The early churches had problems:

Jerusalem – Acts 6:1-7Antioch – Acts 15:1,2Corinth –1 and 2 CorinthiansGalatia – Gal.1:6,7; 4:9-11Seven churches of Asia – Rev.2 &

3

Such conflicts do a great deal of harm:

They often weaken the church – discouraging the members

They hinder true worship – distracting the worshipers

They hinder the spread of the gospel

– consuming valuable time/energy

They cause souls to be lost – sins that are never repented of

Resolving ChurchFace the Problems Realistically

Eccl.10:4– “4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great

offences.”

Panic Ignore, hide, or minimize them Exaggerate or advertise

Panic Ignore, hide, or minimize them Exaggerate or advertise Brood over the past

Face the Problems Realistically

1 Tim.5:13– “13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from

house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,

speaking things which they ought not.”

Prov.17:9– “9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he

that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.”

Prov.26:20,21– “20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. 21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood

to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.”

Prov.25:8-10– “8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to

do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret

of another; 10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not

away.”

Resolving Church

Panic Ignore, hide, or minimize them Exaggerate or advertise Brood over the past Give diligence to maintain unity

Eccl.7:21,22– “21 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest

thou hear thy servant curse thee; 22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise

hast cursed others.”

Face the Problems Realistically

Resolving Church

Panic Ignore, hide, or minimize them Exaggerate or advertise Brood over the past Give diligence to maintain unity Pray

Face the Problems Realistically

Resolving Church

Eph.4:1-3– “1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to

walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3

giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Matt.5:23-25– “23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 24 leave

there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy

brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary

quickly...”

Matt.18:15-17– “15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his

fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he hear thee not,

take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or

three every word may be established…”

Resolving ChurchSeek to Minimize Problems

Gal.5:20– “20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths,

factions, divisions, parties,”

Side with the cliques Judge another’s heart

Side with the cliques Judge another’s heart Build up a faction

Resolving ChurchSeek to Minimize Problems

1 Cor.13:5– “5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not

easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”

Seek to Minimize Problems

Side with the cliques Judge another’s heart Build up a faction Strive for unity Withdraw from the factious

Psa.64:2-5– “2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity; 3 Who have

whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter

words, 4 That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they

shoot at him, and fear not. 5 They encourage themselves in an evil

purpose…”

Resolving Church

Side with the cliques Judge another’s heart Build up a faction Strive for unity Withdraw from the factious

Resolving ChurchSeek to Minimize Problems

Titus 3:10,11– “10 A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; 11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.”

Resolving ChurchHow Can You Help?

Take care of the problem yourselfBridle the tongueLive soberly, righteously, godlyKeep busy in the Lord’s work

Resolving ChurchHow Can You Help?

Take care of the problem yourselfBridle the tongueLive soberly, righteously, godlyKeep busy in the Lord’s work