Eph 4:1-6 THE ONE of body, spirit, peace, hope, calling, Lord, faith and baptism

Eph 4:11-14 - People for Christ leads to Unity in the Faith and Maturity for stature in christ

When “I” am at the center, Christ isn’t glorified

Acts 15:1-11

Salvation has always been the Plan

Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. 3 When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.

5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

THE ADDITION PROBLEM:

Jesus + Something = Gets me to heaven

Galatians 1:6-9

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!

What is “good news” about the belief that Jesus didnt pay it all and now you’re on the line for it? 

6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

We believe that we (Jews) are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they (Gentiles) are. 

Acts 15:12-21

Sanctification isn’t completed in one step

12 The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16 After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again, 17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles who are called by my name— declares the Lord who makes these things 18 known from long ago.

19 Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”

SANCTIFICATION

The action or process of being freed from sin or purified.

1. Abstain from things polluted by idols

2. Abstain from sexual immorality

3. Abstain from anything that has been strangled

4. Abstain from blood

Sanctification is doing anything that gets you further from sin and closer to Christ.

Sanctification is about separating, not superiority.

Acts 15:22-35

Jesus always calls in the calvary to help with Christology

The overwhelming RESUMES that these men had were FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and had reputations and resumes for already doing what Christ commanded them to do.

V24 - Some without our authorization went out from us and trouble you…

The call to Christlikeness in people here always bucks up against human desires and wants (flesh).

V29 - You will DO WELL if you keep yourselves from these things. 

V35 But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, TEACHING AND PROCLAIMING the word of the Lord.

Acts 15:36-41

Even the Elite dont get an exemption from disagreements

It’s perfectly fine and acceptable to measure people off their ACTION and not just INTENTION.

TAKEAWAY - There is no issue too big for us not to resolve, reconcile, and restore relationships here 

CHALLENGE

At the end of the day we cannot let Disputes, Dispersions, and Disagreements divide us, distract us, and detract us from the vision, mission and goal to help people Hear, Know & Live for Christ.