Filled XIII “Unity over differences”

Filled XIII “Responding to differences in the church”
Intro: Gentiles came into the fold. I love that our church is full of different people in different stages in our faith Journey.

Act 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

-Sometimes we get hung up on a certain aspect of our faith so much that it supersedes whats truly important.

*Things we don’t compromise on-*
Act 15:19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
Act 15:20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

*-Sin (sexual immorality)*
*-Worldliness (idols)*
*-Strangled or Blood (Stumbling blocks)*
Rom 14:14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. Rom 14:15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

Act 15:24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, Act 15:25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Act 15:26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Act 15:27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.
Act 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: Act 15:29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” Act 15:31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

*Two things were taken into consideration:*

*Does it honor God?*
*Does it cause unity?*

Unity-
We have got to be about each other and our faith growing
Is it worth it?

Questions:

1. What stood out to you in the message?
2. Bro. Paul discussed “major” things and “minor” things. How do we determine what is major and what is minor?
3. How do we pursue unity as a body?
4. What do you need to give up to keep from offending your brother?