RESOLVING CONFLICT FOR THE SAKE OF UNITY
United – Part 2
Seth Conerly
July 24 & 25, 2021
TAKEAWAY STATEMENT
Followers of Christ are called to
and
.
Part 1: Divisive Situations
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”
Romans 16:17-19 (NIV)
A. Avoid
.
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”
Titus 3:8-11 (NIV)
B. Avoid
.
Part 2: Conflict
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (NIV)
A. Identify the
of a conflict.
B. Seek conflict resolution that
.
4 Steps of Biblical Conflict Resolution
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
Matthew 18:15 (NIV)
Step 1: Go to the person to
.
“But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Matthew 18:16 (NIV)
Step 2: Involve a
.
“If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church,…”
Matthew 18:17a (NIV)
Step 3: Involve
.
“…and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:17b (NIV)
Step 4: Change your
.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently…”
Galatians 6:1a (NIV)