From the Heart to the Tongue | church of Christ

From the Heart to the Tongue |  church of Christ

Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title  (Right Click to Downlo  d)	Media	Category
David Hersey	From the Heart to the Tongue		Tongue

FROM THE HEART TO THE TONGUE

The tongue is a marvelous complex instrument with several functions. It used as a sense organ, containing about 9000 taste buds which distinguish between different flavors such as bitter, salty, or sweet things.  It aids in the forming and movement of food as we eat for ease of swallowing.  And it is frequently used to express the temperament of the heart.

Webster dictionary defines the tongue as being a flexible muscular organ in the mouth used in tasting, swallowing, and for speech.  This is the textbook explanation of what the tongue is but for our lesson this morning we are going to be examining what the Bible says about the tongue and just how powerful it can be when it used to express the intent or disposition of someone’s heart. I think we have all experienced what happens when we or someone else loses control of their tongue. As one person said,   “Many things are opened by mistake, but none so frequently as the mouth.”

Lesson Text:  James 3:2-13

James gives us some great details about how powerful the tongue is and how difficult it is to control in:  

James 3:2 "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body."

Here James is pointing out to us, that as Christians we stumble in many areas of our lives because we are not perfect and God knows this but if it were possible that we could control our tongue then James said we could be perfect and that we would be fully capable of controlling our entire body so that we would never stumble. In this we are being taught that the tongue is harder to control than any things else.

James 3:3 "Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires."

When you think about the illustrations that James gives isn’t amazing that something so small like a bit or rudder can control such big objects like a horse or a boat. He uses this illustration to point out the power of the tongue even though it is a small member of the body as we read in:

 James 3:5 "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.  7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.  8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so."

We learn from James the tongue can be used for both good and for evil. When we fail to control of our tongue the words that we speak can be a powerful as a spark in dry forest because it can burn everything down in it path. James tells us it is difficult to control the tongue and we as Christians can learn to control our tongues with diligence and through the help of God and by keeping God’s Word in our heart.  I have seen first hand on several occasions where a person who claims to be a Christian will praise God out one side of their mouth and then foul language and harsh word will come out the other side of their mouth but this should not be the case.

Another thing we need to realize about the tongue is that it will eventually express what is in a person's heart.  You can usually find out how serious a Christian is in the heart by what kind of language comes out of their mouths. 

Jesus points this out to his disciples when he responds to the Pharisees after they accuse him of casting out demons by Beelzebub.

Matthew 12:34 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things."

The words that come out of our mouth are reflection of what is in our heart and if our heart is not pure eventually it will be made known by what comes out of our mouth.  That is why it important that we learn to heed what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (NKJV).
 

Later on Jesus also rebukes the Pharisees and the scribes for trying to say that unwashed hands defiles a person. He tells them, "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Matthew 15:11  (NKJV),

Peter doesn’t understand what Jesus is telling these Jews here so he explains it to him in, Matthew 15:16-19, "So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (NKJV).
 

So the tongue will reflect what is in a person's heart. It is up to us on whether we use our tongue for good or for evil. If we choose to use it for good:

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

But if we choose to use them for evil,

Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD …

We have free will and we must make our choice on how we use our tongue but understand that we will be judged by how we use our tongues as Jesus says in,

 Mt 12:36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

We need to keep this in mind before we let lose our evil tongue on those around us. We also need to realize that the tongue has the power to bring about life or death.    

Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."   Those who use their tongues well, will have life.  Those who use their tongues for evil will have death.  

The power of an evil tongue brings death...  

Paul gives the Christians in Galatia a list of things that will keep them from inheriting the kingdom of God.  He writes in

Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. "
NKJV

Of these these things Paul mentioned several are directly attributable to our speech.  Contentions, outbursts of wrath, dissentions, heresies and revelries are all tied to the things which come out of our mouths. 

Lies are a sin of the speech and will keep us out heaven,
Revelation 21:8
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." NKJV
 

In Revelation 21:27, John goes on to say again, "But there shall by no means enter it [Heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. "NKJV

And then again in Revelation 22:14-15
"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." NKJV

Three times in a row John makes the case that there will not be any liars in heaven.  Therefore if anyone has a problem with telling the truth and they want to live in heaven with God, then they need to make a change in behavior. 

How about Gossip?  Paul uses some very strong language about this and other sins of the speech in

Romans 1:28-32
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. "  NKJV

Paul says whisperers and back biters are worthy of death. Gossips whisper behind the backs of others.  They make false accusations against others behind their backs.  Gossips slander others, meaning they speak evil of them.  Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-5,
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, "
NKJV

Gossiping is a sin of speech which will bring death to those who practice it.  Notice Paul used the word "blasphemers" in this list of people who won't be spending eternity in heaven if they don't repent.  Blasphemy is a sin of speech which will keep us out of heaven.   Blasphemy is a term which means to speak evil of.  It can mean speaking evil against God or others.   This word in the Greek language is also translated as railers which is someone who engages in malicious and abusive speech.  The term for blasphemy is not in any way limited to a sin against God.  When anyone reviles, or speaks in a malicious and abusive manner towards another, they are guilty of blasphemy in the sense that this word portrays. 

Concerning the conduct of Christian, Paul wrote in the same letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:24-26
"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."  NKJV

And now come to the most obvious of all.  Filthy speech.  Many today use the term cussing.  What it all boils down to is filthy language coming out of our mouths.  Paul mentioned this in Colossians 3:8-9
"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. " NKJV 

Paul mentions this with some very harsh words in Ephesians 5:3-5
"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" NKJV

James summed it up completely in James 1:26
"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."
NKJV

James comes right out and says that if a Christian cannot control his speech, his religion is useless or worthless, meaning it's for nothing.  Lying, gossiping, slandering, boasting, quarreling, filthy language, foolish talking and course jesting are all sin of speech and if practiced unrestrained, will keep any Christian out of eternal life in Heaven with God. If we want our religion to be of any use at all, either for ourselves or for others, we must learn to bridle or control our tongues. 

Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."  Those who cannot or will not control their tongues will eat of the fruit of death. 

So how about the fruit of life? 

Good speech which contribute towards life.

Ephesians 4:29-30
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
NKJV

We must use our speech to help edify and build one another up. 

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
NKJV

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
NKJV

These are examples of speech that not only help to bring life to us, but help one another as well.  We are commanded to use our speech for good.  Good speech portrays a good heart and sincere love and concern for others. 

We use our speech to proclaim Christ to the world.  Paul wrote in Romans 10:8-10, "But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
NKJV

And then Paul well on to write in the next chapter, 

Romans 10:14-15, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!" 
NKJV

Our speech can be used to glorify God.   In Romans 15:6, Paul wrote, "that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
NKJV

Evil speech brings the fruit of death.   Controlled, gracious, gentle and kind speech brings the fruit of life. 

As we learned earlier, what comes out of our mouths is a reflection of what is in our hearts.  All of these things we looked at so far on controlling the tongue has to do with the condition of our heart. So the key to using your tongue for righteousness is making your heart pure which means your thoughts will be pure and words will be pure. Paul stresses the need for us to control our thought in,

2. Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

This should be every Christian’s goal to bring into captivity every thought of man to the obedience of Christ. This is not an easy task because evil thoughts may arise which could cause us to sin. But, if we stay as close to God as possible, and have an active prayer life, even these thoughts can be brought into obedience of Christ. We must train our minds with the Word of God so that eventually good thoughts, not evil, will dominate our hearts. This can only come about by much prayer and much training.  However, it should be the goal of every Christian. Someone once said, "You may not be what you think you are, but you are what you think."  One who thinks filthy thoughts is likely to live that kind of life. The book of Proverbs also teaches this.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.    

Jesus told us in the great Sermon on the mount that it is possible for us to commit murder or adultery in our hearts (Matt. 5:27-28).  Bringing our thoughts into captivity is a never-ending battle.  However, it can be done and must be done.  Keeping our heart and speech pure is necessary in order to keep ourselves away from the corruption of the world.  It takes constant diligence and effort because we are out in the world on a daily basis and it is so easy to allow ourselves to become influenced by it.  It is easy to become weary of resisting it and let our guards down.  It is so easy to allow the things of the world to creep in and overtake us.  We must never give in to Satan and never give up. 

James wrote in 1:27
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  (NKJV)

I hope this lesson has made us all think more about how we use our tongues and I hope that if we have not been using it properly that we will start today. I also hope we have leaned how important it is for our hearts to be pure so that our thoughts can be pure and finally I hope we have learned that the our tongue has the power to make the difference between life and death. 

Conduct Worthy of the Gospel | church of Christ

Conduct Worthy of the Gospel  |  church of Christ

Conduct Worthy of the Gospel

Introduction:

The Christians in Philippi lived in a city which had a great heritage of citizenship.  Philippi was a Roman colony whose citizens were very proud of their citizenship.  These Christians were members of the first European church Paul had founded.  In the letter that Paul writes to them, he directs them to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ because they were citizens of the Kingdom of Christ.

Text:  Philippians 1:27-28  “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” NKJV

Body:

I.  Let Your Manner of Life Be Worthy

·  The Greek word translated “manner of life” means to behave as a citizen.  This is something with which the Philippians were well acquainted.  Paul wants them to understand the significance of being citizens of the kingdom of heaven.  (Philippians 3:20)  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” NKJV  This is a command of Paul.  It will take determination and willpower.  They need to be passionate about their citizenship.

·  The Christian, as a citizen, as a citizen of the Kingdom of God is to live worthy of the gospel.  Being worthy means being loyal, a person of integrity and conviction.  Christians must possess a passionate patriotism for the gospel. 

II.  Stand Firm

·  Be immovable.  Christians are not to be moved from their kingdom citizenship by anyone or anything.  They are not to be moved by circumstances, social pressures, feelings or emotions, comfort, persecution or ridicule.  They must take an unflinching stand for the truth of the gospel and a stand against evil and falsehood.

·  Our society wants us to go along with it, give into its worldly desires and pleasures.  It is far easier to follow the world than to take a stand against it.

  “It is said that when Napoleon’s army was invading Russia his soldiers came to a village from which all the inhabitants had fled except one man.  He was a Russian peasant, a woodsman, and still carried his ax in his leather belt.  When the French captain saw him he ordered that he be shot immediately.  The French soldiers leveled their guns at his head but he did not flinch.  The captain was frustrated by this old man’s courage. 

  Telling his soldiers to lower their guns, he said, ‘We will spare his life, but we will put a mark on him – we will brand him.’ So his soldiers brought a branding iron, got it red hot, and placed it on his hand.  The man saw and felt his own flesh burn, but still he did not flinch.  When the branding iron was removed the peasant saw the letter ‘N’ branded on his palm.  ‘What is that?’ he asked.  ‘This is the letter ‘N’ and it stands for Napoleon; you belong to Napoleon now,’ replied the captain.

  For a moment the old man did not know what to do or say.  His pain was intense, but his loyalty and patriotism was even more passionate, so he placed his burned hand on something solid, and as the soldiers were laughing and jeering at him, he took his ax from his belt with his other hand and brought it swiftly and forcefully down and severed his branded hand at the wrist.

  ‘There,’ he said to the soldiers, ‘the hand may belong to Napoleon, but I am a Russian.  If I must die, I will die a Russian.’ ”  Example given by Paul Butler 

We may think that is rather severe, but listen to Matthew 5:29-30.  “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” NKJV  Jesus is serious about His followers taking a stand and remaining firm.  Also Colossians 1:22-23.  “in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” NKJV

III.  Striving Side By Side

·  We get the English word “athletics” from the Greek word.  These athletic contests required self-discipline, training, practice, work, sweat, concentration, and the will to win.  Paul wanted the Philippian Christians to strive for their spiritual prize with the same intensity as the Olympic athletes strove for their physical prize.

·  How much is the eternal prize worth to us?  Is it worth all the energy and work that it requires?  The Christian life is not a walk in the park.  We must constantly be striving and going forward.  (Philippians 3:7-8, 12-14)  “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” NKJV

·  Is the prize worth striving against family and friends?  Is it worth working hard to attain?  Is it worth giving up the pleasures and sins of this world?  Remember the words of Paul in II Timothy 4:6-8.  “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” NKJV 

IV.  Not Frightened By Your Opponents

·  The Kingdom of God can never be destroyed – it is unshakable.  Christians are citizens of this eternal kingdom.

·  No one can rob us of our heavenly inheritance.  Thieves can’t break through and steal it.  It is imperishable.  (I Peter 1:4)  “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you." NKJV

·  The enemy, Satan, cannot destroy us or our inheritance.  (Ephesians 6:11-13)  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” NKJV  Remember the words of II Kings 6:16-17.  “So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’  And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’  Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” NKJV

Conclusion:

As citizens of the heavenly kingdom, Christians are called to live lives worthy of the gospel.  We must stand firm, strive valiantly, and not be frightened by our opponent. 

Bobby Stafford 

March 27, 2016  [Evening]

Conflict between Brethren | Book of Acts | church of Christ

Conflict between Brethren | Book of Acts | church of Christ

The Book of Acts

Conflict between Brethren

Background:

Paul and Barnabas are sent on what is commonly called Paul’s First Missionary Journey by the church at Antioch.  (Acts 13)  Preaching the Word of God in such places as the Island of Cyprus, and cities such as Perga, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, many became believers and were added to the Lord’s church.  When they returned to Antioch, they reported all that had happened and how the door of faith had been opened to the Gentiles.  (Acts 14:26-27)  “From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.  Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” NKJV

Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders concerning some fake teachers who were saying that one had to still keep the Law of Moses to be saved.  (Acts 15:22-34)  After this was taken care of, they return to Antioch and stay for some time. 

Text:  Acts 15:35-41

Body:

I.  Exegesis of the Text  Acts 15:35  “Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” NKJV  While we do not know how long they remained in Antioch, it is very likely that Paul wrote his letter to the Christians in Galatia during this period.  If so, the events recorded in Galatians 2:11-14 probably also occurred during this time.  Galatians 2:11-14  “Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.  And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all.  If you being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?"  NKJV  These events may have at least partly influenced what happens in Verses 36-41 of Acts 15.  Paul must have been both disappointed and hurt by Barnabas’s actions – playing the hypocrite.  Acts 15:36  “Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.’ ” NKJV  After preaching and teaching in Antioch for some time, Paul decided it was time to retrace the steps of their last journey to see how the new converts to Christ were doing.  He wanted to confirm if they were maturing, staying faithful to the Lord.  Note that we cannot ignore those we baptize into Christ; we must feed and nurture them.  Remember Matthew 28:19-20.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end f the age.’ Amen” NKJV  Acts 15:37-38  “Now Barnabas, was determined to take with them John called Mark.  But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.”  NKJV  We learn from Colossians 4:10 that John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin, a part of his family.  Colossians 4:10  “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions:  if he comes to you, welcome him).” NKJV  Barnabas agreed that this second trip was a good idea, but stipulated that Mark go with them as he had on parts of the first journey.  Read Acts 13:13.  “Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.” NKJV  For some reason, Mark left and went home.  He did not go on with them to the work.  He may have left because of fear of what was ahead, of possible dangers.  Or maybe the mission work was too difficult and demanding.  For whatever reason, he left.  Regardless, Paul did not think the reason was good enough.  Words of Luke 9:62 may have been in his mind.  “. . .No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  He may have thought he would be a hindrance to the work, and not an asset.  He was not dependable.  Paul thought the work far too important to risk taking Mark.

Barnabas thought his cousin deserved a second chance to atone for leaving on the first journey.  He may have had in mind  Matthew 5:7.  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”  He may have thought that if they rejected him now, his young faith may falter.

Original language – Barnabas kept insisting they take Mark and Paul kept insisting they wouldn’t!  Acts 15:39-41  “Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.  And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” NKJV  The humanness of each man is seen.  There was a sharp clash of opinions.  Angry feelings were aroused with heated exchange.  There was probably loss of temper with loud words and improper feelings for two friends who were also Christians.  It became apparent that their differences could not be resolved, at least for now.  They decided to split up the work and go separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and went through areas of Syria and Cilicia.

II.  Lessons to Be Learned

1.  Disagreements will occur between brethren.  Nothing is wrong with this as long as they are concerning matters of judgment [opinions].  We must agree on matters of doctrine.  Otherwise, we cannot be in fellowship.  (II John 9-11)  “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” NKJV  We should always keep in mind that matters of personal preference are just that – personal preference.  These should never separate brethren.  We should be tolerant.

2.  When conflicts do occur, we must still act Christ-like.  Paul and Barnabas’ disagreement should never have gone as far as it did.   

Recall Ephesians 4:26, 29, 31-32.  “ ‘Be angry, and do not sin’ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” NKJV  As so often happens today when two brothers disagree, neither one quits working for the Lord or tries to hurt the other in some way.  Apparently no grudges were held, for later Paul refers to Barnabas’ serving the Lord.  (I Corinthians 9:6)  “Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?” NKJV 

3.  Disagreements between brethren may be used by God to bring about good.  Certainly God did not cause Paul and Barnabas to have this conflict, but He may have used it for His purposes.  Paul and Silas began a great mission effort into Greece and Macedonia while Barnabas’ efforts to encourage John Mark bore great fruit.  He wrote the Gospel of Mark and was a coworker with the apostle Peter.  (I Peter 5:13)  “She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.” NKJV  This is referred to by Paul as a fellow worker for the Kingdom of God.  (Colossians 4:10-11)  “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions:  if he comes to you, welcome him).  And Jesus who is called Justus.  These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.” NKJV  Shortly before Paul’s death, he says the following:  II Timothy 4:11  “Only Luke is with me.  Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” NKJV Mark had made quite a turnaround!

Invitation:  Are you holding a grudge against a fellow brother or sister in Christ?  Have you acted Christ-like when you and a fellow Christian disagreed on some matter of personal preference?  Are you angry without a cause? 

Bobby Stafford 

February 7, 2016 

Acts:  Lesson 33  Acts 15:35-41  [Referenced Acts 15:22-34]