A Pupil of Scripture

Why is there so much in fighting in the church. We can’t we just all get along? We are a people who are called to be servants and Cnrist-like. And, isn’t the church where Jesus is working and sanctifying his people? So, should we be a better place than most in this world?

Fighting within the church is inevitable!

Illus: Watching a pastor and choir director fight over service time and when the sermons should start.

Why do we fight?

We fight because we allow our emotions to rule us.

Apollos was (25) “fervent in the spirit.”

He had passion and zeal

A zeal and passion aren’t enough

Illus: Peter’s Betrayal - Matthew 26

English Standard Version Chapter 26

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

We fight because what we believe in is misguided or incorrect

Apollos was instructed in “the way” (25)

He “spoke and taught accurately”

Yet, he was missing some key elements in his doctrine

Doctrine - Christian Instruction

Priscilla and Aquila (26) “took him aside and explained”

Illus: Jesus spends all of his earthly ministry teaching his disciples:

Jesus teaches the doctrine of faith and Soveriegnty

Luke 8:22–25 ESV

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

We fight because we lack a willingness to be corrected

Apollos was a willing disciple

He learned and then took what he learned to Achaia (27)

“welcomed”

“helped those who believed.”

Apologists for the truth about Jesus

Apollos was humble and willing to learn.

Illus: Paul to the Galatians and another gospel.

Illus: Jesus washes the feet of the disciples -

James 4:1–10 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Gal 1:6

Only servants wash stinky feet

Peter resisted:

John 13:8–9 ESV

Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

John 13:8 ESV

Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

John 13

Jesus was teaching the disciples humility

John 13:12–16 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

John 13:12-

Jesus humbled himself:

Philippians 2:8 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Phil

James 4

Philippians 2:8 ESV

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

As disciples we should be humble disciples.

We should be seeking God’s Word to learn and correct our misguided behaviors.

Illus: James

James

English Standard Version Chapter 19

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

James 4:1–10 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

What causes peace and avoids quarreling within the body of Christ?

A spirit of humility.

Being a disciple is more than doing things, its about having a right heart attitude.

May we seek to be less quarrelsome and be more like Christ - filled with humility.

Practical application:

J Augustine Wetta’s “Humility Rules” modern day Monk in St. Louis Abbey

taken from https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/7-simple-lessons-in-humility-for-your-everyday-life

Get behind someone walking or driving slow

Clean up someone else’s mess

Next time something isn’t done your way, leave it if it works.

Spend a whole day not correcting anyone

Let a bug live

Arrive to church 20 minutes early

Next time someone annoys you don’t tell anyone.

As disciples we need to recognize that we are not the Master, that title belongs to Jesus. Let us seek peace and purity within the church by being humble servants of Jesus Christ. AMEN

A Pupil of Scripture

Intro

Lessons

Conclusion