EXPLORING CONFLICT

James: A Walk with the Wise

ACTS 15:1-5

James’ Experience with Conflict

Antioch – Paul & Barnabas report to the church about Gentile coming to Christ (Acts 14:27-28)

Jerusalem – Site of council to resolve conflict (Acts 15:4)

Green route – travel to council (Acts 15:3)

A Context of Conflict (Signs of Strife in James)

1:19–212:1-133:1-124:11 / 5:95:1-6

Tackling Conflict Head-On (James 4:1-3)

Whose Fighting? “Brothers” (see 1:2, 16, etc.)

ESV footnote at James 1:2 for “brothers”

"Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church...."

"Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church...."

James 4:1 (NASB)

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

Parallel Phrases in James 4:1

Question 1:“among you”

Question 2:“in your members”

Tackling Conflict Head-On (James 4:1-3)

Whose Fighting? “Brothers” (see 1:2, 16, etc.) Church members (4:1)

Tackling Conflict Head-On (James 4:1-3)

Whose Fighting? “Brothers” (see 1:2, 16, etc.) Church members (4:1) People with Wrong Passions

D. A. Carson

God’s goal is not to give human beings what their own impulses demand; his goal is that human beings will learn to love what he loves. It is not that God does not want people to have pleasure, but that he wants to train them to take pleasure in what he knows is truly good.

God’s goal is not to give human beings what their own impulses demand; his goal is that human beings will learn to love what he loves. It is not that God does not want people to have pleasure, but that he wants to train them to take pleasure in what he knows is truly good.

Tackling Conflict Head-On (James 4:1-3)

What’s Missing?

WISDOM

Summary

Wherever you find people, you will find conflict

Culture for conflict resolution in church

Source of conflict: not external but internal.

Solution: not natural but supernatural

Planting the Seeds of Peace at Grace

Launching a Peacemaking Team Applications (in Fellowship Hall) Interviews in February Introduction in March Help available