Introduction

  • Micah 6:8
  • The group at Benchley has changed greatly over the years, but we are called to walk humbly with God. How do we do this with a more heterogeneous group?
  • When we have different interpretations of scripture, differing unstandings of God’s will, the baseline is always the scripture.

The unity God wants among His children

  • I Peter 3:8-12
  • Philippians 1:27; 2:2-4
  • Ephesians 4:1-6
  • John 14, 15, 17
    • Our unity and disunity tells the world something about God and Christ.
    • John 17:11, 22-23
    • We cannot sacrifice truth for the sake of unity.

Handling conflicting convictions

Acts 15

  • Conflicting convictions
    • Must keep Law of Moses; must be circumcised vs. No need for these under the new covenant in Christ
  • What did they do?
    • Acts 15:2 - Paul and Barnabas have “great dissension and debate” with them.
    • Acts 15:6 - In Jerusalem, apostles and elders coome together to look into the matter.
    • Acts 15:7-11 - Paul presents evidence and arguments.
    • Acts 15:12 - Barnabas and Paul speak of what God had done through them.
    • Acts 15:13-21 - James reasons from scripture.
    • Acts 15:19 - James: “Therefore it is my judgment that …”
    • Acts 15:22 - “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church to …”

Romans 14:1-15:7

  • Romans 14:3-4 - Don’t be focused on making distinctions about who belongs to God.
  • Romans 14:10-13 - Ultimately, God is the judge. Focus on your own accountability.
  • Romans 14:13, 19; 15:1-2 - Focus on promoting peace and building others up in following Christ.
  • Romans 14:16-21 - Be willing to sacrifice your liberty (right) for the good of others
  • Romans 14:5, 22-23 - Operate within your understanding of God’s will and your conscience
  • Romans 14:22; 15:5-7 - Humbly walk with God

I Corinthians 8-10

  • I Corinthians 8:1-2; 9:19-23; 10:23-24 - Focus on the good of others. Do what is best for them.
  • I Corinthians 8:9-10; 10:28-33 - Pay attention to the influence your practice of your faith has on others.
  • I Corinthians 8:13; 9:15, 18 - Be willing to sacrifice your liberty (right) for the good of others
  • I Corinthians 9:24-27 - Act with the end in mind: receiving God’s reward TOGETHER

Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28)

  • Aquila and Priscilla - take Apollos aside privately to teach him.
  • Apollos - Open to teaching from others

Conclusion

  • When we have differing interpretations of scritpure, differing understandings of God’s will
    • We never surrender the pursuit of truth, the pursuit of God’s will.
    • We conduct that pursuit with humility.
    • Recognizing that our understanding is imperfect, that God is gracious and patient and we must be also, and God expects His children to be unified as they walk with Him.