [11] knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (ESV)
2 Timothy 2:14–19 – [14] Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. [15] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. [16] But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, [17] and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, [18] who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. [19] But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (ESV)
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 – [9] I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—[10] not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. [11] But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. [12] For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? [13] God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (ESV)
Galatians. 6:1-2 – Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.