TEXT:  Acts 15:1-6

INTRODUCTION:

A.  DIFFERENCES OF DIFFERENT SORTS WILL ARISE BETWEEN BRETHREN.

B.  WE SHOULD TRY TO SETTLE THEM HONORING GOD’S WILL IN ALL THINGS.

          1.  A scriptural solution was sought in Jerusalem.

          2.  A scriptural attitude must be had by all.

                   a.  Remember who we are (Gen. 13:7-11).

                   b.  Love is the key (Col. 3:12-14).

C.  WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT DIFFERENCES?

I.      WHAT WE OFTEN SEE.

A.  ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY THOSE WHO OPPOSE US.

          1.  The Jewish leaders killed Jesus (John 11:47-49, 53).

          2.  Paul at Lystra (Acts 14:19).

          3.  Stephen (Acts 7:54-58).

          4.  John the Baptist before Herodias (Matt:14:1-11).

B.  OTHER FORMS OF PHYSICAL COERCION.

          1.  Peter and John were threatened (Acts 4:15-18).

          2.  They were beaten (Acts 5:40 – Acts 16:22-24)

          3.  Smashing the thermometer doesn’t make the weather cooler.

C.  ECONOMIC PRESSURE.

          1.  Paul argues for paying preachers (1 Cor. 9:7-11, 14).

                   a.  Presents a powerful temptation (1 Tim. 6:3-6).

                   b.  Brethren are not hesitant to use that temptation.

          2.  Others have their business boycotted, are lied about, etc.

          3.  Would you be faithful under such threats?

D.  SOCIAL PRESSURE.

          1.  We sometimes share the apostles’ lot (1 Cor. 4:10-13).

          2.  Brethren sometimes don’t accept differences that infidels do.  The Homecoming Queen.

          3.  Children sometimes suffer ridicule, made to feel “left out,” are left out because they

                   might be a hindrance to the “fun.”

          4.  See (James 4:4;  Gal. 1:10;  1 Cor. 15:33;  1 Pet. 4:1-4).

          5.  Matt. 5:14-16.  To be a light in a dark world, there must be a difference (Rom. 12:2).

          6.  Which is more precious, friends or your soul? (2 Cor. 6:11-13).

E.  SOME TRY TO SHOW THE OTHER UP.

          1.  False charges (2 Cor. 11:6-9, 26).  False brethren (Gal. 2:3-5).

                   - confusing the issues and changing the language.

          2.  Walking out on the preacher, the crumpled outline.

          3.  Sometimes preachers are the culprit, sometimes preachers are not involved.

          4.  Rom 14:19.  Where is the love?

F.  COMPROMISE OR IGNORE DIFFERENCES.

          1.  Not always possible to resolve differences (Rom. 12:18;  2 Tim. 3:3).

          2.  Some have closed their minds to truth (2 Thess. 2:10-12;  2 Tim. 4:3-4).

          3.  Gamaliel’s mistake (Acts 5:38;  2 Tim. 2:16;  1 Cor. 5:6).

          4.  Prov. 23:23.  What does the Bible say? (Rom. 16:17-18;  Titus 3:10-11).

II.     HOW ARE WE TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES – SCRIPTURALLY?

A.  Matt. 18:15-20.  GOOD TO THE OPPONENT FIRST.

          1.  Precedent for different course of action in Paul vs. Peter (Gal. 2:11).

          2.  Elders that sin (1 Tim. 5:20).

          3.  The circumstance, and the good of the cause (1 Cor. 9:23)/

B.  URGENT IN SEASON AND OUT (2 Tim. 4:2).

          1.  When it’s need is apparent and when it is not apparent.

          2.  “Why preach on that stuff?  We don’t have any of that here!”

          3.  Phil. 3:1.  It is safe.

C.  MOTIVE IS VITAL.

          1.  Love for others (Jude 22-23;  Rev. 3:19).

          2.  Love and loyalty to the truth (2 Thess. 2:10;  Prov. 23:23;  1 Cor. 4:6-7).

          3.  To save oneself (Acts 26:9).

D.  DEBATE IS HONORABLE! (Prov. 25:9;  Acts 15).

CONCLUSION:

A.  1 Cor. 1:10.  WE CAN SPEAK THE SAME THING IF WE SPEAK FROM THE SAME

          SOURCE.

B.  DO WE ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING IN REGARD TO SALVATION?

          1.  What did Peter say? (Acts 2:38).

          2.  What did Paul say? (Rom. 6:3-4).