Homiletics

 Acts 15: 1-41

Content:

1. Some Judean believers in Antioch teaching circumcision required for salvation. 1
2. Paul and Barnabas sharply disagree and lead delegation to Jerusalem to seek Apostles 2-4
3. Pharisee believers said gentile believers must follow Jewish law. 5
4. Peter says Gentiles are purified by faith just as Jews. 6-11
5. Paul and Barnabas tell of God's work among Gentile believers. 12
6. James points to Old Testament prophets for affirmation of God receiving Gentiles. 13-18
7. James lays down simple instructions for Gentile believers excluding circumcisions'. 19-21
8. Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas carry letter to Antioch. 22
9. Letter from Jerusalem confirms the senders 23-27
10. Instructed to abstain from idol sacrificed food, blood, meat of strangled animals and sexual immorality. 28-29
11. Antioch church encouraged by letter and the messengers. 30-32
12. Judas and Silas return as Paul and Barnabas continue Antioch ministry. 33-35
13. Barnabas and Paul's disagreement over John Mark lead to parting company. 36-39
14. Barnabas and John Mark head for Cypress. 39
15. Paul and Silas go through Syria and Cilica 40-41

Divisions: 

1. Disagreement over salvation requirements send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem seeking apostles help. 1-12
2. Apostles use God's word to conclude salvation does not require following Jewish law . 13-35
3. Paul and Barnabas disagreement lead to separate ministries. 36-41

Subject Sentence:

•  Resolving  theology disagreement unifies believers then personality disagreement divides ministries.

Aim: 

• TCMT to trust that God uses disagreements to draw believers to himself and further his kingdom.

Application:

1. Do I put unbiblical expectations on others or even myself based on traditions?  Do I seek Godly counsel for conflict involving living by Godly principles? 
2. Do I seek God's word for truth in resolving questions of spiritual matters? Do I draw closer to God and his words in time of conflict?  Am I adding any observations or behaviors putting it in conflict with truth that salvation is by Grace through faith in Jesus? 
3. Can I see the difference between conflict of biblical truth  and conflict of personal preference? What conflict of personality might God be using to expand the spread of the gospel.? As uncomfortable as conflict may feel, do I trust that God can bring good out of all things, including conflict?