Jesus + Nothing = Everything (Week 3)

The Fight for Unity
The Fight For Unity
Crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20)
WE have been crucified, Christ is IN us
What is true about Christ is now true about us! The old is gone the new has come…
Then how do we handle conflict? Conflict doesn’t cause disunity NOT handling conflict causes disunity. With Jesus in us, we enter the chaos with humility and grace.
When conflict is handled correctly it breeds deeper intimacy and
unity in the body of Christ
Called Out! (Gal 2:11-14)
Who Was Paul
His life before Jesus
His conversion
His ministry
Who Were Peter, James and John?
Their thoughts on Salvation
Their thoughts on Jews vs Gentiles
A Blended Family Jews and Gentiles coming together
Differing views on what Christians should be doing
Discord and disunity
Peter and Paul (Gal 2:2-3, 7-9, 11-14)
A Private Meeting (vs 2-3)
Same family, different focuses (vs 7-9)
Peter comes to town First interactions A change of heart? Peter says a lot by not saying anything (vs.11-14)
The ripple effect of hypocrisy
The Confrontation (Gal 2:11-14)
I. Making a scene in public
II. Paul flexing his power? Perhaps not
III. Love protects and brings unity
IV. Division must be dealt with
I. How do we as followers of Jesus deal with conflict?
II. What happens if we don’t? What happens if we DO?!
III. Jesus’ instruction on conflict resolution (Matt 18:15-17)
The Temptation to Go Back (Gal 2: 15-21)
I. Justified by what? (vs 16)
II. Why the law lures us back even today
I. The law can make us feel like we have control
II. It’s measurable and we can check our boxes
III. It’s good stuff, so it can’t be bad… right?
IV. Leaven in a lump (Gal 5:9)
V. Living for the law can create a tiered Christianity full of pride and shame.
Well Now What?
I. We live a Life to the Full with Christ in us (vs 20)
II. We have died to the law (vs 19)
III. We don’t nullify the grace of God (vs 21)
IV. Christ is our head, not the law, and He desires UNITY
So… we press in!
I. Unity is a gift but will always need fought for
II. As followers of Jesus we…
I. Trust him
II. Follow His lead
III. Enter the chaos and bring order
IV. Go there!
Because, when conflict is handled correctly it breeds deeper intimacy
and unity in the body of Christ
LIFEgroup Questions:
How do you tend to handle conflict? Do you tend to press in or push back?
Describe a time that you had to go through conflict. Did it turn out good or bad? Why?
Are there areas of your life where the law tends to creep back in? How does that change how you think about others and potentially how you treat them?
Where are the places in your life God may be asking you to enter into the chaos and “go there”? How might Galatians 2:20 lead you in that confrontation?