The Church, Culture, & Conflict: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (Pastor Dave Kraft)

Imagine what it could look like in your world if you and other Christians dealt with conflict in healthy, biblical ways as we are all led & empowered by God.

This section of scripture is not about lawsuits per se, but how to resolve conflicts. There are healthy ways to settle disputes, disagreements & conflicts among Christians; filing lawsuits is not one of them.

It’s “Lawsuit lunacy” in Corinth and Paul is dealing with it head on! There is lots of conflicts and confusion over tough and controversial issues.

1. Four observations on resolving Conflict

1. Having conflict is inevitable. As long as we have people we will have conflict. No conflict before the fall or at the end, but in between due to our fallen sinful natures.

2. Dealing with conflict is commendable. Do it within the family, don’t go outside to resolve your differences.

3. How you deal with conflict will affect your health health of your family/community Proverbs 14:30.

4. We need community to help us and not go it alone when dealing with conflict.

2. Four ways we deal with Conflict

1. Avoid it (run from it)

2. Ignore it (pretend it doesn’t exist

3. Handle it in hurtful ways; on our own; leaving Gospel out

4. Handle it in healthy ways

We need both wisdom & courage. 

Verse 5: Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between brothers…? (James 3:17)

3. Four issues we need wisdom on

1. Should I deal with it or let it go? Is it a big deal or small deal?

• Verse 7 (Proverb 19:11) Don’t sweat small stuff Mountain out of Molehills Give it up

2. How I can I deal with it in healthy rather than hurtful ways?

3. Who else need to be involved in dealing with it and when (Matthew 18: 15-20)

4. When do I address a perceived issue? I don’t want to move too fast or too slow.

4. Four principles in dealing with Conflict in healthy ways

1. Do it with research; get facts, ask questions

2. Do it with courage; don’t let fear tie your hands. Love acts, fear hesitates

3. Do it with humility…begin with the fact that you may be wrong, have not seen it correctly, have misinterpreted or misunderstood what has or is happening

4. Do it with love: (I Corinthians 16:13,14;Ephesians 4:15)

5. Four questions to ask yourself

1. Who are you currently experiencing tension/conflict with that you have been avoiding and need to take initiative on and resolve?

2. Who are you in tension/conflict with that you have handled in harmful ways for which you need to confess and repent of?

3. Which principles shared this morning can you apply to your current situation as you are led and empowered by him, so that Jesus is displayed and honored?

4. Who in your community is that “Wise person” who can help you navigate your conflict?

The devil knows you name; Jesus knows you sin!

Jesus dealt with the conflict between us and the Father so we can deal with conflicts between us and others. The Gospel sets the stage for dealing with disputes, disagreements and conflicts. Verses 9-11