how to Disagree Agreeably

RevJP · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 1:48 pm Post subject: how to Disagree Agreeably

This is today's sermon from Pastor Craig Ferguson. Part 4 in the series 'The Friendship Factor'

A perspective on getting along:
1. Getting along is important

Scripture tells us that getting along is very important, critical in fact. Getting along is the proof to the world that we are Christ's disciples.

John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

Ephesians 4:1 I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service,
2 Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.
3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.

2. Some things are worth dividing over.

There are a handful of things worth dividing your fellowship over; the existence and divinity of God, the Father, the existence - life, death, and resurrection - and divinity of Christ Jesus, and a few others. those scriptural things that are concrete and essential to the Gospel.

Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

3. Most things are not worth dividing over.

We divide our fellowship over things that are not worth it;
Lifestyle choices - drinking vs. not drinking, seeing 'R' rated movies, smoking, etc.
Theological choices - way and means of worship, sabbath observance, election, abortion, baptism, etc.
Church practices - communion (how often, wine vs. Welch's, etc.
Politics - Democrats can be Christians?

Romans 14:10 Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise].(1)
12 And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.
13 Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.

How to disagree agreeably:

1. If not biblically black and white don't pass judgment.

Romans 14:1 AS FOR the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions.
2 One [man's faith permits him to] believe he may eat anything, while a weaker one [limits his] eating to vegetables.
3 Let not him who eats look down on or despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains criticize and pass judgment on him who eats; for God has accepted and welcomed him.

2. Remember the other person could be right.

We could be wrong in our belief, the other person could be right - everyone is wrong a little bit.

1 Cor 13:12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [5] in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand [6] fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [7] fully and clearly known and understood [[8] by God].

3. Remember it is better to be loving than to be right.

Paul says even if he knew everything about everything, but didn't love others - what good would he be? He would be useless.

1 Cor 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers ([2] the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

4. Follow your convictions but don't impose them on others.

Convictions of your beliefs are important, they are the passion of our lives without them we are chaff on the wind. However, if our convictions are not of the black and white things of scripture - we must remember that we could be wrong and our place is not to force those convictions on others, or judge others because of them.

Romans 14:3 Let not him who eats look down on or despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains criticize and pass judgment on him who eats; for God has accepted and welcomed him.

The idea is for us as Christians to recognize the things that are worth dividing our fellowship over, and those things that are not worth it. To agree to disagree on those ideas and demonstrate our love and unity as disciples of Christ for it is that which the world will view us and consider us.

Da Blonde Bombshell · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 7:57 pm Post subject:

Good rules. Apply doubly to hot button issues.