Acts 15:36-41

³⁶ After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. ³⁸ But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. ⁴⁰ But Paul chose Silas, and left after being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

 Acts 16:1-10

1 Now Paul also came to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, ² and he was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters who were in Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul wanted this man to leave with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the ordinances for them to follow which had been determined by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

⁶ They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; ⁷ and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; ⁸ and passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ When he had seen the vision, we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

I. Through conflict (15:36-41)

II. Through others (16:1-5)

III. Through the Holy Spirit (16:6-10)

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Philippians 4:1-3 (NASB)

1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Theme: Standing firmly in Christ, Christians need to work at resolving conflicts with one another so that the church can be healthy and honorably do Gospel ministry together.

Outline: 5 Observations that will help us resolve conflicts for church health/growth and enable honorable Gospel ministry.

1. We must stand firm in the Lord, together (verse 1)

2. We should acknowledge that resolving conflicts takes hard work but is possible, in the Lord (verses 1-2)

3. Those involved in conflict should be the first to work on resolution (verse 2)

4. Sometimes resolving a conflict takes help from mature believers (verse 3)

5. We should know that resolving conflict is necessary for honorable Gospel ministry (verse 3)

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