Conflicts between us happen. Sometimes we are unable to see eye to eye with another person on a particular issue, sometimes our conflicts simply come from misunderstanding and poor communication. Whatever the case may be, from time to time we will run into problems with other people. We must expect to encounter conflicts. But how to we handle the conflict? The New Testament helps us to see what we must do in these circumstances.
I want to underline – conflict at times can be good – you get no arguments in a graveyard.  We often try and avoid it when for a church to go forward there needs to be conflict.

Paul and Barnabus – trouble, trouble, trouble. Paul is worried Mark is going to bail out if persecution happens - Barnabus trying to take Mark – major problem.

Why Trouble:

Positives: Passion, prayer, commitment, wanting to hear God.

Negatives: control, conditioning, short sightedness – not wanting to go where God wants. Sometimes the devil – church growing gotta do something.

The Reality of trouble

20% of people anyone one time in a congregation will not be happy. Peace to my soul- worry about upsetting people – make an omlette break eggs. Here 34 people not happy – but that means 137 are happy

Trouble will happen when a church is moving forward – devil, control - passion

What Not To Do

Tell others. I find it interesting that Paul and Barnabas do not drag the Antioch church into the dispute they are having with each other. Paul and Barnabas do not turn this sharp disagreement into a drama for the Antioch church to sort out. The problem remained with the people with whom the dispute was about. Do not tell others.

Cold shoulder/lash out. These reactions are not acceptable and are not found in the scriptures as righteous.

Complain. Many times we just complain about the situation. If we cannot have things our way, we are going to complain as much as possible about what happened. I am sure that Paul went through to the cities in Asia Minor, telling the disciples about how Barnabas wanted to take that deserter, Mark. I am sure that Barnabas went through Cyprus telling the disciples how awful Paul was for not wanting to take Mark with them. While we are convinced the apostles did not act this way, we sure act that way. We make sure that everyone knows what the other person did to us and paint them person into something terrible. Again, we are not acting like Christians.

What We Are To Do

Try to work it out. We have to realize that we may be wrong. We like to think that our opinion is always right and knowledge about someone or some situation is always correct. But such an egotistical attitude prevents us from trying to find common ground and resolution. Too often we just want to be right and we will misuse scripture or misrepresent other people just to justify ourselves. We must sincere try to work out our conflicts. The language of the Greek in Acts 15:36-41 indicates that this was an ongoing discussion.

People I value those who are honest with me - integrity

We must attempt to work out solutions.

Overlook it. We must realize that we will not see eye to eye on everything. Too often we think that everyone is coming from our point of view, and it is not true. Too often we think that the answer is clear from our point, but we are not thinking about the other person’s point. When Paul said to look out for the best interests of others in Philippians 2, he was certainly including the need for us to put ourselves in another’s shoes as best we can. Many times the reason for the conflict is that we are not considering where the other person is coming from.

Move forward. We must realize that I will not always be able to change people’s minds.. I cannot treat another badly because they do not think as I think. We have to move forward and let those things go.

Unite under a common cause. We have to realize that we will not believe all things alike. There are many issues that we will disagree upon. Paul and Barnabas disagreed about what to do with Mark. But they united under the common cause of Christ and their desire to help the new disciples in the cities. Paul and Barnabas had work to do for the Lord and their disagreement would not stop them from that work.

Let go of pride – sometimes to keep the peace we have to loose face.

What can be positive the consequences of trouble?

i) Depth of relationship – disagreement – misunderstanding – something wrong.
ii) Ideas well debated

Integrity – no point phoning me up after church council after staying silent

Gospel spreads further with Paul and Silas – divide the journey into half – more time with the churches – more places visited.

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