The early churches had problems: Jerusalem – Acts 6:1-7 Antioch – Acts 15:1,2 Corinth –1 and 2 Corinthians Galatia – Gal.1:6,7; 4:9-11 Seven 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

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 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.”

 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.”

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

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 1 Cor.13:5– “5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”

 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…”

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

Take care of the problem yourself Bridle the tongue Live soberly, righteously, godly Keep busy in the Lord’s work

Take care of the problem yourself Bridle the tongue Live soberly, righteously, godly Keep busy in the Lord’s work