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Stop Divison!
The letter to the Galatians contains all anyone needs to stop division in its tracks and keep it from ever getting started again!
1 What Causes Division?
[1] Sin
[a] Pride, arrogance, being obstinate…
[b] Hatred, gossip, idleness…
[2] Dividing the Lord’s church is sinful
[a] What example do we have of authorized division of God’s people
[b] Even Paul and John Mark resolved their difference!
[3] Division is started and prorogated for many reasons but at the root of it there is adisagreement
[4] The letter to the Galatians contains all anyone needs to stop division in its tracks and stop it from ever getting started.
[a] The Galatians had a serious disagreement (1:6 – not all were turned)
[b] Quick History – Judaizing teachers – You must be circumcised!
[i] What a silly issue with plain teaching from the word of God!
[ii] Are reasons today any better?
2 How is a Disagreement Resolved?
NOTE Options – well I had no choice – there are always options whether realized or not…
2.1 One side is eliminated
[1] Paul warned against – 5:15
[2] Analogy of pride of lions
[a] The few in the pride are stronger (average strength is high) but the group is as a whole is weaker
[b] Many Christians are satisfied and proud of this out come
[c] “We have purged the Church”
2.2 The group divides
[1] Oddly Paul I did not see any warnings in Galatians about this option
[2] Leads me to believe that the first century Christians of the Galatia area understood unity
[a] Consider the need for unity
[b] The division the church is facing today would have severely hindered the spread of the truth in the first century (as it is today)
[c] Think how much stronger we could be!
2.3 What did Paul instruct the Galatians to do?
[1] Follow the instructions of God!
[2] Paul had the ability to speak the Word of God
[3] We must study the written Word of God to know God’s will for us
[a] Study (and interpretation) of the Word of God often generates disagreements
[b] Remember Christ taught division is sinful (John 15); disagreements are not
[c] Disagreements are going to happen; it is how we handle them that determine if they will lead to sin!
3 How To Study Through a Disagreement
3.1 Guns blazing, my way or the highway, win/lose mindset
[1] Go in with a “win my argument and you lose yours” – everyone loses because the debaters skills are being tested not the interpretation of the Word of God
[2] A “win/win – no deal” disagreement is ideal
[a] Imagine where both sides of an issue came together where they would consider it a win for all if the truth of the matter was revealed no matter what side ended up being right
[b] Earlier I talked about where the opposing side is eliminated – I did not mean to imply that this was automatically sinful
[i] There is a “no deal” option that must be available – there is “no deal” when the truth has been brought forth and the opposing side refuses to hear it.
[ii] We cannot compromise the Word of God to get a “win/win”, this is a “No Deal” and the side opposing the Word of God must be dealt with as God dictates
[iii] Some are to quick to jump into above action
3.2 Discredit opposition
[1] Paul faced this type opposition
[a] He spent 1/3 of the book rebuilding his name
[b] Proving that his words were the Word of God
[2] Politicians incorporate this method
[3] Two sides – discrediting and being discredited
[a] If you are discrediting then stop – even the worst liar can tell the truth
[b] If you are being discredited – defend yourself à with the Word of God
3.3 By ourselves
[1] “I have been studying this a lot and…”
[2] We are not an island, difficult issues need to be “aired” out rather than just blasting your new ideas…
3.4 What did Paul do to prove his point to the Galatians?
[1] Proved that his words were the Word of God – that he was an apostle, a servant of Christ and not a man pleaser
[2] Showed how the Judaizing teachers argument was not from the Word of God
[3] Paul’s argument was thorough and well organized
[a] He showed how circumcision was not part of the current will of God for his people
[b] He showed the purpose of the old law and why it was passed away
[c] He showed the whole law must be followed if any part is to be followed
[4] We do not have direct guidance of the Holy Spirit today
[a] The Holy Spirit did not leave us without guidance
[b] We should follow Paul’s example set forth and
[c] Present arguments from the word of God in a logical and understandable format
4 How to Recover from a Disagreement
4.1 Brow beat those who were wrong
[1] It bad to be wrong – nobody wants to be wrong
[2] It’s worse to be right and arrogant
[a] The world is full of arrogant people
[b] A good study of the difference between arrogance and confidence is of Paul’s life
4.2 Kick out those who were wrong
[1] The members of the church in Corinth tried to practice this
[2] Paul rebuked them
4.3 What does Paul promote to the Galatians?
[1] 5:13 – Liberty as opportunity to “flesh”
[a] What is the flesh? 5:19-21
[b] Liberty is born out as those who were right – 5:13-15
[2] 5:14 – love your neighbor
5 How to avoid Division
5.1 Accept everything
[1] Agree to disagree
[2] Stand against false doctrine – 2:3-5
[3] Withstand error face to face – 2:11-14
5.2 Reject everything
[1] Correct open minded definition – A Christian must be
[2] Apollos was “open minded” (Acts 18:24-28)
5.3 What does Paul recommend?
[1] Realize your place – HUMBLE!
[a] 6:3 – Think yourself to be something when you are nothing
[b] Know what a fool is (3:1)
NOTE Good study on the use of the English word “fool” and how it is used
[2] Recognize trouble makers – 4:17 (Jude 12-13, 16)
[3] Walk in the Spirit – 5:16-26
6 Conclusion
[1] Emotions are a reality for disagreements
[a] No silly statement to check them at the door
[b] No excuse for sin!
[2] Help one another! 6:1-5
[3] To help each other we must know each other!
