The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts

#21: The Real World

March 7, 2007

1. Disagreement & Division ...

■          Short Little Passage That Packs A Big Punch ...

A. Tendency to idealize the NT church ... amazing things it accomplished in Acts

                        1. If not church .. apostles .. larger than life heroes .. unattainable examples

                        2. Acts ... not of church or apostles ... of God ... despite the acts of the apostles!

               B. Before we study ... ask why is this little drama in here?

                        1. Honesty and integrity of Luke the historian ... strengthens legitimacy of account

                        2. Wisdom of the Holy Spirit ... inspires Luke ... inspired church ... inspires our reading

                        3. Opportunity to learn ... conflict itself ... the way it appears to have been handled

■          Almost Seems To Come Out Of Nowhere ...

               A. Two heroes ... Paul ... passionate idealist ... gifted teacher/evangelist ... the driven leader

                        1. Barnabas ... the son of encouragement ... the relator ... sees the best in others

               B. Team ... Mr. Task-focus & Mr. People-focus ... exhortation & encouragement ... balance

                        1. In mission together ... planted churches ... got stoned together (what?) ... shared lives

               C. A disagreement so sharp ... that they part company ... at least for a season ...

■          Barnabas Disagrees ... They Split ... Barnabas Goes With Mark ... Paul Chooses Silas

               A. Some observations ... not so much lessons ... yet ... things I think we should see in story

                        1. Appears to have been a public quarrel ... though painful ... it was accepted

                        2. Interesting ... nothing in Luke’s account allows us to say who was at fault

                        3. Scripture does show that Paul & Barnabas and Paul & Mark ... eventually reconcile

                                    a. 1 Corinthians 9:6 ... Colossians 4:10 ... 2 Timothy 4:11

                        4. God remains at work ... from one team ... now two ... churches strengthened and grow

2. Mentoring & Ministry ...

■          Storyline Stays With Paul ... Returns To Galatia ... Takes On Two New Ministry Partners

A. v40 ... Silas ... a leader in the Jerusalem church ... met in Antioch after the council

                        1. 15:32 ... Prophet ... speak the truth of God ... words that encourage and strengthen ...

                        2. A Roman citizen like Paul ... Silvanus ... strategic benefit ... place in both worlds

               B. vv16:1-3 ... Once back in Lystra (Galatia) ... Paul & Silas invite Timothy to join the team ...

                        1. Young man ... highly thought of among believers in Galatia ... mentors into leadership

                        2. Timothy has a Jewish mother (Jew) ... Greek father ... has never been circumcised

                        3. Paul seeks to resolve ... gain legitimacy with Jews in region ... circumcision!

■          Before We Move On ... Address Something ... Did Anyone Catch The Irony Here?

A. Same Paul ... stake his ministry on not circumcising ... now asks Timothy to undergo it

                        1. What has happened? Has Paul changed his mind ... has he capitulated?

■          On One Level ... Seeking To Establish Fundamental Theological Principal ... Grace Alone

               A. Nothing that we can do ... force others to do ... that can earn God’s acceptance

                        1. Willing to stake ministry ... life ... establish that principal ... Jerusalem Council

               B. That established ... puts in place a fundamental evangelistic principle ...

                        1. Do whatever is necessary ... build bridge ... remove barrier to hearing Gospel

               C. Not saying Timothy must in order to gain God’s acceptance ...

                        1. Is Timothy willing to ... in order to demonstrate his love of the Jews he will encounter?

■          Two Powerful Theological Ideas At Work Here ... Foundation Of What We Believe ...

A. Incarnational ministry ... God with us ... going to be with others ... even if there is a cost

                        1. In Jesus ... God came to us ... didn’t have to ... chose to ... demonstrate his love

               B. Those whose faith is strong ... ought to submit their freedom ... if it will help another grow

                        1. Romans 15:1-3 ... the right to eat meat that was sacrificed at pagan temples

                        2. As Christians ... we demonstrate God’s sacrificial love ... sacrifice our own freedom

3. Reflections & Ruminations ...

■          Conflict Happens In A Fallen World ... Best Of Churches ... Issue Is How We Manage It

               A. Sometimes a solution seems beyond us ... separation is a necessary strategy

                        1. Protects peace of the body ... vs. insisting on “my way” ... keep alive ... any cost

               B. Goal ... as few as possible ... if conflict arises ... act with restraint, love & forbearance

                        1. No foundation for gossip ... slander ... critical spirit that keeps conflict alive

               C. In conflict ... remember that because God is greater ... live with hope of reconciliation

                        1. Bible consistently teaches ... that we are to take the first step ... Romans 12:18

■          Another Lesson ... Obvious ... Takes All Kinds ... Paul And Barnabas ... All The Others

■          Finally ... Let Us Be Reminded Again Of The Power Of Encouragement ... Second Chances

               A. Behind the ministries of both Paul and Mark ... encouragement and love of Barnabas

                        1. How many Marks ... sidelined because of one mistake ... gifts lost to kingdom

               B. Practical application ... thank the Barnabas’ in your life ...

                        1. Who might you be a Barnabas to ... as you go forward in life?