Sermons on Conflict
James 4:1-10
SERIES: Great Church Fights Understanding Conflict SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: A father heard a commotion in his yard and looked outside to see his daughter and several playmates in a heated quarrel. When he reprimanded her, his daughter responded, “We’re just playing church!” Unfortunately, that’s not too hard a scenario to believe when you think about all the conflict that plagues the average church. I consider myself extremely blessed by the fact that the two churches I have pastored over the past…
Acts 15:36-41; Phil. 4:2-3
SERIES: Great Church Fights When Personality and Perspective Clash SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: Is there anyone here this morning who likes everyone you work with, everyone at school, and everyone in your neighborhood? I didn’t think so. If anyone did raise his hand, I would be inclined to ask, “Do you lie about other things, too?” I don’t think it’s possible to like everybody. Some people have personalities so different from ours that it takes a yeoman’s effort just to be pleasant to them,…
Gal. 4:12-20
SERIES: Great Church Fights When Pastor and Parishioner Clash SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: I’m not sure there’s any more conflict in the average church than in the average business or political party or social organization, but it certainly gets more publicity. When a pastor is fired, or a church splits wide open, or a church member sues the Elder Board, it usually gets front page coverage. We all know how the news media thrived on the conflict between Jim Bakker and Jerry Falwell, the…
Philippians 4:2-9
SERIES: Philippians: Cheerful Sounds from a Jail Cell Removing Obstacles; Releasing Power (or Godly Mulch for a Church Plant) SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: My mind thrives on structure. Perhaps as a result of a graduate degree in logic, I have a difficult time dealing with things that don’t seem to fit. I’m working on a remodeling project at home, and my wife will tell you that I drive her nuts because everything has to fit perfectly. It may take me three times as long…
1 Cor. 4:6-7
SERIES: Christ is the Answer When the Church Is in Crisis Principles for Purging Pride SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: If you have been worshiping with us for the past several months as we have been studying the book of 1 Corinthians, you have undoubtedly become aware that one theme common to almost every paragraph so far is that of conflict and division in the local church in Corinth, particularly over their spiritual leaders. Some members were bragging that they were converted under Pastor…
Luke 10:38-42
Mary and Martha: Clash of Temperaments Introduction: Let’s begin today by reading our text, just five verses from Luke 10:38-42: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care…
James 4:1-10
Conflict in the Church Note: This sermon was preached in 1991. James 3:13-18 was covered by Associate Pastor Brad Harper, but the manuscript is not available. Introduction: A father heard a commotion in his yard and looked outside to see his daughter and several playmates in a heated quarrel. When he reprimanded her his daughter explained, “We’re just playing church!” Actually, that’s not too hard a scenario to believe. One of my favorite books is entitled Great Church Fights. It was written by a Conservative Baptist pastor named…