Great Commission: Growing Pains & Godly Principles

---

Great Commission: Growing Pains & Godly Principles Acts 15.36-16:5 Pastor Ryan Gold; 4/27/2014

Great Commission conflict – while relationally divisive – need not derail the mission (Acts 15.36-41) Scholars guess as to all the complexities causing irritation and exasperation between Paul and Barnabas… Past tension? Personality? Conflict can be very complex as we pursue Great Commission purposes (36-38) 1) While doing Kingdom work, leaders can differ over policy, method, and team building. “[This story] is a classic example of the perpetual problem of whether to place the interests of the individual or the work as a whole first.” I.H. Marshall 2) Great Commission work means working alongside those who rub us the wrong way.

3) This text can be a great help to those who are naïve/simplistic about ministry.

If we pull back from the emotional tension, there are 2 positive outcomes of this story 1) 2) Relational fallout – while never the goal – can still lead to greater outreach for Christ (39-41) 1) Acts 15.36-41 is not prescriptive for – encouraging – conflict! 2) It’s descriptive of what sometimes happens. 3) Biblical steps to take if you’ve been hurt by a past church or relational conflict: a) Repent of where your sin oxygenated the fires of the conflict. b) Seek to reach out to those you’ve hurt and make it right. c) Ask God to use it in your life to strengthen His church and sanctify your character. 4) Finally, do not allow the conflict to keep you from strengthening the local church with your gifts.

The Great Commission involves enduring pain for converts and explaining God’s commands (Acts 16.1-5) I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Tim. 1.5, ESV

“You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus… Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus… an athlete… the hard-working farmer… consider what I say.” 2 Tim. 2.1-7, NASB

“Little minds would have condemned him for inconsistency.” John Stott

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. Gal. 5.6, ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Gal. 5.13-14, ESV To remove social hindrances to gospel preaching, it sometimes means painful practices (1-3)

NT teaching in the local church is not optional – but vital – for survival (4)

NT teaching increases gospel commitment and church growth (5)

When the NT’s commands for church life are exposited, local churches exponentially grow (4-5)