Title: Helping Those in Conflict within the Body of Christ
Scripture: Philippians 4: 2 – 9
Preacher: Rev Ashok Amarasingham
1) Introduction
1.1 Paul understood the value of friendship – with Christ and his fellow disciples.
1.2 Focus for Today
When conflict (between two parties) in church goes awry, mature leaders get involved to restore the relationship (uniting hearts & minds) to pursue loving God and others again.
2) Conflicts Damage Church Unity which is Mandatory for Pursuing God’s Vision for Evangelism & Discipleship
2.1 Paul just ended chapter 3 on dealing with external threats (like the Judaisers) with the poignant summary of standing firm in the Lord (4:1)
2.2 However, suddenly Paul entreats two women (by name) who are in conflict in the church: Agree in the Lord (4:2).
2.3 Paul requested help from “loyal yokefellow”, Clement and others – to be agents of unity ie help the women to reconcile.
2.4 Practical Application
2.4.1 The best path to reconciliation & unity in conflict is still one to one communication.
2.4.2 Pastor Randy Pope on the difference between “heart forgiveness” & “expressed forgiveness”.
2.4.2.1 Heart forgiveness (based on Mark 11:25)
* “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your your Father who is in heaven, will also forgive your transgressions.
* Vertical Relationship with God – we have no choice whatsoever but only pray to God (eg God, I forgive Ms C for lying to me and cheating me)
* Jesus prayed: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
* but what happens if the offender (Ms C) wilfully knows and offends you, without any repentance?
2.4.2.2 Expressed Forgiveness (Luke 17: 3-4)
* “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying “I repent”, forgive him.
* Hebrews 10: 26-31 warns Christians of deliberately sinning that will mean profaning the precious sacrifice of Christ and putting into contempt the gift of salvation for us – facing God’s judgement.
* we cannot express forgiveness to an offender (say Ms C) who refuses to take the responsibility for his or her own sin.
* Pastor Randy Pope’s father told him: For deserting your mother and you (for someone else)…you will surely forgive me because you are a Christian, right?
2.4.3 When the church leaders must get involved in restoring two injured parties (and not “sweep things under the carpet”).
* some useful pointers for church leaders (mediators)…
3) Helping Self in Internal Conflict: Anxiety
3.1 Anxiety is powerful. The NT Greek (merimnao) means to be unduly worried (4:6)
3.2 The only person who can us with anxiety is God (4:6).
3.3 Practical Application
* Do you believe in God’s divine peace – always available to us?
4) Conclusion/Summary
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