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Disputes In The ChurchThe church is called to represent God, and to reflect the ways and the beauty of the Lord. Sometimes what we look like is not at all a mirror image of Christ. Sometimes the church has a witness that is, well-- it stinks. That was the church in Corinth. Located in Ancient Greece, Corinth was a upper class town, they were a port city with a blend of many different cultures. The church in Corinth was large and happening, they had many gifts of the Spirit moving, they had large numbers attending, but they had a lot of problems, their witness to the city around them, well – it stunk. They allowed immorality to go unchecked, they were divided over leadership, and now in our on going studies of the book of 1 Corinthians we find that they had become sue happy. We live in a nation and society where lawsuits have gone a muck. According to a legal source the total of the top ten U.S. jury awards by 2006 it should surpass 100 billion dollars for the top ten U.S. jury awards. Robert Pambianco, of the Washington Legal Foundation says, "It's just further evidence that suing someone has become the preferred means of solving disputes ." Today as in Paul’s day a lawsuit explosion has hit the church. Recently a pastor sued his denomination for age discrimination because he could not find a church willing to hire him for the salary he demanded. Another pastor sued his own church and the church board, claiming they were interfering with the performance of his duties. The board of a Baptist church in Louisiana filed suit to remove their pastor from his position. A few days later, another group, claiming to be the real trustees, filed a counter suit, asking that those who had filed the previous suit be removed as church members. A number of years ago, two factions of a church took each other to court to see which group would end up with the church property. Lawsuits are happening with increasing frequency, both outside and inside the church. But God has other plans for his children. The bible says. Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you , live at peace with everyone. God’s plan for his people is that we might live in harmony with one another, that we might let God repay and we would not be overcome by evil, rather we would overcome evil with good. READ THE TEXT 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-8 DISPUTES IN THE CHURCHThe church in Corinth was a growing church, but as we said, they had their problems. Divided and celebrating their tolerance of sin. So Paul chastised them and tells them they need to use biblical guidelines to bring holiness into the congregation. Now in our text today, he deals with another issue they had in the church, that believers were suing one another and taking one another to the ungodly courts to settle simple issues that should be solved within the congregation. The principles he brings out to the church in Corinth apply to us today. We can learn and grow in our faith if we trust that God can settle our differences whether in the home, between husband and wife or between friend or even two believers who hardly know one another. Lets consider the principles of settling disputes in the church.
Matt 5:9 (Jesus said) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses would sit in judgment on matters of dispute. Soon he could no longer keep up with the volume of problems, so his father-in-law advises him to appoint some men who have good reputations to judge the matters and Moses could work on the big cases. Moses sought the Lord and it was a good plan. Today we have a justice system that stem right from the concepts in the bible. But here Paul tells us that the children of God should not use the ungodly courts to settle matters between one another. Rather believers are to initiate peace, and pave the way for peace. Jesus himself gave us some principles for settling disputes. If he gave them, don’t you think just maybe this is were we should start? Matt 18:15-17 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church ; and if he refuses to listen even to the church , treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
I am amazed how many people will not talk to someone who they have a problem with. Jesus says if you go and they listen to you, you have won a brother. Working as a Sheriff’s chaplain I find it amazing how many people will call the police instead of going next door and talking to their neighbor about the issue. Guys that’s where we should start. Sometimes its just a matter of miss communication. Once we had a dog that tore up our neighbors dog, we didn’t try to hide it, it could have been a major issue between two neighbors – rather we did what was right, we took responsibility for the vet bills, we made sure everything was done right and paid what we needed even beyond what was the basics. Today 20 plus years later we still have the same neighbors and we have a great relationship with them. Could you imagine if we didn’t handle things above board? First go to the person, and go in love. Don’t go in a manner that puts them on the defensive. I remember a time that I told a lady in the church that she should go to someone who offended her and she did. But when she confronted them she said something like. “You know you’ve got a bad attitude, you need to repent and change because you have offended me.” What did Jesus say? Matt 5:23-25 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. If your brother has something against you, you go. Even if its not your problem, in other words go in a spirit of unity, go in the spirit of reconciliation, go with a heart of humility. Go with words that heal. “I’m sorry if I have done something to offend you, I repent before you and God. Lets see if we can work this thing out.” That’s the heart of God, that’s the way issues are worked out. Not “ you’ve got an issue-brother!” So if that works great if not.
Jesus says if that if that doesn’t work go to the next step. Take some reliable people with you. Not just your friends but people of character and who are also looking for peace and unity. If that doesn’t work step three.
Several times the church has helped judge issues that sometimes seem trivial to us, but are huge to those involved. Other times we have helped with things that could have ended up in court. Usually when we do this things work out, but sometimes there is too much sin involved and people choose to not reconcile the issues. First step is to use God’s principles.
While in Israel we visited Masada if you know what happened there you know an amazing story how about 900 Jewish people stood up to thousands of Roman forces for months at the fortress of Masada. It was built by Herod the Great on top of a mountain with 400 foot cliffs on one side and 40 foot cliffs on the other. In 70 ad when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem this group of Jews went to Masada to take hide out but when Rome found out they decided to crush them. The battle went on for months while the Romans built literally a mountain to bring up a siege ramp to knock down the walls. When they finally broke through all but one woman and five children had committed suicide. They denied the Romans a victory, they denied them the plunder of using them as slaves and abusing their women. But while we were on top of this historic place Ronnie our tour guide who is a born again Jew. Posed a question to us. Do you think they did the right thing? The answer is no. How many times had God delivered the children of Israel from disasters? How many times did he use a young boy to slay the giants, or a miracle to deliver them. No they did not trust God. And that is the second principle of settling disputes. Trust God. God has a plan for the saints, he has a purpose that we will somehow be involved in judgment, we will judge the world around us, and somehow even judge the angels. How does that work? I don’t know. But I have two thoughts we find in scripture.
How do we approach issues in our daily lives. The old saying “You catch more flies with honey, than vinegar”, is true. When you have a dispute in the grocery store, are you a hot head, or do you allow the Holy Spirit to work through you? Remember the fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. How do we approach even daily issues in life, are you immediately on the defensive or on the attack. Do you make sure the waiter is humbled by your words or do you try to minister to him by living out your faith? James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James goes on and tells us not to harbor bitterness or selfish ambition but that faith is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” Daily choices in allowing God to work in our lives is the chief step in trusting God. Do you believe God can settle disputes - be that in your family or your work, or church relations? Do you submit your will to the will of God. Paul say it here very powerfully. 1 Cor 6:7 …Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?…Sometimes it may be true that the only way to get peace was by means of war- but more often it only makes things worse. There is a story told of a man who was awakened one night by the sound of a gunshot in his room. On checking things out his servant replied that: “there was a rat in the room, and, fearing it would awaken his master, he shot it.” Instead of making war, seek peace. When we trust God, when we live a life reflecting the beauty of the Lord, then as the Psalmist says. Ps 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Our text reminds us that we will judge the world. Christians by the testimony of Jesus in their lives will judge all who reject the gospel. Even the fallen angels will cower at the righteousness of God’s people. Understand that we trust God by knowing he has a plan, and when Jesus taught us to pray, he said pray this way. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Think about that statement, its submitting our will in disputes to the Lord’s will. Its trusting that God allows conflict into our lives to grow us up. That we might not try to be right, but to be righteous. We have seen the first step is found in God’s word, second trust God. Lean not to your own understanding. Finally.
Matt 5:38-42 Jesus said. "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic , let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. The world says “get even”, eye for eye, but the law of Christ, the plan of salvation says, just be wronged as a witness to others. Think of Stephen’s example, while he is being stoned, while they are killing him because he believes in Jesus he calls out with is last breath. Acts 7:60 …"Lord, do not hold this sin against them." So how does this all apply to our lives?
If you have a dispute what is your motivation – do you want to “teach them a lesson..” That’s God’s job. Do you want to get even? “The Lord will repay.” Do you want to get wealthy on a lawsuit? God’s word say there is no profit in wealth without God. 1 Peter 3:8-11 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
Does this mean you can never go to court? Does this text say it is wrong to ever sue? If it was a whole lot of lawyers would be out of work. Understand that God is a God of justice, he delights in justice being done. Ps 11:7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice… Even the Apostle Paul when he needed to submitted to the ungodly Roman courts when he appealed to Caesar. There is a time to use the courts, there may be a time to file a lawsuit, but for the believer, for followers of Jesus - we follow these principles laid out in the scriptures, we trust God maybe he wants to work something out in our lives. We check our motivation is it to get millions of dollars, it is to get rich on someone else’s back, do we blind ourselves saying “they have deep pockets?” Or do we prayerfully consider what God is doing, seeking his will, and true justice. James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. When disputes come up, do what is right, seek peace, let God work in you and through you, that is God’s plan. Remember when we were in dispute with God, when we were far from him, he sent his son Jesus Christ to bring us peace with God. Have you done that, surly that is our first step. PRAY, INVITE, BENEDICTION, WORSHIP. Series: 1 Corinthians -Through the Bible |
(C) High Sierra Fellowship 2008 |
