The Parable of the Growing Seed



OGBC James: Wise Leadership 07/30/17 AMActs 15:1-21IntroductionA. Our country needs wise leaders today.1. There are many issues that divide our nation.2. One example of a divisive issue, and there are many, is health care reform.a. The Senate's effort to pass a stripped-down version of an Obamacare repeal measure -- the so-called "skinny repeal" of the Affordable Care Act -- failed during a vote, 49-51, held shortly around 1:30 a.m. Friday when Senator John McCain cast the deciding vote.b. Certainly we want everyone to have the health care that they need at an affordable cost to all of us.c. There is no easy answer to this problem, and there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue.d. The way forward will not be easy and the coverage offered will not please everyone.3. What can you and I do as our nation faces divisive issues such as this one? One thing we can always do is support our leaders by:a. Encouraging them and holding them accountable to do the hard job they were elected to do, which is to lead us to a peaceful solution.b. Studying the facts and seeking God's guidance on what is best for everyone and not just ourselves.c. Expressing thoughts/opinions with kindness and sincerity without berating, badgering, or belittling those who disagree with us.d. Praying for our leaders, for the needs of others, and for the unity of our nation.B. The early church needed wise leaders to handle divisive issues.1. Divisive issues have been, are, and will always be with us both in the world and in the church.2.Our journey through Acts brings us today to a critical and divisive issue in the early Christian church: Should Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews) be included in the church or was the gospel of Jesus only for Jews?a. Two Sundays ago in Acts 10 we heard how Peter, led by God's Spirit, carried the gospel to Cornelius and other Gentiles living in Caesarea. b. Last Sunday in Acts 11 and 13 we read about Barnabas and his work with Paul in taking the gospel to Gentiles in Antioch, Cyprus, and Asia Minor.c. Sharing the gospel with Gentiles appeared to many believers to be consistent with Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 that they were to be his witnesses ". . . to the ends of the earth." d. However, not all Jewish believers were convinced that this was truly God's will.3. This critical issue was addressed by a special church council meeting in Jerusalem.a. Both sides were allowed to speak.b. Division and disagreement seemed eminent.c. James, the head of the Jerusalem church, spoke wisely and led the early church forward.4. Read Acts 15:1-21.5. In this passage, I find at least four things that wise leaders must do as they lead God's people.A. Wise Leaders Recognize Issues (1-3)1. Christianity to this point was a sect of Judaism with new believers becoming Jews and then Christians.2. Paul & Barnabas had returned from a first missionary journey and reported on their work among Gentiles.3. Some Christian Jews from Jerusalem came to Antioch teaching one must keep the Law of Moses before becoming a Christian. In other words, Gentiles cannot be Christians without being Jews first.4. This was a critical issue in the young church. A storm was brewing that could not be ignored.B. Wise Leaders Listen Carefully (4-5)1. Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to speak for Gentiles becoming Christians directly (4).2. The leaders of the Jerusalem church also listened to the other side of the issue (5).3. We must listen carefully to everyone, even those with whom we disagree. God may be speaking through them to us.4. One of my students this week complained about reading books by "liberal" theologians. I told him that we must hear what others say, even if we don't agree, so that we can not only better understand their views but also better formulate and support our own views.C. Wise Leaders Discern Spiritually (6-18)1. Having recognized the issue and listened carefully the “. . . apostles and elders met to consider this question” (6).2. The leaders discussed this critical issue among themselves (7a).3. They listened to key leaders as they shared their experience of God at work.a. Peter shared about his change in viewpoint based on his rooftop revelation from the Holy Spirit and his experience of preaching in the home of Cornelius where the Spirit moved powerfully (7b-11).b. Paul and Barnabas shared the miraculous signs and wonders done by God among the Gentiles to whom they had ministered both in Antioch and in Asia Minor (12).c. James, the head of the Jerusalem church, spoke at last (13-19).1) James the Just was the half-brother of Jesus and was converted after Jesus’ resurrection.2) He pointed the church back to God’s word in Amos 9:11-12 (16-18).3) God had confirmed both in his word and in the experiences of believers the truth that Gentiles can become Christians the same ways as Jews—by faith in Jesus Christ alone.D. Wise Leaders Lead Rightly and Respectfully (19-21)1. Conflict arises in every organization and relationship—politics, church, marriage, parenting.2. One sad reality of life today is that we are fast losing our ability to disagree agreeably and to still work together for the good of all.3. James sought to lead the early church both rightly and respectfully.a. He led rightly based on evidence of what the Holy Spirit had done (13) and what God’s word said (16-18), even when it might have been different than his personal opinion.b. He led respectfully by asking Gentiles to be sensitive to the ceremonial/food laws of the Jews.1) Pagan worship centered on cult prostitution and the sacrifice of animals to false gods.2) James asked Gentile Christians not to have anything to do with these pagan practices.4. The whole church affirmed the decision of their wise leaders and shared their decision in a way that sought to unite all believers, Jews and Gentiles, in mutual worship of and service to God (22-31).5. “The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message” (31).E. The Church Still Needs Wise Leaders to Lead It Today1. The church today still faces many difficult and potentially divisive issues:a. Social issues such as Obamacare, gay rights, and immigration reform;b. Ministry issues such as the role of women in ministry and whether the primary direction of church; ministry should be inward on the church's needs or outward on the needs of the community;c. Practical issues such as changes or repairs to a church building or how best to respond to the reality of declining attendance and giving; andd. Personal preference issues such as the best Bible version or the best style of worship.2. What must we do as we face these challenging issues today? We must act on the Acts.a. We must recognize the issues, speak up, and share our concerns and ideas about them.b. We must listen carefully and respectfully to each other, especially when we disagree.c. We must discern together spiritually what God's will for us is as we read his Word and watch the activity of his Spirit.d. We must trust our God-appointed leaders (i.e., pastors, deacons, trustees, committees).e. Our leaders must trust fully in God not only to show them the way but also to help them lead his people rightly and respectfully in that way.f. Even when we disagree, we must continue to work together for the glory of God and for the good of our shared ministry in his name. ................
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