“CONFLICT RESOLUTION”

Acts 11: 1-18

I. INTRODUCTION:
A. The relevancy of Christ and His bride:
1. Christ, the Bridegroom: (Mt. 9:15; Jn. 3:29)
2. The church, His bride: (Rev. 19:7-9)

B. Envisioning the church as an organism:
(See chart on back)
1. The headship: (Eph. 5:23)
2. The body and the agenda behind it: (I Cor. 12:12- 25;
Eph. 4:11-13)

C. Conflict, bringing the body together rather than pulling it
apart: vv. 1-18
1. Changing times, our zeal to be relevant with our
culture:
2. The mandatory task of ALWAYS aligning with
Scripture: (Jn. 5:39; II Tim. 3:16; Lk. 10:26; Gal. 4:30a)
3. Treasuring conflict with a Biblically congregational
perspective: (tumbler)

II. THE CHURCH’S STRONG LEADER EFFECTIVELY
IMPLEMENTS CHANGE: vv. 1-18
A. Change (conflict) being continually “contended”: vv. 1-3
(Compare II Tim. 4:1-5 with Heb. 5:11)
1. Pastor Peter’s position:
2. The congregation’s position:

B. Change (conflict) being explained: vv. 4-14
1. The witness (vision) from God: vv. 34-36
2. The witness of the Holy Spirit: vv. 12-15, 17
3. The witness of the Word (Christ): v. 16

C. Change (conflict) wisely approached: v. 15
1. “We have it”:
2. “They have it”:
3. “We are the same”:

D. Change (conflict) through the eyes of the Head:vv. 16-17

E. Change (conflict) resolved: v. 18

III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. Never, never compromise Christ’s criteria in Biblically
selecting leadership (pastors and elders), since His
expectation of the congregants is for them to be in
subjection to him-them. (I Thes. 5:12-15; II Tim. 4:1-5;
Acts 15:15, 19; 21:18) (See chart)

B. You must continually make the choice as to whether
change (conflict) draws you closer or pushes you away
from the heart of God. (II Cor. 12:10; Phil. 3:10)

C. The Headship of Christ is not only foundational to
Biblical change in a local church, but also serves as the
centerpiece of the Gospel as it relates to Biblical
change in a life. (Rom. 10:9-10; II Cor. 5:17)

Sinners Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my own way,
to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of all my
sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath. Lord
Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this very
moment, in Jesus name, Amen.

If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Evangelical
Free Church at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will
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news of the gospel to those who might have hesitated to visit this
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