After thirty-five years in leadership ministry, it comes as no surprise to me that much of ministry is dealing with the difficult. When preaching or teaching through the Bible, I will invariably come upon that passage that I would not normally turn to and I find myself called upon to preach the difficult text. During counseling sessions and decision-making meetings, I will undoubtedly encounter that person who holds a contrarian’s view in a cantankerous way and I find myself called upon to placate that difficult person. Sometimes when proposing change initiatives or when dealing with conflict, I will encounter circumstances that seem to be spinning out of control in a dozen different directions. I am the one called upon to persevere through the difficult situation. Because the demanding nature of ministry often means dealing with the difficult, it mirrors much of life.
The early Church faced difficult situations.
Each of us faces difficult situations. But how is that to be done? Is there any word from God on this subject? To get into our text today, I ask you to step into the sandals of a first century church leader in Antioch. It's a little warm and dusty here isn’t it? You have just experienced a divided church finally coming together in unity after one of the most divisive issues the church ever confronted. It was revolutionary problem solving that dealt with an issue related to salvation. Were Gentile believers to be incorporated into one body with Jewish believers?
Over a period of perhaps several weeks or months the early Church has wrestled with this issue, even seeking outside counsel from the church leaders in Jerusalem. As a church leader in Antioch, you observed how from the very beginning and for the duration of this difficult time Paul and Barnabas stood side by side, shoulder to shoulder in confronting the issue head-on with those who wanted to preach a gospel of "Jesus plus."
You were there when the teaching of the Judaizers, "...brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question." Acts 15:2 (NIV)
You were there when Barnabas and Paul took the floor in front of the Jerusalem leaders. "The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them." Acts 15:12 (NIV)
You were there when the decision was made. "Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers." Acts 15:22 (NIV)
You were there when the difficult situation was resolved. "But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord." Acts 15:35 (NIV)
Christian brothers had a divisive confrontation.
Then the unimaginable happens. It is recorded in Acts 15:36-41 (NIV). "Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.' Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches."
What makes this a difficult text is that this apparently unresolved conflict between Paul and Barnabas follows the account of a masterfully solved problem in Acts 15:1-35. If two conflicting groups can come to some agreement over what to do when Gentiles become Christians, why can’t two Christian brothers come to some agreement over what to do with a fellow worker?
What makes this a difficult situation is the timing. This is a time for unity and cooperation and not a time for disagreements and competition. The effects of this dispute were potentially as devastating to the early Church as the two earthquakes that shook the city of Antioch in 37 A.D. and again about 50 A.D. So are we to conclude that at the core of this situation are two difficult people who simply cannot get along? Certainly not! This is Paul and his advocate, mentor, encourager, and co-worker Barnabas.
There is a healthy tension that must be maintained in leadership.
This interpersonal conflict is not merely a personality clash, but a disagreement over how best to accomplish the work of the kingdom of Christ. It was much more principle-centered than many congregational disputes over personal preferences or pet programs. The best way for me to understand and explain this situation is to detail what often occurs in maintaining healthy tension in leadership. This situation demonstrates a leadership theory at work in the early Church that has made its way into common and current models of leadership.
Some, like Barnabas, are more focused on the relationship side of the leadership equation. Others, like Paul, are more focused on the task side of the leadership equation. Consequently, two Christian brothers held diametrically opposing views of what to do with John Mark. After he deserted them during the previous mission Paul apparently felt that John Mark was a risk to this mission’s success. Perhaps Paul saw in him some character flaw that even Mark himself would later acknowledge shamefully. On the other hand, Barnabus apparently felt that his cousin deserved a second chance. Since Luke does not speculate on who was right or who was wrong, neither should we.
Building community out of controversy.
Whatever the nature of their disagreement, there are some observations to be made and one vital lesson to be learned. One observation is illustrated in an interview with Bill Hybels on building community out of controversy. He observes, "Unity isn’t the word we use to describe relationships at Willow Creek. The popular concept of unity is a fantasyland where disagreements never surface and contrary opinions are never stated. The mark of community—true Biblical unity—is not the absence of conflict. It’s the presence of a reconciling spirit."
That reconciling spirit was certainly at work, even in this situation in the early Church. Notice the processes that the early Church used to reconcile this situation. First, they expressed their differences openly, honestly, and directly. Second, they did not allow their differences to cause them to discredit each other or make them enemies. Third, they kept an open mind, which resulted in reconciliation and restored trust.
How do we know all that? Acts 15 is not the first time that Paul and Barnabas stood on opposite sides of an issue. According to Galatians 2:13 (NIV) when Paul stood face to face in confronting Peter over the circumcision issue, "even Barnabas was led astray." See how Paul left the door open and kept the light on in this situation in Colossians 4:10-11 (NIV). "My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me."
Other evidence that Paul had forgiven John Mark is in the following passage. "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." 2 Timothy 4:11 (NIV)
Once the controversy was resolved, the early Church grew exponentially.
Whatever the circumstance and its potential for division, what follows this incident is one of Luke’s summary statements. This statement marks a turning point and defining moment in the development of the early Church. Acts 16:4-5 (NIV) says, "As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers."
This sounds very similar to what was recorded in Acts 9:31 (NIV). "Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."
On the surface, what we see from our limited, finite human perspective is a situation with the appearance of failure. A real lose-lose in conflict-orientation terms. But what actually happened was not merely a division between two brothers, but a multiplication of ministry teams. Not a lose-lose situation, but a win-win.
The revolutionary dynamic of dealing with the difficult situation.
That brings me to most important lesson to be learned from this situation. It is the revolutionary dynamic. The dynamic of dealing with the difficult. Whether it’s a difficult person or a difficult situation, there is always the underlying force for good. In every difficult situation there is a chance for change and for growth that is easily overlooked and often missed. It can only be explained by what God does in the midst of the difficult circumstance. What God does is often beneath the surface, sometimes behind the scenes, and often beyond our limited sight.
The revolutionary dynamic is the perfect power of God at work in, around, through, because of, and in spite of his imperfect human vessels. See the dynamic at work in the carefully chosen language Luke uses in Acts. When Luke describes those who set out on a mission to "strengthen" the churches, the word he uses appears three times in Acts.
"Strengthen" refers to divine activity as a result of God's power.
Acts 14:22 (NIV) says that Paul and Barnabas were, "strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said." And in Acts 15:32 (NIV), "Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers." And in Acts 15:41 (NIV), "He (Paul) went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." Strengthening the churches. That was the intent of their human activity.
In Luke’s summary statement in Acts 16:5 (NIV) he says, "The churches were being strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers." Luke also uses this word translated "strengthened" two more times in Acts 3:7 and Acts 3:16. The word "strengthened" always refers to divine activity.
"Taking him by the right hand, he (Peter) helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong." Acts 3:7 (NIV). "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." Acts 3:16 (NIV)
In the midst of the difficult, may we never lose sight of the revolutionary dynamic. The dynamic that God is at work. He is the underlying force for good in the midst of the difficult situation and the underlying force for growth in the difficult person.
The revolutionary dynamic is the Holy Spirit.
But that revolutionary dynamic is not a nameless force. We see his footprints from the very beginning of the Church. The revolutionary dynamic at work in the first century Church and the twenty-first century Church is called the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus. He is directing the mission of the church, closing doors of opportunity and opening others. This should come as no surprise since the whole book of Acts, known as "The Acts of the Apostles", could more accurately be labeled "The Acts of the Holy Spirit."
We saw this revolutionary dynamic at work in Acts 8:19 (NIV). "The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.' " From this situation, the gospel was spread to Ethiopia. Again in Acts 10:19 (NIV), "While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.' " From this situation the gospel was spread to include non-Jewish believers.
There he (the Holy Spirit) was again in Acts 13:2-4 (NIV). "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus." From this situation the gospel was spread from Antioch throughout Middle East.
Here he is again at work in Acts 16:6-10 (NIV). "Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." "So what ?" you say! The closed doors into Asia and Bithynia led to the clear call to come to Macedonia. And the gospel began to make its way westward where it would ultimately reach Europe and centuries later, from there to America.
So when you face the difficult and don’t understand closed doors, open your eyes to see where God is at work. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)