2003 Shepherd's Conference, A Ministry of Grace Community Church 818.909.5530. © 2003 All Rights Reserved. Grace Community Church. A CD, MP3, or tape cassette copy of this session can be obtained by going to www.shepherdsconference.org
Dealing with Disunity
(Handout – Study Notes)
Rob Iverson
I. What does God expect from us?
II. How leaders contribute to disunity.
III. When to correct and when to confront.
IV. Different strategies for different people.
V. Practical Principles.
Proverbs 6:12-15—lie, wink, points, devises evil, spreads strife
Proverbs 17:27-28—digs up evil, separates friends
1. Hope it will all just go away
2. Poor communication
3. Projecting and attitude of being unapproachable or unteachable
4. Dying on every hill
5. Taking criticism personally
6. Leadership models disunity
Proverbs 28:23—“He who rebukes a man will afterwards find favor than he who flatters with his tongue.”
III. When to Correct and When to Confront
1. 2 Thessalonians 3:14—“And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate with him, so that he many be put to shame.”
2. 1 Timothy 5:1—“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers.”
3. 1 Timothy 5:20—“Those (leaders) who continue in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning.”
4. 2 Timothy 2:23-26—“But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to knowledge of the truth and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil…”
5. 2 Timothy 3:1-5—“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be self-centered, disobedient, etc…holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power and avoid such men as these.”
6. 2 Timothy 4:1-3—“…preach the word, reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.”
7. 2 Titus 1:10-13—“For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers…who must be silenced because families are upset…reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith.”
8. Titus 3:9-11—“…reject a factious man after a first and second warning…”
9. Galatians 5:22—“fruit of the spirit is patience, kindness, gentleness…”
10. Galatians 6:1-3—“…restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…bear one another’s burdens…”
11. Romans 16:17—“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissension and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned and turn away from them.”
B. What can we conclude?
1. It is easy to under/over react.
2. No simple solution.
3. It is easy to make a mistake.
4. Each case is unique.
5. People don’t respond the way we would like.
C. What is the difference between reprove and rebuke?
1. Reprove: Bring conviction through correction.
2. Rebuke: Conviction of sin that would cause repentance.
3. Exhort: Come alongside to help/strengthen.
IV. Types of People and our Response
1. Warn the “unruly.”
2. Comfort the “fainthearted.”
3. Uphold the “weak.” Those without spiritual/moral strength.
1. The naïve
2. The fool
a. The stubborn fool
- He hates being told what to do in Proverbs 1:22.
- He is complacent in Proverbs 1:32.
- He rejects wisdom in Proverbs 8:5.
b. The arrogant fool
- He won’t listen in Proverbs 12:15.
- He is right in his own eyes in Proverbs 12:15.
- He mocks at the consequences of his sin in Proverbs 14:9.
c. The prideful fool
- He talks for the sake of talking in Proverbs 17:7.
- Wickedness is sport to a fool in Proverbs 10:23.
1. Their behavior is progressive.
2. They rationalize their behavior at each step.
3. Our response and actions are progressive as well.
V. Concluding Principles
- As a leader in this church, will you submit to my authority in this matter?
- If I could show you what the Bible has to say concerning this, would you
accept it?
- Are you willing to be obedient to what the Bible says and actually do it?
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Shepherd's Conference Collection" by:
Tony Capoccia
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