Class Lesson November 3, 2013

Hey Gang,


We continue this week in our series entitled "When Relationships Collide." We've been talking about how we as Christians should act in the midst of conflicts. Why, because we all face them. Some are quick and over in a moment. Others can last a lifetime. How can we deal with conflict in a biblical, Christ-honoring way?



Here are our 6 lessons in this series:

1. Even Christians Collide (Mary & Martha) Luke 10:38-42
2. It’s Not About Me (David & Saul) 1 Samuel 24:1-15
3. Stand Down (Abraham & Lot) Genesis 13:1-18
4. Stand Your Ground (Paul & Peter) Galatians 2:1-14
5. Step In (Abigail – David & Nabal) 1 Samuel 25:14-17, 23-28, 32-35
6. The Big Picture (Joseph & His Brothers) Genesis 37:5-8, 26-28; 50:15-21

In the world today, the church has been silenced, because of political correctness and tolerance, from speaking to critical issues of the day. The unbelieving world may not like or accept what Christians have to say, but that shouldn’t alter the church’s stance. As Paul showed us this morning, the gospel must be declared as truth and guarded as the Word from God that it is, even when it is not popular to do so.

Do you see the gay community or movement as threat to the gospel?

  

 What do you think Tony Campolo is trying to say?

 


Do you have certain beliefs that are non-negotiable? What in your life do you refuse to compromise?



We have discussed the fact that sometimes in conflicts we have to compromise with the person we are in conflict with and last week you discussed the importance of actually standing down in some conflicts or giving in to the other person. But this week we learn that there are also times in which we need to stand up.
 
Our lesson gives the story of a Christian man in distress over a request of his social club president not to use the name of Jesus in his invocation prayer at the chapter meetings. What would you tell him to do? What would you do?




The point of today’s lesson: Never compromise when it is a matter of biblical right and wrong. Our theme of this series has been “When Relationships Collide” and in today’s lesson we see the relationship between Peter and Paul collide over a compromise.

Question

When have you drawn a line in the sand?

 

The Point

Never compromise when it is a matter of biblical right and wrong.

 

The Setting

Paul wrote a letter in response to opposition from some people in the Galatian churches. He wrote a letter to defend his ministry and the gospel he had preached. He explained that the leaders in Jerusalem had given their affirmation both to the truth of the gospel and to his ministry focus. While Peter was part of that agreement, sadly, Paul was compelled to confront him sometime later over his hypocritical actions of refusing to fellowship with Gentile believers in Antioch. 

I. PRESENTATION – GALATIANS 2:1-5

2 Then after 14 years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles—but privately to those recognized as leaders—so that I might not be running, or have run the race, in vain. 3 But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 This issue arose because of false brothers smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. 5 But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you. 



What was the conflict in Galatian church? Why did Paul have to defend his gospel?

• God told Paul, through a revelation, to confer with the church leaders in Jerusalem about the message he was preaching to the Gentiles, so they would approve of what he was doing. The essence of Paul’s message to both Jews and Gentiles was that God’s salvation is offered to all people regardless of race, sex, nationality, wealth, social standing, educational level, or anything else. Anyone can be forgiven by trusting in Christ (see Romans 10:8-13).
• Even though God had specifically sent him to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15, 16), Paul needed to discuss his gospel message with the leaders of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15). This meeting prevented a major split in the church, and it formally acknowledged the apostles’ approval of Paul’s preaching. Sometimes we avoid conferring with others because we fear that problems or arguments may develop. Instead, we should openly discuss our plans and actions with friends, counselors, and advisers. Good communication helps everyone understand the situation better, it reduces gossip and it builds unity in the church.
• When Paul took Titus, a Greek Christian, to Jerusalem, the Judaizers (false brothers) said that Titus should be circumcised. Paul adamantly refused to give in to their demands. The apostles agreed that circumcision was an unnecessary rite for Gentile converts. Several years later, Paul circumcised Timothy, another Greek Christian (Acts 16:3). Unlike Titus, however, Timothy was half Jewish. Paul did not deny Jews the right to be circumcised; he was simply saying that Gentiles should not be asked to become Jews before becoming Christians.
• We normally think of taking a stand against those who might lead us into immoral behavior, but Paul had to take a hard line against the most “moral” of people. We must not give in to those who make the keeping of man-made standards a condition for salvation, even when such people are morally upright or in respected positions.
• Paul was thrust into a conflict whose outcome would affect the course of the church. He had preached the gospel in Galatia, won converts, and established churches. After he left the area, Jewish-Christian teachers (Judaizers) came and insisted that to be a full-fledged Christian, Gentile converts would need to be circumcised. When Paul heard this he passionately defended the gospel truth that salvation comes through faith in Christ – period. People are not redeemed by faith plus legalism; they are forgiven by grace through faith.
• Greeks were considered non-Jewish people (a Gentile) who spoke the Greek language, observed Greek customs, and absorbed Greek learning. To Jews, Greeks were pagans.
• Paul, an apostle who encouraged believers not to judge someone on issues such as what to wear, what to eat or how they practiced the Sabbath (Col. 2:16) was adamant on issues of truth. He was willing to face conflict to defend matters of grace to a culture and people that was very attached to the law.

How would you describe the freedom we have in Christ? Why is freedom in Christ a critical issue?

• Theologically, some feel a sense of freedom in not observing "Old Covenant" practices. They feel free from the law. They feel that the burden of the law has been lifted, and they are no longer under bondage. They believe they are free from "Jewish ordinances" and that Christ did everything for them, setting them free from any practices except a nebulous obligation to "love" God and their fellowman.
• Note that Paul went to Jerusalem to defend this freedom.
• God's calling frees us from wrong spiritual concepts. Galatians 4:3-7 says: "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
• The Scriptures point out that God's Spirit guides us to truth (John 16:13). It helps us to understand the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). This spiritual understanding leads to freedom.

Paul’s tenacity in the midst of adversity reminds us of two things:

1. Paul was passionate about what he believed. He was willing to stand the test of time in support of truth. Paul didn’t go to Jerusalem because he loved to travel. Paul was on a mission. He went “according to a revelation.” Having a clearly defined purpose changes a person’s willingness to defend it. Paul knew what God wanted him to do and so he willingly suffered to see the mission of the gospel grow.
2. God knew what He was doing. God called Paul from the diligence he gave to his work against Christ to a passion for Christ. The commitment Paul used to persecute Christians was the same commitment God sought in Paul for the advance of the gospel. God uses the experiences, heart, and temperament of people for Kingdom purposes.

What was Paul’s point here as it relates to the conflict in the church?

• Some conflicts can be avoided through conversation in which the issues are presented and agreements reached.
• Even after agreements are reached, some opponents may continue to stir up trouble in an effort to get their own way.
• Those who are convinced and sure about the truth of the gospel must stand firmly, even in the face of opposition.
• The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ is more important than tradition, religion, or personal ambitions and must be guarded at all costs.

Paul did not act alone. Church leaders encouraged him in his work. The next verses show how they did that.

II. AFFIRMATION – GALATIANS 2:6-10

6 Now from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism)—they added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised, 8 since the One at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. 9 When James, Cephas, and John, recognized as pillars, acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I made every effort to do.



Why is it significant that these men gave Paul their support and approval?

• Everyone needs people who believe in them. Children need parents who believe in them. Players need coaches who believe in them. Pastors need a congregation who believes in them.
• God used men like Barnabas, James, Cephas, and John to encourage Paul in his work. Would he have been successful without their belief in him? Who has God used in your life to encourage you? Who are you encouraging?
• Paul needed fellow followers of Christ who believed in him - he had plenty who didn’t. he had come from the other side. He was the chief prosecutor of everything Christian before God miraculously called him into service for the Kingdom. Paul probably felt at times that he had more enemies than friends in the church. His work of reaching the Gentiles was unpopular at best. To some it caused hatred, dismissal, and even threat of death.
• The church leaders (“pillars”) – James, Peter, and John – realized that God was using Paul to reach the Gentiles, just as Peter was being used so greatly to reach the Jews. After hearing Paul’s message, they gave Paul and Barnabas their approval (”the right hand of fellowship”) to continue working among the Gentiles.
• Affirmation of godly people can be one measure of whether we are aligning our lives with Christ’s teaching and the Word of God. It can also help us know if we are taking a stand in the right places and in the right ways.
• It’s easy to rate people on the basis of their official status and to be intimidated by “those who seemed to be important” because all believers are equal in Christ. We should show respect for our spiritual leaders, but our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ. We are to serve Him with our whole being. God doesn’t rate us according to our status; He looks at the attitude of our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).
• All persons stand as equals before the Lord.
• The Lord uses different people in different ways to His glory.
• Believers are to stand hand-in-hand and encourage one another in their ministries.

Not all believers will do the right thing all the time. In the next verses we’ll find how Paul confronted Peter.

III. CONFRONTATION – GALATIANS 2:11-14

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. 12 For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. 13 Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?”





Why did Paul confront Peter?

• There are some people in the church that carry a tremendous amount of influence. Peter was certainly one of these powerful influencers. It was brave of Paul to stand up to Peter. Paul might have been the very one that could. Peter of all people should have been willing to extend grace to the uncircumcised. After all, he had been restored in his relationship to Christ after he denied Him three times. He had received enormous grace. In Acts 10, Peter encountered Cornelius, an event in which God taught him to embrace a Gentile who was a fellow believer. Paul challenged Peter’s treatment of the Gentiles. Peter’s hypocrisy was having an effect on the other Jews.
• Although Peter was a leader of the church, he was acting like a hypocrite. He knew better, yet he was driven by fear of what James and the others would think. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare.” Paul knew he had to confront Peter before his actions damaged the church. So, Paul publicly opposed Peter. Note, however, that Paul did not go to the other leaders, nor did he write letters to the churches telling them not to follow Peter’s example. Instead, he opposed Peter face to face. Sometimes sincere Christians, even Christian leaders, make mistakes. And it may take other sincere Christians to get them back on track. If you are convinced that someone is doing harm to himself/herself or the church, try the direct approach. There is no place for backstabbing in the body of Christ.

How do you know whether you’re standing your ground on biblical principles or personal preferences?

• Some matters are so serious that a personal confrontation cannot be avoided.
• That which has negative effect on the gospel cannot be ignored.
• Even believers must be on guard for they too can fall into sin.
• The Christian witness is threatened when those who profess the gospel do not live by the gospel.

What role does love play in how you stand your ground?





Live It Out : From this lesson you should do three things:

1. Draw the line in the sand. Determine your non-negotiables and make sure they are consistent with biblical teachings.
2. Practice what you preach. If you’re asking someone to live according to a biblical principal, be certain they can see it in your life.
3. Call others to stand with you. Mentor and disciple someone else in embracing biblical teaching.

The goal of any confrontation is to be redemptive. If truth is being compromised or ignored, we should do what is necessary to correct the situation. That’s a line worth drawing in the sand.





Verses 11- 14

• Antioch in Syria was a major trade center in the ancient world. Heavily populated by Greeks, it eventually became a strong Christian center. It was in Antioch that the believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Antioch in Syria became the headquarters for the Gentile church and was Paul’s base of operations.
• The Judaizers accused Paul of watering down the gospel to make it easier for Gentiles to accept, while Paul accused the Judaizers of nullifying the truth of the gospel by adding conditions to it. The basis of salvation was the issue – is salvation through Christ alone, or does it come through Christ and adherence to the law? The argument came to a climax when Peter, Paul, the Judaizers, and some Gentile Christians all gathered together in Antioch to share a meal. Peter probably thought that by staying away from the Gentiles, he was promoting harmony – he did not want to offend James and the Jewish Christians. James had a very prominent position and presided over the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). But Paul charged that Peter’s action violated the gospel. By joining the Judaizers, Peter was implicitly supporting their claim that Christ was not sufficient for salvation. Compromise is an important element in getting along with others, but we should never compromise the truth of God’s Word. If we feel we have to change our Christian beliefs to match those of our companions, we are on dangerous ground.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me to stand faithfully for the gospel not only by confronting others who pose a threat to it but by living according to its truth in my own life each day. Amen.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan