Epistle for February 8, 2013
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation February 8, 2013
Brother Vs. brother
Dr. Curt Scarborough
Introduction:
Even among Christian ministers, there are disagreements, misunderstandings,
and conflicts. This is not untypical, as we can see in the Scripture.
In Scripture:
1. James and John (and mother) vs. other disciples, Matthew 20:20-28.
2. Paul vs. Peter, Galatians 2:11-21; I Corinthians 9:1-6.
3. Paul vs. Barnabas, Acts 15:36-41.
The causes of these conflicts include immaturity, selfish ambition, meddling by a
family member, hypocrisy, low self-esteem, different backgrounds, education,
gifting, and temperament. Disagreement over staff relationships and leadership
Style, and not having the same ministry vision also contributed.
PRINCIPLES ON BROTHER VS. BROTHER CONFLICT
I. All are different: God made us that way: I Corinthians 4:7.
2. Mind your OWN business, John 21:21, 22.
3. Don't judge your brother's servant, Romans 14:4.
4. Accept those who serve Jesus differently from yourself:
a. Three reasons, each introduced by "for" in Mark 9:38-41.
b. Even if they have unworthy motives, Philippians 1:15-18.
5. Learn from and accept another's ministry, II Peter 3:15, 16.
6. Be teachable, flexible, willing to change your opinion, Colossians 4:40;
II Timothy 4:11.
7. Be forgiving and be reconciled immediately, Matthew 5:24; Ephesians 4:26.
Conclusion:
1. Much of the conflict, among brother ministers (and Christian denominations)
Has to do with different gifts, I Corinthians 12:1-12.
2. Desiring a particular spiritual gift or office is permitted, even encouraged,
I Corinthians 14:1; I Timothy 3:1.
3. Attempting to acquire spiritual gifts or offices by worldly means is not
only impossible, it is a sin, Acts 8:19-24.
4. The Father wants to give His children good gifts from the Holy Spirit,
if they'll just ask Him, Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13.
Silent suffering and free forgiveness
Dr., Curt Scarborough
Isaac was like a valley between two gigantic mountain peaks: Abraham and Jacob. Although his name appears
in the famous phrase identifying God, "God of Abraham Isaac, and Jacob," he often is overlooked as a rather wimpy
non-descript personality.
Yet, if Abraham is the "Father of the Faithful" and Jacob is the "Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel" . . . Isaac
could well be called the "Father of Forgiveness." A miraculous son of promise, whose name means "laughter," Isaac
was ridiculed by his older half-brother and he almost became the first human sacrifice.
I. A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Genesis 26 begins with a famine in the land, as is the case in so many other
accounts of God's providence in the Old Testament. This adversity moved
Isaac to the place where God wanted him to be. God appeared, spoke to him,
covenanted with him, and warned him not to go to Egypt, where his father
Abraham had gotten into trouble. Isaac obeyed, but followed his father's example
of compromise and lost integrity, just as Abraham had done in Genesis 12:10-20
and 20:1-18. When confronted about his lie, Isaac confessed the sin and his motivation,
realizing that the offense impacted unbelievers. Abraham's sins brought a plague upon
the Egyptians and threatened the welfare of the Philistines, So did Isaac's. A lesson
for us: Our sin is not only against God and harmful to ourselves, it also hurts unbelievers
who hold God's people to a higher standard.
II. A MAN BLESSED BY GOD
The land of famine (v. 1) now became for Isaac a land of abundance (v. 12). In that same
year, he sowed and reaped a hundred-fold return.
Notice the "exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)
blessings Isaac received from God. The progression of prosperity in verse 13 is
amazing: He began to prosper . . . continued prospering . . . became very prosperous.
This cycle is typical of God's merciful dealings with mankind. We see famine and
sin, followed by repentance and confession, followed by blessings and prosperity.
III. A MAN PERSECUTED BY UNBELIEVERS
The Philistines envied Isaac's prosperity (v. 14). Father Abraham had been troubled
earlier over the wells he had dug, Genesis 21:22-34. The treaty had soon been broken,
and his wells filled with dirt. (Unbelievers often desire for God's people to fail and
leave, because they are "shown-up" and uncomfortable.)
So now the Philistines demand that Isaac leave; he moves, vv. 16, 17. Then he opens
the wells his father had dug, called them by the names his father had given them, and
dug additional new wells, vv. 18, 19.
It may be good for us to go back to the place where our own spiritual forefathers dug
wells and discovered life-giving water. We may have to dig out the dirt which the enemy
has shoveled in there. But, unstopping the wells can be most beneficial for the refreshing,
renewing, reviving, which the church needs so desperately today. We don't need any new
structures or innovative programs . . . we need to get "back to basics" . . .finding and
unstopping those artesian wells of God's grace and power, and calling them by the same
names our fathers did.
IV. A MAN WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT
The events come rapidly and the opposition mounts daily. The unbelievers claim, "This
well is ours!" over and over. Isaac names the disputed wells "Esek" meaning Quarrel,
and "Sitnah" meaning Enmity (hatred, hostility), vv. 20, 21.
Each time Isaac avoided conflict and moved. This may seem wimpy in these days of
Litigation and demanding our rights, but a deep principle of Godliness was in operation
here.
Such a spirit of forgiveness and non-violence should characterize those of us who follow
Christ and His teachings. (See Matthew 5:38-48; 6:9-15; & 18:21-35)
Once again we see adversity moving Isaac to the place God wanted him to reside. Here
where God spoke to him and renewed the covenant, Isaac built an altar (worshipped),
called on God (prayed), pitched his tent (dwelt, abode), and dug a well (providing for
present needs and for future generations). Digging a well represents the discipline of
providing a cistern where God's water of Life can be collected and distributed to a thirsty
world. Yet even in this place of covenant renewal, worship, and service, unbelievers
continued to harass Isaac. They hated him, sent him away, destroyed his work, stole his
property, and lied about their motives.
In spite of everything, Isaac continued to treat them with kindness. With never ending
patience, and unlimited hospitality, he feasted them, swore not to retaliate against them,
and sent them on their way without hostility, vv. 27-31.
That same day, according to Genesis 26:32; Isaac's servants exclaimed, "We have found
water!" When Christians today live in the spirit of forgiveness, we too shall discover the
Rivers of Living Water flowing out from our lives to bless others, John 7:38, 39.
Isaac asked, "Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" (Genesis 22:7). John the Baptist
Answered that questions: "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world!" (John 1:29). Let us today resolve to follow that Lamb with a spirit, like Isaac's
of silent suffering and free forgiveness.
'How well we communicate is determined not by how well we
say things, but by how well we are understood."
--Andrew S. Grove
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